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September 2018

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Features

AeroMobil

So That’s What Flying Cars Are For

A new business model may make them real this time.

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The Human Sonic Boom

A vertical shock wave reversed time.

The no-cockpit interior of the Crew Dragon

For All Mankind and for Profit

NASA’s next space taxi won’t be government property.

At Spirit AeroSystems

We Built This City

History, family, flying: It’s all here in Wichita.

A patch notes the 60th anniversary of NORAD.

The Secret World of NORAD

Inside its granite fortress, the agency that has protected North America for 60 years still stands guard.

After an eight-year restoration

Ithaca’s Airplane

A World War I trainer—and aviation film star—comes home.

The F-111B

Was the Navy’s F-111 Really That Bad?

Pentagon leaders insisted that an Air Force fighter-bomber would make a great Navy interceptor. They should have asked the Navy.

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The Making of 2001

A new book reveals the drama that unfolded during the creation of an iconic film.

Departments

Soundings

Astronomy’s Bat Signal

When a rare cosmic neutrino hit the South Pole, alarms around the world went off.

Soundings

An Honor Taken, Now Restored

Helen James’ fight for justice is recognized by the National Air and Space Museum.

Interview

Michael Lopez-Alegria

Axiom Space aims to resume sending private “spaceflight participants” to the space station.

Oldies and Oddities

The Father of Crash Investigation

In 1908, Frank Lahm issued the first airplane accident report.

In the Museum

The Splendor of Chinese Kites

The first flying objects crafted by human hands.