Airborne 09.16.26: Amazon Cuts 21 Air, Autonomous SkyCourier, Tourist Drones KSC
Also: SpaceX Launches 700th Falcon, Wingcopter Six Hour Recon Drone, King Schools New Look, Global 8000 Update Amazon has suspended its partnership with 21 Air after one of the cargo carrier's planes loaded with Amazon packages went off a Miami runway last week and killed five people. "After the tragic incident last weekend, we've spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances, and we've decided to pause our operations with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said a statement. North Carolina-based 21 Air had flown packages for Amazon since 2024. Textron Aviation and Merlin have unveiled the Cessna SkyCourier UX concept at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference. The idea targets a difficult logistics problem by combining substantial payload capacity with autonomous flight. Built around the FAA-certified, twin-engine Cessna SkyCourier, the SkyCourier UX pairs the production aircraft with Merlin's aircraft-agnostic Pilot autonomy system. A short drone flight near Florida's Kennedy Space Center has led to federal charges against a Chinese tourist. Investigators allege the aircraft entered prohibited airspace and captured video of sensitive spaceport facilities. The case highlights how recreational drone operations can quickly become a federal matter around protected aerospace sites. Federal authorities allege Xiaodong He operated a drone for approximately 12 minutes near Playalinda Beach in late July, reaching an altitude of about 230ft. The flight reportedly entered restricted airspace surrounding Kennedy Space Center, where civilian drone operations are prohibited. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-Unlimited!!!
Aero-News Network18 Sept
AviTrader•Heike Tamm6h ago
