pilots

California is examining results from projects that place solar panels over irrigation canals, an approach meant to generate clean power while reducing water evaporation. The state is learning how the panels perform in practice and whether covering canals at scale could cut both water loss and emissions, drawing attention to a idea piloted in the Turlock Irrigation District's Project Nexus.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned drones can support pilots in combat missions. The programme is seen as a major step toward integrating AI-driven aircraft into military operations.

The U.S. Senate has approved legislation addressing mental health support for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure aims to make it easier for aviation professionals to seek treatment without automatically facing career penalties or loss of certification. The bill now moves to the House, with supporters saying it addresses longstanding stigma in the aviation industry.

Tesla has begun volume production of its Semi electric truck, roughly seven years after the vehicle was first unveiled in 2017. The long-delayed heavy-duty EV is now moving beyond the pilot stage, marking a step forward for electric freight even as the company's timeline has repeatedly slipped past original targets.

The US Senate has approved mental health legislation covering pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure is aimed at making it easier for aviation professionals to seek mental health treatment without automatically jeopardising their medical certification or careers. Coverage from aviation and general news outlets notes the step as a significant change to how the industry handles mental health among safety-critical staff.

Lowe's Companies has started a pilot program offering drone delivery with a roughly 20-minute turnaround for customers. The home improvement retailer is testing the service as part of a broader push by retailers to speed up last-mile delivery using drones. The move puts Lowe's alongside other major chains experimenting with aerial delivery to cut delivery times and costs.

Israel's Economy Ministry has ended the pilot phase of the 'Israel's Basket' programme, citing the approaching national elections. The initiative, which was being tested by the ministry, will not move forward for now. The timing of the decision has drawn attention, as government programmes are often paused or reconsidered during election periods to avoid accusations of political influence over economic policy.

The US Senate has passed the Hauser Aviation Act, a bill addressing pilot mental health and the medications pilots are allowed to take. The legislation is expected to relax current rules that can ground pilots for seeking treatment, a long-standing concern in aviation safety debates. Details of the vote and next steps in the House remain unclear from available reporting.

The Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act has passed the US Senate, advancing legislation that addresses mental health support and reporting for pilots and aviation professionals. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process. Attention to pilots' mental health has grown in recent years amid concerns over stigma, medical certification rules, and safety reporting.

A study published in JAMA finds that pilots and flight attendants have the highest radiation-related cancer mortality of the occupations examined, consistent with their elevated exposure to cosmic radiation at altitude. The finding is drawing attention to occupational health risks in aviation and to how aircrew radiation exposure is monitored and regulated.

After the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor lost access to Microsoft services under US sanctions, the Netherlands is moving forward with DAWO, a sovereign workplace for public authorities built on NixOS. The system uses open source code, replaces GitHub with Forgejo, and is designed to connect with openDesk. A pilot is underway in municipalities, with officials citing stability and digital independence from US providers.

Wausau's Public Health and Safety Committee has an agenda covering an update to the city's homelessness strategy along with extensions for local businesses. The Wausau Pilot & Review reported the upcoming meeting items, which touch on how the city plans to address homelessness and whether affected businesses will get more time to comply with local rules.

A column in The Virginian-Pilot argues that backing for coastal resilience should be a deciding factor for voters in upcoming elections. It calls on residents of coastal Virginia to evaluate candidates' commitments to protecting shorelines, flood defenses and communities from rising seas and storm damage before casting their ballots.