Countdown to the 27th AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race Begins

It’s that time of year again for pilots with aircraft of all shapes and sizes to begin registering for the annual AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race (AVC). Over 100 people have put their names into the competition so far, and applications will remain open through June 2.

$1.5 Million Runway Sells to 530 Investments LLC for $500k

Iowa’s Marion Airport (C17) is being temporarily saved in a $500,000 runway sale, representing less than a third of the city’s original purchase. The new owner, 530 Investments LLC, will be required to maintain the runway for at least the next 10 years. City officials purchased the Marion runway and its FBO more than a decade ago for a hefty $1.67 million.

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 ‘

Taiwan’s China Airlines Purchases Ten 777-9 and Four 777-8 Aircraft

Boeing recently revealed that the unidentified customer who had purchased 14 B777X aircraft in March, becoming the program’s 14th customer, was Taiwan’s China Airlines. This brings the 777X backlog to over 500 planes, with its first delivery slated for 2026.

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

Pilots Union All In On Overdue Infrastructure Investments

The Air Line Pilots Association Int’l voiced its support for the air traffic control system modernization plan released by Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. The proposal calls for a complete overhaul of the system’s infrastructure, from hardware to software, technology, facilities, and communications.

Also: ‘Sonoran Beauty’ Jump-Qualified, IAG Orders, FAA Shuts Down ATC Oversight, EAA Joins Modern Skies

Slovakia-based developer Klein Vision recently unveiled the production-model prototype of its flying car. If all goes to plan, the AirCar will hit the market in early 2026. The AirCar is the outcome of more than a decade of work from Klein Vision co-founders Stefan Klein and Anton Zajac. The company was officially established in 2017 and had its first flying car prototype in the air by 2021. Iowa’s Marion Airport (C17) is being temporarily saved in a $500,000 runway sale, representing less than a third of the city’s original purchase. The new owner, 530 Investments LLC, will be required to maintain the runway for at least the next 10 years. It’s that time of year again for pilots with aircraft of all shapes and sizes to begin registering for the annual AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race (AVC). Over 100 people have

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)....

L3Harris Comes to the Rescue, Modifying an Interim Presidential Aircraft

Boeing’s plan to replace the aging pair of Air Force One 747s has hit a wall—again. The program, originally set for completion in 2024, is now at least four years behind schedule. Meanwhile, the Air Force has turned to L3Harris Technologies to convert a privately owned Qatari 747-8 into a temporary solution.