Boom Supersonic's XB-one demonstrator and the flight test campaign chasing Mach one
Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator is deep into supersonic flight testing at Mojave, generating real data for the Overture airliner program.
Cleared Direct
Aviation technology analysis with Vector. Electric aircraft, avionics advances, eVTOL certification, satellite connectivity, and the engineering innovations shaping the future of flight.
How the FAA's NORSEE policy opened the door for affordable glass cockpits in certified aircraft
The FAA's NORSEE policy lets certified aircraft owners install modern glass cockpits at a fraction of traditional costs.
Joby Aviation's type certification journey and what the first commercial air taxi actually looks like
Joby Aviation's S4 air taxi has completed Stage 4 of FAA type certification, with commercial flights targeted for late 2026.
ZeroAvia and the hydrogen-electric engine that could replace jet fuel
ZeroAvia is building hydrogen fuel cell powertrains that could replace jet engines on regional aircraft by the end of the decade.
Beta Technologies and the electric aircraft company building its own charging network
Beta Technologies is building both an electric aircraft and the charging network to support it, solving aviation's chicken-and-egg problem.
Joby Aviation's S4 and the five-year marathon to FAA type certification
Joby Aviation's S4 is the closest eVTOL aircraft to FAA type certification, with over 85% of compliance documentation complete and 1,000+ test flights logged.
NASA's X fifty-nine Quesst and the return of supersonic commercial flight
NASA's X-59 Quesst aims to reshape sonic booms into quiet thumps, potentially ending the 50-year ban on overland supersonic flight.
Starlink Aviation and the satellite internet revolution reaching the cockpit
Starlink Aviation brings low-earth-orbit broadband to aircraft, delivering real-time weather, predictive maintenance, and speeds over 200 Mbps.
Hydrogen propulsion and the race to replace jet fuel
Hydrogen propulsion for aircraft is advancing fast, with fuel cell and combustion approaches competing to replace jet fuel.
Reliable Robotics and the race to certify autonomous cargo planes
Reliable Robotics is pursuing FAA certification to fly unmanned Cessna Caravans for cargo, using remote pilots and triple-redundant systems.
The Garmin GFC five hundred autopilot and what it means for legacy aircraft
The Garmin GFC 500 autopilot brings attitude-based digital flight control and stability protection to legacy piston aircraft at a total installed cost of $15,000–$30,000.
The Garmin GI two seventy-five and the quiet revolution in legacy cockpit upgrades
The Garmin GI 275 drops a solid-state glass display into a standard round gauge cutout, giving legacy aircraft modern instrumentation without a full panel retrofit.
Archer Midnight enters final conformity testing as eVTOL certification heats up
Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL enters late-stage FAA conformity testing while Garmin and hydrogen propulsion milestones signal real progress in aviation tech.
Electra Aero and the hybrid-electric blown-lift aircraft
Electra Aero's hybrid-electric blown-lift aircraft promises 150-foot takeoffs, 500-mile range, and nine-passenger capacity using existing small airports.
Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion and the race to replace avgas
Hydrogen fuel cells may replace avgas in aviation, with flight-tested technology and a realistic timeline stretching from 2029 for regional aircraft to the late 2030s for GA.
The Garmin G3X Touch Certified and the retrofit glass panel revolution
The Garmin G3X Touch Certified brings experimental-market glass panel technology to legacy aircraft for under $25,000 installed.
Electra dot aero's EL9 and the return of blown-lift flight
Electra's EL9 combines 1950s blown-lift aerodynamics with modern electric motors to create a 9-seat hybrid that takes off in 150 feet.
Garmin Autoland and the red button that flies you home
Garmin Autoland lets any passenger press one button to land a turboprop or light jet safely during pilot incapacitation.
The week ahead in eVTOL type certification — Joby, Archer, and the FAA's powered lift pivot
Joby and Archer are deep into FAA powered lift type certification under the new SFAR—here's what the milestones actually mean for pilots.
ADS-B In - what it gives you beyond compliance
ADS-B In delivers free traffic and weather data to your cockpit, but only pilots who understand its limitations get the full benefit.