Centerpiece Q-12 Vehicle Delivers Improved Endurance, Range SiFly, a startup based in Santa Clara, California, came out of stealth mode and unveiled its next-generation all-electric, autonomous drone platforms that provide improved limits of range and endurance at prices competitive with current products currently on the market.

Frecce Tricolori MB-339s Touch in Formation, But Land Safely

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 in the incident. Pony 8 veered off the runway after touchdown and sustained severe blows to its nose and underside.

Israeli Military Hits Sana’a Airport, Destroying Two Airbus A320s and One A330

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 fatalities.

3-Blade Prop Provides 15% Shorter Takeoff Roll, 20% Increased Climb Rate

Hartzell Propeller announced it has received the STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) for its Pathfinder 3-blade carbon fiber propeller for the Aviat Husky aircraft. The new propeller is available as a Top Prop STC upgrade for existing aircraft and as an STC option for new production models through Aviat.

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

Also: 787-Billion Pax, Ryanair Buying Chinese, Ballooning HoF, ERAU MX Competition

An NTSB Preliminary report is shedding some light on the Rob Holland tragedy. And there now seems to be a mechanical element as a prime suspect. The flight was destined for LFI, where the airplane made a normal approach to the runway and when it was over the end of the runway, it leveled off about 50 ft above the runway and flew straight down the runway for several hundred feet. ‘The airplane then “porpoised” twice, pitched “straight up,” rolled 90° to the left and descended to ground impact.’ Airbus is resurrecting a former trade war tactic by redirecting aircraft deliveries to US airlines through other countries to avoid President Trump’s tariff chaos. The move is part of a broader effort to minimize the financial impact of proposed import duties on civil aircraft. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be thro

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: AMA Names Tyler Dobbs, More Falcon 9 Ops, Firefly Launch Unsuccessful, Autonomous F-16s

The Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone towards pilotless dogfighting. The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A will be used to evaluate proposed focusing on propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfaces, helping to validate the performance of things as they are now while the USAF plans for future developments. A recent analysis claims that drones are responsible for up to two-thirds of near-misses with commercial aircraft at America’s busiest airports. The FAA has taken steps to avoid these events, but the spike in unauthorized drone flights certainly is not aiding their cause. Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full transition from vertical to horizontal flight with a pilot on board. This puts the aircraft one step closer to achieving commercial operation

Threats Had No Effect On Target Acquisition During PC-C5 Event

The U.S. Army evaluated an MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) UAS in its Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5) exercise during March to test the utility and capabilities of the vehicle in threat environments. The vehicle successfully demonstrated the ability to generate targets of interest while being unaffected by electronic countermeasures.

Also: Sustainable Aircraft Test Put Aside, More Falcon 9 Ops, Wyoming ANG Rescue, Oreo Cookie Into Orbit

Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full transition from vertical to horizontal flight with a pilot on board. This puts the aircraft one step closer to achieving commercial operation. The manufacturer’s all-electric air taxi demonstrated its in-flight transition capabilities for the first time in 2017. General aviation manufacturer Diamond Aircraft recently launched its official flying community, Diamond Flying Club (DFC), and its connected online portal. Through this, members can register their profile, share stories, and presumably talk about how much they love their DA62. “Pilots in Canada have faced numerous issues related to eligibility, aircraft type, age, and costs, all of which have impeded their ability to take to the skies. COPA aims to remove these obstacles with its new insurance pr