The Massive Overhaul Coming to U.S. Air Travel

Good morning! I’ve been in Florida the past few days checking out airplanes, dropping in on a few EAA chapter meetings and reconnecting with old Navy flying buddies. On that note—if you’re involved with your local EAA chapter and would like me to come give a presentation on what it takes to land on an aircraft carrier, just reply to this email. I’d love to make it happen! 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Duffy Unveils an Ambitious Plan to Modernize the Nation’s Skies

• Around the Skies: Meet the self-landing Cirrus, Whisper builds stealthy cargo flyers, Second Navy jet down in weeks, Laser attacks prompt FBI crackdown, NTSB probes Hudson helicopter crash, Boeing’s 777X test jet returns

• PilotTube: Meet Joe Costanza and the Vintage Cub That Still Soars

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Inside the Plan to Modernize America’s ATC

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has unveiled a sweeping plan to overhaul America’s aging air traffic control (ATC) system, calling for the construction of six new ATC centers and 15 control towers, plus a full technology reboot across the network. Speaking with his usual flair, Duffy compared the current system to driving around in a beat-up 1960s Volkswagen Beetle—and he’s ready to trade it in for a brand-new ride. The timeline aims for completion by 2028, marking the biggest ATC infrastructure push in decades, with upgrades ranging from fiber cables and satellite systems to ditching the floppy disks still haunting FAA computers.

The modernization plan has big ambitions: transitioning the FAA to Internet Protocol systems, integrating automation and overhauling everything from radios to surveillance tech. To pull it off, Duffy says the administration will seek “all the money up front” from Congress, though the exact price tag remains under wraps. Adding to the spectacle, former President Trump dialed into the press conference to weigh in, pushing for a “big, beautiful contract” handled by a single firm—because nothing says efficiency like one giant government contract.

Support for the effort is coming from every corner of the aviation world, including FAA leadership, airline CEOs, unions like NATCA and a coalition of industry heavyweights who’ve been clamoring for upgrades for decades. Duffy’s announcement follows a separate package of cash bonuses aimed at reversing the FAA’s chronic shortage of air traffic controllers, with plans to add 3,000 controllers to fill the current gap.

The urgency couldn’t be clearer: Newark Liberty is still reeling from at least three significant blackouts that brought flights to a standstill and ongoing staffing shortages have led to delays, cancellations and even trauma leave for overwhelmed controllers. Meanwhile, investigators continue to probe how low staffing may have played a role in January’s deadly collision between an American Eagle flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Cirrus is raising the safety bar with its new SR Series G7+, the first single-engine piston aircraft featuring Garmin’s Safe Return Emergency Autoland. With one button, passengers can let the plane fly itself to the nearest airport, dodging hazards, alerting ATC and landing safely. Known as the “spouse airplane” for its passenger-friendly features, Cirrus now makes sure even non-pilots can bring the plane home.

🛩️ Whisper Aero is teaming up with the U.S. Air Force to develop ultra-quiet autonomous cargo aircraft, with flight tests set for 2027. Their CLA Light and Heavy designs use advanced electric quiet (eQ) engines to haul 500–3,000 pounds from short, rugged runways. The goal: replace today’s fuel-hungry giants with nimble, efficient drones built for contested environments. Whisper also has its sights on civilian uses, from silent leaf blowers to futuristic jets.

🛩️ Another U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet has gone down in the Red Sea, marking the second fighter lost from the USS Harry S. Truman in just two weeks. This time, the jet reportedly suffered an arresting gear failure during landing, forcing the crew to eject with only minor injuries. Between recent jet mishaps, a friendly fire incident and a ship collision near Egypt, the Harry S. Truman has been racking up more headlines than it probably wanted. As the carrier continues its tense patrols against Houthi rebels, Navy brass are no doubt eager for smoother sailing — and fewer $60 million sinkings.

🛩️ The FBI is offering $10,000 rewards to catch those behind a surge of laser attacks on aircraft near Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane airports. Pilots have reported blinding strikes during critical approaches, putting flights and passengers at serious risk. Authorities have zeroed in on key neighborhoods and are urging the public to help track down the culprits. With hefty fines and prison time on the table, these laser pranksters are now firmly in the FBI’s crosshairs.

🛩️ The NTSB has released its preliminary report on the April helicopter crash over the Hudson River that claimed the lives of the pilot and a family of five. Surveillance footage and witness accounts suggest the Bell 206L-4 suffered a midair breakup, with the tail boom and rotor separating before the aircraft plunged into the water. The flight was a routine sightseeing tour, and while the helicopter wasn’t equipped with a black box, investigators are reviewing ADS-B data and video sources — including the pilot’s unrecovered smart glasses. The final report and probable cause determination are expected to take up to a year.

🛩️ After a four-year hiatus, Boeing’s fourth 777X test aircraft—WH004—is back in the air, joining its three siblings for the first time since 2021. This particular jet, decked out with a full passenger interior, is tasked with testing cabin systems and noise levels as Boeing inches closer to FAA certification. The nearly three-hour flight from Everett marked a big step forward in a program that's now logged over 1,400 flights and 4,000 hours. With more than 520 orders on the books and first deliveries aimed for 2026, Boeing’s big twin is finally picking up some altitude.

PilotTube

Join Joe "Bananasssssssss" Costanza as he takes you on a ride through his aviation journey in a 1941 Piper J-3 Cub—equal parts nostalgia, fun and flying know-how. From his early passion for flight to a career in the skies, Joe shares the highs, the lessons and everything in between. You'll also get a look inside one of the most iconic hangars in aviation, where history and horsepower meet. It’s a story about flying for the love of it—and loving every second.

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