Autonomous Falcon Shows Just how Far the Tech Has Come

US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, or VISTA, to illustrate just how far autonomous aircraft have come. The aircraft sounds much snazzier than it is in reality, being a 30-year old, 2-seat F-16D with a nifty paint job and an R2-D2 in one of the seats. The aircraft has long been in the US Air Force Test Pilot School, where it received modifications for multi-axis thrust vectoring and aerodynamics. It went on to be used in the Skyborg program, equipped with an autonomous control system. Its latest guise now holds an updated and upgraded AI 'pilot', making it the very first AI fighter to dogfight

Despite Somewhat Realistic Beginnings, State Committee Reaches Too Far, Faceplants

A state bill that would have required air tour operators in Hawaii to hold liability insurance over $20 million per person, per incident did not stick the landing, to the collective release of pilots in the area. Hawaii State Senate Bill 2747 was introduced by State Senator Chris Lee, D-25, with the requirement being $1 million in liability coverage per person, per incident. That didn't last long, though, since a Senate Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts removed the price requirement and punted the bill over to the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce (CPC) for review. They were supposed to check the language and find a more w

NBAA Honored Yeager And Rutan With The Association’s 'Meritorious Service To Aviation' Award

As expected (and is proper), the aviation world is expressing their feelings about the loss of LtC Dick Rutan... The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has therefore marked the passing of acclaimed pilot and aviation pioneer Dick Rutan. “We join with our global aviation community in mourning the loss of a true aviation trailblazer,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Dick Rutan was a legend who will be profoundly missed.”

First Of The Four Airplanes Is Expected To Arrive In Late Summer Of 2025

Premier Scott Moe and Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman have disclosed details on the four re-purposed land-based airtanker aircraft, consisting of two Dash 8-Q400AT models and two Dash 8-Q400MRE models, being purchased for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) at an approximate cost of $187.06 million. The planes will replace the current fleet of land-based airtanker aircraft, which consists of four Convair 580 airplanes. Those planes will approach the end of their useful lifespan in 2027.

As Always, the Furnace of Battle Winnows Out Impurities

Ukrainians reportedly aren't too impressed with US drone tech, according to rumor, finding it more costly, finicky, and unreliable compared to Chinese equivalents. The Ukrainian battlespace has become the world's premier combat laboratory for anyone in the military industry, with all manner of funding and procurement routes to get untested-but-promising gear up to the frontlines of the most high-intensity combat allied armies have seen in years. The result? Cheap drones that can stay in contact with their command structure rule the day, allowing simple, effective placement of small ordnance on target, scouting from a safe distance, or intelligence gathering to form an accurate picture of

NASA Demo Program Starts Doing the Legwork on Electrified Commuter Planes 

Indian regional carrier Air Tindi has promised one of its De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft for use under the magniX electric powertrain program, where it will be used as a testbed to establish the feasibility of their magni650 engine in a real-world environment. The news follows magniX’s successful completion of their 1st phase of testing in the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed facility in Sandusky, Ohio. Testing there focused on assessing its power us, 800-volt operations, and thermal performance using their magni650 engine at altitudes up to 27,500 feet. The company snagged a $74.3 million contract in 2021, assisting with NASA’s testing facility as a corporate

AMTs and Company Descend on Portland, Oregon in Force

The National Business Aviation Association capped off a successful 2024 NBAA Maintenance Conference, and already started looking forward to next year. The NBAA saw attendees make the rounds from all over the continental US, bringing those who want to foster a stronger generation of maintenance professionals. Keynote speakers included Greg Wooldridge, a 3-time CO of the US Navy's Blue Angels and Amy Grubb, an FBI psychologist who walked audiences through proper organizational handling.“I’ve taken the adage, ‘You fly the airplane, don’t let it fly you,’ and I’ve applied it to everything in my life,” said Wooldridge. 

Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD

This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World War II aviation as the EAA launches a nationwide tour with its restored B-25 Mitchell bomber, known as the "Berlin Express." The Berlin Express will begin its journey at the TBM Avenger Reunion in Peru, Illinois, from May 16-19, before moving on to other locations including Cincinnati, Ohio; Olathe, Kansas; Rockford, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin. Textron Inc. reported a solid financial performance for the first quarter of 2024, indicating a strong start to the year wit

Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD

This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World War II aviation as the EAA launches a nationwide tour with its restored B-25 Mitchell bomber, known as the "Berlin Express." The Berlin Express will begin its journey at the TBM Avenger Reunion in Peru, Illinois, from May 16-19, before moving on to other locations including Cincinnati, Ohio; Olathe, Kansas; Rockford, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin. Textron Inc. reported a solid financial performance for the first quarter of 2024, indicating a strong start to the year with notab

Student Pilot’s Failure To Maintain Helicopter Control Which Resulted In Impact

Analysis: The operator reported that the student pilot had completed three solo touch and go landings and was returning to land on the ramp. While approaching the parking area, he was distracted by two aircraft on the ramp, and the helicopter began an uncontrolled yaw. The student pilot lowered the collective and arrested the yaw, but as the helicopter entered ground effect, he raised the collective, and the uncontrolled yaw resumed. The helicopter impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor, and tail rotor.

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Pilots Competed For $10,000 For A First Place Finish…

Drone Racing came to the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo in January, with pilots competing for a $10,000 first prize. But the event was about more than just the money, according to Chris Thomas, founder and president of MultiGP, which organized the event. Thomas told ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell that the Sebring event was the first time MultiGP had worked with the FAA to conduct a drone race in close proximity to General Aviation activity.&n

Aero Linx: The T-6 Racing Association

The T-6 Racing Association is all about T-6‘s and racing. Our mission is to bring great racing to our fans in Reno and other venues where racing may be. Anyone can join! Whether you are a race spectator, an aircraft owner, or just someone with a passion for airplanes, sign up today and help us keep this unique event going.

Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot weather reports (urgent PIREP/UUA), center weather advisories (CWA), airmen’s meteorological information (AIRMET/WA) and any other weather such as isolated thunderstorms that are rapidly developing and increasing in intensity, or low ceilings and visibilities that are becoming widespread which is considered significant and are not included in a current hazardous weather advisory.

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"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI certification standards that will revolutionize the future of aerospace. Our proven hardware and software architecture enable safe and controlled environments for AI agents and advanced algorithms to rapidly prototype and develop." Source: John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, following the successful flight in which US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, or VISTA, to illustrate just how far autonomous aircraft have c