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AINonline • Hanneke Weitering

Drone industry warns of talent crunch as FAA Part 108 BVLOS rules approach completion

As the FAA’s Part 108 framework nears completion for BVLOS operations, the drone industry is warning of a widening talent gap. The effort hinges on sourcing and training enough qualified BVLOS operators and specialists—yet current pipelines may not scale in time.

2026-04-21T14:51:51.704232-07:00

Aviation Week

Reliable Robotics raises $160M, targets FAA uncrewed cargo certification by 2028

2026-04-21T13:20:45.874450-07:00

The Air Current

FAA targets AI-powered air traffic management vendor by end of May, aims for September deployment as ATC modernization nears $12

2026-04-21T12:20:24.054901-07:00

Urban Air Mobility News

Bristow, Electra and Norway launch operational flight-test track for hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft

2026-04-21T06:13:34.060374-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Raytheon says OCX GPS control-station program is improving on cost, schedule Raytheon says its troubled Next-Generation GPS Operational Control Segment (OCX) ground-control station program is making progress, citing improved cost and schedule performance. The update lands in a period of heightened Space Force scrutiny as OCX modernization timelines face repeated setbacks.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.067640-07:00

Raytheon says OCX GPS control-station program is improving on cost, schedule

AINonline

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Drone industry warns of talent crunch as FAA Part 108 BVLOS rules approach completion As the FAA’s Part 108 framework nears completion for BVLOS operations, the drone industry is warning of a widening talent gap. The effort hinges on sourcing and training enough qualified BVLOS operators and specialists—yet current pipelines may not scale in time.

2026-04-21T14:51:51.704232-07:00

Drone industry warns of talent crunch as FAA Part 108 BVLOS rules approach completion

Aviation Week

Reliable Robotics raises $160M, targets FAA uncrewed cargo certification by 2028 Reliable Robotics, the U.S. autonomous-flight startup led by a SpaceX alum, secured a $160 million funding round led by Nimble Partners, pushing valuation toward $1 billion. The company is pressing the FAA for certification of its autonomous flight system, targeting a first commercial uncrewed cargo approval in 2028.

2026-04-21T13:20:45.874450-07:00

Reliable Robotics raises $160M, targets FAA uncrewed cargo certification by 2028

The Air Current

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FAA targets AI-powered air traffic management vendor by end of May, aims for September deployment as ATC modernization nears $12 The FAA says it is pursuing predictive “vision” capabilities for airspace conditions and plans to select a vendor for an AI-powered air traffic management system by end of May, with software deployment as soon as September. The agency’s $12.5 billion modernization push is funded, but FAA says additional congressional money is still required for new software and AI.

2026-04-21T12:20:24.054901-07:00

FAA targets AI-powered air traffic management vendor by end of May, aims for September deployment as ATC modernization nears $12

ch-aviation

Aer Lingus exits UK certificate and cuts/halts summer flying amid aircraft maintenance and pilot shortages; Ireland weighs SAF t Aer Lingus is transferring its A330-300s back to the parent company and ending operations on its UK certificate, while also cancelling multiple summer flights across the UK and Europe. The carrier cites aircraft maintenance, and pilot shortage concerns are raised by IALPA, as Ireland explores SAF tax relief following a reported reduction of ~500 flights.

2026-04-21T08:57:43.158107-07:00

Aer Lingus exits UK certificate and cuts/halts summer flying amid aircraft maintenance and pilot shortages; Ireland weighs SAF t

Flying Magazine

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FAA to roll out ‘back-end changeover’ for NOTAM system using plain-language presentation of critical flight information The FAA is modernizing its NOTAM platform via a “back-end changeover” designed to make critical flight information easier to interpret, improving clarity and communications. The shift targets safer skies by changing how NOTAM content is presented to users, particularly when time-critical operational decisions are required.

2026-04-21T07:56:21.013403-07:00

FAA to roll out ‘back-end changeover’ for NOTAM system using plain-language presentation of critical flight information

ch-aviation

Algeria and Mauritania sign air transport services agreement and connectivity-focused MOU Algeria and Mauritania have signed an air transport services agreement alongside a separate memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral air connectivity and broaden cooperation. The package is designed to formalize scope for air services while building additional framework for further collaboration between the two countries’ aviation sectors.

2026-04-21T07:56:14.173372-07:00

Algeria and Mauritania sign air transport services agreement and connectivity-focused MOU

Urban Air Mobility News

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Bristow, Electra and Norway launch operational flight-test track for hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft Bristow Group is partnering with Electra, Avinor and Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority to trial Electra’s hybrid-electric ultra-short-takeoff-and-landing (eSTOL) aircraft in Scandinavia. Flight trials are set to start in 2027, with operational evaluations targeted for mid-2027, as Norway positions itself as a zero- and low-emission test arena.

2026-04-21T06:13:34.060374-07:00

Bristow, Electra and Norway launch operational flight-test track for hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft

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Policy & Regulation News

Drone industry warns of talent crunch as FAA Part 108 BVLOS rules approach completion

Reliable Robotics raises $160M, targets FAA uncrewed cargo certification by 2028

FAA targets AI-powered air traffic management vendor by end of May, aims for September deployment as ATC modernization nears $12

Bristow, Electra and Norway launch operational flight-test track for hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft

News Timeline