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May 05, 2025

Airborne 05.05.25: NTSB Holland Prelim, Airlines v Tariffs, $$$ For ATC

Also: 787-Billion Pax, Ryanair Buying Chinese, Ballooning HoF, ERAU MX Competition

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 countrie

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Boeing 787 Reaches the Billion Pax Milestone in Record Time

Fourteen Years and a Billion Passengers for the Global Dreamliner Fleet

On April 30, Boeing announced that its worldwide fleet of 787 Dreamliners had surpassed a billion passengers carried in the less than fourteen years since its entry-to-service. The aircraft reached this milestone faster than any widebody airliner in history.

Study Blames Drones for Two-Thirds of Close Calls With Airliners

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.

All ATC Academy Graduates to Pocket $5,000, Courtesy of the FAA

As part of a major push to boost controller hiring, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be throwing some extra cash at ATC Academy graduates, new hires, and controllers who opt to work past retirement age. Though there has not been a cap set on the incentive, the FAA likely can’t afford this system forever.

Former Government Affairs Senior Director Succeeds Chad Budreau

On April 28, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) named Tyler Dobbs as its new Executive Director. He previously served as a part of the organization’s Government Affairs team and will now replace Chad Budreau in a higher role.

Anduril, General Atomics Step Up to Provide Demo Planes Under Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The Department of the Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone towards pilotless dogfighting, according to a recent announcement. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin announced the “huge milestone”, calling the start of ground testing “another step toward first flight and rapid delivery to our warfighters…” adding “These unmanned fighters are going to be badass!”

Lengthy Flight: NASA Cuts Off Super Pressure Balloon Flight After 17 Days

NASA Conducted Termination Operations Of The Mission Over Open Water For Safety Purposes

NASA safely ended the first super pressure balloon test flight of the agency’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign at 7:46 a.m. Sunday, May 4 (U.S. Eastern Time). The flight was carrying the HIWIND mission of opportunity. The first flight of NASA’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign was safely terminated at 7:46 a.m. Sunday, May 4 (in U.S. Eastern Time) after 17 days, 13 hours, and 47 minutes in flight around the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitude band.

Contest Fosters Skills Needed For Workforce Innovation

Students in the Daytona Beach Campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Aviation Maintenance Science (AMS) Department recently put two teams up against more than 40 other schools in the 2025 Aerospace Maintenance Competition.

At Altitude Of About 250-300 Ft Agl, The Airplane Experienced A Total Loss Of Engine Power

On November 6, 2024, at 1600 central standard time, a De Havilland DHC-1, N420TD, was involved in an accident near East Troy, Wisconsin. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot stated that during preflight of the airplane for the personal flight, there was 3 gal of fuel in the left wing tank and 4 gal of fuel in the right wing tank. He stated the airplane had a fuel capacity of 9 gal in each wing tank.

From 2009 (YouTube Edition): Three Hour Flight Was 'Flawless' -- At Least, Until Mother Nature Intervened

For anyone who loves the aviation business, this was a VERY good day. After a number of delays and mis-steps that often accompany those programs that are truly trying to raise the bar and accomplish revolutionary progress, Boeing's B787 Dreamliner took to the skies over a very soggy Northwest Washington state.

Aero Linx: National Aviation Safety Foundation (NASF) The National Aviation Safety Foundation is a support group whose objective is to enhance aviation safety through educational programs at designated facilities and locations. During the year we provide extensive support for projects, perform safety seminars, and provide a wide dissemination of safety related information to all interested parties.

Circle To Runway (Runway Number) Used by ATC to inform the pilot that he/she must circle to land because the runway in use is other than the runway aligned with the instrument approach procedure. When the direction of the circling maneuver in relation to the airport/runway is required, the controller will state the direction (eight cardinal compass points) and specify a left or right downwind or base leg as appropriate; e.g., “Cleared VOR Runway Three Six Approach circle to Runway Two Two,” or “Circle northwest of the airport for a right downwind to Runway Two Two.”

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.05.25)

“This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it... The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritize the American people’s safety and modernize the federal government.” Source: As part of a major push to boost controller hiring, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be throwing some extra cash at ATC Academy graduates, new hires, and controllers who opt to work past retirement age. Though there has not been a cap set on the incentive, the FAA likely can’t afford this system forever.

NASA Takes in Orion, Begins Launch Processing for a Crewed Mission

Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin recently turned in its share of the Artemis II venture, delivering its Orion spacecraft to the NASA Exploration Ground Systems team. This will be used to take four astronauts to the moon in early 2026. Lockheed Martin was awarded a multi-mission NASA contract in September 2019.