$2M Challenge: Lifesaving Aircraft That Fly Themselves

Good morning! It’s the beginning of the end — at least for my Navy flying videos on YouTube. I’ve been editing them like crazy the past few weeks and am proud to finally start uploading them to my channel. It’s still a little bittersweet though; these videos ultimately led to the creation of this newsletter and the new business I’ll be announcing next year.

But really, my YouTube journey is just getting started. Speaking of which, if you own, fly or have access to an piston, turbine, business jet, helicopter, sea plane, bush plane, warbird or blimp I can film, please fill out this form 🛩️
-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• From Ambulance Deserts to Airborne Rescue

• Around the Skies: Hurricane hunter flies into Helene, Russian jet buzzes U.S. F-16, FAA proposes SpaceX fine, Cleveland wants to remove local airport, Potential flight training limit for veterans

• PilotTube: Get to the Choppa!

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

No Pilots, No Problem: Quest for the Ultimate Rescue Aircraft

In a bid to revolutionize emergency response, NASA, Boeing and other aviation titans have teamed up to launch the GoAERO competition — a three-year challenge to create self-flying emergency aircraft. Think of it as a contest for the most daring aviation innovators, where the prize isn’t just a cool $2 million, but the chance to save lives where ambulances are slower than your favorite pizza delivery service, especially for the 4.5 million Americans living in these so-called “ambulance deserts.” Teams from universities, startups and even retirees are jumping at the chance to take part.

GoAERO aims to bridge the gap between expensive, crewed helicopters and nimble, unmanned drones by combining the best features of both. While drones excel at dropping off medical supplies, they don’t quite have what it takes to dive into a disaster zone for a hands-on rescue. The competition hopes to fill that gap with versatile, self-flying aircraft that can deliver first responders, transport patients and tackle emergencies ranging from wildfires to floods — all without needing a human pilot on board. Competitors will need to impress a panel of judges with the efficiency and maneuverability of their designs while flying in challenging conditions.

But it’s not all about the thrill of the fly-off. GoAERO is building an ecosystem of innovation, providing mentorship from aerospace giants and agencies, along with educational support to help competitors. With teams from 40 countries already in the mix, the competition promises to create not only groundbreaking aircraft, but a global network of aviation pioneers ready to take on the challenges of emergency response.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ A NOAA Hurricane Hunter crew fearlessly flew into the eye of Hurricane Helene, getting an up-close look at the storm's chaotic center. Armed with cutting-edge equipment, they gathered critical data to better understand the hurricane’s behavior, all while riding out some truly wild weather.

🛩️ Watch: Russian Jet Flies Dangerously Close to U.S. F-16 Near Alaska

🛩️ The FAA is looking to slap SpaceX with a $633,000 fine for bending some licensing rules during rocket launches, but Elon Musk isn't backing down — he’s ready to take the FAA to court, accusing them of "regulatory overreach."

🛩️ Cleveland is considering whether to swap out Burke Lakefront Airport for something a little more profitable. With proposals ranging from apartments to sports fields, the city could see an economic boost from $77 million to $92 million if the runway gives way to development, but local pilots are not happy.

🛩️ Aviation groups are up in arms over a congressional bill that puts a $115,749 lifetime cap on flight training benefits for veterans, arguing that it clips veterans' wings just when the aviation industry needs them most. With a pilot shortage looming, they’re urging Congress to drop the cap, saying it unfairly limits veterans' opportunities compared to other career paths.

PilotTube

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter was snagged off Facebook Marketplace and transformed into a two-bedroom, one-bath vacation rental. Nestled on a Florida Ranch, this stay offers the ultimate "Sleep in the Choppa!" experience (because who wouldn’t want to vacation in a helicopter?) 🤙🏼

Do You Have An Aircraft I Can Film?
I’m always on the lookout for airplanes to review for my YouTube channel. If you own, fly or have access to a piston, turbine, business jet, helicopter, sea plane, bush plane, warbird or blimp I can film, please fill out this form!

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