Distributor? Sells Out SUN ‘n FUN Display, Begins Filling Up 2025 Slots

Light sport aircraft Distributor, DirectFly USA, brought several of its best-sellers, the Alto NG, to this year’s SUN ‘n FUN aerospace expo. In the end, every single one sold and will be put to work in a flight training role. Demand has yet to slow, with this year’s production slots still filling up.

ATC Asks Two Delta Flights to Go-Around Due to a Military Helicopter Nearby

Federal Aviation Administration investigators are looking into two aborted landings at Reagan National Airport (DCA) on May 1. These go-arounds were issued by an air traffic controller who believed a military transport helicopter was too close for comfort.

Saudi Arabia, UAE May Also Be Lining Up Investments

According to reports, Qatar Airways is finalizing a large order for Boeing widebody aircraft, and Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are also planning to announce aircraft investments when President Donald Trump visits the Middle East beginning May 13.

Bill Would Place a 10% Tax on Aircraft Valued at Over $500K

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is making its voice heard, urging the Washington Governor to throw out a potential new tax on ‘luxury recreational vehicles.’ This applies to not only motor homes and boats, but also non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000.

State Dept Approves $310M Deal For F-16 Support

The U.S. State Department has given initial approval for the sale to Ukraine of $310.5 million worth of equipment and training support for F-16 fighter jets in a deal that will also promote improved cooperation with the U.S. Air Force.

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The Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone towards pilotless dogfighting. The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A will be used to evaluate proposed focusing on propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfaces, helping to validate the performance of things as they are now while the USAF plans for future developments. A recent analysis claims that drones are responsible for up to two-thirds of near-misses with commercial aircraft at America’s busiest airports. The FAA has taken steps to avoid these events, but the spike in unauthorized drone flights certainly is not aiding their cause. Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full transition from vertical to horizontal flight with a pilot on board. This puts the aircraft one step closer to achieving commercial operation

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Dynon Avionics has made a strategic investment in Trig Avionics. This investment brings Trig into the Dynon Group of companies and strengthens a long-standing partnership between the two innovators in general aviation. Dynon Avionics was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Woodinville, Washington. The U.S. Navy lost an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet in the Red Sea when it rolled off the USS Harry S. Truman while it was being towed. A factor in the incident was that the Truman was making hard turns to avoid Houthi fire. All personnel involved in towing the aircraft were able to avoid being dragged and are safely accounted for. Fairbanks pilot Kenneth Jouppi is being forced to forfeit his Cessna 206 Stationair after ‘knowingly’ using it to transport a six-pack to a dry village… 13 years ago. Jouppi, as the owner of KenAir LLC, was found guilty

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An NTSB Preliminary report is shedding some light on the Rob Holland tragedy. And there now seems to be a mechanical element as a prime suspect. The flight was destined for LFI, where the airplane made a normal approach to the runway and when it was over the end of the runway, it leveled off about 50 ft above the runway and flew straight down the runway for several hundred feet. ‘The airplane then “porpoised” twice, pitched “straight up,” rolled 90° to the left and descended to ground impact.’ Airbus is resurrecting a former trade war tactic by redirecting aircraft deliveries to US airlines through other countries to avoid President Trump’s tariff chaos. The move is part of a broader effort to minimize the financial impact of proposed import duties on civil aircraft. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be throwing so

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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

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Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full transition from vertical to horizontal flight with a pilot on board. This puts the aircraft one step closer to achieving commercial operation. The manufacturer’s all-electric air taxi demonstrated its in-flight transition capabilities for the first time in 2017. General aviation manufacturer Diamond Aircraft recently launched its official flying community, Diamond Flying Club (DFC), and its connected online portal. Through this, members can register their profile, share stories, and presumably talk about how much they love their DA62. “Pilots in Canada have faced numerous issues related to eligibility, aircraft type, age, and costs, all of which have impeded their ability to take to the skies. COPA aims to remove these obstacles with its new insurance program t