"Our choice of when to respond, how to respond and on which targets to respond is a consideration that we make every time... Netanyahu also noted that anyone attacking Israel “bears responsibility for his own blood" and will be held “accountable.” Source: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking out after Houthi rebels recently lost three out of their four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s and one A330, due to retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport. All airline and airport employees had been evacuated before the strikes, leaving no human fatalities.

Reusable Vehicle Exceeds Mach 5 In Second Launch, Recovery

Stratolaunch announced the second successful launch and recovery of its Talon-A2 autonomous vehicle in a March flight that exceeded its previous speed beyond Mach 5, also for the second time, demonstrating its practical reusability.

Distributor? Sells Out SUN ‘n FUN Display, Begins Filling Up 2025 Slots

Light sport aircraft Distributor, DirectFly USA, brought several of its best-sellers, the Alto NG, to this year’s SUN ‘n FUN aerospace expo. In the end, every single one sold and will be put to work in a flight training role. Demand has yet to slow, with this year’s production slots still filling up.

ATC Asks Two Delta Flights to Go-Around Due to a Military Helicopter Nearby

Federal Aviation Administration investigators are looking into two aborted landings at Reagan National Airport (DCA) on May 1. These go-arounds were issued by an air traffic controller who believed a military transport helicopter was too close for comfort.

Bill Would Place a 10% Tax on Aircraft Valued at Over $500K

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is making its voice heard, urging the Washington Governor to throw out a potential new tax on ‘luxury recreational vehicles.’ This applies to not only motor homes and boats, but also non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000.

Saudi Arabia, UAE May Also Be Lining Up Investments

According to reports, Qatar Airways is finalizing a large order for Boeing widebody aircraft, and Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are also planning to announce aircraft investments when President Donald Trump visits the Middle East beginning May 13.

State Dept Approves $310M Deal For F-16 Support

The U.S. State Department has given initial approval for the sale to Ukraine of $310.5 million worth of equipment and training support for F-16 fighter jets in a deal that will also promote improved cooperation with the U.S. Air Force.

National Mediation Board Says Parties Met 2X in April, But Nothing’s Inked Yet

FedEx pilots added the fourth annual notch in their prison wall carving this week, marking 4 years of negotiations since they opened things up in 2021. FedEx pilots have been flying using the last Collective Bargaining Agreement from November of 2015, soldiering on as they try to reach an agreement with the company. “The case has been under federal mediation since October 2022,” the ALPA says. 

From 2010 (YouTube Edition): Imagine... Be The Change... Inspire

FROM 2010: One of the more unusual phone calls I have ever received occurred a few years ago... from Anousheh Ansari... long distance. About as long distance as it gets, these days, as Anousheh was calling form the International Space Station where she was plainly having the time of her life. You see, on September 18, 2006, the truly amazing Anousheh Ansari captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. Anousheh earned a place in history as the fourth private explorer to visit space and the first astronaut of Iranian descent.

(Pilot) Felt A Shudder And Heard The Engine Sounding Differently, Followed By The Engine Chip Detector Light

On April 14, 2025, about 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N16671, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Amboy, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had been operating the helicopter for about one hour, practicing takeoff and landings. While about 800 ft above ground level (agl), he felt a shudder and heard the engine sounding differently, followed by the engine chip detector light illuminating and the engine losing power. He entered an autorotation, turned right to an open field, and landed with about a 20-knot tailwind.