USAF Releases Stunning 50th Anniversary Paint Scheme

The USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team unveiled a 50th anniversary paint scheme honoring the original aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., this month. The red, white and blue paint scheme was the original livery worn by the YF-16 prototype first flown in 1974. The team worked alongside the 412th Test Wing to complete the paint scheme in less than 8 weeks, a task that would usually take approximately three months.

Entire Operation, From 1st First Notification To Patient Handoff, Took About Two Hours

A UH-60 Black Hawk medical flight crew from the Tennessee National Guard rescued a severely injured hiker in a remote part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park May 20. Shortly before 7 p.m., the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified that a hiker needed immediate medical assistance. The hiker was located more than 5,000 feet above sea level at Icewater Spring.

Last Fiscal Year, The FAA Netted Just Six Certified Controllers

Airlines for America (A4A) has launched a new campaign urging DOT and FAA to take swift action to address the nation’s urgent and dire ATC shortage... and not a moment too soon. A4A’s “Staff the Towers” campaign will be a multifaceted campaign to urge the DOT and FAA to fix the ongoing air traffic control staffing crisis the country faces. Information on this campaign will be disseminated through a new website, blog posts, newsletters, social media and other channels.

The Plentl, Lillard, And Scott Aviation Scholarships Are Awarded Annually To High School Seniors

The next generation of aviation professionals will soon be heading off to college – and the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) and the Virginia Airport Operators Council (VAOC) are helping some of them get there. This week, three high school seniors were awarded scholarships based on their accomplishments, backgrounds and, most importantly, their aviation ambitions.

IFALPA Has Stressed The Need To Avoid Speculation As To What Happened With SQ-321

OK... no arguments with this concept... The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) is closely monitoring the developments related to the tragic incident involving Singapore Airlines Flight SQ-321, which was operating from London Heathrow to Singapore. They have expressed their deepest condolences to the loved ones of the passenger whose life was lost and added that their thoughts were also with the friends and families of the passengers and crew members that were onboard the Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

Also: VAI v Anti-Heli Actions, Electric Aircraft Symposium, 2024 FAA Drone/AAM Symposium, Gravitymaster

Blue Origin's seventh passenger flight ended with a smidgeon of drama when one of its 3 parachutes failed to fully deploy, forcing it to rely on its remaining 2 units. That's not the worst system failure in the world, since the triple-chute system sports redundancy as a baseline, but it's always a little discomfiting to rely on a backup whenever parachutes are involved. Women in Aviation International (WAI) members and friends will honor the valiant service of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) by visiting their graves and leaving an appropriate decoration in the form of flowers or other remembrances. Textron has been granted certification of a new interior conversion for SkyCouriers, allowing operators to carry 9 pax and a load of cargo at the same time. Cessna is hoping that their new high-wing twin turboprop will find some stable

Also: ALPA Warns, Aviation Meteorology Reference, Jennifer Homendy Re-Ups, CAF Tampa Bay

The court has approved Van's Aircraft's bankruptcy reorganization plans, settling a stressful period for the company with some pretty optimistic news. Van's Aircraft filed its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization back in March, setting up their ideal path to recovery amidst some very expensive challenges. One of the remaining icons of the World War II fighter pilot community has gone west... Bud Anderson, at the age of 102. Brig. Gen. Bud Anderson shot down 16 German planes over Europe in World War II and became America's last living triple ace, passing away Friday at home in Auburn, Calif. Women pilots from across the United States and around the world will take off Tuesday, June 18, from Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, Illinois, for a 2,610-statute mile competition across 11 states that ends Friday, June 21, at N

Also: Samson Sky, CAF Great Plains Wing, New Cert Standards, Flying Start Day

There are, occasionally, blisteringly dunderheaded bits of governmental incompetence to be found with increasing regularity... but the most recent move by the Nat'l Parks Service leaves us shaking our heads and a bit ashamed of Uncle Sam. The leaders of the Arsenal of Democracy consortium had planned to execute a World War II aircraft flyover at Mount Rushmore on Memorial Day to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It would have been grand... and NOT a sight to miss. Vertical Aviation International is worried that an NYC helicopter port is in danger of permanent closure courtesy of a recently introduced piece of legislation. The legislation, A.10224/S.9408 by Simone & Hoylman, would permanently close the West 30th Street Heliport (KJRA) within New York City's Hudson River Park. The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has selected Roswell, NM as the new hom

Also: AMA National Fun Fly, Skyfire SF2, Echodyne Gets BVLOS, Av Meteorology Reference

General Atomics' run at developing the Liberty Lifter ground effect aircraft has been put to rest, with their competitor, Aurora Flight Sciences, retaining theirs for the time being. The Liberty Lifter is one funky duck, as far as prospective military projects go. Looking forward to a contentious Pacific theater, DoD planners see a dire need for seaborne transport, beyond the old school's island-hopping and airstrip-chopping. Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its latest flight test using a smaller scaled version of its high-wing Cavorite X5. The short tethered test flight shows the Cavorite take off from a standstill, lifting off and testing its behavior as it gently moves through a handful of power settings and control checks. 

DOT Fines Volaris $300,000 

DOT has fined Volaris Airlines $300,000 for violating federal statutes and the Department’s rule prohibiting tarmac delays of four hours or more on international flights without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. The airline was also ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations. “If an airline passenger is stranded on the tarmac for hours on end, they have the right to disembark from the plane—and we’re making sure airlines give passengers that opportunity,” said DOT. “This enforcement action reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting consumers and holding airlines accountable.”