Virgin Galactic Says Its Next Generation Spaceplane Program Remains On Track Ahead Of A Planned Return To Commercial Flights Later This Year

The latest update offers one of the clearest signs yet that Virgin Galactic believes its multi year rebuild is finally entering the home stretch. Virgin Galactic reaffirmed this week that commercial flights aboard its new SpaceShip vehicle are still expected to begin in the fourth quarter, marking a major milestone for a company that has spent the past several years redesigning its business around higher flight rates and improved operational efficiency.

Investigation Continues Into May 12 Crash Involving T-38 Talon Training Flight

The Air Force has ordered a fleetwide operational pause for all T-38 Talon flights “out of an abundance of caution” following the May 12 crash involving a Columbus AFB training jet in Alabama. “The pause ensures the continued safety of Air Force personnel and equipment involved in flying T-38 operations while the investigation progresses,” the Air Force said. The pause will affect units within Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and Air Force Global Strike Command. No aircraft other than T-38s are affected.

Recommendation Follows Bird Strike And Smoke In Cockpit On Southwest Flight

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued three safety recommendations aimed at improving pilot preparedness for smoke-in-cockpit emergencies through realistic, scenario-based training. The recommendations stem from the NTSB’s investigation of a Dec. 20, 2023, incident involving Southwest Airlines flight 554, a Boeing 737-8, on departure from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, a bird was ingested into the airplane’s left engine, followed by smoke rapidly filling the cockpit.

An Aero-News Network Industry Briefing Series

The FAA’s MOSAIC initiative represents one of the most significant regulatory shifts in modern sport and general aviation. Its implications will affect aircraft design, certification pathways, pilot access, training models, and the economic future of multiple market segments. Yet despite its importance, the MOSAIC conversation remains fragmented — often driven by speculation, incomplete information, or promotional messaging rather than experience-based analysis. To address this gap, the Aero-News Network is launching a new long-form webcast and editorial initiative. The FAA’s MOSAIC initiative represents one of the most consequential regulatory shifts in modern sport and general aviation. Its impact will be felt across aircraft design, certification pathways, pilot access, training models, and long-term industry sustainability. Yet much of the current dialogue surrounding MOSAIC remains fragmented, speculative, or driven by marketing narratives rather th

Also: Remembering Dan Fordice, Skyborne Expands, Anti-Drone Pilot Program, Governor Grounded

New AOPA Board Chairman Luke Wippler kicked off the May 12 meeting in Frederick, Md., saying he has taken on the role with the “heavy weight of gaining your trust, support and continued membership. “I recognize we need to rebuild your trust,” Wippler said. Still; the current leadership refused to offer proper transparency about the past and instead explained it wanted to concentrate on the future... Hal Shevers, 90, founder and longtime chairman of Sporty’s, a pioneering force in pilot training and a beloved leader in the aviation community, died Tuesday, May 12 in Florida. Shevers life’s work shaped the landscape of general aviation for more than six decades. The MD-11 is back in the air… though not quite back in regular service yet. A short FedEx test flight marked the first step towards the trijet’s retur

B-17 and B-25 to Meet Up With B-29 “DOC” In Wichita This August

Wichita is getting a pretty special collection of World War II aviation this August, with three flying bombers scheduled to gather at the B-29 DOC Hangar, Education and Visitors Center. This includes B-29 Superfortress DOC himself, along with the Commemorative Air Force’s B-17G “Sentimental Journey” and B-25 “Maid in the Shade.”

Flexible Dry-Lease Program From WingsLeasing Expands Fleet Capacity For Training

WingsLeasing has announced the signing of a dry-lease agreement of seven Tecnam P-MENTOR aircraft for the University of Nebraska-Kearney flight-training program, marking a significant step forward in reshaping how flight schools access capital, scale operations and meet accelerating demand for pilot training. The agreement reflects a growing shift in aviation training: moving away from traditional ownership models toward flexible leasing strategies that unlock capital, expand fleet capacity and improve long-term financial performance. Through the dry-lease structure, the university gains access to aircraft without the upfront capital burden typically associated with fleet expansion. This approach enables increased student throughput, improved aircraft utilization and more predictable operating economics.

Also: ERAU Prof Wins Grant, EAA YE 2.5 Millionth, Ex-Spirit Pilots, AA Pilot Union Swap

India’s skies are expanding at full throttle, and now a new training route is giving future pilots a clearer path into commercial aviation. With airline demand surging and fleets growing rapidly, Skyborne’s new Florida based programme could become a major launchpad for the next wave of Indian aviators. A new chapter is opening for aspiring pilots in India, and it feels like the kind of shift aviation watchers will be talking about for years. Proteus Flight School has trained thousands of pilots at Santa Monica Airport, outlasting competitors and weathering regulatory shifts that shuttered other operators at the field. But its future is uncertain now as closure of the airport hangs in the balance. Founded in 1996, Proteus is the oldest continuously operating flight school at the airport. It has since expanded to a primary location and a mainten

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association Said It Was Left Out Of FAA Decision To Lower Number Of Controllers

The union that represents the nation’s air traffic controllers, NATCA, said it had no involvement in developing the Federal Aviation Administration’s revised staffing model, which eliminated the roughly 2,000 previously targeted controller positions, dropping the long-term target for air traffic controllers from 14,633 to 12,563. “NATCA was not involved in the development of the 2026-2028 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan and is reviewing the document,” the group told reporters. The union said it is studying the new FAA plan but has not issued a formal statement. The FAA said it was reducing its target for air-traffic-control staffing in a detailed workforce plan report as it vowed to modernize scheduling and increase the time employees spend managing traffic. The agency said too much overtime was being used for air traffic controllers, leading to fatigue.

The Army Is Testing Whether Autonomous Aircraft Could One Day Evacuate Wounded Troops From Battlefields Too Dangerous For Traditional Helicopters

What began as drones carrying supplies is now evolving into something far more ambitious and potentially transformative for combat rescue operations. The U.S. Army is pushing unmanned aviation into new territory with recent field tests of a drone capable of transporting wounded soldiers from the battlefield.