As the coronavirus pandemic alters every facet of life and how industries around the globe operate, the aviation sector is trying to find its new normal. The Federal Aviation Administration has taken steps to address the heavily impacted operations of commercial carriers amid the coronavirus pandemic, and now, general aviation continues to ask for the same treatment as it provides vital services to the public and economy while fighting a worldwide crisis.

Eric Fanning, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association highlights the challenges facing aerospace suppliers in the civil aviation slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic. "They're not servicing the planes, so even the aftermarket has dried up," he said, noting that companies are motivated to protect jobs, but cash is running out.

Textron Aviation has contributed 2,500 N95 masks to first responders and health care providers in Kansas, in addition to 5,000 masks donated by the Wichita-based company last week. Textron also donated a variety of personal protection equipment, including lab coats, nitrile gloves, face shields and shoe covers.

Reading Regional Airport/Carl A. Spaatz Field in Bern Township, Pa., is Quest Diagnostics' flight operations headquarters, and the airport is averaging about 30 flights each week to bring coronavirus tests and other samples to laboratories. Specimens are arriving at the airport from around the country and then transported to testing labs, the closest of which is a 47-minute flight to Teterboro, N.J.

Quebec's MVT Geo-solutions has received Canada's first approval for commercial drone operations beyond line of sight with drones that will rely on detect-and-avoid sensors. The company will use fixed wing drones made by Applied Aeronautics that include Casia sensor systems made by Iris Automation.

Prince William may consider offering his services as an air ambulance pilot to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, particularly since his father, Prince Charles, was diagnosed with it. The British royal was trained as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force and has flown an air ambulance in the past.

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed new noise standards for supersonic aircraft, which would be required to allow the reintroduction of civil supersonic flight. "There is renewed interest in the development of supersonic aircraft, and the proposed regulations would facilitate the continued development of airplanes by specifying the noise limits for the designs," the FAA said.

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