Some Portions of Either (Possibly Both) Aircraft Are Reported Down In The Potomac

ANN Update (01.30.25, 1030ET): After a tough night searching, the rescue operations have turned to recovery... there were 60 pax on the CRJ, along with 4 crew. Three soldiers were aboard the BalckHawk which was on a training mission. No survivors are expected, leaving a toll of 67 souls lost. The blame game has already started in earnest, conspiracy whack jobs are foaming at the mouth and the general media proves once again that it has little skill in reporting aviation topics... sigh. We will update htis story this afternoon after we source a few issues associated with this tragedy... which is likely to have long-term consequnces. 

Aerial Firefighting Agency Prepares to Move Out Legacy Birddog Fleet

Conair has selected the Daher TBM 960 for its wildfire air attack operations, marking the first time the TBM aircraft family will be used in this role. The TBM 960 will serve as a replacement for the agency’s aging birddog fleet. The first TBM 960 ordered by Conair was delivered in October 2024.

Dan Gryder Steps Up As A Controversial Candidate

Dan Gryder, a YouTuber and retired airline pilot, has opened a petition to become the next Administrator of the FAA. While the agency may be looking somewhat desperate for a leader, a controversial pick like Gryder is not likely to be the solution. The petition currently has just over 1,600 signatures.

FAA Dedicates $73 Mil ATC Tower in New Jersey

On December 11, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dedicated a new air traffic control tower at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The $73.4 million structure represents a significant upgrade in both technology and sustainability, replacing the 75-foot tower that had served the airport for half a century.

Crewman Found 30-Year Old Unconscious

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 30-year-old man from a vessel located 50 miles off Galveston, Texas, on January 25, 2025. At approximately 5 p.m. local time, watchstanders of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a medevac request from a crew member stating that a 30-year-old male was found unconscious. The watchstandes consulted with the flight surgeon on duty, who recommended a medevac operation be carried out.

Manufacturer Releases Earnings Report From a Rocky 2024

On January 28, Boeing published its fourth quarter and full-year 2024 earnings report. As expected, the manufacturer’s losses and deliveries were nothing to brag about. It reproted a $3.9 billion fourth-quarter net loss for the company, bringing its 2024 total to $11.8 billion in losses.

‘Known Crew Member’ Program Will End in Late 2025

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently shared that it would be closing its Known Crew Member fast-lane in November 2025. The decision was made due to a startling number of employees taking advantage of the more laid-back screening. Luckily for airline employees, it will shortly after be replaced by the Crewmember Access Point Program (CMAP).

Groups Look Forward To Working  With Transportation Secretary

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) issued statements of congratulations following Sean Duffy’s Senate confirmation with strong bipartisan support as the next U.S. Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

Reports Are Nationwide With Most In Northeast

The number of sightings of unknown drones that were seemingly every day during November and December 2024 slowed down when the FAA imposed TFRs on them in New York and New Jersey, but in some areas more sightings have been reported since the TFRs lifted in certain areas on January 19, 2025.

eVTOLs Wanted During Expo 2027 In Belgrade

Serbia is interested in acquiring three of Archer Aviation’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft to be used during the Expo 2027 “Play For Humanity” in its capital city, Belgrade, according to reports from the country.

On January 2, 2025, about 1409 Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur built Vans Aircraft RV10, N8757R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fullerton, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and there were 19 ground injuries, 8 of which were serious, and 11 minor. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91 personal flight. On the day of the accident a witness, who was an acquaintance of the pilot, observed him taxi the airplane from the pilot’s hangar in the southeast corner of the airport towards the runway 24 runup area. He could see the pilot was in the front left seat, and passenger in the front right seat. Security video footage revealed that the airplane was in the runup area for about 3 minutes and dur

Also: Presidential TFRs, Daher FL Lease, Charter Security, T-7A Acquisition

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Rotax engines installed on various general aviation aircraft. Rotax previously notified owners of such aircraft about the issue through its own Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) in December 2024. The family of Barrett Bevacqua, a student pilot killed in a 2023 plane crash, is suing the flight school and airline related to the flight. They claim that the flight instructor is to blame and are seeking $27 million. 20-year-old Bevacqua enrolled in the Ascend Pilot Academy, spearhe

Also: Rotax AD, FAA on Starship Mishap, Transformative Vertical Flight 2025, Horizon 

Skyryse recently announced its partnership with the U.S. Army to modernize its aviation capabilities. The collaboration aims to reduce pilot training time, increase interoperability between aircraft, and provide optionally piloted capabilities for the Army’s fleet, including 2,400 Black Hawk helicopters. Amazon put a temporary stop to testing its drone delivery program, Prime Air, in Texas and Arizona on January 17. The decision follows two drone incidents in late 2024. In September 2024, the company’s drone operators were simulating how drones would pe

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Remembrances Of An Israeli Air Force Test Pilot

Early in 2016, ANN contributor Maxine Scheer traveled to Israel, where she had the opportunity to sit down with retired Israeli Air Force Col. Danny Shapira, who served 25 years in the Israeli Air Force. Shapira was among the first pilots for the Israeli Air Force, which was formed shortly after the State of Israel was established in 1948. He and several others, including some Americans and pilots from other countries, went to Czechoslovakia to train in Avia S-199 aircraft, a variant of the Bf 109. 

Aero Linx: The Aircraft Engine Historical Society "Seeing the future by searching the past — Securing the future by saving the past" -- Alex Pong. The Aircraft Engine Historical Society is a non-profit educational and historical society that fosters an appreciation of the people, art, and science associated with aircraft engine development, manufacture, and use. Celebrating 24 Years (2001 – 2025)

Say Altitude

Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude rounded to the nearest 100 feet.

“If appointed, I would make numerous immediate changes to our Air Traffic Control policies:  No more personal electronic devices allowed on Federal ATC properties. (control towers and radar rooms). No more mandatory retirement age, Hiring based purely on merit, No more DEI hiring, No more disruptive ATC facility tours.” Source: Just a few of the statements made by controversial YouTuber Dan Gryder in his attempt to get the President to appoint him as FAA Administrator.