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Time Magazine
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
How Nathan Fielder Pulled Off His Best Stunt Yet in
W arning: This post contains spoilers for The Rehearsal Season 2 finale. Throughout The Rehearsal Season 2—and really, throughout the entirety of his career— Nathan Fielder has proven time and again that he always has another trick up his sleeve. So it really shouldn't come as a surprise that Sunday night's finale of his hit HBO series features what is perhaps his longest and most involved comedy con to date. And yet, it's still pretty difficult to believe he managed to pull this one off. After spending the first five episodes of Season 2 building an argument in support of his thesis that many plane crashes are caused by co-pilots facing difficulty speaking up to their captains when they think something is amiss, the finale flashed back two years earlier to show how Fielder spent months obtaining his commercial pilot license in order to be able to captain a real Boeing 737 plane with real passengers onboard at risk of all the real dangers of flying. However, he first had to learn how to do said flying, which he soon discovered required a skillset that didn't come easily to him. "When I first began this project, I decided there was no better way to understand pilots than by becoming one myself," he explained in a voiceover accompanying clips of himself taking flying lessons. "But it became clear very quickly that I was not a natural at this, especially when it came to landing the plane." While Fielder was told that most students master landings and are able to fly solo after about 10-30 hours of flight time, he still hadn't managed to prove his ability to his instructors' satisfaction by the time he had spent over 120 hours in the air. After witnessing another student pilot and their instructor fatally crash while he was in the sky above an airport for one of his own training sessions, Fielder took a month off to rehearse flying at home as a pilot who wasn't afraid of anything. Following that break, something clicked, and he was finally allowed to fly solo. But the roadblocks interfering with his plan didn't stop there. Considering you need 1,500 hours of flying experience to even be considered as a commercial airline pilot and Fielder had only racked up around 270-280 after two years, he realized he would need to utilize a loophole in the system that would require him to not only complete a FAA-approved 737 training course and obtain his own secondary-market passenger plane (on HBO's dime, of course), but also convince nearly 150 actors to pose as passengers on the flight to avoid regulations surrounding paying customers. Noting that, at the time, he was the least experienced person licensed to fly a 737 in North America, Fielder prepared for the big day by recruiting Aaron, one of the pilots he enlisted as a judge for his "Wings of Voice" singing competition earlier this season, as his co-pilot. He then laid out his objectives for the flight, which was set to take off from the San Bernardino airport and fly east to the Nevada border before looping back around to San Bernardino. "I'm trying to demonstrate how hard it can be for any pilot to say what they're thinking in a cockpit environment. And this dangerous phenomenon that leads to planes crashing I truly believe happens in some form on every single airline flight," he said. "Now, obviously with this flight, I don't want to let anything unsafe happen. So the second I see my co-pilot thinking something that he's not saying, you're going to get to see that. And then I'm going to quickly jump in and ask him about how he's feeling so he can share that with me and be comfortable sharing that. And nothing will be left unspoken." In the end, nothing of real consequence occurred in the cockpit during the flight. But after deplaning to applause and cheers from his group of actor-passengers, Fielder came to the conclusion that since no one sees what goes on in the cockpit anyway, "as long as you get everyone down safely, that's all it takes to be their hero." While Fielder is known for always committing to the bit, making the real-life stakes of his stunts truly bonkers, this time, they have never been higher. But he didn't even stop there, as the closing minutes of the finale revealed that, in his spare time, Fielder has also started working for a company that relocates empty 737s wherever they are around the world. Turns out, despite being a comedian, Fielder does have the capacity to be taken seriously. Or maybe, it simply all boils down to practice. As he put it earlier in the episode, "I've always believed that if you rehearse long enough and hard enough, nothing will be left to chance."
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Airspace Link Launches the Operations Center in AirHub® Portal to Deliver Complete Situational Awareness for Drone Operations
DETROIT, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Airspace Link, a leading FAA-approved UAS (Drone) Service Supplier of B4UFLY and LAANC, today announced the official launch of the Operations Center in its flagship product AirHub® Portal. Designed to give organizations real-time operational oversight, the Operations Center enables strategic insight, situational awareness, and live tracking of drone and crewed aircraft activity — all in one powerful system. 'The Operations Center transforms AirHub® Portal into a true command center for organizations managing drone operations at scale,' said Tyler Dicks, Head of Product at Airspace Link. 'From public safety teams and federal agencies to state and local governments and commercial enterprises, we're helping a wide range of users gain the operational clarity they need to deliver safer, smarter, and more coordinated drone operations.' With the new Operate tab activated in AirHub® Portal, users can visualize: Airspace Link's new Operations Center in AirHub® Portal delivers a single-pane-of-glass solution for organizations that require coordinated, real-time airspace oversight. Built for flight operations managers, public safety agencies, airfield managers, and state and local authorities, the Operations Center offers a unified, interactive map display that provides a complete common operational picture of all active and planned missions, ensuring safer, more informed, and more efficient decision-making. Also designed to meet the needs of IT leaders and security professionals, the Operations Center includes robust post-mission analytics, audit trails, and automatic reporting to support regulatory compliance, internal governance, and continuous operational improvement. Critically, Airspace Link safeguards its technology with enterprise-grade security and privacy protocols, backed by SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications — ensuring sensitive operational data is protected by industry-leading standards and rigorous best practices. At the core of the Operations Center is its open platform architecture, which integrates with a range of airspace awareness data sources, including crewed aircraft ADS-B detection systems from industry leader uAvionix. 'We're proud to partner with Airspace Link in delivering high integrity live aircraft traffic data for the Operations Center,' said Cyriel Kronenburg, Vice President for UAS and Aviation Networks from uAvionix, Airspace Link's trusted sensor partner. 'This integration ensures organizations have access to a high quality and accurate view of their surrounding airspace on a single pane of glass — a critical component for safe and effective drone operations.' Now available for AirHub® Portal organization accounts, the Operations Center joins Airspace Link's full suite of capabilities – from preflight planning and LAANC authorization to internal operation approvals, crew and asset management, and flight logging. Together, these tools form a comprehensive Drone Operations Management System (DOMS) purpose-built for the needs of modern, connected drone programs. 'Whether you're overseeing a city-wide drone program or scaling enterprise operations, the Operations Center delivers the situational awareness and accountability today's teams demand,' Dicks added. 'It's about empowering diverse stakeholders with the tools to operate smarter, safer, and with total confidence.' As both an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier of LAANC and B4UFLY, and a provider of advanced drone operations software, Airspace Link offers one of the only fully integrated Drone Operations Management Systems in the market, eliminating the need to manage multiple systems or vendors. See It Live at XPONENTIAL 2025 Airspace Link will be exhibiting at XPONENTIAL 2025 in Houston. Visit us at Booth #4320 for a live demonstration of the Operations Center and to explore how AirHub® Portal can elevate your organization's drone operations. Learn more and book your personalized demo here: About Airspace Link Founded in Detroit in 2018, Airspace Link is a leading FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier of LAANC and B4UFLY, creating the digital infrastructure for the safe integration of drones into the national airspace and local communities. As SOC 2 compliant and ISO 27001-certified, Airspace Link's drone operations management system, AirHub® Portal, empowers government entities, commercial fleets, certified drone pilots, and the broader drone industry with the tools needed to enable safe, compliant, and efficient drone operations. For more information about Airspace Link and AirHub® Portal, visit Media Contact Rich Fahle [email protected] Sam Stewart Gacaferi [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Airspace Link
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Cirrus Announces SR Series G7+ Featuring Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland
DULUTH, Minn. & KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cirrus (Cirrus Aircraft Ltd.) today announced the new SR Series G7+ featuring Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland by Garmin®, the world's first FAA-approved autonomous emergency landing system in a single-engine piston aircraft. With the integration of this technology, anyone in the cabin can activate Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland with the touch of a button in the event of an emergency, commanding the aircraft to navigate to a suitable nearby airport and land autonomously. This advancement in aviation safety provides pilots and passengers of the world's best-selling high-performance single-engine piston aircraft with an automated emergency landing option in the event of pilot incapacitation or a similar in-flight emergency. Cirrus is currently delivering the SR Series G7+ with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland. The SR Series G7+ introduces more new features, including Automatic Database Updates enabled by Cirrus IQ PRO™ for pilot convenience, Runway Occupancy Awareness for safety and Smart Pitot Heat powered by the Perspective Touch+™ flight deck for reduced pilot workload. Together, these features combined with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland and the company's signature Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), bring to market the SR Series G7+, a robust aircraft embedded with advanced technology, automation and safety innovations. 'We're excited to introduce the SR Series G7+, the aircraft that anyone can land in the event of an emergency with the touch of a single button,' said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus. 'As the largest personal aircraft manufacturer in the world, delivering approximately 600 SR Series aircraft per year, the addition of Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland on a single-engine piston aircraft brings technology previously only available on larger turbine and turboprop aircraft to a greater number of pilots, spouses and their passengers for added peace of mind. The SR Series G7+ launch, along with our expanding ecosystem and Cirrus IQ™ platform, underscores our commitment to safety and relentless pursuit of innovation.' Cirrus has historically led the industry in making safety innovations such as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) and now Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland as standard equipment. With over 10,000 SR Series aircraft manufactured and 17 million flight hours accumulated since 1999, Cirrus continues to grow the industry and invent solutions that make flying safer and more approachable. Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland The Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland system uses a combination of advanced sensors, sophisticated algorithms and automated flight control systems to enable the aircraft to autonomously land safely without pilot input. With a single push of a button, the system takes control of the aircraft, communicates with air traffic control, navigates to the nearest suitable airport while avoiding terrain and adverse weather, autonomously lands the aircraft bringing it to a complete stop, shuts down the engine and stops the propeller so that passengers can exit the aircraft safely. Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland Activation: Straightforward Activation: In the event of an emergency, the pilot or passengers can activate the system with a simple push of a button, which is centrally positioned in the aircraft's cabin ceiling, initiating Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland. Advanced Algorithms: The system is powered by sophisticated onboard sensors and algorithms that adapt to changing conditions and enable navigation through the airspace, calculate runway parameters, and detect real-time weather and terrain. Fully Automated Flight Control: Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland autonomously controls the autopilot and engine to fly the aircraft and execute a safe landing sequence. Air Traffic Control: The system continuously communicates with air traffic control during the flight and automatically switches to different frequencies as the aircraft travels to the most suitable airport. Passenger Experience: Passengers are kept informed with straightforward information on the flight displays, including airport destination, arrival time, and remaining fuel. Next steps are also clearly communicated over headsets. Passengers can press the 'Talk' button on the flight display to speak directly to air traffic control. Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland can be activated both manually and automatically. Anyone in the cabin can activate Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland at the press of a button. If a pilot is alone or those in the cabin are unable to activate it manually, Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland is designed to activate automatically if the system determines that the pilot is flying erratically or is unresponsive. Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland can be disconnected by pressing the autopilot disconnect button at any time the pilot decides. Additional SR Series G7+ Features With the SR Series G7+, Automatic Database Updates powered by Cirrus IQ PRO™ are now available through a subscription in the Cirrus IQ™ app for connected aircraft owners. Automatic Database Updates allow owners to receive automatic avionics database updates via Wi-Fi or LTE to ensure the most current and accurate data for navigation. These updates can occur while the aircraft is powered off and the owner is away from the aircraft. When the aircraft is powered up, essential databases are automatically synchronized across compatible avionics. Runway Occupancy Awareness leverages ADS-B traffic data to predict and alert pilots of potential runway incursions from nearby airborne aircraft or other aircraft on or approaching the runway. Visual and aural alerts are provided on the pilot's primary flight display and 3D SafeTaxi™ map to maximize situational awareness, a safety feature that is especially useful at busy airports. Smart Pitot Heat is enabled by systems integration through Perspective Touch+™ to reduce pilot workload and automate the flying experience. The system performs a self-test before every flight and automatically turns on or off in flight depending on outside air temperatures, making it one less system to manage. Cirrus Safety Innovation Philosophy Cirrus has a long history of revolutionizing aviation safety and remains steadfast in its mission to continuously innovate, remove barriers of entry and invite more people to experience Personal Aviation™ with safety and peace of mind built into every aircraft. From advancing avionics systems to exploring autonomous flight, Cirrus is committed to manufacturing aircraft that not only meet today's needs but also anticipate tomorrow's challenges. By adding the Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland system to the SR Series G7+, Cirrus is helping to ensure that pilots and their passengers can travel with a greater sense of security, knowing that if there is an in-flight emergency, their aircraft has the capability to respond autonomously. To learn more about the SR Series G7+ with Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland, please visit About Cirrus Cirrus is the recognized global leader in Personal Aviation™ and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world's first single-engine Personal Jet™, and the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined aviation performance, comfort and safety with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft is 18 million hours, and 270 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has seven locations in the United States, including Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; Greater Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Learn more at
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
DA: No comment on 'pending investigation' on HFD allegations
May 1—HARLINGEN — The Cameron County District Attorney's Office is not commenting on a "pending investigation" into whether the Harlingen Fire Department falsified Valley International Airport firefighter training records. On Thursday, District Attorney Luis V. Saenz declined to comment. "The DA's office does not comment on pending investigations," he said. On April 24, the district attorney's office requested city officials provide Federal Aviation Administration documents including information regarding the fire department's "misleading entries" into training records, City Attorney Mark Sossi said. In response, he provided the district attorney's office with two FAA investigation reports dated Feb. 19, he said in an interview. Sossi said he had no other FAA documents stemming from the agency's investigation. "We gave the DA everything we had from the FFA," City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez said, referring to the two Feb. 19 FAA documents. Meanwhile, Marv Esterly, Valley International Airport's aviation director, said the district attorney's office had not contacted his office. On April 22, the district attorney's office said it was requesting the FAA provide "their report regarding the Harlingen Fire Department's Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training compliance documents and related records for Valley International Airport." Late last year, Esterly contacted the FAA after three airport firefighters signed affidavits claiming deficiencies appearing to contradict records stemming from two training sessions conducted in June and July 2024, a Dec. 5, 2024 report shows. "The discrepancies between the actual training conducted and the official training records raise the possibility of falsification," Esterly wrote the report to the FAA. In one affidavit, a driver "indicates that the training session lasted less than 20 minutes and did not include hands-on training, despite the official training record inaccurately stating the session lasted one hour with no indication of skill performance being conducted," he wrote. "Sworn affidavits from two ARFF personnel indicate that this class was significantly abbreviated, lasting only 14 minutes and, like the June session, lacked hands-on training," Esterly wrote in the report. "These discrepancies conflict with the official training record, which inaccurately claims compliance with the FAA-approved curriculum." In response, he reported concerns of falsified training records to Fire Chief Rafael Balderas, Esterly said. "Chief Balderas has informed me that he is investigating the allegations," Esterly wrote in the report. "Additionally, I, along with the airport board chairman and the airport board attorney have met with the mayor, city manager and the city attorney to discuss these findings. During our meeting, they advised that they are committed to investigating these findings thoroughly ...." As part of their investigation, city officials requested an internal audit into the allegations, the report states. During the audit, Sanjuana Garcia, the city's internal auditor, reviewed the records, Esterly said. "She reviewed all training records for the ARFF and found no discrepancies," Gonzalez said. Meanwhile, FAA officials interviewed a group of airport firefighters regarding allegations of abbreviated classes and failure to conduct hands-on training. "HFD entered misleading entries into the June 13, 2024 and July 11, 2024 training record relative to the sufficiency and quality of the training," the FAA wrote in a Feb. 19 report. "The entries raised questions relative to potential falsification, reproduction or alteration of applications, certificates, reports or records in accordance" with the Code of Federal Regulations. In its investigation, the FAA found "inadequate training and misleading entries to be directly isolated to the identified sessions and not systemic to the entire ARFF training program," the agency's report stated. In closing the case, FAA officials "concluded the matter does not warrant legal enforcement." "We will expect your future compliance with the regulations," Denson E. Stasher, the FAA's manager of safety and standards branch, wrote in the report. Last month, the airport's board of directors tabled action on a proposed resolution calling for the termination of the airport's $1.2 million agreement with the city providing the fire department's aircraft rescue and firefighting services. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HEICO Corporation (HEI): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on HEICO Corporation (HEI) on Substack by Bulls On Parade. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on HEI. HEICO Corporation (HEI)'s share was trading at $242.70 as of April 23rd. HEI's trailing and forward P/E were 59.93 and 57.14 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Pressmaster/ Heico Corporation (HEI) represents one of those rare investment gems that quietly compounds value over decades, eschewing flashy narratives for disciplined execution and relentless focus on niche dominance. Founded in 1957 in Hollywood, Florida, Heico started modestly as a maker of aerospace components. But it was in the 1990s, under the stewardship of the Mendelson family—Laurans, Larry, and Victor—that the company's real transformation began. Laurans Mendelson, now Chairman, saw the potential to specialize in high-margin, low-competition aerospace and defense niches, laying the groundwork for what is now a $36 billion market cap powerhouse. Heico's rise has been anything but meteoric; it's the product of a slow, steady strategy built on consistency, operational excellence, and a laser focus on where it can be indispensable. The company operates in two primary segments: the Flight Support Group (FSG), which designs and manufactures FAA-approved aftermarket aircraft parts, and the Electronic Technologies Group (ETG), which produces specialized electronics for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. While FSG serves as the steady cash generator, giving airlines cost-effective, high-quality alternatives to OEM parts, ETG caters to defense contractors and government agencies with advanced, often mission-critical electronics. Heico's strength lies in its ability to dominate carefully selected niches, where it can build long-term customer relationships and face limited competitive pressure. This niche-first strategy is supported by a robust acquisition engine—Heico has completed over 70 acquisitions since the '90s, all small, profitable businesses that slot seamlessly into its ecosystem without requiring massive integration overhauls. The approach is surgical, not scattershot, and the results speak for themselves. What truly sets Heico apart, however, is its capital allocation. With a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio now down to 2.06x from 3.04x a year ago, the company demonstrates a prudent approach to leverage. Rather than indulging in aggressive debt-fueled expansion or flashy shareholder payouts, Heico channels its cash into expanding its core operations, funding R&D, and making disciplined, accretive acquisitions. It pays a token dividend—just $0.22 annually, yielding under 0.1%—but this is by design. The management team, led by the Mendelsons, prefers to reinvest excess capital to drive compounding returns over the long haul, and given their track record, it's hard to argue with the approach. Heico's most recent earnings for Q1 fiscal 2025, ending January 31, underscored the strength of this strategy. Net income jumped 46% year-over-year to $168 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, while revenue climbed 8% to record levels. FSG was the standout, delivering 15% revenue growth and a 35% increase in operating income, driven by 12% organic growth and smart acquisitions. ETG, while facing temporary headwinds from inventory destocking, remains well-positioned with a strong backlog and pipeline. Importantly, operating cash flow remains robust, ensuring ample liquidity for continued M&A activity. Management has reiterated its bullish outlook, highlighting a healthy acquisition funnel and broad customer demand across both segments. Of course, the one point that might give investors pause is valuation. With shares trading around $260, Heico commands a trailing P/E of 64 and a forward P/E of 55—premium territory by any measure. Analysts expect 13.4% annual EPS growth and 10.3% revenue growth over the next few years, and the stock's average price target of $270 suggests modest upside. Still, Heico's PEG ratio of 3.32 reflects a quality premium more than speculative froth. For investors focused on long-term compounding and business quality, this valuation may be justified. The company's nearly five-decade dividend history and consistent earnings expansion lend further credibility to its durability. In essence, Heico isn't trying to be the next big disruptor—it's content being the steady performer, the business that just works. It's not going to make headlines, but it will likely continue doing what it has always done: find defensible niches, dominate them quietly, allocate capital smartly, and let the results speak. In a market saturated with hype and volatility, Heico offers something rare—reliability, predictability, and patient compounding. For those willing to embrace the boring brilliance of a business built for the long haul, Heico might just be the kind of quiet giant worth owning. HEICO Corporation (HEI) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 67 hedge fund portfolios held HEI at the end of the fourth quarter which was 57 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of HEI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than HEI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. 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