Lilac Club Casino grand opening this week in New Hampshire

The new Lilac Club Casino in Rochester, N.H., held a special VIP ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday ahead of opening its doors to the public. The exclusive ribbon cutting welcomed local dignitaries, business leaders, and special guests to celebrate the unveiling of the new casino.

Lilac Club Casino will hold a grand opening to the public on Friday. The new location will operate under the state’s charitable gaming model. In New Hampshire, casinos must donate at least 35% of table game revenue to charities and nonprofits and 10% to the state and can retain the remaining share. There are no commercial/retail casinos in the state.

Spanning 32,000 square feet, the new Lilac Club Casino features over 200 exciting gaming machines and a wide variety of popular table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, a mix of Carnival Games with progressive jackpots and a 12-table Poker room. Guests can even try locally brewed New Hampshire beers on tap at Lucky Oak Bar & Grill.

The new facility is the second location for Granite State Gaming & Hospitality. The company has a casino in Hampton.

"We are truly honored to have celebrated this milestone with our fellow community leaders," said Eric Barbaro, chief operating officer of Granite State Gaming & Hospitality. "As we prepare for our grand opening, we are thrilled to welcome guests from near and far to experience everything our casino has to offer. Lilac Club Casino is more than just a business; it's a vital part of our community that will create jobs, foster local partnerships, and contribute to the region's growth. We are excited to play a role in the continued success of Rochester and look forward to serving our guests and community for many years to come."

The new casino expects to contribute an estimated $3 million each year to a projected 73 nonprofits in Rochester and surrounding communities while supporting up to 80 full- and part-time positions.

Will you sleep through the total lunar eclipse this week?

During the early morning hours of Friday, March 14, the Moon will enter Earth's shadow and appear red, a phenomenon known as a "blood moon.”

To see this event, you must be up at 2:26 a.m. EDT on Friday and have clear skies. A large portion of the U.S. population will probably be asleep during the eclipse.

For viewers on the U.S. East Coast, the eclipse begins at 12:55 a.m. with the Moon entering the “Deep Penumbral” stage of the eclipse. You won’t see much of a change in the Moon at this point. The first indication of Earth’s shadow covering the moon will occur around 1:47 a.m., entering the “umbra” stage.

The full eclipse phase will begin at 2:26 a.m., with the Greatest Eclipse point at 2:59 a.m., followed by the end of totality at 3:31 a.m.

The event will conclude with the Moon emerging from Earth’s shadow completely (Deep Penumbral) at 5:05 a.m.

Aircraft leased to China Airlines and EVA Air acquired by Phoenix Aviation Capital

Phoenix Aviation Capital, along with AIP Capital and LuminArx Capital Management, announced Monday that they have jointly acquired a portfolio of three Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

The portfolio includes two 2012 vintage Airbus A330-300 aircraft (MSN 1346 and 1367), both powered by GE CF6 engines and leased to China Airlines. The third aircraft, a 2015 vintage Airbus A330-300 (MSN 1690), is also powered by GE CF6 engines and leased to EVA Air.

"We are pleased to have executed this transaction with LuminArx," said Mathew Adamo, managing partner at AIP Capital and board member of Phoenix. "LuminArx was an exceptional partner – creative, solutions-oriented, and highly efficient in execution. Their ability to understand our position, then structure and close made this acquisition seamless. We look forward to building upon this successful partnership in the future."

"We are delighted to have partnered with AIP Capital to complete the financing for the purchase of these three aircraft," said Sanjeev Mordani, partner at LuminArx. "AIP's ability to navigate complex aviation transactions and find long-term value made them an invaluable partner in this acquisition. We found their hands-on approach and deep understanding of the aviation finance market instrumental. We look forward to expanding our collaboration and exploring new opportunities across adjacent asset classes."

Phoenix Aviation Capital is a full-service aircraft lessor. AIP Capital is a global alternative investment manager focused on opportunities in asset-based finance. LuminArx Capital Management is a global alternative investment manager.

Chasing the big win: Top jackpot slot games to watch in 2025

Online slots are hitting big jackpots just three months into the new year.

The allure of a big jackpot win draws many to the thrilling world of online slot games. As we look ahead to 2025, the landscape of these games is constantly evolving, with developers pushing the boundaries of innovation and offering increasingly enticing prize pools. So, which slot games are poised to be the top contenders for producing the biggest jackpots in 2025?

While predicting the future is never an exact science, we can identify a few games that are becoming popular and potentially deliver massive wins. New games like 12 Masks of Fire Drums and Fishin' Loaded Pots Gold Blitz Extreme have already awarded big jackpots in 2025. These games are likely to continue drawing players in with their promise of untold riches.

12 Masks of Fire Drums

Ranked No. 3 in the top new slot games chart published by Eilers Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC (EKG), 12 Masks of Fire Drums is a sizzling sequel to 9 Masks of Fire, released by Games Global. EKG’s Online Game Performance Report, published monthly, provides a look at the newest online slot games and ranks them based on performance.

The new 12 Masks of Fire Drums slot has a tropical/jungle theme with fast-paced gameplay.

Deep in the heart of the African Savannah, where the drums beat and the open fires burn, your goal is to collect masks to win up to 3,000x your bet.

The 5-reel, 3-row video slot game features powerful masks, blazing drums, and vibrant symbols that help uncover fortunes. The base game includes 20 paylines and up to 48 paylines in the Free Spins feature. Land on a few Wild symbols in the base game and randomly trigger the Epic Strike Bonus.

The Epic Strike Bonus is a tower that has 12 prize levels. Keep an eye out for dancing drums that will unlock free spins, expanding reels, and a chance to win big on the tower. And just to be clear, those blue gems thrown into the collection pot during gameplay are purely for visual entertainment. They do not influence the reward of a bonus feature.

Drumming Up Jackpots

In February, an online slot player in New Jersey hit a $50,120.00 jackpot playing 12 Masks of Fire Drums.

The minimum bet for the game is $0.20 and goes up to $80 per spin. The Epic Strike Tower can reach a grand prize of $240,000.

You can find 12 Masks of Fire Drums at Mohegan Sun, Tropicana, FanDuel, and other online casinos.

Game Developers Top New Slots

Beyond the established giants, keep an eye out for new releases from leading game developers like White Hat Studios, American Gaming Systems, and Games Global. These developers are currently ranked in the top five for new slots, according to the EKG report.

Top 5 New Slot Games Based on Performance

1. 7s Fire Blitz Hotstepper, supplier White Hat Studios
2. Straight Cash, supplier American Gaming Systems
3. 12 Masks of Fire Drums, supplier Games Global (New Jersey reported a $50,120.00 jackpot win in February.)
4. Fishin' Loaded Pots Gold Blitz Extreme, supplier Games Global (New Jersey reported a $107,676.00 jackpot win in January.)
5. Cerberus Gold, supplier Games Global

These companies are constantly innovating, introducing new themes, bonus features, and, of course, lucrative jackpot systems. Look for games with features like cascading reels, multipliers, and bonus rounds, as these often contribute to the potential for substantial wins.

Ultimately, the best jackpot slot for you will depend on your personal preferences, risk tolerance, and budget. Remember to always gamble responsibly and within your means.

Look for games with a high Return to Player (or RTP) percentage, which indicates the average amount of money a slot game pays back to players over time.

While no one can guarantee a jackpot win, knowing which games offer the biggest potential payouts can add an advantage to your online gaming experience. So, keep your eyes peeled for these top contenders in 2025, and who knows, you might just be the next big winner.

One moon landing in March isn’t enough; Athena prepares for touchdown this week

Carrying NASA technology demonstrations and science investigations, Texas-based Intuitive Machines is ready to perform its second Moon landing. The company put its first lander, Odysseus, on the Moon last year and performed experiments on the surface for six days. The new lander, Athena, will land on the Moon no earlier than 12:32 p.m. EST on Thursday.

Athena is slated to land in Mons Mouton, a lunar plateau near the Moon's South Pole. The unmanned robot lander is the third spacecraft actively heading for the moon. Firefly Aerospace, also based in Texas, successfully placed its Blue Ghost lander on the moon on Sunday. From Japan, a lander named Resilience carries a micro rover named Tenacious that will travel to the surface of the moon.

Intuitive Machines-2

The Intuitive Machines-2 mission for Athena was launched on Feb. 26 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lander is carrying NASA technology that will measure the potential presence of resources from lunar soil that could be extracted and used by future explorers to produce fuel or breathable oxygen.

A passive Laser Retroreflector Array on the top deck of the Athena lander will bounce laser light back at any orbiting or incoming spacecraft to give future spacecraft a permanent reference point on the lunar surface. Other technologies on the mission will demonstrate a robust cellular network to help future astronauts communicate and deploy a propulsive drone that can hop across the lunar surface to navigate its challenging terrain.

Commercial Lunar Payload Services

NASA continues to work with multiple American companies to deliver technology and science to the lunar surface through the agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. CLPS is a pool of companies that can bid on contracts for end-to-end lunar delivery services, including payload integration and operations, launching from Earth, and landing on the surface of the Moon. NASA's CLPS contracts are indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with a cumulative maximum value of $2.6 billion through 2028.

NASA awarded Intuitive Machines a $62.5 million contract to send NASA science investigations and technology demonstrations to the Moon using its American-designed and -manufactured lunar lander Nova-C.

Airborne weather surveillance contract announced for Space Force

The U.S. Space Force is seeking a contractor to provide airborne weather surveillance services for space launches from the Western Range located at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The military said in contract documents released Wednesday that the Western Range requires the capability to obtain aircraft flight services to support Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30) operations. Assigned to Space Systems Command and headquartered at Vandenberg, SLD 30 is responsible for all space launch operations from the U.S. West Coast.

The contractor will arrange for and provide an instrumented weather surveillance aircraft capable of operating under all weather conditions during day or night to an altitude of 32,000 feet (service ceiling), be able to attain speeds of 250 knots, and be able to descend to a hard deck of 3,000 feet MSL. The contractor will also have the capability to provide a second aircraft at the stand-by location as a backup to the primary aircraft.

The crew aboard the aircraft will provide weather observation data (e.g., cloud type, cloud base/height/ thickness/location, temperature, wind, turbulence, status of precipitation, lightning observations, etc.) to the Launch Weather Officer and/or Frontier Control for up to four hours.

Under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the contract will run from April 8, 2025, to April 7, 2028. The 30th Contracting Squadron (30 CONS) is managing the contract.

“The government will award one or more BPAs to the offeror(s) who provide prices that are deemed fair and reasonable,” the 30 CONS said in documents. Companies interested in providing the support are invited to respond with a quote by March 25.

Southwest Airlines eliminating 1,750 jobs

To create a leaner and more agile organization, Southwest Airlines announced on Monday they are planning a workforce reduction as part of the company’s transformation plan.

The workforce reduction of approximately 1,750 employee roles is focused almost entirely on corporate overhead and leadership positions and represents approximately 15% of corporate positions, including senior leadership and directors. Eleven senior leadership positions (Vice President and above), also representing 15% of the company's senior management committee, will be eliminated as part of this restructuring, the airline said in a company press release. The plan is to have the workforce reduction completed by the end of the second quarter of 2025.

Difficult Decisions

Southwest has been under pressure from key shareholders to make big changes in upper-level management.

"This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history, and change requires that we make difficult decisions,” said Bob Jordan, president, chief executive officer & vice chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” he added in a statement. “I arrived at this decision thoughtfully and carefully, knowing how hard it will be to say goodbye to colleagues who have been a significant part of our Southwest culture and accomplishments. I'm grateful to all Southwest employees who have shared in our legendary history and to those that will guide us into the next era of Southwest Airlines."  

Cost Saving

As a result of the workforce reduction, the company estimates partial-year 2025 savings to be approximately $210 million and full-year 2026 savings to be approximately $300 million.

These savings exclude an expected one-time charge in the first quarter of 2025 in the range of $60 million to $80 million, substantially all of which is related to severance payments and post-employment benefits, which the company expects to treat as a special item.

The company will continue to report on additional cost-saving actions as 2025 progresses.

In January, the airline announced the sale and leaseback of 36 Boeing 737-800 aircraft to generate cash. That announcement was followed by longtime leaders within the company announcing their retirement.

New CFO announced as part of Southwest Airlines’ transformational plan

Southwest Airlines Co. announced Tuesday that Tom Doxey has been named executive vice president & chief financial officer effective March 10, bringing extensive experience in aviation finance, operations, and strategic transformation.

"Tom's expertise in financial planning, fleet management, and operational leadership makes him a tremendous asset to our executive team as we drive progress on our transformational plan," said Bob Jordan, president, chief executive officer, & vice chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines. "We are confident that his experience in strategic transformation will be an asset as he builds upon our financial strength, operational excellence, and our deep commitment to our employees, the investment community, and our shareholders."

According to a CNBC article, the airline was facing pressure from activist Elliott Investment Management pushing for leadership changes at the company.

Last month, Southwest Airlines announced two of the company’s longtime executive officers have made plans to retire. Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Tammy Romo and Chief Administration Officer Linda Rutherford will retire from their positions effective April 1.

Doxey Experience

Doxey most recently served as President of Breeze Airways, where he led the airline through a successful transformation from a startup to profitability in under two years. Under his leadership, Breeze developed a strong guest-focused brand, launched a loyalty program and co-branded credit card, optimized its fleet and network, and became the country's largest NCAA basketball charter operator.

Before Breeze, Doxey held several leadership roles at United Airlines, including Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and CFO of Operations. At United, he oversaw global maintenance, supply chain, and engineering teams, managed a $5 billion budget, and led strategic initiatives, including a complex aircraft storage program during the global pandemic. He also led United's fleet transactions and planning teams and had financial oversight for United's $18 billion operations budget.

Doxey's aviation career began in financial planning and fleet management roles at Allegiant Air and US Airways, where he gained deep expertise in aircraft transactions, cost optimization, and corporate finance.

United Airlines service to Israel restarts among ceasefire in the region

United Airlines announced on Tuesday they plan to resume service to Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 15. The flights will depart from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. A second daily flight will begin March 29.

The restart of United flights to Israel follows an announcement that Hamas and Israel have entered phase two of a ceasefire and hostage release in the region. Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this week told reporters there are “no guarantees” the ceasefire will hold.

United’s decision to resume flights came following a detailed assessment of their operations.

“This resumption follows a detailed assessment of operational considerations for the region and close work with the unions who represent our flight attendants and pilots,” United Airlines said in a company press release. The flights will use Boeing 787-10 jets.

United has a longstanding commitment to serving Tel Aviv. “This return will make United the first U.S. airline to resume service this year,” the company said. “United also offers connections to Tel Aviv through partners including Lufthansa Group airlines. United will continue to evaluate opportunities to restore additional flights based on demand.”

Shareholders approve Boeing's purchase of Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., has announced that its shareholders have approved the proposed acquisition by The Boeing Company. The vote, held during a special meeting on Friday, signifies a major step forward for the planned transaction. This acquisition, initially announced in the summer, is now on track to reshape the landscape of the aerospace manufacturing industry.

The deal aims to bring Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier of aircraft structures, under Boeing's umbrella, aiming to streamline operations and enhance supply chain stability.

The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025, subject to closing conditions including the receipt of regulatory approvals.

"Our shareholders’ resounding approval today represents an important milestone in our carefully planned merger with Boeing," said Irene Esteves, Spirit AeroSystems chief financial officer. "As we continue executing our transition planning, we remain focused on Spirit's foundational principles of safety, compliance, and quality."

Spirit will continue to operate as an independent company until the transaction closes.

Regional passenger jet collides with Blackhawk helicopter in Washington, DC

A collision between a PSA Airlines regional jet and a Blackhawk helicopter on Wednesday is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

A Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet (tail number N709PS) operated by PSA Airlines collided in midair with a U.S. Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter (Flight ID: PAT25) while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday.

The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said they started receiving multiple calls for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River at 8:53 p.m. DC Fire and EMS, the MPD, and numerous partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River.

The flight-tracking website ADS-B Exchange provided a view of three helicopters searching the Potomac River near the airport.

“There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time,” MPD said in a statement.

The PSA Airlines jet was operating as American Eagle flight 5342 inbound to Reagan National Airport from Wichita, Kan. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB will investigate the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation.

Reagan National announced at 9:12 p.m. that all takeoffs and landings had been halted at the airport. “Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield,” airport officials said on X. “The terminal remains open.”

Big Bad Wolf slot game Huff N’ More Puff going online with FanDuel

FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino announced Monday that the highly popular Huff N’ More Puff slot game will be available online beginning next month.

The exclusive launch with FanDuel will make the game available online in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Ontario beginning Feb. 4. The slot has been very successful and popular at retail brick-and-mortar casino locations.

The online launch of Huff N' More Puff combines one of America's favorite slot games with some great promotions at FanDuel. Players join the Big Bad Wolf in a quest for prizes as he huffs and puffs to blow down houses to reveal rewards and prizes.

"The Huff N' Puff family of slots is one of the most popular slot series on the casino floor, and we are excited to bring it exclusively to FanDuel Casino customers," says Ian O'Reilly, FanDuel Casino Product Senior Director. "Offering our players beloved and exclusive games is a top priority for us, and bringing Huff N' Puff to FanDuel Casino helps us continue to grow our iGaming product while offering our players more ways to win."

YouTube gambler Vegas Matt, FanDuel Casino's ambassador, is ecstatic that one of the most popular slots in the world, Huff N' More Puff, is joining FanDuel Casino's exclusive game roster.

"I have been playing the Huff N'  Puff game family on the casino floor for years, and I am so excited I will now be able to play online at FanDuel Casino,” Vegas Matt said. “The game is virtually identical to the casino floor with one extremely exciting difference, you can buy a bonus. It's an absolute game changer."

"We are honored to partner with FanDuel Casino to bring the Huff N' Puff family of slot games to the iGaming space," says Dana Jackel, V.P. Commercial & U.S. Managing Director at Light & Wonder. "Creating immersive content that forges lasting connections with players is core to our DNA. The Huff N' Puff brand represents one of our top brick-and-mortar game families and we are ecstatic to work with FanDuel Casino to bring this series to life."

Big Bad Wolf Jackpots

A few Huff N’ Puff players started off the new year with big wins on New Jersey’s casino floors. According to the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement in Atlantic City, four jackpots have been paid to Huff N’ Puff players in 2025.

Jan. 3- A $49,098.12 jackpot was paid out at Ocean Casino Resort while playing Huff N Even More Puff.

Jan. 1- A $50,000.00 jackpot was paid out at Bally’s Atlantic City while playing Huff N Puff Money Mansion

Jan. 1- A $51,657.08 jackpot was paid out at Ocean Casino Resort while playing Huff N Even More Puff

Jan. 1- A $69,524.00 jackpot was paid out at Ocean Casino Resort while playing Huff N Even More Puff

New slot games ranked at US online casinos

We have our first look at the newest slot games available in 2025. Based on data compiled in December, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC (EKG) published its first monthly report for the new year that examines the U.S. online casino market.

EKG makes it clear the 77-page report is a “sample and may not be representative of the overall market.” The document tracks the performance of slot games, table games, video poker, and other online gaming, nearly 40% of the North American market. One section of the report looks at the newest online slot games and ranks them by performance. Let's look at a few games.

12 Masks of Fire Drums

This is the sizzling sequel to 9 Masks of Fire released by Games Global, a game supplier based in the Isle of Man. The new 12 Masks of Fire Drums slot has a tropical/jungle theme with fast-paced gameplay.

Deep in the heart of the African Savannah, where the drums beat and the open fires burn, your goal is to collect masks to win up to 3,000x your bet.

The 5-reel, 3-row video slot game features powerful masks, blazing drums, and vibrant symbols that help uncover fortunes. The base game includes 20 paylines and up to 48 paylines in the Free Spins feature. Land on a few Wild symbols in the base game and randomly trigger the Epic Strike Bonus.

The Epic Strike Bonus is a tower that has 12 prize levels. Keep an eye out for dancing drums that will unlock free spins, expanding reels, and a chance to win big on the tower. And just to be clear, those blue gems thrown into the collection pot are purely for visual entertainment and do not influence the reward of a bonus feature.

The minimum bet for the slot is $0.20 and goes up to $80 per spin. The Epic Strike Tower can reach a grand prize of $240,000.

12 Masks of Fire Drums is ranked No. 1 in EKG’s January Online Game Performance Report. You can find the game at Mohegan Sun, Tropicana, FanDuel, and other online casinos.

Cerberus Gold

The fiery heat continues with Cerberus Gold, a new slot ranked No. 2 in the EKG report.

This is a trip into the fiery abyss of the underworld, where the three-headed guardian Cerberus Gold awaits. Dare to brave the flames, ignite the fury, and conquer the underworld’s treacherous trials for unimaginable riches. Or do you just want to play a good slot game?

During gameplay, you will come across orange, yellow, and purple coins. These coins are automatically fed to the three-headed beast. Each coin will spark fury within the beast, igniting a symphony of fireballs, multipliers, and spine-chilling LockNWins. That just means you could win a lot, maybe a jackpot.

The game has a Micro, Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega jackpot. The minimum bet for Cerberus Gold is $0.20 and goes up to $50. But beware of the seething rage of Cerberus’s heads, for with every growl they unleash chaos upon the reels promising untamed thrills and untold riches.

Cerberus Gold can be found at Tropicana, Mohegan Sun, FanDuel, William Hill, Resorts Atlantic City, BetMGM, and other online casinos.

The Goonies Megaways

The Goonies Megaways is a 6-reel slot game ranked No. 4 in EKG’s report. The game is based on the cult movie of the same name, The Goonies. It has never appeared in the EKG report. None of the slot games mentioned in this post have ever appeared in the EKG report.

The original Goonies slot game has been out for a while, but this new version has Megaways. The difference is that the number of symbols on each reel changes randomly from one spin to the next, up to a maximum of seven symbols per reel. This means there are different ways to win with every spin.

Slot players can run wild in this game with Mikey, Data, and Sloth in this great coming-of-age adventure with up to 15,625 ways to win. It will make you feel like it's 1985 all over again.

Skull and crossbones, doubloons, and high card symbols appear in the game against a treasure map backdrop. Keep an “eye out” for the character One-Eyed Willy, he has all the bonuses for you. See what I did there?

The minimum bet for this game is $0.10 and goes up to $25 per spin.

You can find The Goonies Megaways at FanDuel, William Hill, and other online casinos.

Keep in mind when looking at these games, West Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are the only states that have regulated online casinos. It means online casinos are legal in those states only.

Until next time, happy spinning.

Audio recording of fatal plane crash near Charlottesville, Virginia

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash of a single-engine plane near Charlottesville, Va.

In a post on X, the agency said a Beech V35B plane (tail number N2UZ) crashed in northern Albemarle County on Saturday. Local news reports state the crash site is located just off East Monacan Drive. The pilot, the only person aboard the plane, died in the accident.

An audio recording of communications between Charlottesville Airport and the pilot posted to the Internet provided some details before the crash. The pilot reported an emergency 10 miles south of Charlottesville's airport.

“Declaring an emergency,” the pilot reported. “I’m 10 miles south. Just lost my engine. I hope I make the airport.”

Charlottesville airport tower gave Highway 29 and a few golf courses in the area as alternate landing spots if he didn’t reach the airport.

“2 Uniform Zulu is not gonna make it,” the pilot reported. “I’m gonna go for a field in front of me. Three or four miles south of the airport.”

Watching air traffic control radar in the tower, Charlottesville controllers asked two pilots flying in the local area to begin searching for the aircraft on the ground. One of those aircraft was the Civil Air Patrol trained in search and rescue.

Fire and rescue units found the aircraft later. The plane was destroyed by a post-crash fire.

The plane is registered to Brent E. Hippert of Titusville, Fla., according to Federal Aviation Administration records. The pilot was enroute to Charlottesville from Richmond County Airport, N.C.

Premier Private Jets purchases Aviation Sales Inc. FBO in Dayton

Premier Private Jets, a provider of charter flights, airport services, and maintenance, is significantly expanding its presence at its Dayton, Ohio, hub with the acquisition of Aviation Sales Incorporated (ASI), a fixed-base operator (FBO) at James M. Cox Dayton International Airport. The announcement, made on Thursday, marks a strategic move to enhance service capabilities and customer experience in the region.

“With the acquisition of ASI, we'll have more capacity and capability for maintenance customers, local operators, and transient traffic,” stated Premier's CEO Josh Birmingham in a company press release. He emphasized the importance of ASI's experienced staff, adding, "An FBO is more than fuel trucks and a lounge. It is the dedicated employees who understand safe and proper aircraft handling and create a great customer experience and repeat business. We will have that with ASI."

This acquisition builds upon Premier's commitment to Dayton, following its late 2023 purchase of a major maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) base previously slated for closure. Premier successfully revitalized the MRO, preserving jobs and establishing a comprehensive service center offering airframe, engine, avionics, paint, and interior services. The MRO boasts a growing network of upgrade supplier relationships, featuring the latest Garmin and Universal flight deck systems, Blackhawk engine upgrades, and Raisbeck modifications.

The existing, smaller FBO at the MRO base will be integrated into the larger ASI facility this month, offering a broader range of services to customers. ASI, with 67 years of experience at Dayton, brings to Premier a substantial 20,000 square feet of hangar and office space alongside 195,000 square feet of ramp space.

The acquired facility will be led by General Manager Matthew Spaugy. Beyond serving its existing clientele, Premier plans to leverage the expanded capabilities to support larger, commercial-sized aircraft, including those anticipated for sports team charters visiting Dayton for the upcoming NCAA Final Four in March. To accommodate these larger aircraft, Premier is investing in equipment such as belt loaders, air stairs, large de-icing equipment, and additional ground power units.

The new facility will become a key component of the PremierFBO network, joining its existing location at Oakland County International Airport in Pontiac, Mich. Premier also maintains a smaller MRO facility in Stuart, Fla., where the company is headquartered.

New piggy online slot game exclusively live with DraftKings and Golden Nugget

The lovable pig has been a popular theme when it comes to slot machines and online casinos. Play'n GO, a leading game supplier based in Malta announced Wednesday they have released a new addition to its Piggy Blitz online slot game series, Piggy Blitz Disco Gold.

As the disco ball spins, watch them collect Cash Coins and pile up Instant Rewards in a high-stakes dance-off. The groove never stops with a soundtrack that pumps up the excitement and visuals that light up the screen.

For now, Piggy Blitz Disco Gold brings its vibrant disco-themed gameplay exclusively to DraftKings and Golden Nugget online casinos. With a 6x4 screen layout, this slot invites players onto a neon-lit dance floor alongside groovy, disco-loving piggies, offering a blend of classic slot mechanics with exciting new features.

Prepare to be immersed in an 80s-inspired disco atmosphere, where opportunities for substantial wins are coupled with engaging bonus features. Piggy Blitz Disco Gold utilizes Cash Coins, Piggy Banks, and the coveted Gold Piggy Feature, ensuring dynamic gameplay with every spin. This isn't just another slot game; it's a high-energy experience designed to keep players on the edge of their seats.

Key features of Piggy Blitz Disco Gold include:

Cash Coins: Accumulate these to win prizes up to 1,000 times your initial stake, adding an immediate reward layer to the base game.

Gold Piggy Feature: Trigger this feature for the chance to unlock significant prizes, with potential payouts reaching up to 5,000 times your stake.

Free Spins with Choice: Players have the unique option to select their preferred free spin mode, choosing between Blitz Spinz, Free Spinz, or Mystery Spinz, each offering its distinct spin on gameplay.

Don’t miss out on the chance to experience this exciting new slot release. Join the party, hit the reels, and discover the potential for big wins within the disco-infused world of Piggy Blitz Disco Gold. Start your dance-off today.

Legal Online Casinos in The U.S.

With more than 350 premium titles in its portfolio, Play'n GO delivers games to regulated casino operators in more than 30 Jurisdictions.

Seven states in the U.S. have regulated online casinos, they are New Jersey, Michigan, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and Rhode Island. In the meantime, all 50 states have been flooded with sweepstakes casinos over recent years.

Sweepstakes casino operators aren’t regulated, licensed, or subject to gaming taxes. These websites are operated by companies outside the United States, also referred to as offshore websites. These sites have become a multibillion-dollar industry operating in a legally “gray area” of the United States.

Social sweepstakes casino platform SweepX now live at GoldRushCity.com

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) announced Monday that its pioneering social sweepstakes casino platform SweepX is now live with new partner Primero under the goldrushcity.com brand.

Tailored to meet the growing demand in the U.S. sweepstakes market, SweepX offers a dual-wallet system, prize-redemption management, and GiG’s advanced AI-assisted content management technology, giving operators a significant edge. This revolutionary solution has been crafted to drive growth and boost player engagement across social sweepstakes gaming. SweepX delivers a comprehensive turnkey solution for social casinos, combining market-leading front-end capabilities with a bespoke CMS and tailored content integrations. Designed to empower operators to accelerate online growth, SweepX offers unparalleled speed to market.

Now live, SweepX seamlessly integrates GiG’s proven iGaming platform—operational across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America—with a custom-built sweepstakes front-end, an AI-enhanced gamification layer, and one of the largest sweepstakes casino content libraries in the industry.

Sector Growth

The sweepstakes gaming sector saw tremendous growth in 2023 and continues to rise, with the market valued at $5.6 billion. Projections estimate the sector will grow at a +43% CAGR, reaching $11.4 billion by 2025, according to data compiled by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG).

Richard Carter, chief executive officer at GiG said; “The launch of SweepX marks a pivotal leap forward for GiG, strategically leveraging our pioneering technology within online social casino gaming and positioning us with a leading position in the market. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to SweepX since its announcement has strengthened our belief in its potential to revolutionize the Social Sweepstakes Casino market, with an emphasis on providing the most entertaining and safe environments for players and operators alike, further fueling our ambitious strategic plans for growth.”

Barry Rutherford, chief executive officer at Primero, added; “GiG’s world-class platform provides us with the ability to deliver a richer variety of content and an unrivaled player experience. Its flexibility and innovation ensure that we can adapt to the ever-evolving demands of the market while offering seamless performance and engagement for our players. By combining GiG’s cutting-edge technology with our unique and highly effective player acquisition strategy, we’re setting a new benchmark for excellence in the U.S. market. Furthermore, this partnership positions us ideally to scale and succeed in iGaming markets worldwide, leveraging GiG’s expertise to deliver an exceptional end-to-end gaming experience across all touchpoints."

Not all Roulette table games are created equal

Okay, buckle up folks. We are about to dive headfirst into the chaotic, spinning world of Roulette. This game can be thrilling and utterly baffling at the same time.

Roulette is a sophisticated game of "Where will this tiny ball decide to land and completely ruin my carefully laid financial plans?" Step one: Don’t do that.

Little Old Me

I’ve been writing this blog for over 10 years, covering various topics (aviation, industry, government, space, and stocks). It’s time to try something a little different. I’m taking a gamble, and it’s just for fun.

I’ve been covering the gambling “industry” for quite a while. But I’d say this is the first time I’m stepping into the “how to” arena and talking from my personal experience.

You really should look at the world of gambling as just fun. It’s not a way to make money or get rich. Years ago, a dealer at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races said, “Not one game in this casino is designed for you to win.” Which is true. But you can get lucky, right?

So, you are ready for a night on the town and a visit to your local casino. How much money should you bring to a casino? That’s usually the first question a person asks if they have never been to a casino before or gambled. The simple answer is to bring money that you are willing to lose with no negative impact on you. We all know people can get carried away.

We all spend money, and we all spend it in different places. But I challenge you to visit a local sporting event, music concert, grocery store, or winery and walk away with an extra $100 in your pocket after a complimentary dinner.

Gambling is for fun and entertainment, not a way to make money or get rich. About Roulette, it's a mesmerizing ballet of chance, performed by a spinning wheel and a tiny defiant sphere. You, the hopeful participant, are left to wager bets on which pocket, or number, this rebellious little marble will choose as its temporary landing pad. Just pick a number or a group of numbers. Where is this ball going to land? There are so many options that it's like trying to choose what to have for dinner in a supermarket the size of Texas.

You can bet on a color: red, black, or green. Even or odd numbers. Or a specific number that, for some reason, you feel is lucky. Or you could just go completely rogue and play the corners – because, why not? How about playing it safe?

What if I told you a player can cover 32 out of 37 numbers on the wheel with only eight chips? That’s covering over 80% of the wheel. Ok, too early for that. I was never good at math either. More on that later.

The best part about roulette? The suspense, of course. That moment when the ball slows down and bounces around like it's playing hopscotch, and you hold your breath, convinced you’ve finally cracked the code, only to have it land on the one number you didn’t bet on. Ah, the sweet taste of defeat. It's a humbling experience. But let's not get all negative. People do win playing Roulette.

How To Play

So how do you play Roulette? Before you start playing, let's go over bankroll management. Your bankroll is the money you have with you to gamble. Again, just make sure it's money you are willing to lose.

So, let's say you have $500 with you. Each Roulette table will have limits on how much you can bet, known as a minimum and maximum. Minimum bets can start anywhere from $1 to $25, and maximums can reach $100 to $300.

You will exchange your money for chips at the table. Always put the money down on the table. Do not hand it directly to the dealer. Your transaction is with the casino, not the dealer. They can’t take it from your hand. Make sense?

Time to play. Pick a number, any number; pick two, pick three, or pick a group of numbers. When the little defiant sphere, also known as the Roulette ball, drops into one of your numbers on the wheel, you win. You are picking numbers in hopes that the ball lands on the one you picked.

The Dreaded Betting System

There are a million ways to play Roulette. Don't even get me started on the betting "systems." The Martingale, the Fibonacci, or the guy that says, "Trust me, I've seen this work before.” All gamblers have a betting system. Name one that doesn’t.

Do I use a betting system? Sure, I do. And you will too. Most so-called “professional gamblers” say betting systems don’t work. They will claim they don’t use betting systems. Sorry, everyone has a system. They just don’t agree with your system, but we all use them. Think about it.

Betting systems all sound so promising on paper. In practice, they tend to drain your wallet faster than a toddler with a juice box. But hey, who am I to judge? Chasing a win is part of the fun, isn’t it? It’s like a beautiful (and sometimes expensive) train wreck in slow motion. But yes, you can be a winner at Roulette.

Single Zero, Double Zero, Triple Zero

As mentioned earlier, not one casino game is designed for you to win, and not all roulette tables are created equal. You can still win, and people do, occasionally, but the casino always has the advantage, properly referred to as the “house edge.”

There are three variations of the Roulette table in casinos. Once you do find a table, check and see if the wheel has a single green zero, a double green zero, or a triple green zero. Each table has a different house edge. The best one to play is a single-zero table; it has the lowest house edge. They are becoming increasingly difficult to find these days.

Single Zero Roulette – House Edge 2.7%

Double Zero Roulette – House Edge 5.3%

Triple Zero Roulette – House Edge 7.69%

Five Street Bet

Let's talk about a few wagers you can try with the best chance of winning. I’m just going to call this first one Five Street Bet. With this bet, you are covering 30 numbers on a single zero wheel with five chips (See image below).

One chip covers 4 through 9, one covers 10 through 15, one covers 16 through 21, one covers 22 through 27, and the last covers 28 through 31.

Betting a total of $5.00 will win 6.00 ($1.00 profit). Of course, the more you bet, the more you win. You can also play this bet on double zero and triple zero tables unless it’s an Electronic Table Game (ETG) or online. Some ETGs and online casinos won’t even allow this bet.

The 8 Chip Bet

We’ll call this The 8 Chip Bet. This is the wager I mentioned earlier. The 8 Chip Bet will cover 32 numbers on a single zero wheel with eight chips. Three chips in the 13-24 second dozen, three chips in the 25-36 third dozen, and one chip on the 7, 8, 10, 11 corner, and one on the 2, 3, 5, and 6 corner (see image below).

Betting a total of $8.00 will win $9.00 ($1.00 profit). Again, the more you bet, the more you win. Once again, some ETGs and online casinos won’t even allow this bet.

These are just some easy bets to have fun with while playing Roulette. Experiment with different bets yourself.

Roulette Spy

So, the next time you find yourself near a Roulette table, go ahead and look (single zero wheel? double zero?), then take a spin.

Always remember that the odds are stacked against you. There is still a chance for a win, big or small. Just enjoy the dizzying spectacle of chance, the nail-biting anticipation, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll walk away with a great story to tell.

Northern Jet strengthens operations with Part 145 Repair Station acquisition

Following a year of significant fleet expansion with the addition of seven charter jets in 2024, Northern Jet has further solidified its commitment to the industry by acquiring a Part 145 Repair Station. The move allows the private jet travel company to perform in-house aircraft maintenance, inspections, and alterations.

The Part 145 certification signifies that Northern Jet's maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) practices meet the rigorous standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding personnel qualifications and facility requirements. This acquisition not only enhances Northern Jet's internal maintenance capacity but also fosters a transparent relationship with the FAA.

By internalizing more maintenance operations, Northern Jet is poised to streamline processes, further improving service delivery. The reduced dependence on external MRO facilities will enable faster response times, greater efficiency, and enhanced control over maintenance quality.

WestJet adds seasonal Calgary-LaGuardia flights, boosting New York options

Great news for travelers planning a summer escape. WestJet has announced a new seasonal route connecting Calgary International Airport (YYC) directly to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), expanding options for flights to the Big Apple.

This new service complements WestJet's existing year-round flights between Calgary and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), providing even more flexibility for travel plans.

Starting May 24, you can enjoy a direct flight from Calgary to LaGuardia, making it easier than ever to experience the magic of New York City. Whether you're dreaming of catching a Broadway show, exploring Central Park, or cheering on the Yankees, this new route offers a convenient gateway to all the city has to offer.

"There is a significant appetite for flights to New York, either for visiting the city itself to watch a Broadway show, concert, catch a Yankees game, visit Central Park, or just to connect onward," said Daniel Fajardo, WestJet vice-president of Network and Schedule Planning. "The addition of this route boosts our ability to meet this demand and provide guests with more options."

The seasonal service will operate once weekly, with flights departing Calgary at 8:15 a.m. and arriving at LaGuardia at 3:05 p.m. Return flights leave LaGuardia at 4:00 p.m. and arrive in Calgary at 7:35 p.m. This route is available for travel between May 24 and Aug. 30. Don't forget, WestJet's year-round service from Calgary to JFK remains in place, offering even more travel flexibility.

Tickets for the Calgary-LaGuardia route go on sale starting Jan. 20. Be sure to book early to secure your spot on this popular route for the summer months.

Now with over 180 aircraft and 100 destinations, WestJet continues to be a leading choice for air travel.

Two lunar landers on their way to the moon

Like turning back in time, before the Apollo missions, two robotic lunar landers were sent into space on Wednesday to land on the moon before NASA sends astronauts.  Have you heard this story before?

A Falcon 9 rocket, developed by SpaceX, was successfully launched on Wednesday at 1:11 a.m. EST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The vehicle carried Blue Ghost, a lander developed by Texas-based Firefly Aerospace, and Resilience, a lander developed by Japan-based company ispace. The mission will also carry out experiments for NASA.

Firefly’s Blue Ghost commercial lander is designed to carry customer experiments to the Moon. For this first mission, the lander is carrying out 10 NASA science and technology investigations as part of the agency's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative.

Now in space after a successful launch, Resilience and Blue Ghost will spend approximately 45 days in transit to the Moon before landing on the surface.

The Blue Ghost lander will test and demonstrate lunar subsurface drilling technology, regolith sample collection capabilities, global navigation satellite system abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation methods.

The approximately 60-day mission for Blue Ghost will be operated from Firefly’s Mission Operations Center in Cedar Park, Texas. The mission will land near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a more than 300-mile-wide basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon's near side.

From Japan, the Resilience lander carries a micro rover named Tenacious that will travel to the surface of the moon.

The NASA scientific investigations and technology demonstrations aboard Blue Ghost will provide insights into the Moon's environment that will support future astronaut landings.

Firefly is targeting a lunar landing on March 2 for Blue Ghost.

Following the launch, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said each scientific instrument and technology demonstration on these missions brings the agency closer to its vision.

"Each flight we're part of is vital step in the larger blueprint to establish a responsible, sustained human presence at the Moon, Mars, and beyond,” Melroy said.

Ten NASA payloads are flying on this mission under the CLPS program:

• Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity will characterize heat flow from the interior of the Moon by measuring the thermal gradient and conductivity of the lunar subsurface. It will take several measurements to about a 10-foot final depth using pneumatic drilling technology with a custom heat flow needle instrument at its tip. Lead organization: Texas Tech University
• Lunar PlanetVac is designed to collect regolith samples from the lunar surface using a burst of compressed gas to drive the regolith into a sample chamber for collection and analysis by various instruments. Additional instrumentation will then transmit the results back to Earth. Lead organization: Honeybee Robotics
• Next Generation Lunar Retroreflector serves as a target for lasers on Earth to precisely measure the distance between Earth and the Moon. The retroreflector that will fly on this mission could also collect data to understand various aspects of the lunar interior and address fundamental physics questions. Lead organization: University of Maryland
• Regolith Adherence Characterization (RAC) will determine how lunar regolith sticks to a range of materials exposed to the Moon's environment throughout the lunar day. The RAC instrument will measure accumulation rates of lunar regolith on the surfaces of several materials including solar cells, optical systems, coatings, and sensors through imaging to determine their ability to repel or shed lunar dust. The data captured will allow the industry to test, improve, and protect spacecraft, spacesuits, and habitats from abrasive regolith. Lead organization: Aegis Aerospace
• Radiation Tolerant Computer (RadPC) will demonstrate a computer that can recover from faults caused by ionizing radiation. Several RadPC prototypes have been tested aboard the International Space Station and Earth-orbiting satellites but now will demonstrate the computer's ability to withstand space radiation as it passes through Earth's radiation belts, while in transit to the Moon, and on the lunar surface. Lead organization: Montana State University
• Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) is an active dust mitigation technology that uses electric fields to move and prevent hazardous lunar dust accumulation on surfaces. The EDS technology is designed to lift, transport, and remove particles from surfaces with no moving parts. Multiple tests will demonstrate the feasibility of the self-cleaning glasses and thermal radiator surfaces on the Moon. In the event the surfaces do not receive dust during landing, EDS can re-dust itself using the same technology. Lead organization: NASA's Kennedy Space Center
• Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager will capture a series of X-ray images to study the interaction of solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field that drives geomagnetic disturbances and storms. Deployed and operated on the lunar surface, this instrument will provide the first global images showing the edge of Earth's magnetic field for critical insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces surrounding our planet impact it. Lead organizations: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Boston University, and Johns Hopkins University
• Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder will characterize the structure and composition of the Moon's mantle by measuring electric and magnetic fields. This investigation will help determine the Moon's temperature structure and thermal evolution to understand how the Moon has cooled and chemically differentiated since it formed. Lead organization: Southwest Research Institute
• Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) will demonstrate the possibility of acquiring and tracking signals from Global Navigation Satellite System constellations, specifically GPS and Galileo, during transit to the Moon, during lunar orbit, and on the lunar surface. If successful, LuGRE will be the first pathfinder for future lunar spacecraft to use existing Earth-based navigation constellations to autonomously and accurately estimate their position, velocity, and time. Lead organizations: NASA Goddard, Italian Space Agency
• Stereo Camera for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies will use stereo imaging photogrammetry to capture the impact of rocket plume on lunar regolith as the lander descends on the Moon's surface. The high-resolution stereo images will aid in creating models to predict lunar regolith erosion, which is an important task as bigger, heavier payloads are delivered to the Moon near each other. This instrument also flew on Intuitive Machine's first CLPS delivery. Lead organization: NASA's Langley Research Center

NASA has already awarded 11 CLPS deliveries and plans to continue to select two more flights per year.

Condor airline selects new terminal at JFK for service in 2026

JFK Millennium Partners, the company chosen by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to build and operate the new Terminal 6 (T6) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), announced on Monday that Condor airline has selected the new facility for its future operations.

Condor joins a growing list of award-winning, international carriers who have chosen to make the new T6 their future home at JFK, including Air Canada, Aer Lingus, ANA, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Norse Atlantic Airways and SWISS.

Terminal 6 is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, with two new terminals, two expanded and modernized terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network.

Condor, which has been serving the JFK market since 2014, operates year-round service from JFK Terminal 7 to Frankfurt, Germany using its Airbus A330neo aircraft in a three-cabin configuration.

"Condor has been an excellent partner at T7, and we are thrilled that they've put their trust in our JMP team once again by joining us in the new T6," said Steve Thody, CEO, JFK Millennium Partners.

The plan is to have the first T6 gates open in early 2026.

"As New York/JFK is one of our most important North American gateways, we are extremely thrilled to be moving into the new, state-of-the art T6," said Mikko Turtiainen, director of sales, The Americas, Condor. "Condor passengers will also enjoy seamless connections to our partner JetBlue's Terminal 5 operations, located just a short walk from T6 gates."

About JFK Terminal 6

Currently under construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 6 is being developed in two phases, with the first six gates opening in 2026 and construction completion expected by 2028. Terminal 6 features include:

• 10 gates, of which nine will accommodate widebody aircraft
• State-of-the-art automated baggage system, customs/border control facilities, and the latest TSA screening technologies
• One of the longest departures curbs at JFK, with airline-branded passenger drop-off zones
• Multiple airline lounges, in addition to a new arrivals lounge
• A new ground transportation center
• A curated collection of New York City-inspired artwork featuring local and international artists, curated by the Public Art Fund in partnership with JMP and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
• Sustainably sourced building materials, rooftop solar power, and energy-efficient systems and operating practices throughout the terminal
• Sustainability certifications for LEED (silver or gold), Envision, and SITES underway