Stephen Pope

557 articles

Stephen is the US Editor for AeroTime, based in the New York City metropolitan area. He has 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and has held senior editorial leadership roles with publications including Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and Flying Magazine, where he served as Editor-in-Chief. He is a commercial pilot with multi-engine, instrument, and seaplane ratings and has flown a wide range of aircraft, from single-engine pistons to turboprops and jets. Stephen holds a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.

NASA

NASA X-59 goes supersonic for first time in quiet-boom flight test program

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has flown faster than the speed of sound for the first time,…

June 7, 2026

Space shuttle in orbit attached to a space station with Earth’s curving horizon below and solar panels visible against black space.

International Space Station

NASA briefly puts ISS astronauts on evacuation alert after air leak worsens

NASA briefly directed astronauts aboard the International Space Station to shelter in a docked SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on…

June 5, 2026

Side view of a United Airlines passenger jet flying over the ocean, white fuselage with blue United lettering and blue engine nacelles.

Airbus A321XLR

United’s first Airbus A321XLR arrives in US ahead of summer 2026 debut

United Airlines’ first Airbus A321XLR has arrived in the United States as the carrier prepares to put the…

June 5, 2026

Airliner with blue vertical stabilizer behind a concrete barrier, parked SUV in the foreground and tall streetlights.

Aviation

Copilot warned United 767 was low, slow before Newark light pole strike: NTSB

The copilot of a United Airlines Boeing 767 warned the captain that the aircraft was flying low and…

June 5, 2026

Front view of a propeller-driven aircraft engine mounted in a metal test rig, blades spinning blur.

Engines

GE completes first fully integrated hybrid-electric powertrain ground test

GE Aerospace has completed its first ground test of a fully integrated megawatt-class hybrid-electric powertrain, marking a new…

June 5, 2026

Red aerobatic airplane in midflight, propeller blurred, blue sky with clouds in the background, showcasing its branding on the fuselage.

Draco Aircraft

Polish startup moves to bring turbine Draco HyperSTOL into production

A Polish aviation startup company is aiming to bring the turbine-powered Draco HyperSTOL taildragger into certified production, reviving…

June 5, 2026

White private jet in flight against a clear blue sky.

Cessna Citation M2 Gen3

Cessna Citation M2 Gen3 twinjet completes first flight

Textron Aviation has flown the first Cessna Citation M2 Gen3 prototype, moving the next version of its entry-level…

June 4, 2026

Two men pose smiling beside a small white private turboprop aircraft with the door open on a runway apron.

Beta Technologies

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy flies in Beta Alia eVTOL

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy flew aboard Beta Technologies’ Alia eVTOL, becoming the first US Transportation Secretary to…

June 3, 2026

1 comment

Frankfurt,germany-july,21:,Kuwait,Airways,Boeing,777,Lands,At,Frankfurt,Airport

Iran war

Kuwait airport temporarily closes after Iranian attack damages terminal, kills 1

Kuwait International Airport (KWI) temporarily suspended flights after Iranian drone and missile strikes damaged Terminal 1, killing one…

June 3, 2026

Futuristic jet with dozens of engine pods along its swept wings flying above clouds at sunset.

JetFoil

Whisper Aero unveils JetFoil concept capable of near-vertical takeoffs

Whisper Aero has unveiled new details of its JetFoil propulsion concept, a distributed electric ducted fan system designed…

June 3, 2026

2 comments

Small airplane flying low over a sunny beach as people relax on beach chairs and carry surfboards near the shore.

South Carolina

South Carolina pilot arrested after alleged dangerous low passes over beach

A South Carolina pilot has been arrested after witnesses said he made repeated low passes over a crowded…

June 2, 2026

Beige passenger jet with red wingtip climbs into a cloudy sky during takeoff, landing gear down.

Airbus A350-1000ULR

Qantas Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR completes first flight

The first Airbus A350-1000ULR built for Qantas’ Project Sunrise has completed its first flight, marking an important step…

June 2, 2026

Federal Aviation Administration

FAA, NTSB clash over ADS-B In mandate after fatal DCA crash

A dispute over cockpit collision-warning technology has opened a rift between the FAA and NTSB more than a…

June 2, 2026

3 comments

Maeve Aerospace

Maeve Aerospace collapses after SkyWest-backed hybrid aircraft program stalls

Dutch aircraft developer Maeve Aerospace has collapsed, ending an ambitious effort to bring a hybrid-electric regional aircraft to the market. Maeve Aerospace…

June 1, 2026