Facebook announced on Thursday it had completed the first flight of its Aquila aircraft, a solar-powered drone that aims to beam Internet signals to the ground from as high as 60,000 feet. The company said the full-size prototype flew for more than 90 minutes. Time.com (7/21), Ars Technica (7/21), Fortune (7/21)

General-aviation advocates are confident that medical reform will be a reality soon, after the House last night passed an FAA funding bill that includes changes to the medical certification system for pilots. The Senate is expected to okay the bill later this week, and send it to President Obama for final approval. “This is a major step forward and makes us more optimistic that our efforts can finally reach the finish line,” EAA chairman Jack Pelton said in a statement releas

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill expected to be voted on by Congress this week or next contains a provision to extend authorization of the agency’s six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites for another three years. On Wednesday, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., announced that the Senate and House agreed to an extension of the FAA Reauthorization bill through September 2017. The measure includes Hoeven’s proposal for a longer term authorization for

House and Senate negotiators have agreed on an FAA extension deal that includes third class medical reforms and will keep the agency operating through September 2017. Legislation to keep the FAA operating past July 15 was formally announced July 6. The legislation includes third class medical reform language that the Senate has already passed three times. “Including third class medical reform in this package is great news for general aviation and we’re very pleased that the H