The Flying Sunfish Takes Flight, Logs 4 Minutes of Untethered Flight Time

Zeva has completed the first untethered flight test for its Zero flying wing airframe, where the aircraft took off and flew under its 8 electric propellers. With the first flight completed, the Zero now boasts the bragging rights of being a functional, real aircraft, with flight time in its logbook in an industry rife with ground demonstrators and digital renders. The flight is an important milestone in the airworthiness certification process, proving the unmanned demonstrator could take off and maintain position in a controlled hover, as well as taxi, climb, and maneuver at low altitude. The pancake-ish single-pilot aircraft is an unusual addition to the eVTOL race, sp

Reid-Hillview, San Martin Airports Officially End Sale of Leaded AvFuel, Only UL94 From Now On

Despite the warnings, the cajoling, and the requests from a range of stakeholders, the County of Santa Clara, California, has gone ahead with its plans to end the sale of leaded fuels in their county, particularly 100LL at Reid-Hillview and San Martin airports. The move is said by the Board of Supervisors to be solely aimed at eliminating airborne contaminants following studies that showed "elevated levels of lead attributable to aircraft activity at Reid-Hillview Airport in children living nearby." The San José area authorities have come a bit closer to their ultimate goal of obtaining the land occupied by their local airports, finally

Manufacturer Gets Closer to 2019-Era Deliveries, But Sales of Widebodies Remain Anemic

Boeing announced its major program deliveries over 2021, with the company bouncing back to deliver 340 aircraft throughout the year. The announcement saw shares in Boeing rise by 2% after its orderbook was scrutinized, revealing 535 net orders after performing the requisite accounting voodoo. Boeing had a surprising year in 2021, better than many expected following the prior year full of lockdowns and closures. Boeing still trailed behind its archrival Airbus, receiving 479 orders to their 507 after cancellations. The demand for narrowbody jets in recent months was a boon to Boeing, bringing in orders that dwarf the quantities of its widebody jets.

First Freshman Selected as Piper/Flight Training Promoter

Piper Aircraft has announced the extension of a little-known brand ambassador program, this time opening at Minnesota State University at Mankato (MNSU). Those selected to be Piper Ambassadors advertize Piper products through the publication of updates and posts along their pilot training experience. The program was jointly offered in collaboration with the university as an affordable, interactive way to showcase Piper's portfolio of flight training products and MNSU educational offerings for prospective pilots.