Also: AV-30-C Software Upgrade, Paraglider Extremes, EarthX STC for Pitts, Vintage Aircraft Association
Not only have the folks at Van’s Aircraft designed a new wing for the RV-15, but they just started flying it. One of the most anxiously awaited aircraft expected at Oshkosh 2025 seems to be hitting its final strides before Van’s freezes the design and starts on a path to kithood. The new wing offers a number of upgrades including an expansion of fuel capacity to 60 gallons, and the first flight apparently met with the approval of those involved in the initial flight test, though data is slim at this point. The first in the Scalebirds Lite Fighter series is nearing design completion after extensive flight testing and som
Version 3.0.1 for the Company’s Flagship AV-30-C Flight Display Earns Approval
The FAA recently gave its nod approval to the latest software version of uAvionix’s certified AV-30-C flight display. This upgrade aims to provide both feature and functionality improvements for VFR and IFR pilots. The AV-30-C is widely used in general aviation as a replacement for the traditional AI or DG in VFR or IFR operations.
Issues RFI For “Integrator” To Coordinate All Aspects Of Project
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the FAA is looking for an innovative company to play the role of “integrator” who will lead the build-out of a brand-new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system. As a way to encourage industry partners to join in and discuss the plan, Duffy and the FAA are hosting “Industry Days” on June 10-12.
Rocheleau Asks for $22 Bil to Modernize the National Airspace System
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau recently took the stage to present the agency’s budget request for fiscal year 2026. His $22 billion ask, on top of the pre-allocated $5 billion, would support some much-needed technology upgrades, a hiring supercharge, and several other projects.
Branch Looks to Revamp Trainer Fleet, Flight Instruction, and Simulator Use
Under its Flight School Next initiative, the US Army is looking to completely revamp its helicopter training programs. This could include replacing its well-loved UH-72A Lakotas, bringing in new instruction methodologies, and introducing additional simulator training.
Cost-Cutting Not Targeting ATC, Engineers, Inspectors
Departures and resignations are surging at the FAA, driven in part by a cost-cutting program implemented under the Trump administration, numbering about 1,200 and accounting for about 3% of the 46,000 employees, but the agency said frontline positions such as air traffic controllers, engineers, and inspectors are not part of the program and the cuts do not affect them.
Also: AV-8B Harrier For CAF Arizona, Boeing Gets ODA, Army NG Rescue, Longitude To C. America
A California Superior Court judge recently ruled that GAMI’s unleaded avgas does not meet the legal definition of “commercially available,” meaning FBOs and distributors in the state are not required to stock or sell it, particularly not in place of 100LL. The decision follows a motion by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) seeking to enforce a 2014 consent judgment requiring fuel sellers to offer a lower-lead alternative when one becomes widely available. The FAA has required SpaceX to conduct an investigation of the Starship Flig
Also: Williams International Builds Up, Marines v Drones, NBAA v Tariffs, New GAMA Members
Hermeus confirmed the flight of its Quarterhorse MK 1 aircraft at the Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, a significant step in the company’s pace of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft development. Development of the Quarterhorse MK 1 went from clean sheet to flight-ready in just over a year, demonstrating its rapid pace in advancing the mission of Hermeus to make hypersonic flight operational. The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) held its 81st Annual Forum recently in Virginia Beach, Virginia. VFS officials indicated that this year’s 3-
From 2021: The Inside Skinny On What Being An ANN Oshkosh Stringer Is All About
By ANN Senior Stringer Extraordinare, Gene Yarbrough
The annual gathering at Oshkosh is a right of passage or a pilgrimage to Mecca for many. However the rank and file public rarely have the opportunity to experience the FULL Oshkosh experience. Oshkosh, like onions and ogres, is a multi-layered microcosm within the enigma of the greater Wisconsin county in which it transpires. The Aero-News Network stringer has opportunity, and if so inclined, the access to every aspect of general aviation including the "behind the scenes" view few even know exist.
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
12V Lithium Batteries Provide Impressive Weight and Life Span Savings
Colorado-based lithium battery manufacturer EarthX is now offering its 12V and 24V FAA TSO-certified batteries to the general aviation market. The 12V model was even recently granted an STC for several Cessna 172 and Aviat Pitts aircraft.
Lakeland College Offers Airframe and Powerplant Program to the Masses
Traviss Technical College, based in Lakeland, Florida, is now offering two Part 147-certified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) courses. These are designed to help fill a long-standing gap in the aviation industry by fostering the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians. The program is run by Cynthia ‘Rosie’ Roosevelt, who began her career on a US Navy combat aircraft carrier in the early 90’s. After spending her days working on F-18s and H-53s, she decided to earn her A&P ticket and transition to general aviation. Eventually, this path led h
As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation is rolling out even more financial incentives (aka bribes) to encourage experienced controllers to remain on the job beyond retirement age. The latest offer is a 20% annual bonus. Vertical Aerospace announced that its VX4 eVTOL performed its first successful winged flight with a pilot at the controls, marking the first piloted wingborne flight of a winged eVTOL in open European airspace. The flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, came on the heels of approval
Sustainability Push is Still Ongoing, But There’s a Long Way to Go
The International Air Transport Association updated their fact sheet on Sustainable Aviation Fuel, providing a hint at what the rest of 2025 should look like for the eco-friendly Jet-A replacement. Overall, the IATA expects SAF production to reach only 2Mt this year, working out to about 0.7% of jet fuel use worldwide. On the bright side, they say, SAF mandates in the United Kingdom and European Union kicked in to help provide the kind of scaffolding the industry needs to succeed.
Also: Duffy Wants $$$, KS Airports, Morningside U’s Aviation School, New Airstrip In ID
After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several US Representatives presented bizarre legislation that would ban pretty much all non-essential helicopter operations across New York City. The bill addresses a general heightened concern for growing air traffic rates in high-density areas and new irrational anti-aviation sentiment. Around 3,000 machinists from two Pratt & Whitney plants in Connecticut officially inked an end to a three-week strike over wages, job security, and retirement benefits by approving a four-year contract.
Also: NBAA v Tariffs, B-29 DOC/P-51 Tour, Alberta Int’l AirShow Kaput, First D328eco Test Aircraft
Jared ‘Rook’ Isaacman has been dropped, shortly before a final confirmation vote, as the Trump admin nominee to head NASA. The move has shocked the space community, who seemed fairly well aligned in their support for the two-time private astronaut. A routine paragliding equipment test went wrong when a strong updraft pushed the pilot to an altitude of 28,000 feet. He was able to regain enough control to get back on the ground, where he will stay for the next six months due to the flight ban imposed thereafter. Experienced Chinese pa
Also: Warbirds In Review Schedule, Yak-55M Gets Tossed, DOGE-NTSB Budget Cuts, Joint Base Andrews
The Ercoupe Owners Club announced its 2025 National Convention will be held from Tuesday, July 15 to Saturday, July 19, at the Wausau Downtown Airport (KAUW) in Wisconsin. This year’s event will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ‘Coupe’s Type Certificate. After the convention, the group will depart for the EAA AirVenture fly-in at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh. Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, PHD, discussed on the FAA’s YouTube channel “Pilot Minute” what came out of the Aviation Rulemaking
Also: Horizon X7 eVTOL, Golden Dome, Merlin Exp A/W Cert, Rotors v Trees
SpaceX launched its ninth flight test of a complete Starship vehicle nearly on time after a few minutes of holds before getting a move on. This was a far tougher flight test than previous missions, especially for the booster which was subjected to some aggressive and adverse test conditions... which it did not survive before its scheduled landing in the Gulf of America. This was the second flight of the booster... Electra has conducted wind tunnel testing at the MIT Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel that confirmed its blown wing design delivers the high lift for takeoff and landing within
Easy Online Forms Available For Sport Plane Manufacturers And Suppliers To Be Listed In The Upcoming eSPRG
Work on the SportPlane Resource Guide is going well… Albeit a little bit behind schedule, because as we got into this process, things became a bit more complicated simply because we learned we could do an even better job at certain aspects of this project than we thought from the beginning. They say that the enemy of true quality is the phrase "good enough" and we want to be far more than “good enough.”
FMI: www.sportplane.com,
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With The eSPRG Only Weeks Away From Its Start Date, A-AF Will Help To Support Sport Flyers, Worldwide
With the all-new and all-digital SportPlane Resource Guide getting ready for publication early next year, the Aero-News Network is pleased to announce yet another addition to the Airborne video news programming roster… Airborne-Affordable Flyers. Dedicated to keeping people up-to-date on the most affordable aspects of sport and general aviation, Airborne-Affordable Flyers is one of our most exciting offerings yet. A-AF will delve into more than just the current LSA community, but look at all aspects of aviation to examine and ev
Jumper’s Emergency Parachute Deployed Out Of The Airplane And Subsequently Drug Him Into The Horizontal Stabilizer
Analysis: The pilot reported that during a skydiving flight, the first jumper scraped his emergency parachute handle while moving toward the jump door. The jumper’s emergency parachute deployed out of the airplane and subsequently drug him into the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that he heard a loud “bang” and focused on maintaining control of the airplane. After the remaining jumpers exited the airplane, the nose of the airplane “dropped straight down.”
Massive Aviation News Event Started 2024 Off With a Plethora of Exciting Info
Last year, we introduced the SnF Innovation Preview in which 25 companies introduced over 30 new planes, products, engines, accessories, and more… in other words… a LOT of news. Rotax previewed the powerful 916iS, CubCrafters showcased the Carbon Cub UL, Bose introduced the A30, Aerox revealed the Boomula… and so much more. This year, we went beyond that... way beyond all that, with a larger selection of news announcements that covered ALL aspects of sport, general and commercial aviation... all at the start of the
BIG Upgrades In The Works --- ANN Is Seeking EXCEPTIONAL New Staffers
The last few years have been about as challenging a time as we can recall... but we survive (yeah, we're kinda surprised, too) and look forward to 2025 and what we see as a very rewarding (and yes, still challenging) new generation of activities at ANN. After some truly weird times during the pandemic, ANN continues to expand slowly, but surely, and we have some truly intriguing upgrades coming up over the next few months. In other words, we're about to grow again -- REALLY/TRULY -- and in some novel directions. The much-appreciated expansion of
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And That's But One Of Over A Dozen Major Developments Planned For The Next Year Or So
Aero-News Network is now available on Roku and Amazon FireTV! That’s right folks. You can now get your daily dose of aviation news… right on the ol' giggle box! This is an EPIC development for our network, one of many to come, and we’re thrilled to offer you this new way to watch our news programming. Whether you’re a traditional website reader, podcast listener, or YouTube subscriber, we’re dedicated to giving you quality, honest, aviation news that you can trust and broadening our reach and audience aggressively in the coming years, so that we may both Grow and Inform the aviatio
Brand New! Avoid The Need For A Comeback... Get Your Marketing Right, Right Now!
Some time ago, the Aero-News Network, responding to numerous requests, established a marketing and communications sister company by the name of AEROPRENEUER... and it's been doing amazing work under these difficult circumstances -- and getting results! We're getting rave reviews from our clients, and working hard to earn the trust of a number of new marketing partners along the way. ANN's Amber Cedroni has come up with a few tips to help aero-businesses stay alive in these tough times, and
Emphasis On Growing The Future of Aviation Through Concentration on 'AFFORDABLE FLYERS'
It's been a number of years since the Latest Edition of Jim Campbell's HUGE SportPlane Resource Guide first saw the light of day. That massive 1100 page book last featured over 800 exciting sport aircraft from all over the SportPlane universe... at a time when the SportPlane industry was still a healthy, thriving enterprise (those were the days...). While there has been some consideration, off and on, toward updating the nearly 5 pound book, the near implosion of the SportPlane and kit industry over the last decade has made such a pursuit an unwieldy one... until now.
It’s been a while since we have reminded everyone about all the ways we offer your daily dose of aviation news on-the-go...so here is a full list of ways you can subscribe to our channels and get notifications when there are new episodes or breaking news!
1) Subscribe To Our Newsletter
When surveyed, almost half of our audience shared with us that they rely on our daily newsletter to get their aviation news for the day and stay up-to-date in their field or craft. Are you subscribed yet? If not, use the link below to receive our daily Propwash emails that always feature a feed of our latest stories and breaking news.
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Aero Linx: Society of Air Racing Historians
The Society of Air Racing Historians was established with a small group of air racing enthusiasts with an intention to share their affection and effort towards aviation sport. Air Racing Historians society preserves the complete knowledge of races, racing records, race pilots and shares their effort of achievements and records.
Go Around
Instructions for a pilot to abandon his/her approach to landing. Additional instructions may follow. Unless otherwise advised by ATC, a VFR aircraft or an aircraft conducting visual approach should overfly the runway while climbing to traffic pattern altitude and enter the traffic pattern via the crosswind leg. A pilot on an IFR flight plan making an instrument approach should execute the published missed approach procedure or proceed as instructed by ATC; e.g., “Go around” (additional instructions if required).
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“We have an antiquated air traffic control system that is showing its age. In order to implement President Trump and I’s plan for a brand new system, we need the technical expertise and management experience from the best innovators in the world.”
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the FAA is looking for an innovative company to play the role of “integrator” who will lead the build-out of a brand-new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system.
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