Plane Maker Shifts to Collecting Performance Data as Testing Progresses

Sonex Aircraft’s first high-wing design took its first flight on Monday, June 30, reporting solid engine and aircraft performance… with room for a couple of minor adjustments. Flights will soon continue for the plane maker to collect and publish its first set of numbers.

FAA Approves Middle Georgia State University for Controller Training

Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight against the air traffic controller shortage through its collegiate training initiative program, known as AT-CTI. It joins six other educational institutions from across the US.

House Reaffirms Revision, President To Sign Into Law July 4

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcomed the final passage of the budget reconciliation bill that retained multiple provisions intended to promote the growth and sustainability of the nation’s aviation industry as well as revamp and upgrade the technologies and infrastructure of the air traffic control (ATC) system.

Astronaut To Serve As Flight Engineer On June Soyuz Launch

Astronaut Anil Menon has been assigned his first mission to the International Space Station, NASA announced. He will serve as a flight engineer on Expedition 75 along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, expected to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in June 2025.

Partnership With Azorra Leasing Proving Productive

Aleutian Airways, operated by Sterling Airways, announced a significant step in its mission of connecting communities within Alaska and beyond. The airline has acquired its first ATR-600 aircraft through a new partnership with Azorra Aircraft Leasing.

Also: Outlaw Prop 4 Mooney, Ready 4 Duty, Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Lost, Blue Origin Flt

On his journey to become the first pilot to land solo on all seven continents, 19-year-old Ethan Guo hit a legal roadblock. He was arrested for altering his flight plan and landing in Antarctica without notifying ATC. Guo is an instrument-rated private pilot, allegedly with more than 700 hours of flight time. Via his Cessna 182Q Skylane, registered N182WT, he has already managed to land in all 48 contiguous states and cross the Atlantic three times. Four Vietnam Airlines pilots have been suspended as the carrier investigates a recent ground collision between a Boeing 787 and an Airbus A321, at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. There were no injuries, and the planes were quickly swapped out for flights to continue. The U.S. Senate passed the budget reconciliation bill, aka President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, that contains $12.5 billion for the modernizati

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate

The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells us that the flight took place on the evening of Monday, June 30 2025, and was piloted by Sonex Advisory Board member Joe Norris. Admittedly; the flight was a brief one due to a passenger-side door latch issue. However, all engine temperatures were reported to be in the green and the aircraft was reported to have handled as-expected with only slight rigging adjustments needed. High on Jim Campbell’s flight test list, leading into Oshkosh 2025, is the Blackshape Gabriel... a close cousin to the Blackshape Prime he tested some weeks ago... to very positive result. He came away with solid opinions of the craftsmanship, handling and overall performance of the Prime, as well as the general attitude of the company folks he worked with, to whom integrity seemed to be

"OIQ"???—What The Heck Is That?

Pay attention, Oshkosh exhibitors... this is IMPORTANT. The OIQ is something essential for those of you doing any kind of business at AirVenture 2025— it's your OSHKOSH INNOVATION QUOTIENT, and it can be critially important to the success of your efforts. It determines your relevance, your ability to innovate, and your value to the aviation world.  And this year, we think there is no better way to display it than one of the most anticipated episodes of ANN's award-winning Airborne news program—dramatically scheduled for the Friday before AirVenture opens the gates. 

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.

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)....