Attacks Follow Just One Day After Syria’s Government Crumbled

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) sent a herd of fighters and bombers to strike more than 75 ISIS targets in Syria on December 8. This trails just a day after Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime fell and he fled to Russia.  The military operation involved B-52 bombers, F-15 Eagles, and A-10 attack aircraft.

Orbital Reef Will Be First Commercially Owned And Operated Space Station

Jeff Bezos is set to begin building a replacement for the International Space Station (ISS) to the tune of $100 billion. The ISS was launched in November 1998 and has been home to several hundred astronauts and cosmonauts. However, the lifetime of its primary structure such as the modules, truss members, and radiators is limited, having been affected by continual thermal cycling and dynamic loading from dockings and undockings.

Proprietary Skybrid Drive-And-Fly System Utilizes Automobile Engine

Samson Sky released some details about its proprietary Skybrid hybrid electric drive-and-fly system that powers its Switchblade Flying Car. At the heart of the system is a 260 hp four-cylinder, liquid-cooled internal combustion engine repurposed from the automotive industry and runs on premium auto gas. The gas engine drives a generator producing electricity to power separate motors for the wheels and propellers.

Deal Includes Exclusive Distribution Rights

Banyan Pilot Shop announced its acquisition of Dare to FLY Fashion, the internationally-recognized aviation apparel brand founded by designer and pilot Jen Toplak. The apparel is known for its high quality and sophisticated, edgy designs that celebrate the passion for aviation  and with this deal, Banyan will be the exclusive distributor of Dare to FLY. The brand was launched by designer and pilot Jen Toplak after she created the iconic Chicks FLY t-shirt to raise funds for the scholarship program of the International Organization of Women Pilots.

First Agency Head To Fly On Next-Gen AAM Aircraft

Electra.aero announced it has flown NASA Administrator Bill Nelson aboard its hybrid-electric EL2 Goldfinch Ultra-Short prototype aircraft to demonstrate its unique ability to take off and land in a soccer field-sized space that will make sustainable point-to-point travel a reality. The occasion also represented the first ever for a U.S. government agency head no a next-gen Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft.

UH-1H Military Helicopter Splits in Two During Training Exercise Accident

Two Turkish military Bell UH-1H Iroquois (“Huey”) helicopters collided mid-air during a routine training session. One came apart on impact, killing six personnel, while the other was able to land safely. Unfortunately for the nation’s Air Force, the active Turkish UH-1H fleet size is getting painfully small.

Also: CAF P-39, Orion Heat Shield, ISS Replacement, Banyan Acquisition

Samson Sky released some details about its proprietary Skybrid hybrid electric drive-and-fly system that powers its Switchblade Flying Car. At the heart of the system is a 260 hp four-cylinder, liquid-cooled internal combustion engine repurposed from the automotive industry and runs on premium auto gas. The FAA recently issued its approval to the Indianapolis Airport Authority to close the downtown Indy Heliport. The land is part of a larger chunk needed for the city to construct a Major League Soccer stadium. Shutting down the heliport has already been a lengthy process, but it isn’t quite over yet. A 57-year-old man from Palmer, Alaska was convicted on December 4 after nearly causing a mid-air collision last year. He was found guilty of operating an unregistered aircraft, and flying it without a pilot's license. In June, 2023, 57-year-old William Marsan allegedly took of

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The FAA has confirmed it issued two Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in New Jersey covering the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in Dover and the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County. The restrictions were issued after requests from “federal security partners” and reports of questionable drone activity near the areas affected. The FBI is said to be investigating the reported sightings of mysterious drone activity over Central New Jersey. Entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist, and passionate spaceflight advocate Jared Isaacman has been nominated to be the next NASA administrator, announced by President-elect Donald Trump. Isaacman brings an exceptional passion for aviation and spaceflight to the table. As a 16-year-old he founded Shift4, an online payment service which turned into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. He has u

Also: DPEs & Basic Med, ERAU ATC Program, Snead State, RCAF PC-21s

Airbus continues to push out ever-more outlandish proposals to see its concept of extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), which is nothing more than a euphemism for single-pilot operations, become reality for widebody aircraft filled with passengers during cruise flight. The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has been making a difference since 1963 for young people pursuing aviation careers and has recently passed a significant milestone, as 600 scholarship recipients have completed flight training and earned pilot certificates. Elektra Solar recently put the first aircraft from its Elektra Trainer Fixed-Gear (FG) family into service. The electric aircraft will be used to train students at the Lorenzen Flight School in Landshut, Germany. The Elektra Trainer has been flying since 2011 and is a member of the German ultralight class. It is a modified version of the company’s El

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Hard to believe, but NASA has delayed the Artemis II and Artemis III missions, AGAIN, which were expected to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972, until 2026 and 2027. The decision was made to allow engineers to continue testing on the Orion crew capsule. Tickets for EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 are on sale. The convention will be held from July 21-27, 2025, at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 2025 will be the 72nd annual occurrence of “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” This event surrounds the theme of ‘One Week: Endless Possibilities.’ The FAA recently published new restrictions on color vision exams, replacing the original paper testing book with ‘modern digital testing equipment. The regulation will take effect on January 1, 2025. The modification