Aviation

Goodyear is donating its last-remaining GZ20 blimp gondola to the EAA Museum for a children’s exhibit as part of its blimp program’s centennial. The gondola, which served on the *Europa* and *Stars and Stripes* blimps, will inspire future aviation enthusiasts. Goodyear is also offering a limited-edition collectible featuring a piece of the *Spirit of Goodyear* blimp, with proceeds benefiting the EAA Museum. Goodyear is showcasing its aviation tires and blimps at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025.

Effective June 28th, China implemented new regulations on power banks for domestic flights. Devices lacking 3C certification, with unclear markings, or recalled models, are prohibited. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is actively enforcing the rules with inspection stations, disposal bins, and informational materials. Passengers can carry approved power banks (100Wh or less) without approval. Those exceeding 100Wh require airline authorization.

Bombardier’s Global 7500 sets a new speed record on a flight from Montreal to Paris, completing the journey in 5 hours and 30 minutes at over 1,000 km/hr. The aircraft showcases its superior performance and ability to connect global cities swiftly. The Global 7500 consistently achieves impressive real-world results, solidifying its place as a premier business jet, with the Global 8000 on the horizon.

A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by an Indian airline crashed near Ahmedabad Airport on June 12th. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and en route to London, reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff into a residential area. Sadly, all 246 people on board are presumed dead. This marks the first known crash for the 787, Boeing’s latest model, previously boasting a perfect safety record.

A Chinese paraglider, known as “Brother Six,” survived an unauthorized flight to over 8,500 meters in the Qilian Mountains, without oxygen or specialized gear. The perilous ascent triggered an investigation, as his altitude overlapped with commercial airliners’ usual flight paths. Experts highlight the risks of high-altitude paragliding and possible severe consequences for the pilot, including license revocation and a lifetime ban due to the safety hazard.

FAA reports multiple fatal general aviation incidents within 24 hours, reigniting safety concerns despite post-pandemic industry resurgence. Recent crashes involving a Beechcraft Model 95 in Colorado and a Cessna 172 in New Jersey, along with clustered accidents in Illinois, Nebraska, and New York, underline risks in maintenance protocols, pilot training, and retrofits. The US’s high infrastructure density (25 airfields/10,000 km² vs. Europe’s 9) supports economic efficiency but complicates oversight. Over two-thirds of active aircraft operate outside commercial safety frameworks, while aging fleets (avg. 38 years) face cost barriers to modernization ($300,000/cockpit). Congressional inquiries now address these systemic challenges amid expanded private flight activity (3.5M Q1 2025 hours, 22% higher than 2023).