Aviation News - 2026-06-26

Modern Aviation Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Hangar Facility and Renovated FBO Terminal at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, NY

Modern Aviation has officially opened its new hangar and refreshed FBO terminal at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, giving Westhampton Beach’s business aviation scene a polished new boost. The project highlights continued investment in premium ground services, aircraft shelter, and passenger amenities for operators visiting Long Island’s East End. Read the full update.

A pilot incapacitated, a crash landing and a close call

A cluster of recent aviation incidents is drawing fresh attention as the busy summer travel season ramps up. Reports include a pilot medical emergency aboard an Air Canada flight and a separate small aircraft crash-landing in Alaska after engine trouble. While investigations continue, these events underscore how training, redundancy, and quick decision-making remain central to aviation safety. See what is known so far.

Alaska Airlines Breaks Ground on Portland Maintenance Hangar

Alaska Airlines has broken ground on a new maintenance hangar in Portland, Oregon, a major step for the carrier’s growing technical operations footprint. The facility is expected to strengthen aircraft maintenance capacity while creating more than 100 jobs. For avgeeks, it is another reminder that airline reliability depends just as much on hangars and technicians as it does on flight decks. Explore the project.

Small Plane Crashes Into Citic Tower In Beijing

A small aircraft reportedly struck Beijing’s CITIC Tower, the city’s tallest skyscraper, triggering a significant emergency and police response. Debris was reported falling to streets below, and the incident has raised immediate questions about flight operations in one of the world’s most tightly controlled urban airspaces. Aviation watchers will be following closely for details on the aircraft, flight path, and cause. Watch the report.

FAA breaks ground on air taxi testing facility in Oklahoma City

The FAA has broken ground on a new Oklahoma City facility focused on advanced air mobility and air taxi testing. This marks a practical shift from concept and policy discussions toward real-world research on safely integrating vertical-lift aircraft into the national airspace. For future-flight fans, it is an exciting sign that urban air mobility is edging closer to operational reality. Read more about the facility.

“Konkordski”: The Soviet Concorde That Flew First

The Tupolev Tu-144, often nicknamed “Konkordski,” remains one of aviation history’s most fascinating supersonic stories. Flying before Concorde, the Soviet jet became a symbol of Cold War aerospace ambition, but its legacy is inseparable from the dramatic 1973 Paris Air Show crash at Le Bourget. It is a gripping look at speed, rivalry, and risk in the jet age. Dive into the Tu-144 story.

The Private Jet That Flies 8,200 Miles Nonstop

The Gulfstream G800 is pushing the limits of business aviation with an advertised range of 8,200 nautical miles, making it the world’s longest-range private jet. That capability puts city pairs once requiring stops within nonstop reach, while also intensifying the ultra-long-range rivalry with Bombardier’s Global 8000. For bizjet fans, this is top-tier engineering with serious globe-spanning swagger. Learn how the G800 does it.