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Piper Aircraft reported impressive company growth in 2024, hitting its highest delivery volume since 2001, with a total of 291 aircraft sold. The report demonstrates a 20 percent, or 46 aircraft, year-over-year increase from 2023. The manufacturer’s high point was in international deliveries, with 74 aircraft marking a 76% annual increase. The final Martin JRM Mars flying boat, dubbed Philippine Mars, took its last flight on February 10. The iconic aircraft is now being taken apart and hauled to its permanent display in the Pima Air and Space Museum. The Martin JRM Mars is a four-engine cargo flying boat designed to serve the United St
Both Crewmembers Stable After Ejecting From Fighter Jet
A US Navy EA-18G Growler crashed into San Diego Bay near Naval Air Station North Island on February 12 at 10:15 a.m. The two-person crew ejected safely and were rescued by a nearby fishing charter, with both in stable condition at a local hospital. The fighter jet was operated by Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135).
Philippine Mars Moves to Pima Air and Space Museum
The final Martin JRM Mars flying boat, dubbed Philippine Mars, took its last flight on February 10. The iconic aircraft is now being taken apart and hauled to its permanent display in the Pima Air and Space Museum. The Martin JRM Mars is a four-engine cargo flying boat designed to serve the United States Navy during World War II.
French Govt Plans to Raise Airline Ticket Solidarity Taxes
In a move that business aviation leaders call a direct attack on their industry, the French government is set to increase passenger taxes on private flights by up to 2,100 euros per passenger starting March 1. The tax is part of the 2025 finance bill, which aims to generate 1 billion euros annually from air travel taxes.
Jesse Torres-Alonso Faces Up To Five Years in Prison
On February 11, 35-year-old Jesse Torres-Alonso pled guilty to pointing a laser beam at Kern County’s Air One helicopter. He now faces up to five years in the can as well as a $250,000 maximum fine. Torres is set to be sentenced on May 20, 2025, by US District Judge John A. Mendez.
German drone manufacturer Wingcopter announced the extension of its offerings beyond cargo drones to include long-range BVLOS LiDAR surveying solutions by equipping its Wingcopter 198 product with laser scanning and camera systems to enable the efficient and rapid gathering of high-quality LiDAR data.
Turkish Airlines, already a long-time user of CAE’s Flight Plan Management tool, signed a long-term agreement to deploy CAE’s next-gen Crew Management product and its Unified Task Board, a new situational awareness and disruption management solution for airline operations control centers (OCC).
Malmstrom AFB Unit Putting New System Through Paces
The 550th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, conducted the first flight of its new Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf in the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation program (IOT&E), a critical phase in the development and fielding of new military systems. The flight was performed on January 28, 2025 in conjunction with two UH-1N Huey helicopters of the 40th Helicopter Squadron, also at Malmstrom.
ierra Space is becoming the newest content provider for EAA’s AeroEducate online resource and will be adding space-related content to its already-strong offerings. The agreement with Sierra Space gives EAA AeroEducate a true space-oriented subject matter expert to help create new space-focused activities for the K-12 students and their teachers who use the platform. In the future, the company will develop youth space-related awards under the AeroEducate achievement badge program. Textron Aviation announced its first international sale of seven of its Beechcraft
ierra Space is becoming the newest content provider for EAA’s AeroEducate online resource and will be adding space-related content to its already-strong offerings. The agreement with Sierra Space gives EAA AeroEducate a true space-oriented subject matter expert to help create new space-focused activities for the K-12 students and their teachers who use the platform. In the future, the company will develop youth space-related awards under the AeroEducate achievement badge program. Textron Aviation announced its first international sale of seven of its Beechcraft King Ai
An Alert Notice (ALNOT) Was Issued When The Pilot Did Not Reach Their Intended Destination
On January 14, 2025, about 0622 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6502P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS), Rock Springs, Wyoming, on a cross-country flight, with a destination of Apple Valley Airport (APV), Apple Valley, California, where the pilot was going for work. An alert notice (ALNOT) was issued when the pilot did not reach their intended destination. The wreckage was located the following day by local law en
From 2016 (YouTube Edition): No Kidding.... This Is Electro-Nostalgia At Its Best!
While at the AMA Expo 2016, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, came across a real “blast from the past.” Jim met up with Brian Curry, the owner of “Memories From the Past,” and Jim re-lived some of those days when he received his introduction to aviation through model aircraft. It sometimes seems like everybody has to collect something, and for Curry it’s model aircraft radio control units from the past. Curry tells the fascinating story of how he got started with his collection, and it is quite a story. Curry’s oldes
Aero Linx: Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
The Alaska Aviation Museum is located in the heart of Alaska aviation. It sits on the south shore of Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world, with more than 87,000 takeo?s and landings per year. A half-mile away is Ted Stevens International Airport, the air crossroads of the world. You can watch takeo?s and landings right from the museum. The museum presents one of the finest displays of Alaskan aviation history with interactive displays, memorabilia, photographs, films and artifacts from personal collections of Alaska’s pioneer aviators.
UAS Traffic Management (UTM)
The unmanned aircraft traffic management ecosystem that will allow multiple low altitude BVLOS operations and which is separate from, but complementary to, FAA's Air Traffic Control System.
"Harbor Security boats are on site securing the area, and a containment boom was placed around the crash site to minimize the spread of fuel and debris. Environmental and safety teams are working to mitigate any potential impacts. There are no reports of civilian injuries or damage at this time."
Source: Part of a Navy statement made as a US Navy EA-18G Growler crashed into San Diego Bay near Naval Air Station North Island on February 12 at 10:15 a.m. The two-person crew ejected safely and were rescued by a nearby fishing charter, with both in stable condition at a local hospital.
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