Tragic NYC Helicopter Crash | AERO 2025 Recap

Good morning! I’ve been heads-down working on the next couple of Flybuyer videos and I’m especially excited about one in particular, coming out soon. I think you’re really going to enjoy it—any guesses what airplane this might be? 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• AERO 2025 Lifted Off with Record-Breaking Lineup

• FAA and NTSB Launch Investigation Into Deadly Helicopter Crash

• Around the Skies: Airshow washed out in Louisville, Washington adds scenic seaplane base, Bombardier’s fastest jet yet, FSS frequencies facing full retirement, NASA pick defends bold space vision, AirVenture Cup launches countdown to Oshkosh

• PilotTube: The Flying Boat That Almost Changed Everything

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Aviation Innovation on Full Display at AERO

AERO Friedrichshafen 2025 officially wrapped, bringing Europe’s largest general aviation trade show back to life in southern Germany. In its 31st year, the event hosted a record 756 exhibitors from 38 countries, filling the halls with new aircraft, cutting-edge avionics and aviation gadgets galore. Organizers noted that attendees experienced a “large number of premieres,” from first-time aircraft unveilings to brand-new services and forward-looking technology aimed at reshaping general aviation.

One of the early highlights was the debut of the Pilatus PC-12 PRO. This latest version of the iconic turboprop added serious brainpower with Garmin’s Autoland and Smart Glide systems, along with Electronic Stability Protection for added peace of mind. And while safety took center stage, Pilatus did not overlook style—updated interiors and new paint options proved that utility and luxury can still share a fuselage. According to AERO Project Manager Tobias Bretzel, the show’s strong mix of industry giants and scrappy newcomers signaled a bright and thriving future for general aviation.

Hudson Helicopter Crash Prompts FAA, NTSB Probe

A Bell 206 helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the fatalities, noting that the victims included an executive from Siemens and his family visiting from Spain, including three children. The aircraft had taken off from a Manhattan heliport, circled the Statue of Liberty and was flying north along the Hudson before turning back south and crashing roughly 16 minutes after departure.

Emergency crews responded quickly from both sides of the river. Witnesses reported that parts of the helicopter appeared to fall off before it hit the water and sank. The FAA and NTSB have launched an investigation, with the NTSB deploying a go-team to the site. Chairman Jennifer Homendy will lead the response and provide further updates as the investigation continues.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Thunder Over Louisville has been canceled this year after heavy flooding from the Ohio River left much of the area underwater. The annual airshow and fireworks event, which kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival, was called off due to safety concerns and extensive storm damage. With months of planning required, organizers said rescheduling was not possible. The rest of the festival remains on track and Thunder is expected to return in 2026.

🛩️ Osoyoos Lake near Oroville, Washington is now home to the newly designated Scott Seaplane Base, bringing floatplane access to one of the region’s most scenic waterways. Approved by the FAA, the base includes two water runways, with the main strip stretching a spacious 10,000 feet. Positioned just south of the Canadian border, it opens new doors for both recreational and commercial operations.

🛩️ Bombardier’s Global 8000 is on track to enter service later this year, with final assembly underway near Toronto. Billed as the fastest and longest-range business jet ever, it promises Mach 0.94 speeds and 8,000 nautical miles of nonstop range. The aircraft features advanced tech from the Global 7500, including a high-performance wing, fly-by-wire controls and ultra-comfy “Nuage seating.”

🛩️ The FAA is preparing to retire the aging network of Flight Service Station radio frequencies across the continental U.S., citing low usage and high maintenance costs. Once a rite of passage for student pilots, frequencies like 122.2 are now rarely used thanks to mobile cockpit tech like electronic flight bags. In the 1980s, FSS handled 22,000 daily requests; today, that number is closer to 300. The FAA says safety has not been impacted and emergency frequencies will still be monitored, but if you have thoughts about saying goodbye to those nostalgic RCOs, you have until May 27 to let the agency know.

🛩️ Jared Isaacman, Shift4 CEO and Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator, faced senators last week with a bold vision for sending astronauts to both the moon and Mars. He committed to beating China back to the moon but emphasized that NASA could pursue both goals at once. Lawmakers questioned his past criticism of NASA’s Space Launch System and his ties to Elon Musk, who has dismissed the moon as a distraction. Isaacman maintained that his focus is on NASA’s mission, not Musk’s opinions.

🛩️ Applications are open for the 2025 EAA AirVenture Cup Race, a 400 nautical mile timed event taking place July 20. Now in its 27th year, the race starts and ends at Wausau Downtown Airport and welcomes both certified and experimental aircraft. Pilots compete in categories based on engine size, gear type, and certification, with awards for the top three in each class. The race serves as a high-speed warmup to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, which begins the next day.

PilotTube

In June of 1919, Alcock and Brown stunned the world by completing the first non-stop transatlantic flight in just 16 hours, swapping ships for sky in a daring leap of faith. But while they were busy hauling fuel across the ocean, Italian visionary Giovanni Caproni had his sights set on something far bolder—a 100-passenger flying boat with nine wings and eight engines. His Ca.60 Transaereo looked like something out of science fiction and briefly took flight in 1921 before crashing spectacularly. It was a glorious failure, but a thrilling hint that the age of mass air travel was coming fast.

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