Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over northern U.S.

“The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told NBC News. “We continue to track and monitor it closely.” Secondary story with pictures: https://www.kulr8.com/news/report-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-spotted-over-billings/article_cb4d11b6-a328-11ed-83cb-fbf1388f61fe.html (www.nbcnews.com) More...

The flight tracker that powered @ElonJet has taken a left turn

A major independent flight tracking platform, which has made enemies of the Saudi royal family and Elon Musk, has been sold to a subsidiary of a private equity firm. And its users are furious. ADS-B Exchange has made headlines in recent months for, as AFP put it, irking “billionaires and baddies.” But in a Wednesday morning press release, aviation intelligence firm Jetnet announced it had acquired the scrappy open source operation for an undisclosed sum. (arstechnica.com) More...

Atlas Air To Fly Special "747" Flight Plan on Final Boeing 747 [N863GT] Delivery Flight

Before leaving Washington State airspace, GTI747's flight plan to KCVG shows it will form the figure of a 747-embossed royal crown over southeast Washington. Aircraft is set to depart KPAE today around 8a PT. See GTI747 on FlightAware. (aviationsourcenews.com) More...

Harold Brown, Tuskegee Airman Who Faced a Lynch Mob, Dies at 98

One of the last surviving Black pilots from that celebrated group, he was surrounded by an angry mob after parachuting from his P-51 over Austria during World War II. (www.nytimes.com) More...

Boeing to Open First 737 MAX Production Line in Everett

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal revealed in an email to staff on 30 January that the company will expand its 737 MAX output by opening a new production line at the Everett facility in 2024, as demand soars for the American aircraft manufacturer's best-selling jet. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

IATA Director Debunks Hopes for Single-Pilot Flights: "Not Likely to Happen Soon"

MONTREAL, CANADA — Willie Walsh, the Director General of the current International Air Transport Association (IATA) and former head of International Airlines Group (IAG), said the discussion surrounding single-pilot operations in commercial aviation would continue for several years, with no guarantee that it will be embraced by airlines. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Lufthansa Names its A380 Routes

FRANKFURT, GERMANY — The German flag carrier Lufthansa has confirmed plans to bring back the Airbus A380, with the first destinations for the aircraft being in the United States. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

the History of the United States Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron

The Blue Angels are the United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron. The team was established in 1946 by the U.S. Navy, and is one of the oldest flight demonstration teams in the world. The Blue Angels have performed in over 3,000 air shows in the U.S. and in more than 60 countries around the world. (avecdotes.com) More...

Pilot Shortage Hinders American Airlines' Expansion Plans

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Despite efforts to ramp up pilot training, the availability of pilots remains a constraint for American Airlines' expansion plans. The airline intends to bolster its active fleet with 32 large jets and recruit roughly 2,000 pilots in 2023, according to a recent announcement by company executives. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Hainan Airlines Resumes Flights with Boeing 737 MAX 8, Becomes Second Chinese Carrier to Reintroduce Grounded Jet

HAINAN, CHINA — Hainan Airlines resumed its flights on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, becoming the second airline in China to bring back the single-aisle aircraft to service after a four-year grounding. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Trip Report: The Breeze Airways Experience in California

I had the chance to fly Breeze Airways on one of their new intra-California routes. Read the review to find out what one of America's newest airlines is like. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

Thermal testing for NASA X-57 electric plane before first flight

NASA’s X-57 Maxwell all-electric aircraft reached another milestone recently toward its first flight with the successful thermal testing of its cruise motor controllers. (dcnewsroom.blogspot.com) More...

UPS begins phaseout of older MD-11 cargo jets

UPS is facing cost pressures as demand declines, but the retirement of aircraft was already planned. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

No floaty Hercs just yet!

MC-130Js on floats were announced in Sept. 2021, expected to demo in 2023 but now put on the back burner. (www.thedrive.com) More...

Frontier Airlines launches all-you-can-fly summer pass

Frontier Airlines launches all-you-can-fly summer pass for $399 (www.foxbusiness.com) More...