Evaluation, Validation of Systems Capabilities For STC Approval

Merlin, developer of  assured autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, announced its flight testing campaign continues to rapidly progress with its certification-ready Cessna Caravan at Quonset State Airport (KOQU) in North Kingstown, Rhode island.

Also: Rotax Service Instruction, LAA Jabiru Alert, New AMA Boss, FlightSimExpo

ANN’s Jim Campbell got an hour in the SLEEK Blackshape Prime last week along with a chance to wring it out a bit in order to investigate its performance and capabilities. The current generation of tandem hotrods are getting a lot of attention... but the Prime appears to deserve it. Our low-wing composite test bird was powered by a Rotax 915 and an MT prop, retractable gear and a lavish bubble canopy that makes one feel like they are flying a goldfish bowl... The Porto Aviation Risen has gotten a LOT of attention for a non-stop Trans-Atlantic run to oshkosh last year, distinctive looks and some impressive cruise speeds... but now, Porto reports that they have conducted necessary flutter analysis to make sure that the bird can handle the speeds demonstrated to this point. DirectFly USA brought several of its best-sellers, the Alto NG, to this year’s SUN ‘

Also: Rotax Service Instruction, LAA Jabiru Alert, New AMA Boss, FlightSimExpo

ANN’s Jim Campbell got an hour in the SLEEK Blackshape Prime last week along with a chance to wring it out a bit in order to investigate its performance and capabilities. The current generation of tandem hotrods are getting a lot of attention... but the Prime appears to deserve it. Our low-wing composite test bird was powered by a Rotax 915 and an MT prop, retractable gear and a lavish bubble canopy that makes one feel like they are flying a goldfish bowl... The Porto Aviation Risen has gotten a LOT of attention for a non-stop Trans-Atlantic run to oshkosh last year, distinctive looks and some impressive cruise speeds... but now, Porto reports that they have conducted necessary flutter analysis to make sure that the bird can handle the speeds demonstrated to this point. DirectFly USA brought several of its best-sellers, the Alto NG, to this year’s SUN

Also: Hartzell Pathfinder Carbon Prop, RAF Flyby, Qatar's BIG Boeing Order?, ‘Luxury Aircraft Tax’

Three MB-339 jets from the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team, dubbed Frecce Tricolori, collided mid-air during an airshow display. Luckily, despite some substantial damage to the planes, no injuries were reported. One of the aircraft hit two others while in formation. The three pilots quickly moved to get their aircraft on the ground. After a lengthy restoration from a collection of scrap off Taroa island, the Military Aviation Museum announced the first flight of their A6M3 Zero–probably the first Model 32 variant to fly since the factory made them in 1945! The Houthi rebels recently lost three out of their four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s and one A330, due to Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport. All airline and airport employees had been evacuated before the strikes, leaving no human fa

Also: Hartzell Pathfinder Carbon Prop, RAF Flyby, Qatar's BIG Boeing Order?, ‘Luxury Aircraft Tax’

Three MB-339 jets from the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team, dubbed Frecce Tricolori, collided mid-air during an airshow display. Luckily, despite some substantial damage to the planes, no injuries were reported. One of the aircraft hit two others while in formation. The three pilots quickly moved to get their aircraft on the ground. After a lengthy restoration from a collection of scrap off Taroa island, the Military Aviation Museum announced the first flight of their A6M3 Zero–probably the first Model 32 variant to fly since the factory made them in 1945! The Houthi rebels recently lost three out of their four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s and one A330, due to Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport. All airline and airport employees had been evacuated before the strikes, leaving no h

Manufacturer’s Concerns Met With Silence by the Dubai CAA

Prague-based start-up Dronetag has confronted the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority for allegedly selling an identical copy of its remote ID device, the Mini. Despite its legal team reaching out several times, they have not received a response. Dronetag is an EU-funded and NATO-supported manufacturer.

An Amazing Experience Awaits The Chosen Few...

Oshkosh, to us, seems the perfect place to get started on watching aviation recover the past couple of years... and so ANN is putting EXTRA effort and resources into our coverage of Oshkosh 2025... just a little under 90 days hence. We are now undertaking the process to seek talented stringers to help us present Oshkosh and the sport and general aviation community to the world around us. If you ever thought about joining us, this is THE year to do it. IF YOU want to be a part of this unique adventure, speak up NOW, rather than later, because we're going to be looking for the best volunteer folks we can find and are planning to do so ASAP. You've been warned (grin)....

Also: Tricky Golf Course Deadstick, Textron Special Olympics, Artemis II, FlightSimExpo!

Stratolaunch conducted the second successful launch and recovery of its Talon-A2 autonomous vehicle in a flight that exceeded its previous speed beyond Mach 5, also for the second time. Stratolaunch is focused on expanding its hypersonic flight testing to support US defense objectives in its return to hypersonic flight since the end of the X-15 program in 1968. FIFI, one of only two flying B-29 Superfortresses, will be grounded for the next month or so for intensive repairs to two of its engines. Unfortunately, this timing means that the Commemorative Air Force will be forced to push back its 2025 AirPower History Tour. Spirit AeroSystems is temporarily laying off between 250 and 350 employees at its Wichita facility, citing an overproduction of parts for the Boeing 737. The furloughs, which begin May 12 and are expected to last about 30 days. They will affect

Restored Beech SNB Expeditor Open For Skydiving Opportunities

A beautifully restored Twin Beechcraft 18 in its original military configuration as an SNB-5 Expeditor called “Sonoran Beauty” of the Commemorative Air Force’s Mile High Wing in Broomfield, Colorado, has been officially certified as a platform for parachute jump ops.

MSFS's Super Patriot to Make In-Person Appearance Alongside Digital Rendition

FlightSimExpo is coming back for 2025, taking place at the Rhode Island Convention Center from June 27 to 29. It’s nice to see the Flight Simulation Association keep up their tempo in the industry, as one of the few cost-effective, accessible routes to onboard newcomers into aviation. Sim fidelity is worlds apart from where it was in decades past, and each year the Association finds ways to show the computer-avoidant what they’ve been missing.