Subject: Friday Dispatch: FAA’s Latin American Warning, The Raptor’s 20th Anniversary Tour, and the 2026 G7+ Reveal
Welcome to your weekly pre-flight briefing from Flying Digest, where we believe the soul of aviation is found in the shared wisdom of the hangar and the precision of the cockpit. For the week ending January 16, 2026, the mood is one of high-tech transition and heightened vigilance as the industry balances exciting new airshow lineups with complex new airspace challenges in the South.
General Aviation News
- Latin American Airspace Warning: On January 16, the FAA issued a sweeping 60-day flight advisory (NOTAM) for Mexico, Central America, and portions of the Pacific Ocean. Pilots are urged to exercise extreme caution due to increased regional military activity and reports of GPS/GNSS interference that could impact navigation at all altitudes.
- Piper PA-28 Incident Investigation: Federal investigators have arrived at Sacramento McClellan Airport following a landing gear mishap involving a Piper PA-28 on January 16. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured, but the FAA is closely examining mechanical maintenance records to determine the cause of the failure.
- Legislative Shield for the Skies: General aviation advocacy groups, including the EAA and GAMA, voiced strong support this week for the Aviation Funding Solvency Act. The bill aims to protect the National Airspace System and certification personnel from being sidelined during future government shutdowns.
- The “Weekend Warrior” Perspective: A human-interest spotlight this week focused on the growing community of “flight-sim-to-pavement” student pilots. Pilots are increasingly using high-fidelity home simulations to master complex maneuvers like slow flight and stalls before ever touching a runway—a trend the community believes will lead to higher proficiency for part-time aviators.
🔗 Read More
- FAA General Safety Statements
- Aviation Funding Solvency Act Overview
- The Peril of Weekend Warriors: Pilot Proficiency
Warbird Reports
- Raptor 20th Anniversary Tour: The USAF F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team officially released its 2026 schedule this week, celebrating two decades of air dominance. The tour kicks off this spring with high-profile dates in Mississippi and a rare international appearance in Wanaka, New Zealand.
- Spitfire & SBD Restoration Milestones: Reports from the hangar floor this week confirm that the rare Mk XI Spitfire and an SBD Dauntless are nearing “engine-start” milestones. The Dauntless restoration notably completed permanent riveting on its inboard leading edges this week, moving one step closer to its public debut later this year.
- Wanaka Confirmation: The Grumman Avenger TBM-3E is officially confirmed to return to the skies over the Easter 2026 circuit after an eight-year absence due to mechanical setbacks, signaling a major win for WWII torpedo-bomber enthusiasts.
🔗 Read More
Industry Insights
- Cirrus Unveils 2026 G7+ Series: Cirrus Aircraft kicked off the year by unveiling the SR Series G7+, featuring a suite of advanced avionics designed to reduce pilot workload. Highlights include “Safe Return” Emergency Autoland and high-power USB-C ports designed specifically to support high-draw mobile devices and Starlink hardware.
- Digital Pilot Certificate Push: On January 16, the House T&I Committee began marking up a new bill to expedite the transition to digital pilot certificates, a move industry leaders say will modernize the aging paper-and-plastic system for the next generation of aviators.
- VIP Tech Surge: Citadel Aviation reported a record 13 new aircraft modification projects in January 2026 alone, highlighting a massive industry-wide shift toward upgrading older GA airframes with modern connectivity and “glass” cockpits.
🔗 Read More