Hypersonic aircraft developer Hermeus this week completed the ground testing of its Quarterhorse M1 demonstrator, paving the way toward first flight. Conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the ground-test campaign was completed in 21 days, encompassing integrated testing of vehicle subsystems, along with the software and hardware in the flight deck of the remotely piloted vehicle. This included checks of the redundant RF lines to ensure protection against potential electromagnetic interference issues.

In addition, Hermeus said it tested the human-machine interface to optimize pilot control. The campaign culminated in 130-knot taxi tests with full afterburner on a dry lakebed at Edwards, Hermeus said, adding this helped validate aerodynamic model assumptions and control surface performance. With ground testing complete, Hermeus is working to obtain U.S. Air Force and FAA approvals for flight.

Quarterhorse was designed to provide insights into designs that would ultimately be used in a hypersonic civil and/or military aircraft. The Mk 1 high-speed demonstrator will be used for takeoff and landing trials.

Meanwhile, Hermeus has begun building the next iteration, the supersonic Quarterhorse Mk 2, at its Atlanta factory. Ultimately plans call for the development of the military uncrewed hypersonic Darkhorse and 20-passenger, Mach 5 Halcyon aircraft.

While sickness can happen at any time of the year, as we enter the winter cold and flu season, there is typically an uptick in respiratory complaints.

Interactions this time of year often begin in a typical fashion. As an aviation medical examiner, I am frequently asked by pilots if they can fly while taking a certain antibiotic by itself or perhaps with the addition of an oral steroid (prescription anti-inflammatory medication) and/or a pulmonary inhaler (which can be used to dilate bronchial passages, sometimes with the addition of a steroid component).

The question often sounds like this, “Hey doc, can I fly on xyz medication?” Often no additional information is given to me in the initial contact message.

My response must begin with the question of why the pilot is taking the medication(s). As I have discussed before, medications can be prescribed for either the disease that the medication was engineered and FDA approved for, but also for many off-label uses—conditions not initially researched, but in common use the medication has been found useful for. The banter then goes back and forth.

Before I discuss the ramifications of the individual prescriptions, I ask the pilot—in a general, vague, and open-ended manner—simply how they are doing. Then I wait for what comes next.

In an update to its Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program, the FAA has enabled CPDLC, exempted PIA-associated aircraft info from Freedom of Information Act requests, and changed the new request interval to 20 days. The FAA created the PIA program to help aircraft operators who prefer not to broadcast identifying information along with their ADS-B Out position information, via transmission of the aircraft’s unique ICAO address.

While PIA doesn’t prevent tracking of an aircraft’s position, it does limit “the extent to which the aircraft can be quickly and easily identified by non-U.S. government entities, while ensuring there is no adverse effect on air traffic control (ATC) services,” according to the FAA.

PIA participants must use a third-party call sign, which is available from a third-party call sign provider that has a security agreement with the FAA. With this call sign, operators can maintain privacy when communicating with the FAA and the FAA can still identify the aircraft and operator in response to a request from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, or local law enforcement. 

PIA is only available to U.S.-registered aircraft with 1090-MHz ADS-B Out flying in U.S.-managed flight information regions, and the third-party call sign is required. The PIA user guide outlines the steps required to obtain a PIA.

At our core, we provide comprehensive services that allow people to fully enjoy the benefits of private aviation, from aircraft ownership and management, to chartered flights and maintenance. This straight forward description, however, only begins to capture what makes us exceptional.

In a unanimous decision, the city council of Galesburg, Illinois, voted this week to approve a resolution renaming its local airport in honor of long-time FBO owner and aviator Harrel Timmons. At a ceremony in early 2025, Galesburg Regional Airport (KGBG)—which was recently upgraded from a municipal airport by the FAA—will be officially renamed Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport.

In 1969 Timmons founded Jet Air, the lone service provider on the field, and served as its president until his retirement in 2023. He holds commercial, flight and ground instructor, and airline transport certificates and has 20,000 flight hours.

Enshrined in the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011, Timmons is also an FAA-designated pilot examiner and certified aircraft mechanic with inspection authorization. As a mentor, he has helped many aviation professionals advance their careers in the industry.

KGBG is home to the annual Stearman Fly-In and Timmons, who has been on the event's board of directors since its inception in 1971, also serves as a member of the National Stearman Foundation’s board of directors.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to honor and thank Harrel for his noteworthy contributions to Galesburg airport,” said city manager Eric Hanson. “The city is grateful for the leadership Harrel has provided at the airport and pleased to have this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding service to our community.”

Sky Harbour, the builder and operator of turnkey luxury private aircraft hangars, announced additional locations in California and New Jersey.

On the West Coast, Sky Harbour has purchased CloudNine, a 120,000-sq-ft hangar and office complex at Southern California’s Camarillo Airport, along with Sky 805, a holder of FBO operator rights on the field, for $31 million.

Sky Harbour will rebrand the CloudNine facility, turning it into its fifth operational hangar complex, joining Sugar Land, Texas (KSGR); Nashville (KBNA); Miami (KOPF); and fellow California location San Jose (KSJC). Meanwhile, Sky 805 will continue to operate the Channel Islands Aviation FBO and related operations led by current general manager Nick Martino.

At New Jersey’s Trenton-Mercer Airport (KTTN), the company has signed a lease with Mercer County to build a new hangar complex. When completed by late 2027, it will add 130,000 sq ft of aircraft shelter in the tight Northeast hangar market. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026.

The New Jersey location will bolster the company’s planned network for the region, which includes already announced projects at New York’s Stewart International (KSWF) and Hudson Valley Regional (KPOU) airports, as well as Bradley International Airport (KBDL) in Connecticut.

H.L. Sonny Callahan Airport (KCQF) in Fairhope, Alabama, now has a new aircraft service provider with the opening of Flightline First. The company, which has operated an FBO at New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW) since 2007, was the winning bidder in the Alabama airport’s RFP process among eight applicants.

Continental Services, a division of aircraft engine maker Continental Aerospace Technologies, was the lone service provider on the field but the company decided it no longer wished to be in the FBO business.

Continental occupied a 40-year-old terminal building on the West side of the field, but the airport recently completed construction of a $3 million, 4,000-sq-ft replacement on the east side. It includes a pilot lounge with a pair of snooze rooms, shower facilities, 10-seat conference room, refreshment bar, kitchen, concierge, and crew car. The Titan Fuels-branded facility also has 24,000 sq ft of hangar space that can accommodate midsize business jets.

“We’re thrilled to officially open our new FBO and to begin this exciting chapter in partnership with the city of Fairhope and the Fairhope Airport Authority,” company co-owner Ethan McDonald told AIN. “Our goal is to provide exceptional service to our customers and contribute to the growth and development of this vibrant aviation community. We look forward to fostering strong relationships and being a part of the continued success here at Fairhope airport.”