Aircraft Sets Maximum Altitude Record and Tests Stability

Boom’s supersonic XB-1 took its eighth flight test on November 16. It was able to reach a new max altitude of over 25,000 feet and operate safely without using its stability augmentation system. The flight lasted for a total of 54 minutes and was flown by Boom Supersonic’s Chief Test Pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg. The aircraft leveled off at 25,040 ft, over 2,000 ft higher than its previous 23,015 ft record set in test 7.

Over 16,000 More Workers to be Cut in Financial Recovery Plan

Boeing recently handed pink slips to over 400 employees as part of its plan to shed 10% of its workforce. The first round of layoffs was issued to members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace union, or SPEEA. 218 of the cut workers are part of SPEEA’s professional unit, which consists of engineers and scientists.

FAA Says Number Could Double By FY2028

The FAA released a report on November 14, 2024, showing that the number of commercial space operations in fiscal year (FY) 2024 were 30% higher than the previous fiscal year, setting a new record. The agency also said that number could more than double by 2028. Over the past ten years, the number of FAA-licensed commercial space flights has increased over 900%, from 14 in 2015 to 148 in 2024.

Solar-Powered Craft Pushing Boundaries Of Long-Duration Flight

Skydweller Aero recently completed a series of uncrewed autonomous test flights, the longest of which lasted 22 ½ hours and demonstrates the feasibility of remaining airborne for extended periods using solar energy and batteries. The Skydweller is based on Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth. Its robust design enables Skydweller to carry payloads of up to 800 pounds. The U.S. military, particularly the Navy, has expressed interest in the potential of Skydweller as a platform for persistent surveillance in a maritime patrol setting.

‘Drunk’ British Army Men Discovered Half-Naked During Maintenance

A pair of ‘drunk’ British soldiers were caught in the middle of some extracurricular activities in the cockpit of an Apache attack helicopter. The bizarre incident was filed in 2016 but only became public in a recent report. The chopper, which belongs to the Army Air Corps 653 Squadron, was grounded at the Northumberland Otterburn range for a routine maintenance event.

Coast Guard Helicopter Recovers Survivors Who Abandoned Ship

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka recovered all three survivors from the water about 58 miles east of Kayak Island and transported them safely to Yakutat. The sailors were aboard the fishing vessel Tsui in the eastern Gulf of Alaska when they lost power after experiencing an electrical fire. The captain had deployed the vessel’s anchor but continued to drift and was at risk of running aground.

Enhances Capabilities In Contested Environments

AeroVironment (AV) announced Project Gold, a new suite of software updates to its Puma 3 AE and Puma LE uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) that enhance their battlefield effectiveness in contested environments. The updates strengthen the UAS to maintain reliable navigation and mission performance even when GNSS and communications signals are unreliable, unavailable, or being jammed. The upgraded software ensures that Puma can continue to carry out mission-critical tasks autonomously and securely while reducing its reliance on GPS and enhancing survivability in hostile environments.

Also: X-59 Fires Up, BN2B-26 Islander Order, Plane Thief Pleads, CAE Launches Prodigy

Draco Aircraft is aiming to raise $4.5 million to fund the development of its hyper short takeoff and landing (STOL) device, the Draco. This aircraft is a reinvention of the out-of-production PZL-104 Wilga. Airbus Poland ceased production of the Wilga STOL utility aircraft in 2006, and signed over rights in September. Draco Aircraft will now be able to produce the next-gen, turbine powered version, dubbed Draco. The manufacturer hopes to bring the development to the market in 2028. Despite the usual delays associated in dealing with the FAA and other impediments such as

Also: X-59 Fires Up, BN2B-26 Islander Order, Plane Thief Pleads, CAE Launches Prodigy

Draco Aircraft is aiming to raise $4.5 million to fund the development of its hyper short takeoff and landing (STOL) device, the Draco. This aircraft is a reinvention of the out-of-production PZL-104 Wilga. Airbus Poland ceased production of the Wilga STOL utility aircraft in 2006, and signed over rights in September. Draco Aircraft will now be able to produce the next-gen, turbine-powered version, dubbed Draco. The manufacturer hopes to bring the development to the market in 2028. Despite the usual delays associated in dealing with the FAA and other impediments

Photographer Backed Into The Turning Propeller And Sustained Fatal Injuries

On October 26, 2024, about 1440 central daylight time, a Cessna 182Q airplane was not damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rose Hill, Kansas. The pilot was not injured, and a passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 skydiving flight. The pilot reported that he had completed 6 skydive flights during the morning of the accident. 

Aero Linx: Cactus Fly-In Gates open to the Public 8:00 am Saturday, March 8st, 2025. No charge for fly-in aircraft and preregistered classic/antique vehicles (max-50 display cars). Aircraft 1957 or older please preregister for priority parking and “pilot’s choice award”. Display vehicles, please complete the preregistration form (on web site). RV Arrivals Friday 3/7/2025 (See Registration Form on web site). Arriving Aircraft Welcome Friday, March 7th. Automobile Arrivals Welcome Saturday, March 8th at 7:00 am.

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Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) A TFR is a regulatory action issued by the FAA via the U.S. NOTAM System, under the authority of United States Code, Title 49. TFRs are issued within the sovereign airspace of the United States and its territories to restrict certain aircraft from operating within a defined area on a temporary basis to protect persons or property in the air or on the ground. While not all inclusive, TFRs may be issued for disaster or hazard situations such as: toxic gas leaks or spills, fumes from flammable agents, aircraft accident/incident sites, aviation or ground resources engaged in wildfire suppression, or aircraft relief activities following a disaster. TFRs may also be issue