Briefings ^BETA

Taiwan reports 19 PLA aircraft sorties, 13 crossing the Taiwan Strait median line：Taiwan’s defence ministry said on October 9 that it detected 19 PLA aircraft sorties from 08:52, including 13 that crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into northern, central and southwestern airspace while operating alongside Chinese naval vessels. Taiwan said it responded with aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems. Taiwan Strait crossings

Taiwan approves 27 drone R&D grants, with AIDC receiving the largest award at TWD100 million：Taiwan’s economy ministry approved 27 drone R&D grants worth about TWD780 million. AIDC’s heavy-payload logistics-drone project received TWD100 million, the year’s largest individual award. Six grants cover complete aircraft and 21 support key technologies; the funding does not mean the product has completed validation or received commercial flight approval. Drone R&D grants

Meteomatics unveils Strato weather drone, capable of reaching 4,245 feet：Swiss firm Meteomatics unveiled its small multicopter weather drone, Strato, on October 8. The drone can climb to 4,245 feet to collect meteorological data. The company says it can withstand sustained winds of up to 80 mph and has a heating system to prevent rotor icing. Strato weather drone

Event photo · Meteomatics

Air Canada announces planned A321XLR routes from Montreal and Halifax to Europe：Air Canada announced plans for A321XLR services linking Montreal and Halifax with Europe, with flights of up to eight hours. The aircraft will have 14 lie-flat business-class suites and complimentary Wi-Fi. Operational details and schedules are still awaiting confirmation. Air Canada A321XLR

Airbus delivers 72 aircraft in September, with 323 more needed to meet its 2026 target：Airbus delivered 72 commercial aircraft in September, bringing its 2026 total to 547. It needs to deliver 323 more in the fourth quarter to reach its annual target of about 870, requiring an average of nearly 108 per month. The manufacturer also recorded 17 new orders in September. Airbus deliveries

File photo · Photograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SA 4.0

Thailand’s Queen Suthida completes 41-minute solo flight in a Saab Gripen：Queen Suthida of Thailand completed a planned solo flight in a Royal Thai Air Force single-seat Saab JAS 39C Gripen on October 8, returning to Wing 7 after 41 minutes. She had logged more than 1,100 flying hours and became Thailand’s first female Gripen pilot. Queen Suthida Gripen flight

Boeing offers touchscreen control units for 737 MAX and NG as pilots question use in turbulence：Boeing is offering a touchscreen replacement for the control display unit on 737 MAX and NG aircraft. It will be standard on the MAX 10 and can also be retrofitted to other MAX and NG aircraft. Pilots say touchscreens are harder to use in turbulence, while Boeing cites reliability, cost and weight benefits. 737 touchscreen control unit

Source image