The flight tracker that powered @ElonJet has taken a left turn

A major independent flight tracking platform, which has made enemies of the Saudi royal family and Elon Musk, has been sold to a subsidiary of a private equity firm. And its users are furious. ADS-B Exchange has made headlines in recent months for, as AFP put it, irking “billionaires and baddies.” But in a Wednesday morning press release, aviation intelligence firm Jetnet announced it had acquired the scrappy open source operation for an undisclosed sum. (arstechnica.com) More...

U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that had been transiting across the country for several days. (www.cnbc.com) More...

Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over northern U.S.

“The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told NBC News. “We continue to track and monitor it closely.” Secondary story with pictures: https://www.kulr8.com/news/report-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-spotted-over-billings/article_cb4d11b6-a328-11ed-83cb-fbf1388f61fe.html (www.nbcnews.com) More...

Atlas Air To Fly Special "747" Flight Plan on Final Boeing 747 [N863GT] Delivery Flight

Before leaving Washington State airspace, GTI747's flight plan to KCVG shows it will form the figure of a 747-embossed royal crown over southeast Washington. Aircraft is set to depart KPAE today around 8a PT. See GTI747 on FlightAware. (aviationsourcenews.com) More...

Harold Brown, Tuskegee Airman Who Faced a Lynch Mob, Dies at 98

One of the last surviving Black pilots from that celebrated group, he was surrounded by an angry mob after parachuting from his P-51 over Austria during World War II. (www.nytimes.com) More...

Boeing to Open First 737 MAX Production Line in Everett

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal revealed in an email to staff on 30 January that the company will expand its 737 MAX output by opening a new production line at the Everett facility in 2024, as demand soars for the American aircraft manufacturer's best-selling jet. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...