Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

With over 400,000 licensed commercial drone pilots in the country, competition can be fierce. This is especially true in heavily populated areas where clients, such as real estate agents, probably already have a go-to pilot. The good news is that there is still plenty of work out there if you know where to look. While going after clients who already have a preferred pilot can be tough, there are other options available for pilots, especially new drone pilots, to capture lucrative contracts.

Pilot

World Airline News

MAY 13, 2025

New United Polaris Studio suites are 25% larger than United Polaris with privacy doors, extra ottoman for companions, 27-inch screens, luxury skincare amenities and exclusive caviar and wine pairing New Boeing 787-9s with the United Elevated interior get a nose-to-tail transformation with the highest number of total premium seats in United’s fleet, new United Polaris Studio suites, new United Polaris suites, updated United Premium Plus seats with privacy dividers and wireless charging, an

Tail

Aerotime

MAY 13, 2025

If you visit any major airport, it is hard to imagine a time when jet engines did not exist. But while flying thousands of miles around the world seems commonplace to most of us these days, none of this would have been possible if it had not been for the invention of the jet turbine engine. Before this critical invention had established itself on the world stage, flying was slower and far more time-consuming when trying to get from A to B by air.

Jet

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

Growing up in a lower-income family in Minnesota, I never gave much thought to college. My parents didnt attend, nobody in my extended family had a degree, and to the limited amount of contact I had with rich kids, college seemed to be part of their world, not mine. But then I fell in love with flying and quickly discovered that all the major airlines required their pilots to have a four-year degree.

Pilot

Vintage Aviation News

MAY 13, 2025

Recently, a combat veteran McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C Hornet Bureau Number 163502 was transferred from the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) in Pensacola, Florida, to an affiliate museum across the country, the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum in Alameda, California. Though the World War II veteran Essex-class carrier was decommissioned well before the F-18 Hornet made its first flight, the USS Hornet (CV-12) will now provide a home for a Hornet that gained notoriety for downing an Iraqi-

Tail

AV Web

MAY 13, 2025

The Boulder County Sheriffs Department in Colorado, along with several other agencies including the FBI and the FAA, is investigating whether or not someone has been shooting at aircraft operating at Vance Brand Longmont Municipal Airport (KLMO). A city employee called the sheriffs office to report a voicemail message from a caller who claimed to have fired at an aircraft (described as an ultralight).

Runway

Plane and Pilot

MAY 13, 2025

At AERO 2025, Junkers Aircraft unveiled the Junkers A60 RG to an enthralled audience, igniting excitement among aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and industry professionals. The event marked the debut of an aircraft poised to become an icon in the skies. The A60 RG, the pinnacle of Junkers portfolio, captivated attendees with its sleek duralumin exterior and cutting-edge technology.

Cockpit

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

The world of aerial photography and videography, once the exclusive domain of professionals with hefty budgets, has become increasingly accessible thanks to the proliferation of consumer drones. This week, Amazon is buzzing with deals on a range of drones, catering to various skill levels and budgets. For this roundup, we’ve chosen to focus on three drones that are on sale for under $300.

Simple Flying

MAY 13, 2025

Spirit Airlines has announced new upgrades aimed at enhancing the onboard experience and loyalty benefits for its passengers. These include the introduction of extra-legroom seating and a revamped Free Spirit loyalty program, set to roll out across its network next month.

Airline

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

The FAA announced an immediate policy change that allows experienced pilots to operate multiple experimental aircraft with less documentation and procedures. Effective immediately, pilots who hold three Authorized Experimental Aircraft (AEA) authorizations in high-performance piston aircraft can operate additional experimental aircraft by completing only aircraft-specific ground and flight training, without the previously required practical test.

Lift

AOPA

MAY 13, 2025

The best time to spot an obstruction of the pitot tube is when the airplane is still on the ground.

Pitot Tube

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Tuesday that Qatars Boeing 747-8i aircraft gifted to President Donald Trump raises significant espionage and surveillance problems.” In a video interview with CNBC , Cruz said he was not a fan of Qatar and its funding of adversarial factions in the Middle East. I think that the plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems, so well see how this plays out, but I certainly have concerns, Cruz said.

Jet

AOPA

MAY 13, 2025

The AOPA Foundation is awarding $2.2 million in scholarships—the largest amount in the foundation’s history—to nearly 400 recipients out of more than 6,800 who applied.

One Mile at a Time

MAY 13, 2025

Southwest Airlines has just made an interesting regulatory request, which is causing some people to wonder whether the airline is planning a significant international expansion. However, theres likely a boring explanation. Southwest requests approval for international expansion @IshrionA flags how Southwest has just filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT), requesting permission to operate service to any country that is part of the Open Skies agreement with the United States.

Airline

Cranky Flier

MAY 13, 2025

We’ve been talking about American’s strategy in New York for a very, very long time. The airline is undersized, and there is no clear solution. It briefly hoped it solved its problem in New York with the innovative Northeast Alliance (NEA) with JetBlue, but the court’s ruling shutting down that plan forced American to figure out yet another new path forward.

Airplanes

One Mile at a Time

MAY 13, 2025

As Ive already covered, United Airlines has unveiled its new Polaris business class. These new seats will be installed on upcoming Boeing 787-9s, which will be in a premium configuration. In this post, I want to focus specifically on the United Polaris Studio concept, which is the carriers business class plus concept. Let me recap the basics, and then I want to analyze this product a bit Basics of the new United Polaris Studio concept On upcoming Boeing 787-9s, United plans to introduce Polaris

Tarmac

Aviation Bussiness News

MAY 13, 2025

Satcom provider Viasat has announced that JetXP, its new business aviation connectivity service, has been selected by more than 400 customers since becoming commercially available at the end of last year. The product features support from its distribution partners Collins Aerospace, Gogo (Satcom Direct) and Honeywell. The service also introduced a range of premium benefits, such as uncapped speeds, increased network prioritisation and expanded capacity.

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

Remember trying to drive the airplane on the ground with the yoke the first time you attempted to taxi it? Some people still fall into this habit when tired or distracted. It’s known as the Law of Primacy, as they learned to drive a car before they learned to fly. In most airplanesthe Ercoupe is the exceptionyou can’t steer on the ground with the yoke.

Rudder

iPad Pilot News

MAY 13, 2025

ForeFlight Video Tip: Adding Procedures for VFR Pilots iPad Pilot News ForeFlight isnt just for IFR flyingVFR pilots can also take advantage of powerful planning features, including traffic pattern entries and runway selection tools. In this video tip, well show you how to add pattern entries to your route, select the best runway for the winds, and use visual cues on the map to enhance situational awareness during arrival.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

The weather was gray and low that morning several years agoexactly what I wanted. A thick, honest layer of Texas IMC was parked over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and I was finally ready to take it on. My instrument ticket was still warm in my pocket, and I filed for a simple out and back: KGPM to KACT and home again, with a touch-and-go in Waco.

Clearance

One Mile at a Time

MAY 13, 2025

Its quite a transformative time for Alaska Air Group, as the company acquired Hawaiian Airlines , and is turning Seattle-Tacoma into a global hub , with plans to launch a dozen long haul routes by 2030. Weve just seen the airline launch flights to Tokyo Narita (NRT) , and then flights to Seoul Incheon (ICN) are launching as of September 2025. Were now getting a sense of what the next destinations will be.

Airline

Aerotime

MAY 13, 2025

Alaska Airlines is expanding its reach into the Pacific Northwest with the announcement of daily flight services from its hub in Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), operated by Hawaiian Airlines. According to Alaska, its partnership with Hawaiian Airlines marks the beginning of a new era of widebody international flying for the airline, and will transform Seattle into the US West Coasts new global hub.

Airline

Arround the Pattern

MAY 13, 2025

Your aircraft pitot-static system and what the pitot tube really measures.

Pitot Tube

World Airline News

MAY 13, 2025

Delta to fly its largest-ever trans-Atlantic summer schedule, with new routes to Catania, Sicily; Naples, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Dublin, Brussels and more Delta Air Lines Airbus A321-271NX WL N518DQ (msn 11122) BOS (Fred Freketic). Image: 962256. Delta is gearing up for an unforgettable summer in 2025, offering more opportunities than ever to explore Europes most captivating destinations, from the sun-soaked beaches of Catania, Sicily, to the historic charm of Rome.

Airline

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

Vertical Aerospace, which has been developing the VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi since 2016, on Monday revealed it is expanding its portfolio. The U.K. manufacturer said it will retrofit one of its VX4 prototypes with a hybrid-electric propulsion system it claims will deliver 10 times the range, with flight testing anticipated to begin in mid-2026.

Payload

Simple Flying

MAY 13, 2025

Newark Liberty International Airport has become emblematic of the larger air traffic control situation in the United States. The airport finds itself in the eye of a storm with several problems related to its air traffic management, inviting scrutiny from the media, industry professionals, and the general public affected by flight disruptions.

Air Traffic Control

One Mile at a Time

MAY 13, 2025

Today, United Airlines unveiled its new Polaris business class , including the new Polaris Studio , which will be installed on newly delivered Boeing 787-9s. The airline held a flashy media event in Brooklyn to formally unveil these improvements, and apparently it was memorable on a variety of levels. United employees accused of trespassing Polaris event An OMAAT reader attending Uniteds new Polaris launch event today (who asked to remain anonymous) shared an interesting video with me of what ha

Drag

Aerotime

MAY 13, 2025

Bell Textron Canada has announced the completion of its 6,000th commercial aircraft at its Mirabel Aerospace Centre in Quebec. The milestone was marked on May 12, 2025, at the Mirabel facility, where employees and guests gathered to commemorate the event, the company said in a statement. “Our 6,000th helicopter built in Canada demonstrates our commitment to manufacturing helicopters capable of performing the most critical missions, said Michael Nault, General Manager of Bell Textron Canada

Simple Flying

MAY 13, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set up an emergency task force to address telecommunications issues at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The task force comprises Verizon and L3Harris executive experts and is working to add three new telecommunications connections between New York and Philadelphia to ensure redundancy.

Air Traffic Control

Aerotime

MAY 13, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its United Elevated interiors for its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be deployed on long-haul international flights by 2026. The Elevated interior on the 787-9 includes a nose-to-tail transformation with a total of 99 total premium seats, which United said is the highest percentage among US carriers. A total of eight United Polaris Studio suites are placed in the first row of each business class section.

Airline

Vintage Aviation News

MAY 13, 2025

One of the Marine Corps most iconic rescue helicopters has just received a fresh coat of paint, ensuring its legacy remains vibrant for years to come. Last week, the Aircraft Paint Shop at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) completed a detailed paint restoration on the HH-46 Sea Knight, affectionately known as Pedro. The aircraft has been a prominent exhibit at the Historical Aircraft Park aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point since its retirement in 2015.

Aviation Bussiness News

MAY 13, 2025

Plaza Premium Group has opened its newest lounge at Taipei Songshan Airport, marking the groups fifth location on the island. Songshan Airport stands out as a city airport, similar to London City, Tokyo Haneda, and Shanghai Hongqiao. With comfortable seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a dedicated VIP area for select credit card holders, the lounge also has regional touches to make it feel Taiwanese.

Simple Flying

MAY 13, 2025

On May 12, a Qatar Airways Airbus A330-300 operating flight QR-289 from Doha was unable to vacate the runway after landing at Vclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) due to a technical issue, The Aviation Herald reported. The aircraft remained on the runway for around half an hour before being towed off.

Runway

Aerotime

MAY 13, 2025

The former CEO of Lufthansa and co-founder of Star Alliance Jrgen Weber has passed away at the age of 83, the German flag carrier announced. Affectionately known as Mr Lufthansa, Weber first joined the airline as a young engineer in 1967 and remained Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board until his passing on May 12, 2025. From 1991 until 2003 he led the company as CEO and from 2003 to 2013 he was Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Airline

Vintage Aviation News

MAY 13, 2025

On this day in aviation history, 76 years agoMay 13, 1949the English Electric Canberra took to the skies for the first time. The historic flight took place at Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire, with Chief Test Pilot Roland Prosper Beamont at the controls. That day, Beamont flew the English Electric A.1 prototype, serial number VN799one of four Canberra prototypes built.

Ceiling

Aerotime

MAY 13, 2025

Three new communication connections will be established between New York and Philadelphia to address recent radar outages that led to flight delays at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), US Department of Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced. During a conference , held on May 12, 2025, Duffy said three recent equipment incidents on April 28, May 9, and May 11, 2025, caused short outages affected the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) communication radar displays.

Air Traffic Control

Vintage Aviation News

MAY 13, 2025

For the past few days, Reddit’s aviation community has been buzzing about the flight of a rare Polikarpov I-16 over Novosibirsk, Russia. A video of the aircraft recently surfaced, and based on user comments, it appears that the flight took place quite recently. The Polikarpov I-16 was painstakingly restored over the course of 30 years and took to the skies in 2024 in celebration of the 79th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II.

Pilot