Somewhere high above New Jersey, I yanked the oxygen mask off my face, worried I was about to throw up.
Maj. Jason Markzon, the pilot of our F-16 fighter jet, had just steered the plane through two tight, hard turns, part of an aviation procedure…

I flew in an F-16 with the Air Force and oh boy did it go poorly

It always seemed like an idea that was cool, far-fetched, and possibly helpful: Balloons, high above the earth, sending cell signals to people down below. The giant polyethylene flying machines could transmit LTE signals to people in disaster zones…

RIP Loon, Google’s balloon-based cellular network

When Caleb Carr was 15, he was taking part in a search-and-rescue training expedition in Oregon, and an adult on the trip suffered a heart attack. A helicopter from the state’s National Guard arrived to try to airlift the man out, but the operation…

Getting rescued by helicopter has risks. This gadget could make it safer.

This article was first published in February, 2019. It has been updated since that time.
Sometime in 2024, if all goes according to plan, the Biden administration should receive a sweet new ride: the future version of Air Force One. The current…

The new Air Force One arrives in 2024. Here’s what we know so far.

Glancing down at an analog gauge in your vehicle to see if you’re pushing the speed limit, or need to find a gas station, is a reliable method for finding the information you need while driving. But of course, in-vehicle screens have also been doing…

The coolest car screens and displays from CES

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is ground zero for showing off fancy new products and concepts that may or may not become a reality in your life in the near future. And nothing quite says “future” like an autonomous and electric flying pod that…

These new flying taxis offer a glimpse at our future commutes

The violent, deadly incursion into the Capitol last week produced a shocking stream of images, and among them was the bizarre sight of some people wearing spacesuit-like transparent pieces of gear over their heads.
For example, David Trone, a…

Those ‘gas masks’ at the Capitol were actually escape hoods

Living through a pandemic is stressful. Decisions that used to feel mundane—to get that haircut or not—become much more loaded when your health might hang in the balance. Finances are tight; jobs have disappeared; childcare and education have been in…

Stay calm under pressure with lessons learned in the world’s most stressful careers

In the world of aviation, the past year will be remembered for the far-reaching effects of one single devastating factor: the pandemic. COVID-19 spurred airlines to slash flights, retire old jets, and find value in flying cargo.
In addition to those…

These fascinating flying stories soared above a turbulent year

A new set of wheels perfectly captures the American ideals of freedom, independence, and capitalism. Less sexy and thrilling—though still important—are the little gadgets that can make the vehicle even more practical. If you know someone who bought a…

Gifts that every car owner should have

Professional caving means entering a world more dangerous than any well-trod tourist cavern. This burly gear will keep you safe as you venture into the dark.
Headgear
The tough thermoplastic shell on the 12-ounce Petzl Boreo Caving helmet will…

Going caving? Bring these essentials underground with you

The United States Air Force just hit a major milestone involving the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-controlled flight. A mission yesterday with a U-2 spy plane out of California saw an onboard AI system working together with a…

An AI just copiloted a U-2 spyplane for the very first time

1. For charging
The Coast Polysteel 600R has two possible power sources: four AA batteries or a 2,200-milliampere-hour rechargeable cell that can also power up other essential gadgets via its built-in USB port.
2. For huge spaces
A junk-drawer…

Treat yourself to a flashlight that’s not your phone

On a recent misty day in Manhattan, I hit 26 miles per hour or so on one of Harley-Davidson’s new e-bikes. I was on a bike trail on the west side of the island, a stretch of path that was either flat or slightly downhill. I felt my legs working, but…

First ride: Harley’s stylish new electric bicycles

Spending the night outside is fun. But doing it as comfortably and stylishly as possible is even better. For the outdoorsy person who still has their limits, car camping is a great way to get the best of both worlds. Unlike for a backpacking trip,…

Go camping in style and comfort with these gifts

The Zero FX electric motorcycle is an exciting machine with a top speed of 85 miles per hour and enough acceleration to frighten yourself if you twist aggressively enough on the throttle.
But as a relative beginner to the motorcycle world, I didn’t…

I rode an electric motorcycle for the first time. Here’s what I learned.

On October 14, 1947, a B-29 bomber dropped Chuck Yeager and his ride—the X-1—out of its bay and into the sky at 20,000 feet. This excursion, his ninth powered flight in the plane, would mark the moment that wrote the test pilot into the history books…

Chuck Yeager has died at 97, but the legacy of his record-breaking flight lives on

The coronavirus pandemic has spurred a well-documented surge in bike buying. By one measurement, retail sales of bicycles are up 68 percent this year as of October, compared to 2019, according to NPD, a market research firm. Sales of kid’s bikes did…

With no pedals, Specialized’s ultralight kid’s bike makes learning to ride easy

Customization, comfort, inclusivity, and environmental awareness are the buzzwords we kept coming back to for this year’s top sports and outdoor innovations. Outdoor activities and adventures should be accessible to everyone, and that means the…

The 8 most exciting sports and outdoor products of 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has been terrible for the commercial aviation industry, but that hasn’t stopped aerospace innovation from cruising along over the past year. The list below highlights a giant airliner with folding wingtips, a fighter-jet drone…

The most daring aerospace innovations of 2020

Last week, Singapore Airlines launched what is the longest regularly scheduled flight in the world—at least for the moment.
The ultra-long-haul trip is a nonstop connection between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Singapore’s…