Aviation Daily Digest — May 20, 2026

# Aviation Daily Digest — May 20, 2026

Your daily 60-second briefing for pilots, drone operators and aviation pros — auto-aggregated from the industry's top sources.

Top stories

• [NTSB releases video of engine pylon separating from UPS MD-11](https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/ntsb-video-engine-pylon-separating-ups-md-11) — AeroTime. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a video showing the left engine and pylon separating from… The post NTSB releases video of engine pylon separating from UPS MD-11 appeared first on AeroTime .
• [UPS Cockpit Audio Reveals Moments Before Fatal Crash After Last-Minute Plane Swap](https://simpleflying.com/ups-cockpit-audio-moments-before-crash-plane-swap/) — Simple Flying. New information comes during the first day of a two-day hearing in the nation's capital.
• [5 Reasons The US Air Force Continues To Operate The A-10 Warthog In 2026](https://simpleflying.com/5-reasons-usaf-continues-operate-a-10-warthog-2026/) — Simple Flying. While the Warthog has outlived its usefulness in many potential conflicts, it retains an evolving niche and has psychological value.
• [How The B-21 Raider Stacks Up Against The B-2 Spirit, B-52, & B-1 Lancer](https://simpleflying.com/b21-raider-vs-b2-b52-b1-comparison/) — Simple Flying. The B-21 may not be able to carry the payloads of the B-1 and B-52, but it will allow the US to strike deep into heavily contested airspace.
• [NTSB: Tuesday Focuses On MD-11 Pylon Bearing Reports](https://avweb.com/aviation-news/ntsb-tuesday-hearing-md-11-pylon-bearing/) — AVweb. Investigators questioned FAA, Boeing, UPS and maintenance witnesses on inspection and reporting processes.
• [Here’s How Much More Range The Airbus A350-1000 Has Compared To The Boeing 787-9](https://simpleflying.com/how-much-more-range-airbus-a350-1000-compared-to-boeing-787-9/) — Simple Flying. A closer look at why this difference matters.
• [US low-cost carriers move quickly to fill Spirit routes after shutdown](https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/us-low-cost-carriers-fill-spirit-routes-shutdown) — AeroTime. US low-cost carriers are moving to snap up pieces of Spirit Airlines’ network after the carrier ceased operations… The post US low-cost carriers move quickly to fill Spirit routes after shutdown appeared first on AeroTi…
• [Japanese drone company eyes global defense market through Ukraine](https://dronedj.com/2026/05/19/terra-a2-interceptor-defense-drone/) — DroneDJ. As low-cost attack drones continue reshaping modern warfare, Japanese drone company Terra Drone is now taking a major step deeper into the defense sector. The company has announced the operational deployment of its new…
• [Origin Robotics secures multi-year framework agreement with Latvia for BLAZE deliveries](https://www.suasnews.com/2026/05/origin-robotics-secures-multi-year-framework-agreement-with-latvia-for-blaze-deliveries/) — sUAS News. Origin Robotics, a defence technology company specialising in advanced unmanned aerial weapons systems, has secured
• [Applied Aeronautics Introduces SkyBeam Heavy Lift Quadrotor Platform](https://www.suasnews.com/2026/05/applied-aeronautics-introduces-skybeam-heavy-lift-quadrotor-platform/) — sUAS News. Chicago, Illinois – Applied Aeronautics today announced SkyBeam, a modular heavy lift quadrotordesigned for demanding

Pilot community highlights

_The community is quiet today._

What pilots are talking about (X / Twitter)

_No fresh aviation Twitter activity captured._

Jobs of the day

• [FAA Seeks to Recruit Contracted ATCs to Its Ranks](/jobs/faa-seeks-to-recruit-contracted-atcs-to-its-ranks-2026-05-19) — Confidential

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