Study Blames Drones for Two-Thirds of Close Calls With Airliners

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.

Fourteen Years and a Billion Passengers for the Global Dreamliner Fleet

On April 30, Boeing announced that its worldwide fleet of 787 Dreamliners had surpassed a billion passengers carried in the less than fourteen years since its entry-to-service. The aircraft reached this milestone faster than any widebody airliner in history.

All ATC Academy Graduates to Pocket $5,000, Courtesy of the FAA

As part of a major push to boost controller hiring, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be throwing some extra cash at ATC Academy graduates, new hires, and controllers who opt to work past retirement age. Though there has not been a cap set on the incentive, the FAA likely can’t afford this system forever.

Anduril, General Atomics Step Up to Provide Demo Planes Under Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The Department of the Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone towards pilotless dogfighting, according to a recent announcement. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin announced the “huge milestone”, calling the start of ground testing “another step toward first flight and rapid delivery to our warfighters…” adding “These unmanned fighters are going to be badass!”

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)....

Former Government Affairs Senior Director Succeeds Chad Budreau

On April 28, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) named Tyler Dobbs as its new Executive Director. He previously served as a part of the organization’s Government Affairs team and will now replace Chad Budreau in a higher role.

Also: EDMO Adds MicroAir, Starbase City?, B-29 Doc Goes To Reading, MX Provider Sued

Dynon Avionics has made a strategic investment in Trig Avionics. This investment brings Trig into the Dynon Group of companies and strengthens a long-standing partnership between the two innovators in general aviation. Dynon Avionics was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Woodinville, Washington. The U.S. Navy lost an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet in the Red Sea when it rolled off the USS Harry S. Truman while it was being towed. A factor in the incident was that the Truman was making hard turns to avoid Houthi fire. All personnel involved in towing the aircraft were able to avoid being dragged and are safely accounted for. Fairbanks pilot Kenneth Jouppi is being forced to forfeit his Cessna 206 Stationair after ‘knowingly’ using it to transport a six-pack to a dry village… 13 years ago. Jouppi, as the owner of KenAir LLC, was found

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

NASA Conducted Termination Operations Of The Mission Over Open Water For Safety Purposes

NASA safely ended the first super pressure balloon test flight of the agency’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign at 7:46 a.m. Sunday, May 4 (U.S. Eastern Time). The flight was carrying the HIWIND mission of opportunity. The first flight of NASA’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign was safely terminated at 7:46 a.m. Sunday, May 4 (in U.S. Eastern Time) after 17 days, 13 hours, and 47 minutes in flight around the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitude band.

Also: Boeing Reports, Airbus-Spirit, USAF CV-22 Milestone, ANN/Oshkosh 2025 Stringers

A HEXA electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft experienced a component failure while performing demo flights at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Though it was able to land without an issue, the bird and its twin will remain grounded until event organizers say otherwise. The HEXA is manufactured by LIFT Aircraft. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been busy spearheading a multi-million dollar communications project at the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that regulates the same airspace Musk’s SpaceX flies through. Employees pulled into this project, charmingly named “Project Lift,” have claimed that they have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements. As airmen medical applications reach an all-time high, the FAA is turning to the public to review questions, comments, and concerns about