Enhances Safety For Aircraft Without Permanent ADS-B Out

The FAA has proposed the Part 108 UAS Rule for BVLOS or beyond visual line of sight drone operations under 400’ AGL that requires drones to be equipped with ADS-B In and to yield the right-of-way to crewed aircraft transmitting on ADS-B Out.

Exceeds Goal With 2,026 New Controllers Hired

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced that the FAA met and exceeded its goal for hiring air traffic controllers for Fiscal Year 2025 by bringing on 2,026 new controllers. The goal was 2,000 controllers, and the number of new hires represents a 20 percent more hired than the previous administration hired from January to September 2024.

2-Year Candidate Training Began Immediately

NASA introduced 10 astronaut candidates for its class of 2025 on September 22, after a competitive selection process for which 8,000 applications were received from across the U.S. The class immediately began their training for the next two years and then will become fully qualified for flight assignments in space.

Service to Drop 6,500 Active Duty Jobs Over Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027

The US Army recently confirmed its plans to thin out its active duty aviation ranks, cutting 6,500 positions as it phases in unmanned systems. The changes are slated to begin in the coming months and continue through fiscal year 2027.

Also: British Airways Has Limits, Drone Pilot Sentenced, USAF Warrant Officers, Dallas ATC Outage

After more than a year being grounded for modifications, the Scaled Composites Model 437 “Vanguard” has returned to flight testing. The aircraft first flew in 2024, quickly taking a break from the skies as it prepared to serve as the airframe for Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy test program. Sergei Sikorsky, whose father, Igor, founded Sikorsky Aircraft decades ago, passed on September 18 at 100 years old. He spent 41 years building his father’s legacy in the industry, taking Sikorsky’s groundbreaking developments and shaping them into some of the most renowned military helicopters in history. Yosemite National Park has been off limits to BASE jumpers for nearly 50 years. Now, a nonprofit called BASE Access is suing in federal court, arguing the ban is unconstitutional and that Yosemite should reopen to legal jumps. BAS

Enables Layering Of Overflights In Congested Areas

The FAA introduced a new ultra-high airspace in the spring of 2025 covering northern Florida and parts of the Southeast. The move provides more available airspace through the Florida panhandle and Gulf of America.

Also: NATO Jets Intercept, Check-In System Failure, Embraer E195-E2 Sale, Laser Felony

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works revealed its new autonomous drone it calls “Vectis,” which it says is the right size and is adaptable enough to partner with both Air Force and Navy crewed combat aircraft. While the aircraft is not necessarily aimed at Increment 2 of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, it will be flying within two years and it could fit into the Increment 1 criteria as well. Drone parachute manufacturer Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions (AVSS) has voluntarily allowed the FAA to revoke its certification for operation-over-people with the Skydio X10 system. The permission was granted in August 2024, but after spending months on the market without a single sale, it appears the parachute-equipped drone has been abandoned altogether. uAvionix is calling on Pilots to support Portable EC under the FAA’s

Sergei Sikorsky Was a Military Veteran and the Son of Sikorsky Aircraft’s Founder

Sergei Sikorsky, whose father, Igor, founded Sikorsky Aircraft decades ago, passed on September 18 at 100 years old. He spent 41 years building his father’s legacy in the industry, taking Sikorsky’s groundbreaking developments and shaping them into some of the most renowned military helicopters in history.

Klyde Knows There Are Times When Test Flights... Shouldn't Be

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Milestone Achieved 33 Years After Company Started

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced that tracking of total flight hours across its fleet of unmanned aerial systems, including the recently added YFQ-42 CCA, or Collaborative Combat Aircraft, showed the company set a new record of 9 million flight hours since the company’s inception in 1992.