Significant Upgrades On Next-Gen Ship

SpaceX has confirmed a new target date of Monday January 13 for the 7th Starship test launch following a weather delay at the Boca Chica Beach Starbase. The launch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CST but the could change due to any number of unforeseen circumstances.

Vision Leasing 241 Wins Case After Verijet Defaults on Aircraft Lease

After a December court ruling was finalized, Verijet was forced to hand over $3.4 million to Vision Leasing 241. This is just the cherry on top to numerous other lawsuits filed against Verijet by customers. Verijet launched in 2022 and grew rapidly, becoming the 30th-largest charter service in the US by 2022.

Vectored Thrust Enables Forward Maneuvers

Vertical Aerospace, a pioneer in electric aviation, announced the testing program of its prototype VX4 took another significant step by completing low-speed forward maneuvers during its first piloted thrustborne flight.

Year Total 206, 14% Higher Than 2023

Embraer announced that it delivered 75 aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 27 percent increase over the previous quarter, and 206 total deliveries for the year, representing a 14 percent increase over 2023.

Also: New Glenn Launch, LE Helo Arrest, $2M to Fairmont University, NC Aviation $$$

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced the issuance of the world’s first 'Part 23' Type Certification for an electric aircraft to Liaoning General Aviation Academy’s (LGAA) RX4E. The fixed tricycle gear, high wing, four-seat aircraft made its maiden flight in 2019 and can now be used in commercial applications. The UK’s Red Arrows team could be grounded in coming years if it fails to find and purchase a replacement for its extremely aged Hawk T1 fleet. The jets, which have been in service for nearly half a century, are scheduled to retire in 2030. The Red Arrows currently operate 16 Hawk T1 jets based at RAF Waddington. The youngest aircraft in the fleet is already 43 years old... The FBI is looking into threats be several individuals against SpaceX’s Starship and its Starbase Boca Chica Beach in Brownsville, Texas

Also: Emirates Fights Back, Embraer Delivers 75, Ryanair Sues Passenger, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

Skyryse has introduced its updated production cockpit for its Skyryse One aircraft. The innovative and enhanced cockpit is scalable to fit any aircraft. The updated Skyryse One interior design brings to life the company’s vision to enable enhanced access to flight controls from both front seats with a streamlined design that will accelerate the approval of its technology for any aircraft. Huntington Beach, California will be forced to chalk up $182,092 in attorney fees and other costs related to a 2023 court case. The city had been sued by a resident after it refused to release the full settlement agreement from the Pacific Airshow lawsuit. Samson Sky discussed the company’s achievements in its year-end summary, and reported that the vehicle missed its target flight speed goal of 160 mph. So the company made significant design changes

Klyde... That's Mean! (Even To An 'Ex')

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

GACA Moves Ahead On Planning For 2034 FIFA World Cup

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced record growth for the Kingdom’s aviation sector in 2024, including passenger numbers, flights, destinations, and cargo volume. Details were released at the 15th Aviation Sector Steering Committee in Riyadh and included the acceleration of planning for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

‘Concierge’ Digital Assistant Connects With Travel Options

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025) in Las Vegas, Nevada, Delta Air Lines’ CEO Ed Bastian announced in his keynote address the rollout of its AI-powered digital assistant, Delta Concierge, built into its Fly Delta mobile app that enables travelers to seamlessly select a multimodal option through Delta’s newly-formed partnerships with Joby electric air taxi and Uber for ground transportation.

Also: Piaggio Aerospace Acquired, ‘Mars Chopper’, Vertical Aerospace $$$, Army Tests

The FAA has placed numerous restrictions on Texas-based drone company Sky Elements after a 7-year-old boy was injured at one of their airshows. He was struck by at least one drone at the event and taken into surgery. The Holiday Drone Show took place on December 21 at 6:30 pm. This was the third consecutive year of operation, with the event consistently drawing in crowds upwards of 25,000 people. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence agency (DIU) has confirmed that two Russian Mi-8 helicopters were shot down and a third was damaged by missiles fired from a naval drone in the first-of-its-kind combat engagement with drone weapons being deployed in an aerial attack. The agency also confirmed that the crews of both helicopters were killed. SpaceX is gearing up to send Starship on its seventh test flight with a new and improved ship. Test flight seven w