Elan Head
@elanhead.com
Helicopter pilot and senior editor at The Air Current, often exploring the world by air. Signal: elanhead.07
Reposted by Elan Head
This was an awesome read and reporting like this is why I shell out for @theaircurrent.com, something I swear @jonostrower.com isn't giving me any kickbacks for saying.
For the last few months, I've been working on a story about January's crash near Washington, D.C. What I learned was that it was simply an accident waiting to happen.
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong
D.C. midair crash was the result of a complete collapse of the protections designed to keep aviation safe — and the institutions that design and maintain them
theaircurrent.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:44 AM
This was an awesome read and reporting like this is why I shell out for @theaircurrent.com, something I swear @jonostrower.com isn't giving me any kickbacks for saying.
Reposted by Elan Head
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong
D.C. midair crash was the result of a complete collapse of the protections designed to keep aviation safe — and the institutions that design and maintain them
theaircurrent.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent
Reposted by Elan Head
For the last few months, I've been working on a story about January's crash near Washington, D.C. What I learned was that it was simply an accident waiting to happen.
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong
D.C. midair crash was the result of a complete collapse of the protections designed to keep aviation safe — and the institutions that design and maintain them
theaircurrent.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
For the last few months, I've been working on a story about January's crash near Washington, D.C. What I learned was that it was simply an accident waiting to happen.
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Reposted by Elan Head
Almost 16 years to the day since the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has finally flown an all-new commercial aircraft — this one with four passenger seats and no pilot.
A bigger take from @theaircurrent.com on what this milestone means for the 797. Spoiler: A lot.
A bigger take from @theaircurrent.com on what this milestone means for the 797. Spoiler: A lot.
Why Wisk got off the ground when so many Boeing projects didn’t theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
Why Wisk got off the ground when so many Boeing projects didn’t
Boeing’s first new commercial aircraft to fly in 16 years is an autonomous electric air taxi
theaircurrent.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Almost 16 years to the day since the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has finally flown an all-new commercial aircraft — this one with four passenger seats and no pilot.
A bigger take from @theaircurrent.com on what this milestone means for the 797. Spoiler: A lot.
A bigger take from @theaircurrent.com on what this milestone means for the 797. Spoiler: A lot.
Reposted by Elan Head
V-22 Ospreys have serious unresolved safety risks, NAVAIR review confirms theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
V-22 Ospreys have serious unresolved safety risks, NAVAIR review confirms
X-53 inclusion risk previously reported by TAC is just one of many outstanding safety concerns for the V-22
theaircurrent.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
V-22 Ospreys have serious unresolved safety risks, NAVAIR review confirms theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Reposted by Elan Head
So, what do you all think of the new @theaircurrent.com app? Keen to hear your feedback. apps.apple.com/us/app/the-a...
The Air Current App - App Store
Download The Air Current by JAO Aero Media LLC on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like The Air Current.
apps.apple.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
So, what do you all think of the new @theaircurrent.com app? Keen to hear your feedback. apps.apple.com/us/app/the-a...
Why are helicopter folks so skeptical of eVTOL developers' projected certification timelines? In part, it's because the 🚁 industry has struggled to get even basic safety upgrades certified by the FAA in recent years, as I wrote about for Vertical Magazine: verticalmag.com/features/tra...
Tracking the helicopter certification slowdown: causes and consequences
Certifying new rotorcraft technology has become increasingly challenging, particularly in the U.S. What’s the hold-up?
verticalmag.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Why are helicopter folks so skeptical of eVTOL developers' projected certification timelines? In part, it's because the 🚁 industry has struggled to get even basic safety upgrades certified by the FAA in recent years, as I wrote about for Vertical Magazine: verticalmag.com/features/tra...
Reposted by Elan Head
Exclusive: A group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would reinstate an aviation-specific SAF tax credit repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill in July (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...
U.S. SAF tax credit gets new life in bipartisan House legislation
Small group of lawmakers seeks to reinstate aviation-specific biofuel subsidy
theaircurrent.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Exclusive: A group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would reinstate an aviation-specific SAF tax credit repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill in July (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...
Reposted by Elan Head
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Bringing her home: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 5
The crew of the California have to deal with their biggest challenges yet: African rivers, and a flight longer than their flying boat was ever designed to make.
theupfront.media
December 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Everyone loves an underdog — until it's time to invest in one. With Vertical Aerospace poised to unveil its new eVTOL design tomorrow, I wrote about its complicated relationship with the stock market and the catch-22 of its weak balance sheet: theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
Vertical Aerospace wants the stock market to take it seriously
Company hopes unveiling of new eVTOL design will help boost its stock price and fundraising prospects
theaircurrent.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Everyone loves an underdog — until it's time to invest in one. With Vertical Aerospace poised to unveil its new eVTOL design tomorrow, I wrote about its complicated relationship with the stock market and the catch-22 of its weak balance sheet: theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
Reposted by Elan Head
Vertical Aerospace wants the stock market to take it seriously theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Vertical Aerospace wants the stock market to take it seriously
Company hopes unveiling of new eVTOL design will help boost its stock price and fundraising prospects
theaircurrent.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Vertical Aerospace wants the stock market to take it seriously theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Reposted by Elan Head
The big Sunday read from @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
The last days of Spirit AeroSystems
Twenty years after being divested from Boeing, Spirit is on the verge of being broken apart.
theaircurrent.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The big Sunday read from @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
Reposted by Elan Head
Why Eve turned to a competitor for its eVTOL pusher motors theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Why Eve turned to a competitor for its eVTOL pusher motors
Thorough evaluation and carefully worded contract support Eve’s selection of Beta as a supplier
theaircurrent.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Why Eve turned to a competitor for its eVTOL pusher motors theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Why would eVTOL developer Eve Air Mobility tap a competitor, Beta, for a critical component? The short answer is that Beta has the technology Eve needs. I spoke with Eve's CTO and Beta's CEO to unpack the rationale and strategy behind the deal: theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
Why Eve turned to a competitor for its eVTOL pusher motors
Thorough evaluation and carefully worded contract support Eve’s selection of Beta as a supplier
theaircurrent.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Why would eVTOL developer Eve Air Mobility tap a competitor, Beta, for a critical component? The short answer is that Beta has the technology Eve needs. I spoke with Eve's CTO and Beta's CEO to unpack the rationale and strategy behind the deal: theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
Reposted by Elan Head
If you're curious about how I got into aviation (or seek assurance that I really do have an aviation background), (yes, some folks continue to suggest my high-time pilot husband is the person who really writes this stuff) (sigh), here's a new profile from @adn.com. /1 www.adn.com/arts/books/2...
Author and pilot Colleen Mondor continues to shine a light on Alaska’s aviation industry
Mondor’s email newsletter Probable Cause covers a range of aviation-related subjects, with accidents a particular focus.
www.adn.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
If you're curious about how I got into aviation (or seek assurance that I really do have an aviation background), (yes, some folks continue to suggest my high-time pilot husband is the person who really writes this stuff) (sigh), here's a new profile from @adn.com. /1 www.adn.com/arts/books/2...
Reposted by Elan Head
Saudi Arabia brings a critical eye to appraising eVTOL readiness theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Saudi Arabia brings a critical eye to appraising eVTOL readiness
Kingdom-based The Helicopter Company will help put Joby and Archer through their paces in 2026 sandbox trials
theaircurrent.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Saudi Arabia brings a critical eye to appraising eVTOL readiness theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Investors have pumped millions of dollars into the eVTOL industry in pursuit of "flying cars". We're still waiting on electric air taxis, but in the meantime some of that investment is now benefiting defense tech. More in my latest story for @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/defense/arch...
November 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Investors have pumped millions of dollars into the eVTOL industry in pursuit of "flying cars". We're still waiting on electric air taxis, but in the meantime some of that investment is now benefiting defense tech. More in my latest story for @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/defense/arch...
Reposted by Elan Head
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Christmas in Sri Lanka: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 4
The crew of the California Clipper are forced to spend Christmas in Sri Lanka. While there, their thoughts turn naturally to home.
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Reposted by Elan Head
I asked lawmakers about the political feasibility of proposals to exempt FAA from the effects of future shutdowns. Many were supportive. Few were optimistic about it happening.
Seeking a solution to aviation’s government shutdown problem (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...
Seeking a solution to aviation’s government shutdown problem (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...
Seeking a solution to aviation’s government shutdown problem
Lawmakers support insulating the FAA from future shutdowns in principle, but see proposals as politically unlikely
theaircurrent.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I asked lawmakers about the political feasibility of proposals to exempt FAA from the effects of future shutdowns. Many were supportive. Few were optimistic about it happening.
Seeking a solution to aviation’s government shutdown problem (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...
Seeking a solution to aviation’s government shutdown problem (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...
Honda announced its eVTOL concept four years ago, then the program went into stealth mode. Now Honda R&D is at the Dubai Airshow to share an update on its progress. Full details in my latest story for @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev...
Honda draws back the curtain on eVTOL development
Honda will fly a full-scale eVTOL demonstrator in March 2026, but the company isn’t rushing to market
theaircurrent.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Honda announced its eVTOL concept four years ago, then the program went into stealth mode. Now Honda R&D is at the Dubai Airshow to share an update on its progress. Full details in my latest story for @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev...
Reposted by Elan Head
Reposted by Elan Head
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.
In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.
In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
I embedded with a helicopter medevac unit in Afghanistan in 2008. I think that era of warfare may be gone forever. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/m...
A Harrowing Escape From the Drone-Infested Hellscape of Ukraine’s Front Lines
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I embedded with a helicopter medevac unit in Afghanistan in 2008. I think that era of warfare may be gone forever. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/m...
Reposted by Elan Head
Part 2 of our history of the remarkable flight of the California Clipper in WW2 is now available.
To get back to the US after Pearl Harbor, Ford and his crew are asked by Pan Am to do something no commercial aircrew or passenger plane has done before:
Circumnavigate the world. #history #aviation
To get back to the US after Pearl Harbor, Ford and his crew are asked by Pan Am to do something no commercial aircrew or passenger plane has done before:
Circumnavigate the world. #history #aviation
Flying blind: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 2
What Pan Am were asking of Ford, his crew and his aircraft was to do something that no commercial flying boat had ever done before: complete a circumnavigation of the world.
theupfront.media
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Elan Head
"We spoke with nine C-level U.S. airline executives and senior officials across six U.S. carriers for this story. They expressed varying degrees of skepticism, but none felt the cuts were without some level of political interference."
With little recourse, U.S. airline leaders skeptical of DOT flight cut justification theaircurrent.com/airlines/air... (via @willguisbond.com & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
With little recourse, U.S. airline leaders skeptical of DOT flight cut justification
Concern about political motivation fills the void left by lack of FAA data
theaircurrent.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 PM
"We spoke with nine C-level U.S. airline executives and senior officials across six U.S. carriers for this story. They expressed varying degrees of skepticism, but none felt the cuts were without some level of political interference."