Airborne 10.21.26: Amelia Still Lost, Controller Raise, NASA MAX Power Airshow

A remote Pacific atoll has yielded another answer in the search for Amelia Earhart, just not the one investigators hoped to find. 

An expedition to Nikumaroro has determined that a mysterious object spotted in satellite imagery was most likely natural debris rather than part of Earhart’s missing aircraft. The discovery closes one investigative lead while leaving aviation history’s most enduring disappearance open to further examination. The Taraia Object expedition, a collaboration between the Archaeological Legacy Institute, Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue University, concluded that the suspected wreckage consisted of large trees deposited along a sandy peninsula. Air traffic controllers are getting a pay increase, but the agreement involves more than compensation. The FAA and NATCA have also agreed to workforce reforms designed to improve staffing decisions and operational efficiency. Announced October 16th by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the agreement provides eligible controllers with a 2.8% raise effective October 18, retroactive to the beginning of 2026. NASA has scheduled MAX POWER, a public
exposition of American air and space innovation, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, on and near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson confirmed that the agency plans to bring the X-59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft to its inaugural MAX Power air show—to be held Nov. 7-8 at the Kennedy Space Center… All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-Unlimited!!!

Airborne 10.21.26 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Wednesday, October 21st, 2026… Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Senior ANN Airborne Host Holland Lee. Holland is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Cam Walton, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:

• Still Lost… Amelia Earhart Search Loses Another Lead   




• FAA Ties Controller Raise To Reforms   




• NASA Emphasizing Aircraft Operating In Earth’s Atmosphere At Upcoming Air Show




• 2 Maldivian Pilots Employed By FlyDubai Detained For Questioning




• CAF Navion Flies Again After 13 Years   




• Starfighters Prepares Rocket For Supersonic Flight




• $4.8 Million In Infrastructure Upgrades Coming To Winter Haven Regional Airport

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again tomorrow, for the next edition of “Airborne Unlimited” here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!

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