U.S. FAA

Following reports in May that SpaceX was interested in acquiring land in Louisiana for its Starship program, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and the state’s economic development agency plan an announcement Aug. 25 that is expected to confirm the project.

Skypuzzler is developing a “digital air traffic controller” that it says could provide the tactical deconfliction needed as drone operations scale beyond today’s relatively low-density operations.

Plans for drone deliveries in the U.S. are accelerating as the FAA prepares to release a final rule enabling routine BVLOS commercial operations.

The competition narrowly misses the target of quadrupling drone payload-to-weight ratio.

The FAA’s initiative to showcase advanced air mobility (AAM) is gathering pace, with Electra.aero demonstrating hybrid-electric flights connecting small local airports to major airline hubs.

China’s AutoFlight has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesian helicopter operator Whitesky Aviation for 60 V2000EM Prosperity passenger eVTOLs.

The U.S. startup reaches a milestone in the software certification process.

Trump administration seeks additional funding for ambitious ATC modernization, but congressional uncertainty and radar delays threaten progress.

Operators of Rolls-Royce-powered Boeing 787s will have four years to replace certain fan cowl parts to ensure the engines are protected from debris in the rare case of a serious engine failure, a new FAA draft rule said.

The FAA installs a new Saab surface movement radar at Newark Liberty as part of the Brand New Air Traffic Control System initiative.

Israeli startup AIR selects Florida’s SunTrax as its U.S. manufacturing and flight test site for the personal eVTOL aircraft.

Divisions between the U.S. and Europe on certifying commercial eVTOL air taxis, and the safety levels demanded have been codified in new guidance issued by the FAA.

Drone interceptors for hire; DoorDash delivery drones; UK funds boost aerospace; and European UAM demo.

Regulators will require 737 MAX operators to conduct Boeing-recommended inspections on door-area parts to ensure cracks found on older 737s do not show up as the current-generation family ages.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The Aviation Technical Education Council is petitioning the FAA to allow qualified high school students to take the agency’s General written test required for all prospective airframe and powerplant certificate candidates.

Long-awaited 737-7 certification builds on Boeing’s reset links with regulators, paving the way for approvals of the 737-10 and 777-9.

FAA outlines modernization plans for air traffic control, safety and infrastructure, addressing eVTOLs, AI and leaded fuel elimination by 2030.

The FAA has granted an amended type certificate for the Boeing 737-7, paving the way for deliveries of the penultimate MAX derivative to get underway in early 2027.

Skykraft appoints former FAA ATO chief Teri Bristol to its board as it advances satellite-based VHF communications for global air traffic management.

Yacht composites to aircraft, Caravan hydrogen conversions, electric light sport aircraft, and fuel-cell propulsion for ultralights.

FAA clears Washington Manassas Airport for commercial service with a FONSI, paving the way for a new terminal and scheduled airline operations.

FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau is stepping down from his post after an eventful year and a half with the agency, initially as acting administrator.

Ampaire has begun flight testing the second-generation version of its hybrid-electric Cessna Caravan as the company advances what it says is the FAA’s first hybrid aircraft engine certification program.

The NTSB says inadequate airspeed management during severe icing conditions, among other factors, led to a fatal crash in the Bering Sea off of Alaska in 2025.