Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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NASA’s X-59 QueSST Goes Supersonic
NASA’s X-59 QueSST flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time, expanding into the supersonic portion of its flight envelope. NASA’s experimental X-59 QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) conducted its first supersonic flight on June 5, 2026, reaching a top speed of approximately Mach 1.1 (713 mph) and altitude of 43,400 feet. The milestone arrived…
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Xiamen Airlines to host 2027 IATA AGM
Next year’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM and Transport Summit will be hosted by Xiamen Airlines in its home city from 30 May to 1 June 2027. “We are excited to bring the 83rd IATA AGM to China, hosted by Xiamen Airlines. China is a major player in the aviation industry,” said Willie Walsh,…
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IATA AGM 2026: Diversity and inclusion pioneers honoured in annual awards
The winners of the annual IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards were announced at the organisation’s AGM in Brazil this week. Rania Alturki, executive vice president human resources at Saudia Group, was named Inspirational Role Model: The High Flyer award went to Fiona Omondi, chief strategy officer, Tradewinds Aviation Services and co-founder of Women in Aviation…
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management Certification Consultation
We have released a consultation on Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM), presenting our initial
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FRCE Delivers First F-35Bs with Technology Refresh-3 Upgrades
The Fleet Readiness Center East completed the conversion of its first F-35Bs from the TR-2 to the TR-3 configuration, which will support the future Block 4 upgrades. A major milestone was reached for the F-35B Lightning II as the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North…
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Embry-Riddle Aviation Safety Study Puts Viral Flying Fears Into Perspective
A new aviation safety report from Embry-Riddle shows why fear of flying often outpaces the data, especially in the age of social media. If recent aviation headlines have made you more anxious about flying, you are not alone. In this day and age, aviation incidents do not stay local for long. A mechanical issue, an…
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Robodex and Tokyu Land Open Japan’s First Hydrogen Drone Port in Hiroshima
This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. Robodex and Tokyu Land Corporation are opening a fixed hydrogen drone port on the Seto Inland Sea coast to link Hiroshima’s mainland with Osakikamijima and surrounding islands. Robodex and Tokyu Land Corporation have partnered to install Japan’s first permanent hydrogen drone port…
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In the crosshairs – what will the easyJet takeover bid mean for the carrier?
With a Takeover Code deadline of 26 June, the clock is ticking on one of the most consequential deals in European low-cost aviation When Castlelake, the $36 billion alternative investment firm, publicly confirmed on 30 May that it was considering an easyJet takeover bid, the airline’s board reached for the familiar playbook. The approach was…
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Designed to Fly Like a Falcon, RoBird Takes Aim at Crop-Damaging Birds
From Airports to Agriculture: RoBird Finds New Role Protecting Crops Flapping-wing drone technology expands from bird-strike prevention to agricultural crop protection A drone designed to imitate one of nature’s most effective predators is finding new applications beyond airport runways. According to a recent report from ABC Rural in Australia, growers in Queensland are testing…
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DHS Secretary: U.S. Still Building Counter-Drone Defenses for World Cup
Mullin says feds still ‘a little behind’ in counter-UAS prep By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill (Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of reports on efforts to establish new counter-UAS protocols in the U.S. to protect high-profile sporting events and critical infrastructure from the potential threats posed by drones flown by careless…
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