“Bell is honored to have been selected for the next phase of DARPA’s SPRINT program and is excited to demonstrate a brand-new aircraft with the first-ever stop/fold technology. This is an achievement we’ve been working towards for over 10 years, as we’ve leveraged our nearly 90-year history of X-plane development to bring new technology to our warfighters.” Source: Jason Hurst, Executive Vice President of Engineering, after Bell Textron announced it has been selected to advance to Phase 2 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program with funding provided to complete the design, construction, ground testing, and certification of an X-plane demonstrator.

Retired Bird Enhances Capabilities For Presidential Detail Special Agents

Secret Service agents assigned to the president’s or vice president’s detail are now able to train on an authentic Marine One helicopter that was recently decommissioned and installed at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland.

Everyone Looks Forward to a Fresh Face in Charge

The recent announcement and Senate confirmation of Bryan Bedford as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been met with positivity around the water cooler, as aviation groups welcomed him to the task. Well, except for ALPA, who's still a tiny bit grumpy over Bedford's previous efforts to reduce total time for FO's when he was running Republic Airways... But aside from them, everyone is pretty comfy with the pick.

Lightning Suspected Trigger Of Suppression System In Mx Hangar

A Spirit Airlines maintenance hangar at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (KDTW) in Michigan inadvertently had its foam fire suppression system activated on July 4, resulting in a massive discharge of foam and prompting the airline to remove three of its airliners from service so maintenance teams could inspect them.

U.S. Introduction With Production Slot Reservations Open At Show

VoltAero is making what it calls its “high-powered” debut in the U.S. at next week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, by having its HPU 210 hybrid power unit on exhibit for the first time in the U.S. VoltAero will also have open reservations for production slots of its propulsion system for homebuilt, kit-built, and light aircraft.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Test Stand Rotor Run

Hydroplane brought hydrogen fuel cell powered rotorcraft flight one step closer to fruition with its successful demonstration of full rotor flight speed on a hydrogen fuel cell driven rotor transmission test stand run.

Ribbon Cutting Greets First Local Air Ambulance Service In 2 Years

Overland Aviation, the FBO at Williston Basin International Airport (KXWA) in Willison, North Dakota, partnered with the City, CHI St. Alexius Health Williston, and Care Flight to officially welcome Williston Care Flight to the airport and the region in a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17.

30-Year USCG Veteran Aviator Focusing On Member Benefits

The Vertical Aviation International Board of Directors announced its new leadership officers in April, and all began their one-year tenures on July 1 including Rick Kenin, the Board’s new Chairman. Kenin is a 30-year veteran pilot of the U.S. Coast Guard and the civilian sector currently serving as COO of the nonprofit Boston MedFlight.

Set to Become a Key Surveillance Asset, the Flexrotor Offers Eyes in the Sky

The New Partnership between Drone Forge and Airbus, set to introduce  the Flexrotor drone, isn’t just a routine industry move, it’s a sign of where the future of drones is headed. What makes this especially exciting is how it reflects a more broad transformation in how drones are being designed, deployed, and supported. The Flexrotor, for example, combines the best of both worlds: the ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, and the endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft...  

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Barking up the Right Tree

Australian-born, the Aeropup is a remarkably robust, fully-customizable, go-anywhere, two-seat, STOL/LSA aircraft. The machine’s rugged, CNC-precision-manufactured chromium-alloy tubular-steel frame surrounds the occupant compartment, protecting those within after the fashion of a high-performance road-vehicle’s roll-cage. The Aeropup’s rugged airframe may be paired with either a conventional (tailwheel) or tricycle (nosewheel) undercarriage, and is borne aloft by an innovative and efficient wing comprising three spars—the principal of which features a lattice-structure at once stronger and lighter than conventional hollow spars. What’s more, to facilitate ease of transport and storage, the Aeropup’s wings are user-foldable.