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Unmanned Airspace • Philip Butterworth-Hayes

Iridium to acquire Aireon’s space-based ADS-B network for $366.7 million, extending Iridium’s aviation safety and surveillance p

Iridium Communications will buy Aireon LLC—the operator of the space-based ADS-B tracking system hosted on Iridium satellites—in a definitive $366.7 million deal. The acquisition positions Iridium to scale aviation safety, surveillance and data services while pursuing future independent payloads supporting VHF and PNT-related capabilities.

2026-05-14T05:23:44.186869-07:00

Associated Press

NTSB urges FAA standardization of realistic cockpit smoke training for pilots

2026-05-13T14:33:29.048195-07:00

Flying Magazine

United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers

2026-05-13T08:31:11.856276-07:00

aeroroutes.com

Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi

2026-05-12T00:27:01.810385-07:00

News Timeline

Unmanned Airspace

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Iridium to acquire Aireon’s space-based ADS-B network for $366.7 million, extending Iridium’s aviation safety and surveillance p Iridium Communications will buy Aireon LLC—the operator of the space-based ADS-B tracking system hosted on Iridium satellites—in a definitive $366.7 million deal. The acquisition positions Iridium to scale aviation safety, surveillance and data services while pursuing future independent payloads supporting VHF and PNT-related capabilities.

2026-05-14T05:23:44.186869-07:00

Iridium to acquire Aireon’s space-based ADS-B network for $366.7 million, extending Iridium’s aviation safety and surveillance p

Associated Press

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NTSB urges FAA standardization of realistic cockpit smoke training for pilots The NTSB is urging the FAA to require airlines to incorporate immersive, realistic flight-deck smoke scenarios into pilot training. The push follows prior incidents—including a Southwest Airlines event after a 2023 bird strike—and NTSB findings that current practices are insufficient to prepare crews for smoke-filled cockpit conditions.

2026-05-13T14:33:29.048195-07:00

NTSB urges FAA standardization of realistic cockpit smoke training for pilots

Flying Magazine

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United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers United Airlines Ventures has invested in Enhanced Radar, funding refinement of the startup’s enterprise software for airport and airline users. The support is aimed at improving how the company delivers its radar-related capabilities into day-to-day operational workflows across aviation customer environments.

2026-05-13T08:31:11.856276-07:00

United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers

mynorthwest.com

USAF T-38C Talon II training jet crash in rural west Alabama; both pilots ejected safely A U.S. Air Force T-38C Talon II assigned to Columbus Air Force Base crashed in west Alabama during a training flight. Both pilots ejected safely, and military officials have not yet released their names or specified which squadron was operating the aircraft.

2026-05-12T14:03:32.458229-07:00

USAF T-38C Talon II training jet crash in rural west Alabama; both pilots ejected safely

Flying Magazine

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FAA completes Phase One of U.S. NOTAM system overhaul ahead of schedule, moving legacy NOTAM into the cloud by late-2027 The FAA announced successful implementation of Phase One of its Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) overhaul, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying the 40-year-old system upgrade is on track to deliver safety and pilot-communications improvements earlier than planned. The agency also moved the legacy U.S. NOTAM System into cloud infrastructure and said Phase One had been expected to finish no later than late 2027.

2026-05-12T11:01:51.274391-07:00

FAA completes Phase One of U.S. NOTAM system overhaul ahead of schedule, moving legacy NOTAM into the cloud by late-2027

The War Zone

Austria scrambles Eurofighter Typhoons twice to intercept unauthorized U.S. Air Force Special Operations aircraft Austria’s Ministry of Defence says it scrambled Eurofighter Typhoons on consecutive days to intercept U.S. military aircraft it considered operating without permission in Austrian airspace. The aircraft were not identified in Austria’s statements, but reporting links the activity to U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (likely U-28A).

2026-05-12T09:37:07.686361-07:00

Austria scrambles Eurofighter Typhoons twice to intercept unauthorized U.S. Air Force Special Operations aircraft

aeroroutes.com

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Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi Fiji Airways and Canada’s WestJet have signed a new codeshare agreement set to begin service in May 2026. It will cover international travel between Nadi and Vancouver, alongside domestic connections within Canada, aiming to expand one-stop itineraries across the South Pacific and Canada.

2026-05-12T00:27:01.810385-07:00

Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi

AINonline

FAA updates real-time weather analysis guidance after operator feedback, adding backup capability when automated sensors fail The FAA has revised its guidance for real-time weather analysis following operator feedback, emphasizing continuity of information quality when automated sensors underperform or fail. The updated system behavior provides backup coverage so decision-making can continue without relying solely on sensor outputs.

2026-05-11T15:31:42.411031-07:00

FAA updates real-time weather analysis guidance after operator feedback, adding backup capability when automated sensors fail

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ATC News

Iridium to acquire Aireon’s space-based ADS-B network for $366.7 million, extending Iridium’s aviation safety and surveillance p

NTSB urges FAA standardization of realistic cockpit smoke training for pilots

United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers

Fiji Airways and WestJet to launch codeshare from May 2026, linking Nadi–Vancouver and expanding Canada–South Pacific connectivi

News Timeline