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Surf Air plans to launch commercial passenger electric aircraft with BETA Technologies, a KC-135 accident kills all 6 aboard, Dassault unveiled the Falcon 10X, another search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, changes at Southwest Airlines, and the USAF says Boeing has to fix KC-46 problems. Also, the United Airlines’ Contract of Carriage and the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal Challenger 600 crash in Maine.

Aviation News

BETA to launch first commercial passenger electric aircraft with Surf Air Mobility

Vermont-based electric aerospace company BETA Technologies announced an Aircraft Purchase Agreement and strategic partnership with Surf Air Mobility Inc. for 25 electric aircraft, starting with the ALIA CTOL aircraft, and options for up to 75 more. Surf Air Mobility plans to launch commercial electric aircraft passenger service in Hawaii. Surf Air also intends to operate a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) service center for BETA electric aircraft in Hawaii.

Video: BETA x SURF AIR

BETA offers two aircraft: the ALIA VTOL, a vertical takeoff and landing all-electric aircraft, and the ALIA CTOL, a conventional takeoff & landing all-electric aircraft. Both offer 5-passenger capacity and 200 cubic feet of cargo. BETA Technologies has not yet received full FAA type certification for its aircraft as of mid‑March 2026, although components and test approvals are in place.

See also: Mokulele parent company plans to use all-electric aircraft interisland and Beta will fly in Vermont as part of federal push for electric aircraft.

KC-135 Crash in Iraq Kills All Six Aboard

U.S. Central Command reported that a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members. The KC-135 was supporting operations against Iran. Another KC-135 was involved in the incident and landed safely, reportedly in Israel. U.S. officials said the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire. Early indications suggest a possible midair collision.

Dassault Unveils Falcon 10X

Dassault Aviation has rolled out the first of four Falcon 10X prototypes at its Bordeaux-Mérignac facility, formally debuting its new flagship ultra-long-range business jet aimed at the top of the market. The Falcon 10X is a clean-sheet design with a 7,500‑nm range and top speed around Mach 0.925–0.95, intended to connect major long-haul city pairs nonstop while flying close to the speed of sound

Video: Dassault’s New Falcon 10X Business Jet Takes Its Debut Bow in Bordeaux – AIN

Southwest Airlines drops 2 big airports from its route map

Southwest wants to boost its profitability and is making some changes. The airline will end service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington on June 4, 2026. Service to ORD began in 2021 when Southwest expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Southwest exited four of the eighteen new markets in 2024.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370: New update on search – 12 years after it disappeared

Ocean Infinity has recently been searching the Indian Ocean for MH370. After 28 days searching 2,900 square miles, the “no find, no fee” mission was unsuccessful. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a Boeing 8777, departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport for Beijing on March 8, 2014, and disappeared shortly thereafter. Under the agreement, Ocean Infinity would be paid $70m (£52m) if the wreckage was located.

USAF general says Boeing has to fix tanker problems before US orders more

In a March 4 hearing, the U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff ​told lawmakers there would be no more orders for the KC-46 until Boeing fixed problems with the aerial refueling tanker. Past problems included the refueling boom, the visual system, and cracks. Reportedly, Boeing took a $565 million charge in its fourth quarter earnings and has lost more than $7 billion on ⁠the ​fixed-cost program.

United Airlines Quietly Cracks Down On Buying Multiple Tickets To Save Money, Bans Video Calls And Viewing ‘Offensive’ Content

Additional changes made to United’s Contract of Carriage: video calls are now banned, the ban on back-to-back ticketing is no longer limited to round-trip fares, and you can get kicked off for viewing offensive content.

NTSB Preliminary Report – Bombardier 600 Accident January 25, 2026 Bangor, Maine [PDF]

Holdover time (HOT) likely contributed to the fatal crash. HOT is determined by fluid type and brand, mix ratio, outside air temperature (usually in bands), precipitation type and intensity, and aircraft wing surface material.

Mentioned

Headhunters – Sticks and Creations

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

444 AOPA President Mark Baker

Guest Mark Baker is the President and CEO of AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. In the news, wake turbulence from an A380 flips a Challenger 604, two flight attendants sue American Airlines for failure to enforce company policy, an engine on a Saab 340 loses its propeller in flight. Also, an interview from the National Air & Space Museum Restoration Hangar, and an idea for a circular runway.

Guest

Mark Baker, president and CEO, AOPA

Mark Baker, president and CEO, AOPA.

Mark Baker is President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is also chairman of AOPA’s Political Action Committee, chief executive officer for the AOPA Foundation, president of the International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations representing pilots in 72 countries, and publisher of AOPA Pilot, the world’s largest aviation publication.

We talk about air traffic control privatization, user fees, BasicMed, and other areas of aviation advocacy by AOPA. Mark tells us about the effectiveness of AOPA regional fly-ins, and touches on aviation safety and Congressional general aviation caucuses.

Mark is a longtime general aviation pilot and has been flying for 35 years with over 7,500 hours. He holds certificates for commercial pilot with single- and multi-engine land and seaplane ratings, rotorcraft rating, and type ratings in the Cessna Citation 500 and 525s

Aviation News

The Wait for ATC Privatization is Over as White House Budget Emerges

President Trump’s proposed 2018 budget would privatize air traffic control operations by creating an “independent, non-governmental organization.” Who would control the new corporate entity, and how it will be funded?

Enroute A380 wake flips Challenger 604 upside down

An Emirates Airbus A380-800 was at FL350 over the Arabian Sea when a Challenger 604 business jet passed 1000 feet underneath in opposite direction. The A380 continued to Sydney uneventfully. The Challenger didn’t fare so well in the wake turbulence from the A380.

American Airlines flight attendants sue, say they’ve been called sows, prostitutes and worse on Facebook

Two flight attendants claiming sexual and gender harassment on social media have filed federal lawsuits against American Airlines for failed to enforce its policies governing employee use of social media.

Field Interview

David speaks with Christopher Moore at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar about the preservation of the Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder “Flak-Bait”. This medium bomber flew over 200 missions during World War II, the most for any American aircraft.

Christopher Moore (L) and David Vanderhoof at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar

Christopher Moore (L) and David Vanderhoof at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar.

Listener Recording

Glen Towler tells us about two of his his most memorable flights.

Mentioned

AOPA Live This Week – The weekly news video podcast from AOPA.

The Boeing Company 2016 Annual Report [PDF] See page 125 if you are interested in picking up the last new C-17 Globemaster III. Credit to Launchpad Marzari for the sharp eye.

Passenger plane’s propeller shears off in mid-flight, forcing emergency landing at Sydney

Will circular runways ever take off? from the BBC. See also the Endless Runway project page.

Credit

Intro music courtesy Brother Love from his Album Of The Year CD. Outtro by Bruno Misonne from The Sound of Flaps.

 

Episode 199 – Airshow Interviews

Geico Skytypers

David brings us some of his interviews from the May 11-13, 2012 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst air show which returned after a four year hiatus. He spoke with:

Col. Chris Patterson from the 621st Contingency Response Wing

Jim Record, #7 form the Geico Skytypers

Martin Sheehan, Jeffrey Daniel, and Morten Stoverud from the Northeast Raiders

The week’s aviation news:

David’s Aircraft of the Week: the Sud Aviation Caravelle. See

In this week’s Australia Desk report:

Recorded live at the Qantas Maintenance Base at Melbourne Airport (on the back of the PCDU Mobile) after our tour of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (ZA003). Qantas announces the closure of Melbourne heavy maintenance operations with nearly 500 jobs lost, Qantas also announces that they will split into separate domestic & international divisions, GippsAero have the first flight of their new GA10 Airvan, Grant has an interesting theory on Qantas Group B787 usage as the first 15 airframes are all going to Jetstar.

Find more from Grant and Steve at the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

On Across The Pond this week Pieter talks to Richard Cooke a PPL (H) license holder. He has held a JAR PPL(H) since 2010 on the R22 and is also rated on the R44.With time in the seat of a S300 and B206 as well, Richard tells us about his flying experience. With a father who was a QHI flying the Lynx in the Army Air Corps, it was not a surprise that Richard became very passionate about helicopters too. Listen in to what’s involved in becoming a helicopter pilot.

Richard can be found on twitter as @rotorrich and Helicentre Aviation as @flyhelicentre. Helicentre Aviations’s website is www.flyheli.co.uk and the scholarship website is www.helicopterscholarships.com.

Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on his blog Alpha Tango Papa, and also on Facebook at XTPMedia.

Mentioned this episode:

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.