Walker Ridge Airstrip restoration

For pilots who live for backcountry strips carved into the high ridges of the West, the words “Walker Ridge Airstrip” carry a kind of nostalgic weight. Perched within the rugged expanse of Northern California’s Snow Mountain National Monument, this once-popular landing site had faded into disuse over the years—its surface overgrown, its edges eroded, and its status uncertain. But now, after months of coordination and years of groundwork, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has officially received approval from the Bureau of Land Management’s Ukiah Field Office to restore the Walker Ridge Airstrip, marking a rare and meaningful win for general aviation access on public lands.

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STOL National Finals Gainesville Texas

The 2025 STOL National Finals in Gainesville, Texas, marked the culmination of a season that has pushed the limits of performance, precision, and pure piloting skill. For months, competitors in the National STOL Series have battled headwinds, tailwinds, and each other across fields from Florida to Idaho, all leading to this: the championship showdown at Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE). The event’s atmosphere was electric — a blend of competition, camaraderie, and good old Texas hospitality — as pilots and fans alike gathered to celebrate the art of taking off and landing in the shortest possible distance.

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MOSAIC Final Rule is Live

After more than a decade of anticipation, debate, and tireless collaboration between the EAA, FAA, and industry partners, the long-awaited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule is finally a reality. For thousands of pilots, manufacturers, and builders, the phrase “MOSAIC is done” marks a historic moment—one that could redefine what general aviation looks like for years to come.

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Garmin Launches Updated Aviator Smartwatches

It’s not often a smartwatch makes pilots in the lounge stop scrolling, but when Garmin unveiled the D2 Air X15 and D2 Mach 2 Aviator Smartwatches, the chatter was instant. The announcement—timed perfectly for the fall flying season—brought new life to a product line that has quietly become a staple among both airline captains and weekend RV-builders alike.

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Possible Weather Balloon Strike on United 737 MAX

It started as just another high-altitude cruise for a United Airlines 737 MAX, slicing through smooth October air over the western U.S. at 36,000 feet. Then came a sharp bang—followed by the unmistakable spiderweb crack spreading across the flight deck windshield. Within moments, the crew of Flight 1342 from San Francisco to Denver declared an emergency and began a descent. Later, investigators would suspect something few pilots ever expect: a possible weather balloon strike on a United 737 MAX.

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Thorp S-18 Under New Ownership: A Fresh Start

When news broke that the Thorp S-18—the refined descendant of John Thorp’s legendary all-metal T-18—was under new ownership, builders across the country felt that familiar spark of optimism. The Thorp line, long admired for its blend of simplicity, speed, and structural elegance, had seemed destined to fade quietly into nostalgia. Instead, it’s preparing for a rebirth under entrepreneur and pilot Alex Pearson, who has officially taken the reins and promised to bring new life to one of general aviation’s most enduring experimental designs.

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Nighthawk Flight Systems to Begin Deliveries of Guardian Avionics Suite in December 2025

The winter skies of 2025 are about to light up with a new glow on the flight deck. Nighthawk Flight Systems has confirmed that deliveries of its long-anticipated Guardian Avionics Suite will begin in December 2025, marking a major milestone for pilots seeking a modern, lightweight, and fully integrated avionics platform designed for both experimental and certified aircraft.

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Three Killed in Michigan Jet Crash Hawker 800

The quiet Michigan sky broke with the unmistakable sound of trouble late Friday afternoon when a Hawker 800XP went down near Bath Township, claiming the lives of three people on board. The tragedy, now under investigation by the NTSB, has shaken both the local community and pilots who understand all too well how quickly routine flight tests can turn fatal. The incident has drawn national attention as more details emerge about the crew, the jet, and the moments leading up to the crash.

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Young Eagles Chair Special Guest at Girls on the Fly

The smell of avgas and popcorn drifted across the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh as laughter and propeller noise filled the fall air. On a crisp Saturday morning in October 2025, a crowd of eager students—many experiencing aviation up close for the first time—gathered around the flightline for Girls on the Fly, a hands-on event created to open doors for young women in aviation. Among the attendees was a familiar figure: Sean D. Tucker, aerobatic legend and EAA Young Eagles Chair, serving as the event’s special guest.

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  • Researchers at Purdue Explore ADS-B
    There’s a quiet hum in the hangars of Purdue University’s Research Park — not from aircraft engines, but from the servers analyzing terabytes of flight data. The focus? Understanding how ADS-B Out, the technology that broadcasts an aircraft’s position to air traffic control and other aircraft, could do much more than just help pilots “see and be seen.”
  • Air Force Skyraider II Accident Near Oklahoma City
    The late-October skies over Oklahoma City were clear and calm when an Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II made an unexpected descent that would turn into a story of skill, composure, and luck. The Air Force Skyraider II accident near Oklahoma City occurred on a routine training mission that suddenly went sideways—but ended with the crew walking away unharmed.
  • Walker Ridge Airstrip restoration
    For pilots who live for backcountry strips carved into the high ridges of the West, the words “Walker Ridge Airstrip” carry a kind of nostalgic weight. Perched within the rugged expanse of Northern California’s Snow Mountain National Monument, this once-popular landing site had faded into disuse over the years—its surface overgrown, its edges eroded, and its status uncertain. But now, after months of coordination and years of groundwork, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has officially received approval from the Bureau of Land Management’s Ukiah Field Office to restore the Walker Ridge Airstrip, marking a rare and meaningful win for general aviation access on public lands.
  • STOL National Finals Gainesville Texas
    The 2025 STOL National Finals in Gainesville, Texas, marked the culmination of a season that has pushed the limits of performance, precision, and pure piloting skill. For months, competitors in the National STOL Series have battled headwinds, tailwinds, and each other across fields from Florida to Idaho, all leading to this: the championship showdown at Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE). The event’s atmosphere was electric — a blend of competition, camaraderie, and good old Texas hospitality — as pilots and fans alike gathered to celebrate the art of taking off and landing in the shortest possible distance.
  • MOSAIC Final Rule is Live
    After more than a decade of anticipation, debate, and tireless collaboration between the EAA, FAA, and industry partners, the long-awaited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule is finally a reality. For thousands of pilots, manufacturers, and builders, the phrase “MOSAIC is done” marks a historic moment—one that could redefine what general aviation looks like for years to come.
  • Garmin Launches Updated Aviator Smartwatches
    It’s not often a smartwatch makes pilots in the lounge stop scrolling, but when Garmin unveiled the D2 Air X15 and D2 Mach 2 Aviator Smartwatches, the chatter was instant. The announcement—timed perfectly for the fall flying season—brought new life to a product line that has quietly become a staple among both airline captains and weekend RV-builders alike.
  • Possible Weather Balloon Strike on United 737 MAX
    It started as just another high-altitude cruise for a United Airlines 737 MAX, slicing through smooth October air over the western U.S. at 36,000 feet. Then came a sharp bang—followed by the unmistakable spiderweb crack spreading across the flight deck windshield. Within moments, the crew of Flight 1342 from San Francisco to Denver declared an emergency and began a descent. Later, investigators would suspect something few pilots ever expect: a possible weather balloon strike on a United 737 MAX.
  • Thorp S-18 Under New Ownership: A Fresh Start
    When news broke that the Thorp S-18—the refined descendant of John Thorp’s legendary all-metal T-18—was under new ownership, builders across the country felt that familiar spark of optimism. The Thorp line, long admired for its blend of simplicity, speed, and structural elegance, had seemed destined to fade quietly into nostalgia. Instead, it’s preparing for a rebirth under entrepreneur and pilot Alex Pearson, who has officially taken the reins and promised to bring new life to one of general aviation’s most enduring experimental designs.
  • Nighthawk Flight Systems to Begin Deliveries of Guardian Avionics Suite in December 2025
    The winter skies of 2025 are about to light up with a new glow on the flight deck. Nighthawk Flight Systems has confirmed that deliveries of its long-anticipated Guardian Avionics Suite will begin in December 2025, marking a major milestone for pilots seeking a modern, lightweight, and fully integrated avionics platform designed for both experimental and certified aircraft.
  • Three Killed in Michigan Jet Crash Hawker 800
    The quiet Michigan sky broke with the unmistakable sound of trouble late Friday afternoon when a Hawker 800XP went down near Bath Township, claiming the lives of three people on board. The tragedy, now under investigation by the NTSB, has shaken both the local community and pilots who understand all too well how quickly routine flight tests can turn fatal. The incident has drawn national attention as more details emerge about the crew, the jet, and the moments leading up to the crash.


Born out of the long-running Hangar Flying community of the 1990s, Hangar Debrief takes a fresh look at aviation. It’s not breaking news for the sake of headlines — it’s about slowing down, digging in, and understanding what aviation is really about, in the hangar and in the cockpit. Each story blends narrative detail with technical perspective, giving pilots and builders a place to reflect, share, and grow. By carrying forward Hangar Flying’s decades-long tradition of connecting aviators, Hangar Debrief offers a space where safety, insight, and the love of flight come together in a way that speaks to today’s general aviation community.