Milestone Completed From Mississauga, Slated To Enter Service This Year

Bombardier announced on May 16 that the first production Global 8000 successfully completed its inaugural flight from its assembly center in Mississauga, Ontario. During the flight the aircraft performed a series of production test procedures and manipulation of all flight controls with test pilot Sandro Novelli at the controls.

Agreement Signed For Mix Of Up To 12 Cessna Citation Models

Textron Aviation announced it entered into a purchase agreement with Aerolíneas Ejecutivas (ALE), a leading business aviation company in Mexico, for up to 12 Cessna Citation business aircraft consisting of a mix of Latitude, CJ3 Gen2, and CJ3 Gen3 jets.

Airways Aviation Academy Loses At Least Three Diamond DA-42s

In the early hours of May 20, France’s ESMA Airways Aviation Academy lost at least three of its twin-engine trainers to a suspected arson event. Luckily, no injuries were reported, but the flight school fleet has faced serious damage. In the meantime, the flight school is closed for business.

Polish Startup Volonaut Unveils Star Wars Speeder Bike Look-Alike

No, it’s not April 1… a Polish aviation start-up recently unveiled a Star Wars-inspired flying bike by announcing its first successful flight. To bring it all together, at the controls for the maiden flight was an Imperial scout trooper. The design was created by renowned Polish innovator Tomasz Patan.

Germany To Romania Flight Took 7 Legs, Longest 185 Miles

Elektra Solar GmbH, a solar-powered aircraft developer based in Landsberg, Germany, announced that its Elektra Solar Trainer aircraft successfully completed a 900-mile (1,500 km) trip from southwestern Germany through Austria and Hungary, terminating in Brasov, Romania.

Also: Elektra Solar Trainer, U.S. Nationals Update, SeaMax M-22 Catches Fire, Bearhawk Aircraft At SUN ‘n FUN

The Vans Aircraft engineering team recently provided its spring progress update to the RV-15 build, showing off its redesigned tail, control system, and fuel tanks. The plane is nearing its final configuration. The design was first introduced at Oshkosh 2022, hoping to bring it to market in mid to late 2023. Followers got some new updates at the 2024 airshow, including a delayed anticipated production date of late 2025. The EAA announced that the FAA-approved updates to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Notice, commonly known as the Oshkosh NOTAM, has been released for this year’s 72nd fly-in and convention that runs from July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The changes and updates are based on pilot feedback and FAA review of recommendations pertaining to arrival procedures. The folks at London-Cor

Also: Virtual FLRAA Prototype, IFR-Capable Autonomous A/C, NS-32 Crew, Golden Dome Missile Defense

Bombardier announced that the first production Global 8000 successfully completed its inaugural flight from its assembly center in Mississauga, Ontario. During the flight the aircraft performed a series of production test procedures and manipulation of all flight controls with test pilot Sandro Novelli at the controls. The Pentagon announced that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar that will be used by President Donald Trump after the Pentagon performs upgrades to include “proper security measures and functional mission requirements” according to a statement from the Department of Defense. Scouting America (aka Boy Scouts of America) has updated its Aviation Merit Badge, allowing the youth to explore everything from aerodynamics to industry careers through hands-on education. The badge is now the first in

Also: Whistleblower’s Family Settles, Boeing Aircraft Tires, Horizon X7 eVTOL, Falcon 9 Record

The P-51C Mustang previously owned by beloved actor and military aviator Jimmy Stewart recently finished up an eventful weekend at the Indiana County-Jimmy Stewart Airport (IDI) and is making its way to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. A glider with two persons on board made what was called a spectacular emergency landing in the Eisack River in Bolzano in northeastern Italy on May 10, 2025. The two were uninjured and were able to exit the glider and make it safely to shore. The Bolzano Fire Department was alerted immediately and dispatched its water rescue unit to the site. No, it’s not April 1… a Polish aviation start-up recently unveiled a Star Wars-inspired flying bike by announcing its first successful flight. To bring it all together, at the controls for the maiden flight was an Imperial scout trooper. The Airbike is

Also: FedEx Pilots, Army Restructuring, Alaska ANG, Incentive for ATC Hiring

EAA Chapter 534 in Leesburg, Florida announced that the 2025 Ray Aviation Scholarship winner is Abdiel Hernandez from Tavares, Florida, a 16-year-old finishing up his sophomore year at Tavares High School. Abdiel has been a member of the EAA Chapter 534 youth program for some time and has taken several flights with their Young Eagles program. He has always had an interest in aviation, and wants to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot. 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. 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

Government Program Will Reach 28 Aircraft

Leonardo and its longtime partner Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia, announced at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, or LIMA, that they will be embarking on a significant expansion and modernization of the Government helicopter fleet, the largest ever for the manufacturer in the country.