US Air Force unveils new B-21 bomber concept, which will be built by Northrop Grumman. The service plans to field the new bomber in the mid-2020s.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2016/02/26/b-21-bomber-air-force-lrsb/80976160/
Plane landing without functioning landing gear
An Asia Pacific Airlines cargo plane landed at Guam’s international airport Friday without functioning landing gear. Three crew members were on board, but no one was injured.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2016/02/26/boeing-727-cargo-plane-lands-without-functioning-landing-gear/80975646/
Drones used to rescue people
Rescuers using drones search for three people missing after UK power station near Oxford collapsed Tuesday, killing one person and leaving five more injured.
http://mashable.com/2016/02/24/didcot-power-station-rescue/?utm_cid=mash-com-Tw-main-link#GmqTq8GlxSq1
New plans for Facebook to deliver Internet
Facebook uses artificial intelligence to analyze satellite images of the Earth and determine where people are living. The plan is to use drones and satellites that can deliver Internet access to all those people on Earth who don’t already have it.
http://www.wired.com/2016/02/facebook-ai-shows-internet-drones-where-all-the-people-are/?mbid=social_twitter#slide-1
Airmageddon, a drone-based version
Kids fly drones through hula hoops ad nauseam in the new show from the Robot Wars mastermind. Airmageddon it’s basically a drone-based version that takes place in the sky.
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2016/feb/17/airmageddon-cbbc-drone-gameshow-training-kids-for-the-inevitable
Wasps used to improve UAV flight plans
Researchers want to use wasps to improve UAV flight plans. The insects are great at finding their way home. The ANU team used high-speed cameras to track the wasps eye movements.
http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/15/researchers-want-to-use-wasps-to-improve-uav-flight-plans/?utm_content=28734665&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Fewer fatal air accidents in 2015
Global aviation had fewer fatal accidents in 'extraordinarily safe' 2015. The accidents covered by the report killed 136 people, down from 641 in 2014 and a five-year average of 504, according to IATA.
http://www.reuters.com/article/aviation-safety-iata-accidents-idUSKCN0VO0CG
Barbie in getting a drone in 2016
Because she's a modern woman in a modern world, Barbie is getting a drone this year, too.
http://mashable.com/2016/02/13/barbie-smart-dreamhouse/#bnXNXfb3rPqi
Gravitational waves detected
Gravitational waves detected, by both of the twin Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, located in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington, providing the final piece of the puzzle for general relativity. This could be the biggest breakthrough in physics in a hundred years.
http://www.gizmag.com/gravity-waves-ligo-einstein-mit-caltech/41771/
Drone locates man's stolen bike
Drone locates B.C. man's stolen motorbike. Ryan Sandnes' bike was stolen last Friday, and despite security camera footage of the thief the police couldn’t help. Sandnes decided to fly a camera-equipped drone over a nearby field and found the bike.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/give-it-a-shot-drone-locates-b-c-man-s-stolen-motorbike-1.2773475
Boeing brings electronic log book
Boeing brings electronic log book on line. Air New Zealand is one of the first airlines to gain operational approval for the app, which is designed to improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of aircraft maintenance operations.
Drone photography shows snowy Lithuanian winter
Dramatic drone photography shows snowy Lithuanian winter from above. This gives a new perspective to familiar objects and places.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/dramatic-drone-photography-shows-winter/story?id=36739921
Emergency landing of twin-engine Cessna 337
The pilot of a twin-engine Cessna 337 is safe after ditching his plane in Keehi Lagoon. The pilot discovered a landing gear problem and circled the airport for two hours burning off fuel until landing in the lagoon. The pilot was safe and did not appear to be seriously injured.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/breaking-news/pilot-ditches-small-plane-off-lagoon-drive/
Rare rainbow captured with a drone
A drone captured a rare circular rainbow that formed inside and over the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls. The drone helped to know the best position for shooting.
http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/03/drone-captures-full-circular-rainbow-inside-worlds-biggest-waterfall-5660419/
Eagle destroying a drone
Eagle destroying a drone in a Dutch police video. Using birds’ animal instincts it is offered an effective solution to a new threat. The drone is immediately disabled.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/01/trained-eagle-destroys-drone-in-dutch-police-video/
Drone Schools in China
Drone schools are spreading in China. The pilot licenses will open doors to piloting jobs. More than 10,000 new pilots are needed this year across all industries in China: agriculture, logistics, film production, law enforcement, police.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/20825273-95/drone-schools-spread-in-china-to-field-pilots-for-new-sector
Deliveries using drones in rural China
Online Chinese retailer JD.com is conducting trial deliveries using drones and is planning to roll it out for delivery in rural China, where complex terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure have compromised timely human courier delivery.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/business/JDcom-tests-drone-delivery-in-rural-China/shdaily.shtml
A320neo cold-weather test
Airbus cold-weather tests its A320neo in Iqaluit. Air temperatures dipped to below -30 C while it was in town. Airbus sent along a crew of 27 to perform a variety of tests on the A320neo, including aborted take-offs. Neo stands for "new engine option".
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/airbus-a320neo-cold-test-iqaluit-1.3422936
New report by Grant View Research
The new report published by Grand View research reveals the global UAV Payload Market size will reach $6.34 billion by 2022. Drones are gradually becoming popular in the commercial sector as well in the military sector.
http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/01/27/805005/0/en/UAV-Payload-Market-Size-To-Reach-6-34-Billion-By-2022-Grand-View-Research-Inc.html?f=22&fvtc=9&fvtv=us
Airbus A320neo has officially entered commercial airline service
After some delays the Airbus A320neo has officially entered commercial airline service. The passengers flew from Lufthansa’s main base Frankfurt to its second German hub in Munich.
http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2016/01/25/lh-a320neo-premier/