News
Welcome to our News Room. Here you will find out what's going on in Virginia aviation.
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FAA Grants Santa Claus Special Flight and Launch Permissions
A Christmas Message from the FAA . . . The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it has granted Santa Claus and his reindeer-powered sleigh special operating authority to engage in…
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FAA Guidance for Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organization
If you plan to get a drone for Christmas this year its important that you know that there's a law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes. You are considered…
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FAA Approves Moderna Vaccine for Pilots and ATC
Just a week after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for pilots and air traffic controllers subject to medical…
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UAS Successfully Transports 110-pound Payload
Bell Textron's Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) successfully flew a payload of 110 pounds over an eight-mile route last week. The company will now focus on demonstrating a series of commercial and…
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Boeing, University of Arizona Heat Up the Flight Deck to Fight COVID-19
Boeing and the University of Arizona put an age-old technique, thermal disinfection, to use in the fight against COVID-19. Researchers validated that applying heat to surfaces, especially on…
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Wright Brothers Day
Wright Brothers Day takes place each year and commemorates the first successful flight in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane which took place on December 17, 2003 near Kitty Hawk…
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LA Times Investigates Fume Events in Commercial Airlines
Fumes seeping into the cabin of airliners has been going on for decades, but the Federal Aviation Administration doesn't track such events and airlines are not required to report them. So the Los…
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FedEx Takes Delivery of ATR’s First Dedicated Freighter
ATR announced that FedEx Express, a FedEx Corp subsidiary, received its first-ever purpose-built turboprop regional freighter. This ATR 72-600F will join the world's largest express transportation…
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Santa Will Visit the Military Aviation Museum
Santa will be visiting the Military Aviation Museum on Saturday, December 19 from Noon until 2pm. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a letter to Santa. Regular admission rates apply for…
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IATA Seeks ‘Essential Worker’ Status for Aviation Employees
At least one trade group is seeking to have aviation sector employees considered as essential workers as plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine are created. The International Air Transport…
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Hydrogen fuel cell aircraft flies at Stuttgart Airport
The latest generation of the world's first four-seater hydrogen fuel cell aircraft, the Hy4, has now been unveiled at Stuttgart Airport. The latest generation of the Hy4's propulsion system recently…
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Shults Inducted into Air & Space Hall of Fame
Tammie Jo Shults, a retired Southwest Airlines pilot, has been inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in San Diego. Once a female pioneer as a U.S. Navy aviator, Shults is…
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Teacher Takes Flight to Inspire STEM Students
A federal grant issued last year to Winchester Public Schools is making it possible for John Kerr and Quarles Elementary School teachers to gain real-world insights into the aviation industry so…
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FAA Green Lights Vaccine
Pilots and air traffic controllers have been authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to get Pfizer's Coronavirus vaccine, but they must wait 48 hours before getting into the cockpit or…
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ICAO Looks to Innovation in Aviation
ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano told the ICAO Global Symposium on the Implementation of Innovation in Aviation, "With each new decade comes new opportunities for innovation, and I…
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Chuck Yeager, Pilot Who Broke the Sound Barrier, Dies at 97
Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier when he tested the X-1 in October 1947, although the feat was not announced to the public until 1948. His second wife, Victoria, confirmed to CNN Monday night…
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Father-Daughter Pilot Duo Celebrates Birthday and Retirement
Fiona Austin-McDonald took to social media to wish her father, Wade Austin-McDonald a happy 65th birthday while simultaneously congratulating him on his retirement after 44 years of being a pilot. A…
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COVID Vaccine Not Yet Allowed for Pilots
While the Food and Drug Administration might approve a COVID-19 vaccination later this week, the Federal Aviation Administration has not decided whether pilots will be allowed to get the vaccine and…
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Virtual Social Event Held for 21st Commercial Resupply Services Launch
This online event will take place tomorrow at 11:39 AM EST and is hosted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Join NASA for the 21st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-21)…
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Virginia Aviation Board Meeting to be Held January 14
The next Virginia Aviation Board Meeting will be held on January 14, 2021. The tentative location will be the Virginia Department of Aviation hangar on Richmond International Airport. More details…
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50,000th PT6 Engine Produced by Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney has produced its 50,000th PT6 turboprop engine – a feat unmatched in the industry, according to company officials. The company made the announcement during NBAA's Virtual…
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Uber Elevate Up For Sale
Uber Elevate, the company formed to develop a network of self-driving air taxis, soon could be sold to Joby Aviation, according to a report from Axios. Negotiations are underway as Uber CEO Dara…
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Textron Aviation Announces King Air 260
Textron Aviation announced the new Beechcraft King Air 260 at VBACE 2020, with the model already in production for deliveries to begin in the first half of 2021. The latest entrant in the legendary…
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Manassas Partners with Honey Bee Initiative
The City has partnered with George Mason University's Honey Bee Initiative (HBI) to place an apiary on property maintained by the Manassas Regional Airport. The vacant property is on the south end of…
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TSA Screens Above 1M During Thanksgiving Travel Period
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported screening more than 1 million airline passengers on four individual days during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, which began Friday…