Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Has Blocked $3.3B in Narcotics Since October 2024

The US Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) recently surpassed a major drug bust milestone, intercepting its 1,000th suspected narcotic vessel nearly 400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico. The missions have blocked nearly $3.3 billion of illicit narcotics from reaching US soil since October 1, 2024, tripling its long-term annual average.

Anderson Composite Squadron Now the Charles Duke, Jr., Composite Squadron

The Civil Air Patrol’s South Carolina Wing recently renamed one of its squadrons to honor Apollo 16 astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles Moss Duke, Jr. Formerly the Anderson Composite Squadron, the Charles Duke, Jr., Composite Squadron recognizes his career as a fighter pilot, test pilot, and the youngest person ever to walk on the moon.

Improves Flight Planning For Active-Winglet Equipped Aircraft

Tamarack Aerospace Group and ForeFlight announced an expansion of their collaboration to deliver improved flight planning data for aircraft equipped with Tamarack’s Active Winglet technology.

Airline Completes Fleet Transition to the Next Generation Airbus A220-300

JetBlue has officially waved goodbye to its Embraer E190 fleet, marking the end of its five-year transition to the next-generation Airbus A220-300. The last standing E190 completed its final revenue flight on September 9, 2025, twenty years after the airline became the first in the world to operate the jet.

See Rare Aircraft, USCG Rescue and Bell 47 M*A*S*H Helos

The New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum in Teterboro, New Jersey, announced it is holding an Open Cockpit Day on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Visitors will be able to sit in the cockpits of some rare aircraft such as the Lockheed Bushmaster, a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter, and an example of a M*A*S*H Bell 47 helicopter that was made famous during the Korean War and of course by the long-running television series, M*A*S*H.

Piloted Conventional Takeoff And Landing Tests Complete

Vertical Aerospace, developer of electric aircraft, announced it has successfully completed Phase 3 testing of its VX4 prototype with piloted wingborne flights with conventional takeoffs and landings.

Emerson Had Taken Mushrooms and Was Suffering With Depression During the Flight

A former Alaska Airlines pilot pleaded guilty in federal court after a combination of psychedelic mushrooms and mental health struggles put the lives of 80 passengers at stake. His attempt to cut the engines of an Embraer 175 at 31,000 feet in 2023 has already earned him 50 days in jail, five years on probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,659 in restitution.

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): It’s So Simple to Operate, Anyone Can Do It… And We’re Not Kidding

The drones were up and flying at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas in January 2017. Our ANN crew was there to cover the events, and ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, found a drone called the Hover Camera Passport, this thing is really cool! Jim talked with Hover Camera founder and CEO, MQ Wang, and started off by asking about the thought process behind this unusual drone. Wang said it was intended to be a simple drone to use so that anyone could easily cover their own actions or events without being an expert at drone operation. You’ll also see from the outset that safety was high in the mind of the developer because of the completely shrouded rotors.

No Record Of A Current Flight Review For The Pilot Was Found

Analysis: The 78-year-old pilot had flown his airplane to the destination airport where an annual inspection was to be performed. The airplane did not have a current annual inspection and did not have a ferry permit for the accident flight. No record of a current flight review for the pilot was found. In addition, the pilot did not possess current FAA medical certification or BasicMed qualifications.

Aero Linx: International Airline Medical Association (IAMA) The International Airline Medical Association (IAMA), formerly known as the Airline Medical Directors Association (AMDA), was established in 1935 to create a collaborative forum for physicians employed by, or contracted to, international and regional airlines. The Association’s mission is to promote excellence in aviation medicine by sharing knowledge and advancing best practices in the medical oversight of airline employees - including both aircrew and ground personnel - as well as offering guidance on passenger health and wellbeing.