Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Also: Women’s Air Race Classic, Sensenich 100K, ‘Premature’ GAMI G100UL Motion, Quicksilver Ultralights
Sonex Aircraft announced that its high-wing prototype aircraft has had its first engine start, which fired up with no issues and it also successfully completed its first taxi and brake tests. Sonex said the aircraft has a short task list yet to complete before first flight, which it hopes to achieve before Oshkosh. The company is eagerly awaiting the aircraft registration to be returned by the FAA and final inspection. An intriguing idea, oft talked about in various circles, is now a reality as Lockwood Aviation has installed, tested and is preparing production of Rotax 916iS installation for Van’s RV-9... with other RVs doubtlessly waiting in the cue. The published numbers are incredibly impressive... and Phil Lockwood is not a guy to exaggerate... boasting a Cruise climb @ 120 KIAS of 800+ ft/min, (in eco mode) bu
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Also: TN Skydiving Accident, MD Helicopters, Supersonic Flight Welcomed, More Flightdeck Security
Private Jet Services (PJS) recently filed a lawsuit against Westchester County and upper leadership at the Westchester County Airport (HPN) for alleged discrimination. The filing claims that the company’s jets were denied access to the airport while other, similar charter flights were welcomed with open arms. More than a hundred female pilots from across the US are gearing up for a 2,426-mile, 9-state journey as part of the 48th annual Air Race Classic. The fun officially begins in Fairhope, Alabama, on June 17. The original Women’s Air Derby shifted through several forms, including the so-called ‘Powder Puff Derby,’ before taking shape as the annual aviation event we now know and love: the Air Race Classic. Australian launch provider Gilmour Space Technologies had to cancel a mission in May thanks to a nosy little bird,
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Also: Skyryse Update, Ukraine Drone Attack, FAA Admin Vote, Starlink Interference Issues
President Trump has signed a series of executive orders that claim to strengthen domestic drone manufacturing, enhance public safety, and revive civilian supersonic air travel. The actions reflect a broader federal effort to reduce US reliance on foreign drone technology, particularly from China. One order directs the FAA to allow commercial and public safety operators to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight, a significant change from existing restrictions. It also supports testing of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for potential roles in cargo delivery, emergency response, and rural access. Partnering with Alphabet-owned Wing, Walmart plans to roll out drone operations to 100 additional stores. The expanded service includes locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Tampa, and Orlando. This is not Walmart’s first drone rodeo. Wing has b
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Dreamliner Forced to Divert Only Seventy Miles from Its Destination
An American Airlines Boeing 787 was forced to divert more than 7 hours into its typically 8-hour journey after realizing that it was too big to land. This was due to the specific variant, the 787-9, being 20 feet longer than the 787-8 that is typically used for this route.
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Lockheed Martin Completes Assembly, Testing Spacecraft
Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor on NASA’s Orion spacecraft designed to take humans deep into space, announced the completion of assembly and testing of the Orion intended for the Artemis II mission and has transferred the vehicle to the NASA Exploration Ground Systems, or ESG, team.
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Also: Snowbirds Ready!, NATA Wants Bedford, ATC Infrastructure Investment, Russia Refutes Drone Damage
Alvin Brown, former Jacksonville mayor, is suing President Donald Trump after being removed from his position as vice chair of the NTSB. His dismissal had allegedly no reasoning to back it up, putting it in direct violation of the agency’s statutory protections. Sensenich took a company-wide day off on June 6, 2025, to celebrate a major milestone: the production of its 100,000th composite propeller blade. The manufacturer began venturing into composites, expanding from its already wide collection of wood and metal designs, in the late 1990s. Upcoming executive orders under President Trump could put an end to the game of tag that has left Chinese drone manufacturer DJI on the run from a US import ban for years. Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik introduced the Countering CCP Drones Act in April 2023, which would have placed mega d
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Also: AV-30-C Software Upgrade, Paraglider Extremes, EarthX STC for Pitts, Vintage Aircraft Association
Not only have the folks at Van’s Aircraft designed a new wing for the RV-15, but they just started flying it. One of the most anxiously awaited aircraft expected at Oshkosh 2025 seems to be hitting its final strides before Van’s freezes the design and starts on a path to kithood. The new wing offers a number of upgrades including an expansion of fuel capacity to 60 gallons, and the first flight apparently met with the approval of those involved in the initial flight test, though data is slim at this point. The first in the Scalebirds Lite Fighter series is nearing design completion after extensive flight testing and some final load tests. The first of their birds, a P-36 (to be followed by a P-40), has been flying for some time now and some kits are in the process of being distributed and evaluated by test builders. A novel Son
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
Easy Online Forms Available For Sport Plane Manufacturers And Suppliers To Be Listed In The Upcoming eSPRG
Work on the SportPlane Resource Guide is going well… Albeit a little bit behind schedule, because as we got into this process, things became a bit more complicated simply because we learned we could do an even better job at certain aspects of this project than we thought from the beginning. They say that the enemy of true quality is the phrase "good enough" and we want to be far more than “good enough.”
FMI: www.sportplane.com, Online eSPRG Vendor Survey Form, Online eSPRG Sp
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Sun, Jun 15, 2025
With The eSPRG Only Weeks Away From Its Start Date, A-AF Will Help To Support Sport Flyers, Worldwide
With the all-new and all-digital SportPlane Resource Guide getting ready for publication early next year, the Aero-News Network is pleased to announce yet another addition to the Airborne video news programming roster… Airborne-Affordable Flyers. Dedicated to keeping people up-to-date on the most affordable aspects of sport and general aviation, Airborne-Affordable Flyers is one of our most exciting offerings yet. A-AF will delve into more than just the current LSA community, but look at all aspects of aviation to examine and evaluate the most enjoyable, and most affordable, solutions to flying, operating, and owning aircraft in the 21st century.
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