Countdown to the 27th AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race Begins

It’s that time of year again for pilots with aircraft of all shapes and sizes to begin registering for the annual AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race (AVC). Over 100 people have put their names into the competition so far, and applications will remain open through June 2.

$1.5 Million Runway Sells to 530 Investments LLC for $500k

Iowa’s Marion Airport (C17) is being temporarily saved in a $500,000 runway sale, representing less than a third of the city’s original purchase. The new owner, 530 Investments LLC, will be required to maintain the runway for at least the next 10 years. City officials purchased the Marion runway and its FBO more than a decade ago for a hefty $1.67 million.

Taiwan’s China Airlines Purchases Ten 777-9 and Four 777-8 Aircraft

Boeing recently revealed that the unidentified customer who had purchased 14 B777X aircraft in March, becoming the program’s 14th customer, was Taiwan’s China Airlines. This brings the 777X backlog to over 500 planes, with its first delivery slated for 2026.

Also: Rotax Service Instruction, LAA Jabiru Alert, New AMA Boss, FlightSimExpo

ANN’s Jim Campbell got an hour in the SLEEK Blackshape Prime last week along with a chance to wring it out a bit in order to investigate its performance and capabilities. The current generation of tandem hotrods are getting a lot of attention... but the Prime appears to deserve it. Our low-wing composite test bird was powered by a Rotax 915 and an MT prop, retractable gear and a lavish bubble canopy that makes one feel like they are flying a goldfish bowl... The Porto Aviation Risen has gotten a LOT of attention for a non-stop Trans-Atlantic run to oshkosh last year, distinctive looks and some impressive cruise speeds... but now, Porto reports that they have conducted necessary flutter analysis to make sure that the bird can handle the speeds demonstrated to this point. DirectFly USA brought several of its best-sellers, the Alto NG, to this year’s SUN ‘

Also: Hartzell Pathfinder Carbon Prop, RAF Flyby, Qatar's BIG Boeing Order?, ‘Luxury Aircraft Tax’

Three MB-339 jets from the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team, dubbed Frecce Tricolori, collided mid-air during an airshow display. Luckily, despite some substantial damage to the planes, no injuries were reported. One of the aircraft hit two others while in formation. The three pilots quickly moved to get their aircraft on the ground. After a lengthy restoration from a collection of scrap off Taroa island, the Military Aviation Museum announced the first flight of their A6M3 Zero–probably the first Model 32 variant to fly since the factory made them in 1945! The Houthi rebels recently lost three out of their four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s and one A330, due to Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport. All airline and airport employees had been evacuated before the strikes, leaving no human fa

Also: Hartzell Pathfinder Carbon Prop, RAF Flyby, Qatar's BIG Boeing Order?, ‘Luxury Aircraft Tax’

Three MB-339 jets from the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team, dubbed Frecce Tricolori, collided mid-air during an airshow display. Luckily, despite some substantial damage to the planes, no injuries were reported. One of the aircraft hit two others while in formation. The three pilots quickly moved to get their aircraft on the ground. After a lengthy restoration from a collection of scrap off Taroa island, the Military Aviation Museum announced the first flight of their A6M3 Zero–probably the first Model 32 variant to fly since the factory made them in 1945! The Houthi rebels recently lost three out of their four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s and one A330, due to Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport. All airline and airport employees had been evacuated before the strikes, leaving no h

Pilots Union All In On Overdue Infrastructure Investments

The Air Line Pilots Association Int’l voiced its support for the air traffic control system modernization plan released by Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. The proposal calls for a complete overhaul of the system’s infrastructure, from hardware to software, technology, facilities, and communications.

An Amazing Experience Awaits The Chosen Few...

Oshkosh, to us, seems the perfect place to get started on watching aviation recover the past couple of years... and so ANN is putting EXTRA effort and resources into our coverage of Oshkosh 2025... just a little under 90 days hence. We are now undertaking the process to seek talented stringers to help us present Oshkosh and the sport and general aviation community to the world around us. If you ever thought about joining us, this is THE year to do it. IF YOU want to be a part of this unique adventure, speak up NOW, rather than later, because we're going to be looking for the best volunteer folks we can find and are planning to do so ASAP. You've been warned (grin)....

Also: Tricky Golf Course Deadstick, Textron Special Olympics, Artemis II, FlightSimExpo!

Stratolaunch conducted the second successful launch and recovery of its Talon-A2 autonomous vehicle in a flight that exceeded its previous speed beyond Mach 5, also for the second time. Stratolaunch is focused on expanding its hypersonic flight testing to support US defense objectives in its return to hypersonic flight since the end of the X-15 program in 1968. FIFI, one of only two flying B-29 Superfortresses, will be grounded for the next month or so for intensive repairs to two of its engines. Unfortunately, this timing means that the Commemorative Air Force will be forced to push back its 2025 AirPower History Tour. Spirit AeroSystems is temporarily laying off between 250 and 350 employees at its Wichita facility, citing an overproduction of parts for the Boeing 737. The furloughs, which begin May 12 and are expected to last about 30 days. They will affect

L3Harris Comes to the Rescue, Modifying an Interim Presidential Aircraft

Boeing’s plan to replace the aging pair of Air Force One 747s has hit a wall—again. The program, originally set for completion in 2024, is now at least four years behind schedule. Meanwhile, the Air Force has turned to L3Harris Technologies to convert a privately owned Qatari 747-8 into a temporary solution.