Aviation

The high-flying world of airliners, air taxis, fighter jets, tankers, large drones, and whatever else whisks us through the skies.

Latest in Aviation

This image of NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was taken by the Mastcam-Z instrument of the Perseverance rover on June 15, 2021, the 114th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The location, "Airfield D" (the fourth airfield), is just east of the "Séítah" geologic unit.

NASA is finishing its first off-world accident report NASA is finishing its first off-world accident report

New Jersey skyline at night

Mysterious SUV-sized drones may have blocked medical helicopter Mysterious SUV-sized drones may have blocked medical helicopter

drone flying for aerial night photography

Drones can avoid GPS jammers by navigating with the stars Drones can avoid GPS jammers by navigating with the stars

Close up of parachute rig potentially used by DB Cooper

The FBI may be on the verge of reopening the D.B. Cooper case The FBI may be on the verge of reopening the D.B. Cooper case

Image of aircraft wing over Greenland ice sheet with radar image of Camp Century underneath it

NASA radar picks up frozen, buried Cold War base Camp Century NASA radar picks up frozen, buried Cold War base Camp Century

Aurora MK-II rocket plane above Earth

Watch the first commercial supersonic test flight in over 20 years Watch the first commercial supersonic test flight in over 20 years

two sperm whales singing

New method for finding sperm whales kind of works like a rideshare app New method for finding sperm whales kind of works like a rideshare app

By Laura Baisas

Male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) in flight

Feather-inspired wing flaps may prevent planes from stalling Feather-inspired wing flaps may prevent planes from stalling

First responders and residents alike are using drones to assess hurricane damage and search for missing persons.

Drones are playing a critical role in Milton and Helene recovery Drones are playing a critical role in Milton and Helene recovery

By Mack DeGeurin

Concept art depicting the X-37B space plane aerobraking above Earth

Space Force’s mysterious X-37B is testing its ‘aerobraking’ Space Force’s mysterious X-37B is testing its ‘aerobraking’

Collecting arm hanging from drone.

Drone discovers hidden Hawaiian plant species Drone discovers hidden Hawaiian plant species

By Mack DeGeurin

The best drones for kids in 2024 on a plain white background.

Gear

The best drones for kids in 2024 The best drones for kids in 2024

By Adam Douglas

Lightning strike at night

NASA’s U-2 spy plane found gamma rays in 90% of lightning storms NASA’s U-2 spy plane found gamma rays in 90% of lightning storms

Aerobat uses a combination or rigid and soft 3D-printed materials to mimic a bat's malleable wings.

Bats’ weird wings inspired this drone Bats’ weird wings inspired this drone

By Mack DeGeurin

Contrail clouds from passing jet planes streak the sky over the Utah desert.

Why airplanes leave white streaks in the sky Why airplanes leave white streaks in the sky

By Lauren Leffer

zeppelin first flight airship

1929: The Graf Zeppelin becomes the first ship to sail around the world—by air 1929: The Graf Zeppelin becomes the first ship to sail around the world—by air

By Bill Gourgey

China's Shenlong space plane blurry image taken by telescopic camera.

China’s super-secret space plane spotted above Europe China’s super-secret space plane spotted above Europe

Conceptual illustration of a drone delivering medical supplies

Rescue from above: How drones may narrow emergency response times Rescue from above: How drones may narrow emergency response times

By Michelle Andrews / KFF Health News

Plane cabin lighting simulating sunset

Simulated sunrises and sunsets in planes may reduce jet lag Simulated sunrises and sunsets in planes may reduce jet lag

Screenshot of model rocket vertically landing

Teen’s model rocket sticks a SpaceX-inspired vertical landing Teen’s model rocket sticks a SpaceX-inspired vertical landing