The Van's RV-15 stood out from its siblings on the Van's Aircraft factory ramp, but on our first flight the new model had a familiar, "total performance" feel.

Spike Aerospace is progressing with the S-512 Diplomat, a supersonic business jet designed to travel at Mach 1.6 and connect cities like London and Dubai in just over three hours. The company is completing an enhanced study focusing on aerodynamics, cabin configuration and noise reduction to meet stringent regulations. The first flight is set for late 2027, with service entry in 2031.

Hickory Regional Airport in North Carolina has completed a second set of 12 T-hangars on its north ramp, designed to accommodate small to midsize aircraft and relieve pressure on larger group hangars. This addition allows the airport to welcome more airplanes and address the growing waiting list, while aligning with broader recommendations to expand and modernize airport facilities.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has released a study conducted with the University of Warwick on the safe integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft into UK airspace. The study identifies more than 50 top-priority areas for regulatory development, including airspace integration, vertiport operations and oversight of automation and simulation. The study, part of the CAA's Future of Flight program, highlights the importance of systems thinking in addressing potential hazards and safety gaps.

Leonid Puliaiev, a seasoned Ukrainian pilot and refugee, lost his home, aircraft and flying club due to the war in Ukraine. After relocating to the US, he faced grounding because his Ukrainian pilot license is not recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration. Despite these setbacks, Puliaiev now works on a Fisher FP-404 ultralight at Oregon's Independence State Airport, seeing ultralight aviation as his way to reconnect with his lifelong passion for flying. Puliaiev shares his skills with fellow aviation enthusiasts, embodying resilience and adaptability in the face of displacement.

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a rule to facilitate drone deliveries beyond the operator's line of sight, making it easier for companies to expand long-distance drone deliveries. Industry leaders believe this regulatory shift would allow drone delivery services to scale up across the country.

Walk around the restored Lockheed VC-121A Constellation Bataan, ride along in the versatile Van's RV-15; mount your cameras anywhere with Flight Flix.