There's A Lot To Like On ANN's Latest Social Media Site

We all know how important Social Media is to a lot of people, particularly those under 30. We also know how important those folks are to the future of aviation. In so many forums and at so many events, we talk about how to attract the next generation of pilots, mechanics, and enthusiasts to our industry, and social media is certainly critical to getting the message out to those who practically live online.

“We achieved full mission success today, and I am so proud of the team. It turns out Never Tell Me The Odds had perfect odds—never before in history has a booster this large nailed the landing on the second try. This is just the beginning as we rapidly scale our flight cadence and continue delivering for our customers.” Source: Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin, following their logging a clean booster recovery with New Glenn, giving Jeff Bezos’ company something it has been publicly chasing for years: proof that its heavy-lift rocket can reuse components the same way SpaceX has since October 2024. The flight also shipped two NASA satellites towards Mars as New Glenn’s first paying-customer science payload.

Negotiated Agreement Fell Through in August Due to Unexpected ASTG Objections

After more than five years of unsuccessful contract talks, pilots at Air Transport International (ATI) are ready to strike. The dispute follows the collapse of a long-awaited agreement in August, which pilots say was derailed when ATI’s parent company, Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), raised last-minute objections that stripped away key updates.

Spaceplane Checks Off Several Pre-Flight Tests at Kennedy Space Center

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane has cleared another round of pre-flight milestones at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, bringing the lifting-body vehicle a step closer to the skies. The company has been running the spacecraft through a long list of test campaigns ahead of its debut under NASA’s CRS-2 cargo contract.

ALPA Now Calls for FAA Protections in Future Government Closures

The federal government’s reopening after a 43-day shutdown was cause for widespread celebration throughout the industry, which was on the brink of collapse as thousands of flights were chopped each day it dragged on. For unions, the excitement was quickly replaced with the urge to protect aviation when a repeat inevitably occurs.

ALPA Now Calls for FAA Protections in Future Government Closures

The federal government’s reopening after a 43-day shutdown was cause for widespread celebration throughout the industry, which was on the brink of collapse as thousands of flights were chopped each day it dragged on. For unions, the excitement was quickly replaced with the urge to protect aviation when a repeat inevitably occurs. The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents more than 80,000 pilots across the US and Canada, is leading the charge. Specifically, the union is calling on Congress to pass the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would allow the FAA to continue operating during funding lapses by drawing from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF).

Brazilian Air Force And Saab Partner On Flight Test Campaign

Embraer and Saab, along with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), successfully completed the certification flight test campaign for in-flight refueling of the Gripen E fighter jet by the KC-390 Millennium multi-role aircraft.

Flag Carrier Becomes First Type Customer In Chinese Mainland

Airbus announced that Air China Cargo signed a purchase agreement for six A350F freighter aircraft to become the first customer in the Chinese mainland to order the all-new A350F. Air China Cargo is China’s only flag-carrying freight operator, with flights in North China, East China, South China, and Southeast China as well as to destinations in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.

Pilot’s Improper Installation Of The Control Stick Pushrod Assemblies, Which Resulted In Separation Of The Left Pushrod And A Total Loss Of Roll Control

Analysis: While returning to the airport from a routine pleasure flight, the pilot of the experimental lightsport airplane reported a total flight control failure while maneuvering to land. Data from the onboard electronic flight instrument system and witness statements indicated that after turning from the crosswind to the downwind leg, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descending left turn consistent with a spin or spiral, culminating in a collision with a warehouse roof about 0.75 mile from the runway threshold.

Royal Jordanian Air Force Also Gets Computer-Based Training And Support

TRU Simulation + Training announced the delivery of a Bell 505 Flight Training Device to the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The FTD and its integrated computer-based training package for basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training are part of a recent purchase of 10 Bell 505 helicopters to the RJAF.