Also: HondaJet Elite Japan TC, Malaysian Airlines 1st Female Pilots, Twin Otter MOTW Upgrade, CA Fatigue Regs

A long-anticipated dream was realized in Mojave, CA, as Virgin Galactic’s  SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity landed from her maiden spaceflight. Not only is this the first human spaceflight to be launched from American soil since the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011, but the very first time that a crewed vehicle built for commercial, passenger service, has reached space. The historic achievement has been recognized by the FAA who will present pilots Mark “Forger” Stucky and Frederick “CJ” Sturckow with FAA Commercial Astronaut Wings at a ceremony in Washington DC. CJ, as a four-time Space Shuttle pilot, will become the only person to have been awarded NASA and FAA wings. The Saudi National Company of Aviation (SNCA), a CAE Authorized Training Center, has selecte

Will Oversee The Annual Airports Improvement Program (AIP)

FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell has named D. Kirk Shaffer as the FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, effective December 17. In this position, Shaffer will oversee the annual Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Since 2017 through the AIP program, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced nearly $7 billion in investments in the nation’s airports. Shaffer also will be responsible for national airport planning, airport safety, standards, airport design engineering, and regulatory compliance.

First School To Be Granted An FAA Waiver To Perform The Flights

Students studying unmanned aircraft systems at the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus are receiving a rare flight experience in some of their courses that is positioning them at the forefront of the drone industry.

Black Sage Provides Stadium Airspace Security

Keeping patrons safe and free of distraction is a priority for venues hosting sporting events, concerts, and festivals. Black Sage, a defense technology integrator, offers a proven solution to detect and identify drone activity at large scale venues and events.

ANN/Airborne/Aero-TV Marketing Department Needs Part or Full Time Personnel

E-I-C Note: For some reason, finding really motivated/honest/professional sales help has been a tough gig. And that need is greater now than ever. As a media partner to two of the most pivotal players in the drone arena... and new programs, on the way, devoted to women working and playing in the aviation and aerospace community, as well as avionics and other major aero-interests, coming soon -- NOW is the time to get this part of our business properly staffed. That's not all... what about all the other aspects of aviation and aerospace? Well... we have most of those covered -- or about to be covered. That's right; there's more... with nearly a dozen such agreements either done or in the works... and MASSIVE upgrades to the Airborne Unlimited program itself. So -- it's time to ramp up some efforts here -- sales, in particular -- and we need exceptional personnel, for the job. If you'd like to help chart th

Also: Schiebel Wins, New Generation Robot, 'Buzzy The Drone', DHS Selects PAE ISR

The NYPD has unveiled a new UAS program, which will be comprised of newly acquired UAVs, and the licensed NYPD officers of the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) who will operate them. The TARU provides specialized investigative equipment and tactical support to all bureaus within the NYPD, from officers on patrol to the Emergency Service Unit (ESU). The unit's expertise in audio/visual technology helps: enhance investigations through the recovery of surveillance video footage; record police action at large-scale demonstrations and arrest situations; and provide crucial live video to incident commanders during ongoing emergency situations. Just a few weeks after announcing that it had received $30 million in funding, Airobotics has now announced that it has become the first company in the United States to rece

Company Expects The Facility Will Be Operational Next Year

Amazon has announced plans to open a Regional Air Hub at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW). The Regional Air Hub will include a brand new facility that will be built to suit Amazon Air’s needs.  Construction has already begun on the new facility, which will create hundreds of new jobs, and is the first airport project of its kind in the Amazon Air network.

Proposed Rental Aircraft Would Allow Nearly Anyone To Fly

Matt Chasen, founder of uShip, has unveiled a new venture called LIFT Aircraft. LIFT has developed an electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and plans to open up LIFT locations where anyone will be able to rent aircraft and experience an entirely new kind of flying - pilot's license not required.

Marks 63rd Year To Track St. Nick

The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating its 60th anniversary of defending the homeland along with its tradition of tracking Santa’s journey around the globe on Dec. 24.

Advanced New Satellite Design To Help The U.S. Air Force Modernize The GPS Constellation

The U.S. Air Force's first Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite is now encapsulated for its planned December 18 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.