Also: Advanced Air Mobility Research Facility, Flytrex, Eurodrone Japan Variant, US Space Force A United Airlines passenger jet nearly collided with a drone as it was coming in to land in New Jersey on Friday, its pilot said. “United flight 1513 reported a potential drone sighting prior to arriving in Newark. The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate,” a statement from United said. “We almost hit a drone,” the pilot can be heard saying, in air traffic control (ATC) audio. Moving heavier payloads has long been one of the biggest challenges in unmanned aviation. DARPA believes the next breakthrough may come from an unexpected source rather than an established aerospace giant. A new competition with millions of dollars in prize funding is now inviting innovators to prove just how far vertical lift technology can be pushed. Three aviation leaders are bringing electric flight to one of the world’s most unique regional networks. Over the next several weeks, demonstration flights will gather critical operational data while introducing communities across Hawai’i to a new generation of aircraft. The campaign could help shape how electric aviation enters everyday commercial service. BETA Technologies and Surf Air Mobility have launched a landmark electric aircraft demonstration program across Hawai’i, marking a significant step toward integrating battery powered aviation into regional operations. All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-NextGen!!!
