NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Hudson River Ditching
The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report on the March 2 ditching of a Cessna 172N in the Hudson River near Newburgh, New York. The aircraft suffered a sudden loss of oil pressure and engine power shortly after a touch‑and‑go at Stewart International Airport, prompting the flight instructor to execute a controlled night ditching. Both the instructor and the student pilot escaped with minor injuries, and the wreckage was recovered for further analysis. The report outlines the factual timeline but leaves the root cause of the oil‑pressure loss undetermined pending detailed examination.
Tennessee Airport Boards Face Possible State Takeover
Tennessee lawmakers advanced an amended Senate Bill 2473 that would dissolve existing regional and metropolitan airport authority boards and replace them with new panels appointed primarily by state officials. The proposal creates nine‑member boards for metropolitan airports, with appointments split...
Flight School Closure Leaves Students Seeking Refunds
Missouri-based Piston Aviation abruptly shut its three locations, leaving dozens of students who prepaid up to $90,000 for flight training in limbo. The school’s refund policy promises reimbursements within 180 days, but many, like Drake Polacek and Chris Harness, report...
Video: F-18 Intercept Near Iran & Atlantic Engine Trouble with Sam Rutherford
Sam Rutherford, a veteran single‑engine ferry pilot, shared vivid stories from his global aircraft delivery career, including a surprise wedding invitation in Sudan, an engine failure over the Atlantic, and an F‑18 intercept near Iran. The interview highlights the unpredictable...
House Committee Advances ALERT Act
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously advanced the ALERT Act, directing the FAA to set a Dec. 31, 2031 deadline for aircraft to carry collision‑mitigation technology and permitting portable ADS‑B In devices as an alternative compliance method. The bill also requires a...
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Metro Airport Launches Unleaded Avgas
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) has begun dispensing Swift Fuels UL94, an unleaded avgas, alongside traditional 100LL leaded fuel. A state‑backed subsidy ensures the unleaded option is priced the same as leaded fuel, and the airport will reimburse up...
FAA Presses California for Records in Airport-Funding Dispute
The Federal Aviation Administration has stepped up its review of California’s management of jet‑fuel tax revenue, ordering the state Department of Finance to supply detailed records of collection, transfer, and expenditure. California currently deposits the tax into its General Fund...
Textron Aviation To Showcase Full Range Of Aircraft At Sun ’N Fun
Textron Aviation will present its full Cessna, Beechcraft, and newly acquired Pipistrel lineups together for the first time at Sun ’n Fun 2026 in Lakeland, Florida. The static exhibit will span piston trainers, turboprop workhorses and light‑sport aircraft, highlighting the...
Study Unveils Redevelopment Concepts For Burke Lakefront Airport
A new economic impact study outlines two mixed‑use redevelopment concepts for Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport, aligning with Mayor Justin Bibb’s plan to close the city‑run facility. The proposals estimate a $600‑$700 million investment and forecast roughly $2.6‑$2.7 million in annual city tax...
Digital Airman Certificate Bill Clears U.S. House
The U.S. House passed H.R. 2247, the Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act, allowing pilots to present FAA‑issued airman and medical certificates digitally or on paper during inspections. The legislation mandates the FAA to develop authentication methods and issue a final rule...
House Moves to Bring Back Civil Overland Supersonic Flight
The U.S. House approved H.R. 3410, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, mandating the FAA to draft new rules within a year that would permit civil aircraft to exceed Mach 1 over U.S. airspace without generating ground‑level sonic booms. The legislation also...
FAA Letter Says Whiteman Airport Obligated to Stay Open
The FAA sent a Jan. 21 letter confirming that land acquired with Airport Improvement Program funds at Whiteman Airport remains obligated for airport use for its useful life unless the agency releases it. Los Angeles County is moving forward with...
FAA Expands Swift 100R Engine STC
The FAA has amended Swift Fuels' Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its 100R unleaded avgas, expanding the list of approved engines to include a broad mix of Continental, Lycoming, Franklin and other models. The amendment references updated fuel specifications dated...
FAA Updates GNSS Interference Guide Months After First Release
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued Version 1.1 of its GPS/GNSS Interference Resource Guide, just three months after the initial release. The update adds detailed cockpit instructions for spotting interference, such as time shifts, map anomalies, and false terrain alerts. It...
Mesa Approves Falcon Field Landing Fees
Mesa City Council unanimously approved a new landing‑fee structure for Falcon Field Airport, effective May 1. The fees are designed to close a projected $2.0 million budget shortfall and are expected to generate about $2.9 million annually. Based aircraft receive the first ten...
Picture of the Day: March 23, 2026
AVweb’s Picture of the Day for March 23, 2026 features a Waco RNF soaring over El Capitan Reservoir in San Diego County, with the image credited to photographer Dave Leedom. The post highlights the enduring appeal of vintage aircraft among recreational pilots. It also notes...
FAA Wants Feedback on UAS Airport and Droneport Integration
The Federal Aviation Administration has opened a public comment period, ending April 22, to gather input on how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) should be incorporated into existing airports and emerging droneports. The request targets airports, operators, and other stakeholders to...
De Havilland Canada Delivers 1,000th Twin Otter
De Havilland Canada has delivered its 1,000th DHC‑6 Twin Otter, handing the aircraft to Colombian regional carrier SATENA. The milestone underscores a production run that began in 1965 and highlights the model’s enduring appeal in remote‑operating markets. SATENA now operates...
NBAA Study Examines Aviation Workforce Gaps, Safety Impact
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Safety Committee released a study examining how workforce shortages affect business aviation safety. Fifty‑three percent of respondents identified pilot shortages as the most acute issue, with maintenance and safety management also impacted. While 62%...
Army Receives First Optionally Piloted Black Hawk
The U.S. Army has taken delivery of its first H‑60 Black Hawk equipped with the DARPA‑funded ALIAS optionally piloted system. The retrofit kit adds fly‑by‑wire controls and an autonomy suite that can manage takeoff, flight and landing, while still allowing...
Picture of the Day: March 20, 2026
AVweb’s Picture of the Day for March 20, 2026 features a striking silhouette of a National Park Service helicopter and its crew watching over Mesa Verde National Park at sunset. The photo underscores the routine presence of park aviation for tasks such as...
Video: 40 Years of the Piper Aviation Museum
The Piper Aviation Museum marked its 40th anniversary, highlighting four decades of preserving Piper Aircraft and general aviation history. President Ron Dremel recounted the museum’s evolution from a traveling exhibit to its permanent home in Lock Haven, the birthplace of...
GAA Names 2026 National Honorees
The General Aviation Awards (GAA) Board, in partnership with the FAA, announced its 2026 national honorees, recognizing excellence in flight instruction, maintenance, and safety. Mike Kloch of Bend, Oregon was named Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, Roger Whittier of...
AOPA Board Elects New Chairman
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) board of trustees elected Luke Wippler as its next chairman, succeeding James N. Hauslein, who is stepping down. Wippler brings nearly 25 years of executive experience in financial services and a long history...
DPE Class Action Targets FAA Termination Policies
Two former Designated Pilot Examiners have filed a class‑action lawsuit in federal court in Florida against the Federal Aviation Administration, alleging that recent policy changes eliminated the appeal process for examiner terminations. The complaint claims the FAA’s new enforcement procedures...
Cornyn Bill Targets TSA Perks for Congress
Sen. John Cornyn introduced the “End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act,” which would require members of Congress to undergo the same TSA screening as the general public and ban federal funds for expedited airport access. Lawmakers could still...
SUN ’N FUN 2026 Airshow Schedule, NOTAM Released
The SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo released its 2026 airshow schedule and the FAA’s accompanying NOTAM. The event runs April 14‑19 at Lakeland Linder International Airport, showcasing military demonstration teams such as the Thunderbirds, an F‑22 Raptor demo, and the Navy’s...
Five-Year RAF Deal Extends Backcountry Airstrip Collaboration
The Recreational Aviation Foundation and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management have signed a renewed five‑year memorandum of understanding to coordinate aviation activities on BLM‑managed lands. The MOU emphasizes preservation, maintenance and improvement of existing backcountry airstrips and ensures RAF...
Video: Red Bull Pilot Dario Costa on Train Landing
Red Bull pilot Dario Costa successfully landed and took off from a moving train in Turkey, showcasing the brand’s commitment to extreme aerial stunts. The maneuver involved touching down on a locomotive traveling at roughly 30 km/h, merging high‑speed motorsport imagery with...
NASA Prepares X-59 for Second Flight
NASA is gearing up for the X‑59 quiet‑supersonic research aircraft's second flight, slated for this week from the Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards, California. The one‑hour mission will cruise at roughly 230 mph at 12,000 ft before climbing to 20,000 ft and...
Beyond Aero Concludes Hydrogen Aircraft Design Review
Beyond Aero announced the completion of the Preliminary Design Review for its hydrogen‑electric business jet, moving the program into detailed engineering and validation planning. The review confirmed successful integration of gaseous hydrogen storage, fuel‑cell electric propulsion, and thermal‑management systems within...
Florida Lawmakers Target ADS-B Use For Landing Fees
Florida lawmakers approved CS/CS/SB 422, prohibiting airports from using ADS‑B surveillance data to calculate landing fees or related charges for Part 91 aircraft weighing 12,499 pounds or less. The bill, cleared by both chambers, heads to Governor Ron DeSantis and would...
$2.2M Taxiway Project Starts At Florida’s Sebring Regional
The Sebring Airport Authority has broken ground on Taxiway Delta, a new 1,800‑foot partial parallel taxiway at Sebring Regional Airport. The $2.25 million project, 95% funded by the FAA and 5% by the Florida Department of Transportation, aims to streamline aircraft...
Falcon Field Stakeholders Urge Council To Reject Landing Fee Proposal
A coalition of flight schools, pilots, instructors and aviation businesses at Falcon Field Airport has asked the Mesa City Council to reject a proposed $30 per‑landing fee that would apply to general aviation, including training flights. The fee, slated for...
Picture of the Day: March 12, 2026
AVWeb’s Picture of the Day showcases a vintage, ski‑equipped DC‑3 flying low over Antarctica’s Darwin Glacier. The image captures the historic aircraft operating in one of the planet’s most extreme environments. It underscores the enduring capability of legacy planes when...
Fort Worth Police Helicopter Makes an Emergency Landing
Fort Worth Police Department’s Bell 505 helicopter, known as Air One, made an emergency landing at Meacham International Airport on Saturday night after a mechanical issue arose at roughly 100 feet altitude. The aircraft was responding to a call when the pilot...
SkyDrive Reaches eVTOL Certification Plan With Japanese Regulator
SkyDrive announced an agreement with Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau on a General Certification Plan for its SD‑05 eVTOL, defining the compliance pathway for type certification. The plan complements existing structural, motor and noise certification submissions currently under review. Earlier this...
Pentagon, FAA Plan Counter-Drone Laser Testing in New Mexico
The Pentagon and FAA will conduct a weekend test in New Mexico of a high‑energy counter‑drone laser, examining how the beam interacts with aircraft‑grade materials and validating automated safety shut‑off mechanisms. The trial also measures eye‑safety impacts for aircrew and...
Houston Aviation Museum Suspends Operations
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum in Houston announced it will cease operations effective March 2, 2026, citing a “perfect storm” of financial pressures. Housed in the original 1940 Art Deco terminal adjacent to Hobby Airport, the museum has long relied on volunteers and...
Survey: Private Pilot Flight Training Cost Passes $16,000
The 2026 State of Flight Training Survey from Redbird Flight shows the median cost to earn a private pilot certificate has risen above $16,000, with students typically completing training in about 24 weeks. The report also details median costs of...
NTSB: Rain, a Missing Gasket, and a Rushed Preflight
The NTSB concluded that a restored Grumman American GA‑7 crashed shortly after takeoff because water entered the fuel system through a missing rubber gasket on the right fuel cap, a defect that went undetected during both the aircraft’s annual inspection...
Skyryse Plans ‘Universal’ Autoland for Helicopters, Airplanes
Aviation automation firm Skyryse announced a universal emergency autoland capability for both helicopters and airplanes, integrated into its SkyOS flight operating system. The feature leverages SkyOS’s fly‑by‑wire architecture and onboard sensors to autonomously manage approach, descent, and touchdown after a...
Russ Meyer, Former Cessna Chairman And Citation Program Leader, Flies West
Russell W. “Russ” Meyer Jr., former chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company, died on March 4 at age 93. He steered Cessna from 1975 to 2003, overseeing the rise of the Citation business‑jet family into a market cornerstone. Meyer’s...
First Blue Angels Shows Canceled Over Security Concerns
The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels have canceled their first two 2026 air shows—El Centro on March 14 and Lemoore on March 21‑22—citing heightened security as the military escalates force‑protection measures amid ongoing operations against Iran. Both installations moved to Force Protection Condition Bravo,...
Washington Lawmakers Eye Repeal Of Luxury Aircraft Tax
Washington state lawmakers are moving to repeal a 10% luxury aircraft tax slated for April 1, 2026, which would have applied to non‑commercial aircraft sales or leases above $500,000. Strong pushback from the aviation community, including Paine Field tenants, led the bill’s...
NASA Study Finds Urban Residents More Sensitive To Air Taxi Noise
NASA’s VANGARD study, conducted Aug‑Sept 2025, surveyed 359 volunteers in major U.S. metros to gauge annoyance from 67 simulated air‑taxi sounds. Participants heard the noises without visual cues, ensuring pure acoustic assessment. Early results show urban residents report higher irritation...
No Injuries After Door Separates From Aircraft In Alaska
A Grant Aviation GA‑8 Airvan lost its left rear sliding door while en route from Eek to Bethel, Alaska, on Feb. 28. The aircraft continued to Bethel and landed safely with no injuries reported. The incident is being monitored by...
Sporty’s Debuts ‘The Active Runway’
Sporty’s announced the launch of “The Active Runway,” a new Facebook hub that consolidates content from its multiple aviation platforms. The hub will deliver articles, videos, training tips, reviews, and commentary in a single, easily accessible feed for pilots. While...
PA-28 Crashes Into Phoenix Neighborhood
A Piper PA-28 training aircraft crashed into two homes in north Phoenix just before 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, striking a residence and landing in a neighboring backyard. The flight instructor, a student pilot, and a homeowner were taken to hospital with...
Piper Aviation Museum Marks 40 Years With Planned Expansion
The Piper Aviation Museum is reopening for its 40th season and has approved a 9,600‑square‑foot expansion at its historic Piper Aircraft engineering building in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Attendance has hit record levels, pushing the current 30,000‑square‑foot facility to capacity. The...