Bucket List Airports You’ve Never Heard Of

Good morning! I’ve got a serious buyer who’s finishing up his private and about to jump straight into CFI training. He’s in the market for a reliable time-builder with dual toe brakes—ideally a Piper Cherokee/Warrior, Cessna 172, Beechcraft C23 or Rockwell Commander 112—something with a recent engine overhaul (or priced accordingly if it needs one). If you’ve got a plane like this and are thinking about selling it soon, please shoot me an email at [email protected]. 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• The Most Scenic Airports Off the Beaten Path

• Around the Skies: Citation crash rocks San Diego, 2025 AirVenture NOTAM now available, RapidSOS and GMR transform MedEvac, Keep your GoPro rolling all flight, Boeing avoids trial, pays billions

• PilotTube: Meet the Man Reviving Supersonic Flight

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Three Jaw-Dropping Airports Worth the Detour

If you’re looking to add a little adventure—and a lot of scenery—to your next flying itinerary, Flying has rounded up some of the most scenic, under-the-radar airports that deserve a spot on every pilot’s bucket list. These scenic airfields aren’t just about the destination—they’re about the approach, the atmosphere and the kind of runway views that stay with you long after you’ve landed.

One such gem is Orcas Island Airport (KORS) in Washington’s San Juan Islands. Tucked among emerald waters and wooded hills, it offers a stunning approach and a cozy, laid-back feel. With its short runway nestled among evergreens, KORS feels like a secret airstrip carved into the Pacific Northwest. On clear days, you might even spot Mount Baker on final—an unforgettable backdrop to an already magical arrival.

And then there’s Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (PASI) in Alaska, which sits dramatically on Japonski Island, surrounded by towering peaks and open Pacific waters. It’s not uncommon to see eagles soaring near the airfield or to land under the shadow of misty fjords. The town of Sitka itself is a fascinating blend of Tlingit heritage and Russian colonial history, making it a worthy destination both culturally and visually.

Lastly, Aitutaki Airport (NCAI) in the Cook Islands might just be the crown jewel of scenic landings. Its short runway hugs a picture-perfect lagoon, and because only a few flights arrive weekly, every touchdown feels exclusive. If your idea of paradise includes crystal-clear water, remote beaches and tropical breezes—this one’s for you.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ A Cessna Citation crashed into a San Diego neighborhood early last Thursday, killing both people onboard and setting 15 homes ablaze. Jet fuel sprayed across streets and cars, creating what officials called a “gigantic debris field.” Six residents were hospitalized and over 100 evacuated. The FAA and NTSB are investigating, with dense fog reported at the time of the crash.

🛩️ Headed to Oshkosh this summer? The 2025 AirVenture NOTAM is out and packed with must-know updates for flying into KOSH. From new descent cues and updated transition points to a scannable QR code for easy prep, it’s all designed to keep arrivals smooth and safe. Don’t wait until you're in the air—download it now and brief up before the world’s greatest aviation celebration.

🛩️ Global Medical Response is partnering with RapidSOS to speed up air ambulance dispatch times—from 10 minutes down to under 60 seconds. Using the new Unite platform, emergency centers can send instant, data-rich requests to flight crews, helping them launch faster with the right info. With over 480 aircraft in service, GMR says the upgrade could save many lives across the country.

🛩️ FlightFlix.aero just launched the Nav Power Spacer—a sleek, aviation-grade aluminum device that keeps your wing-mounted camera powered from takeoff to touchdown. Designed to slip between your nav light and wingtip, it delivers continuous USB power, eliminating mid-flight battery swaps. Built for GoPros and similar cameras, it’s a simple, reliable solution for experimental aircraft (and FAA-approved certified ones). At $164, it’s a must-have for pilots chasing coast-to-coast footage without battery stress.

🛩️ The U.S. Justice Department has reached a preliminary non-prosecution agreement with Boeing over the fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people. Under the deal, Boeing would admit to obstructing an FAA investigation, pay $1.1 billion in penalties and victim funds and invest heavily in safety and compliance improvements. The agreement would also require Boeing’s board to meet with victims’ families and continue cooperating with oversight and independent compliance reviews. While many families support the resolution, others—and several lawmakers—have criticized the deal as letting Boeing avoid full accountability through a trial.

PilotTube

Blake Scholl, a former software engineer, is leading Boom Supersonic’s bold mission to make passenger travel twice as fast by reviving supersonic flight. Despite not having an aerospace background, Scholl has built the first independently developed supersonic jet. In this episode of Hard Tech, YC’s Jared Friedman visits him in the Mojave Desert to explore how he's turning that vision into reality.

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