Short Takes Page 4 - Southern California Aviation United Working Group

“Supporting Airports, Strengthening Communities”

Aviation Short Takes

Pertinent Comments about current events

Aviation Short Takes is designed as a Comment & News area. The opinions and news about important aviation matters developing today can be read here.

Do you have relevant comments concerning Airspace Design and/or Aviation Safety that you feel others can benefit from? For instance, do you have a recommendation for us to link to? Please let me know! Use scauwg@earthlink.net and address your input to Ron Berinstein, webmaster. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Opinions and views expressed in the following commentary are those of the authors &/or publishers alone; and may or may not reflect SCAUWG.ORG.

This page (Page 4) was added on 06/29/2025. To view prior commentary, see "Short Takes Page 3."

Let's Begin:

09/25/2025 We recently added the following items to the Airport News and New Resources page on the FAA website:

Airport Improvement Program

2025 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants Announced (as of September 18, 2025)

Buy American Waivers Issued and Open for Comment

Airports Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) Program

Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) Location Inventory (as of 9/12/2025)

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

Updated Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Frequently Asked Questions

Part 139 Airport Certification

Updated Part 139 Airport Certification Status List (as of September 4, 2025)

Planning & Capacity

Final Calendar Year 2024 Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) data

Final Calendar Year 2024 All-Cargo Airports by Landed Weight

Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Program

Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States, 1990 - 2024

Celebrate ACRP Day on September 26!

Over the last 20 years, the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has produced more than 700 research projects for the benefits of U.S. airports and airport industry practitioners. ACRP is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration and managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). Learn more about the 20th anniversary celebration.

Thank you! - FAA Office of Airports

09/25/2025 U.S. Questions ICAO Safety Priorities - From AVweb - "Duffy raises ICAO safety concerns, says group must return to core mission. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday criticized the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for what he described as straying from its primary mission and urged reforms to refocus on safety and security. - Speaking at the group’s triennial assembly in Montreal, Duffy said the United Nations aviation body has “extended itself far beyond its proper mandate—wasting critical resources on social programs or climate financing initiatives that have nothing to do with the safety, security and efficiency of the global air transportation system,” Reuters reported. - He also said that U.S. support for ICAO in the future will be weighed against how the country views the organization’s progress towards reform." Full Story Here.

09/22/2025 Aviation Funding Stability Act introduced - From General Aviation News - "Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), the former ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Andre Carson (IN-7), a member of the Aviation Subcommittee, introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act on Sept. 18, 2025, a measure that would allow the FAA to keep all of its programs running and all of its employees working by drawing from its Airports and Airways Trust Fund during any lapse in typical government appropriations. The current temporary budget agreement ends Sept. 30. - Under the current proposal, the FAA’s authorization to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund during a shutdown will be permitted only for up to 30 days if no appropriations bill is enacted, rather than for an indefinite period." Finish Reading Here.

09/21/2025 Wisk’s Self-Flying Air Taxi Could Land in Fullerton - From FLYING - "Boeing’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) arm enters a partnership with the California city. - Boeing’s dreams of self-flying aircraft grew closer to fruition this week after another city signed on to explore autonomous commercial operations. - Wisk Aero, the manufacturer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi arm, on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership with the city of Fullerton, California, under which it plans to explore future autonomous infrastructure and routes out of Fullerton Municipal Airport (KFUL).

Fullerton joins Miami, Sugar Land, Texas, Brisbane, Australia, Kaga City, Japan, and nearby Long Beach as cities that have agreed to study Wisk’s self-flying Generation 6. The developer also has a partnership with Houston Airports and is working with FBO network Signature Aviation to install infrastructure at Signature’s terminals in Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, and elsewhere." Read the whole story Here.

09/21/2025 - From GPS Innovation Alliance - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 18, 2025 -]"Contact: gpsia@clyde.us - - Leading Industry Associations Urge Immediate Action to Address GPS Jamming and Spoofing - Coalition letter calls on the Departments of Defense and Transportation to address growing threats from harmful GPS interference occurring outside conflict zones - Signatories represent leaders in GPS, aviation, automotive, the business community, maritime, satellite, and public safety.

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2025) – A group of leading associations called on the Departments of Defense and Transportation to take immediate action to address the growing threat of GPS signal jamming and spoofing. This represents the most significant statement yet made on jamming and spoofing by key U.S. industries that rely on GPS to function, drawing attention to the critical role GPS plays in ensuring U.S. economic prosperity, public safety, and national security.

A letter signed by the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA), Aircraft Electronics Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l., Airlines for America, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc., BoatU.S., General Aviation Manufacturers Association, National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Business Aviation Association, Satellite Industry Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warns that harmful interference to GPS—once largely confined to conflict zones—is increasingly affecting civil operations in the transportation industry, as well as commerce conducted in international airspace and waters. Decisive actions by the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation can ensure that the U.S. military and commercial industries that operate in the National Airspace, rely on the maritime industry’s safe transit through international waters and its ability to load and unload goods in ports, or depend on the operations of other GPS-enabled industries remain safe and commerce is unimpeded. The signatories stand ready to work with the Trump Administration to address these challenges to U.S. national security, public safety, and economic prosperity.

What’s at stake for the U.S. economy? GPS is a key enabler of a modern aviation system that drove 5% of U.S. GDP in 2024, or $1.45 trillion, and a ports and maritime industry that contributed $2.9 trillion that same year – nearly 10% of GDP. With more than six billion GPS-enabled devices and receivers used by people around the world, GPS has contributed more than $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy. And economic security is national security: The transportation industry is a key partner in the U.S. military’s logistics dominance.

Read the coalition letter to Secretaries Hegseth and Duffy here.

The associations emphasize the critical role of GPS in modern defense, aviation, maritime operations, and commerce. Since its introduction in 1993, GPS has revolutionized industries. The system operates at a 99.99% availability rate and has never experienced an outage. However, GPS programmatic challenges remain unaddressed: on-orbit satellites are years beyond their design life, ground system upgrades continue to be delayed, and the absence of counter-spoofing capabilities leave the system susceptible to growing threats. The coalition urges decisive action by the Departments of Defense and Transportation to modernize GPS, which will strengthen national security and public safety and ensure the United States remains resilient to jamming and spoofing threats.

“Airlines rely on GPS every day to deliver passengers and cargo safely and efficiently, both in the United States and around the world," said Airlines for America Vice President, Safety & Technical Operations Justin W. Madden. "Protecting GPS from interference is essential to ensuring continued safety, efficiency, and reliability in aviation operations. Airlines for America is proud to join this coalition in urging swift action to safeguard this vital resource."

“GPS is the backbone of modern defense, transportation, and commercial operations and fuels economic prosperity,” said Lisa Dyer, Executive Director of the GPS Innovation Alliance. “The United States has the technological know-how and expertise to accelerate GPS modernization and resiliency and preserve the nation’s and the international community’s longstanding trust in GPS.”

"GPS technology has long been essential, not just for business aviation, but more broadly, for the nation's economy, transportation, defense and other critical functions," said National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Jamming, spoofing and other intentional disruptions to GPS pose a serious threat to safety, security and reliability. NBAA joins with the other organizations in partnering with the GPS Innovation Alliance to urge government leaders to work together on upgrades, investments and other approaches for hardening the technology from interference by nefarious actors."

The signatories look forward to working with the Departments of Defense and Transportation and other members of the Trump administration to advance GPS resilience. By taking action now, the nation’s leaders can strengthen the U.S. economy, advance transportation safety and efficiency, and further deter actors who have attempted to harm our national security and economic prosperity.

09/21/2025

"On July 18, 2025, passenger jet CO₂ emissions hit a record high, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Bad news for sustainability? Not entirely. - Here’s the surprising part: airlines have improved fuel efficiency by 7.4% per seat kilometer, which is a significant breakthrough. Despite using older planes and flying longer routes, they are finding new ways to reduce emissions. - How are they doing it?" Read the analysis Here,

09/14/2025 Cockpit Dreams: Navigating the Pilot Certification Process - From Flying - "Journey to becoming an airline pilot starts with choosing the right flight training path. - One barrier to entry for prospective pilots is that many without a relative or family friend already in aviation never get to connect the dots on how to actually execute their dream—and thus never take the first step. Or, worse, they are told from a trusted adult or source that you need perfect vision, need to go into the military, or even get a doctorate in aviation to be a pilot. - I promise you that no one is more ill-equipped to explain how to become a pilot than someone who is not a pilot. But then, where does someone go to find this information? Where did I go?" Read the ins and outs of the process as described by the author - Here

09/13/2025 The Worst Crash in U.S. History – American Airlines Flight 191 - VIDEO - From Fascinating Horrow - "Seconds after takeoff, a deadly chain reaction began. Flight 191’s horrifying fall marked the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history." View the Story Here.

09/13/2025 US Launches FAA Pilot Program To Fast-Track Advanced Air Mobility, Joby Aviation And Archer Eye Participation - From Stockwitz - "U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a new pilot program within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to accelerate the deployment of advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles in the country. - This pilot program follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to strengthen U.S. defenses against hostile drones and advance technologies such as electric air taxis and supersonic passenger aircraft. - The program, known as the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), will form public-private partnerships with State and local government entities and private sector companies to develop new frameworks and regulations for enabling safe operations." Read More Here

09/11/2025 How Electric Aviation Is Changing Engine Design and Pilot Training - VIDEO - From Flight Chops - "As electric aviation evolves, both aircraft engines and pilot training are undergoing major changes - this article breaks down what’s new." See it Here.

09/08/2025 Firehawk Autonomy Development Moves Ahead - NEWS & VIDEO - From AVweb - "Five-year collaboration between Sikorsky and CAL FIRE to expand aerial firefighting capabilities. - Sikorsky has entered a five-year agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to develop and test autonomous aerial firefighting technologies for the S-70i Firehawk helicopter. The effort will focus on reducing pilot workload, improving situational awareness and expanding the ability of crews to operate in difficult wildfire conditions. - The program builds on demonstrations conducted in April, when Sikorsky and California-based Rain tested autonomy systems on an optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter over staged burns in Southern California." Finish reading Here.

09/06/1015 Flying Car to Begin Testing at California Airports - From FLYING - Alef Aeronautics says two airports have agreed to host testing of its prototype Model Zero.

08/30/2025 "Ask the A&Ps": Preflight insight - VIDEO - SAVVY Aviation -"Our experts discuss preflight routines specific to the aircraft or the environment; how pilots should submit an alternative method of compliance; and how long is too long for break-in oil. Full Story: YouTube

08/30/2025 Airlines Are Reportedly Using Dummy Call Signs To Hide Record High ICE Deportation Flights - From Simple Flying - Read it Here,

/30/2025 A United flight to Greenland U-turned after airport security staff were told they weren't properly trained to screen the passengers - From Business Insider - "Tuesday's Flight 80 took off from Newark Liberty International Airport at 11:41 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Nuuk, Greenland, about four hours later. - The journey appeared to be going smoothly until an hour and a half into the flight, when the Boeing 737 Max abruptly U-turned over Quebec, Canada." Continue Here.

08/28/2025 Choosing a Hand-Held Aviation Radio - From AVweb - "How to choose the right radio for emergency and everyday communication. - Reliable aviation communication is critical for safe operations, and while most U.S.-registered aircraft have a working VHF radio, a hand-held unit is an essential backup tool in case the primary radio fails. The FAA requires aircraft in most controlled airspace to have a two-way radio, making a handheld a key piece of redundant equipment. The choice of which radio to carry depends on a pilot’s specific mission." See a Variety of Choices w/Commentary Here.

08/28/2025 FAA Moving Washington Headquarters - From AVweb - "Staff will be moved into the DOT's current headquarters. - The Federal Aviation Administration is planning to relocate its headquarters staff from the agency’s current offices — the adjacent Orville Wright Federal Building and the Wilbur Wright Federal Building — on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C., to a new location. - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told workers about the move on Tuesday in a memo seen by Reuters. Workers at the current FAA headquarters will move to the Department of Transportation’s building at the Navy Yard." Continue Here.

08/23/2025 In brief: airport operations in USA - From Lexology - "Who owns the airports? - In the United States, state or local governments own the majority of public-use airports (ie, airports open to the public). However, some public-use general aviation airports (ie, airports that do not offer scheduled air services) are privately owned. There are approximately 5,000 public-use airports in the United States and approximately 14,000 private-use airports. The Airport Investment Partnership Program (the AIPP, formerly known as the Airport Privatization Pilot Program) enables the sale or long-term lease of public-use airports while maintaining their eligibility for federal funding. Although the United States Congress significantly expanded the pool of eligible airports in 2018, only two airports - Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico and Hendry County Airglades Airport in Florida - currently participate. In 2019, Westchester County Airport in New York withdrew its application to participate in the AIPP, as did St Louis Lambert Airport in Missouri in 2020"

"What system is there for the licensing of airports? - Is there a system of economic regulation of airports? How does it function? - Are there laws or rules restricting or qualifying access to airports? - How are slots allocated at congested airports? - Are there any laws or rules specifically relating to ground handling? What are they? - Who provides air traffic control services? And how are they regulated?" Read about the answers to these questions Here.

08/23/2025 White House and DoD Unleash New Directives on Drones - From Lexology - "The White House and Department of Defense (DoD) have announced a series of new directives that will significantly impact the burgeoning domestic drone industry. This initiative, titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” aims to accelerate the commercialization of drone technologies, integrate them into the national airspace and strengthen the domestic industrial base. These directives affect a range of stakeholders, from manufacturers and operators to government agencies and defense contractors.

Key Takeaways From the White House and DoD Directives

The President's Executive Order

Executive Order 14307, issued on June 6 and titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” establishes a clear policy to ensure the United States remains a leader in drone technology. The order prioritizes three key areas:

Accelerating Safe Integration: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is directed to fast-track rulemaking for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations for commercial and public safety purposes. This includes issuing a proposed rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone operations within 30 days of the order, which the FAA did on August 6, 2025. The FAA will also use begin using AI tools to streamline the review of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) waiver applications under 14 C.F.R. Part 107.
Promoting Domestic Commercialization: The order promotes the domestic manufacturing and production of drones by requiring all federal agencies to prioritize U.S.-made drones over foreign-made ones. The Federal Acquisition Security Council is also tasked with publishing a Covered Foreign Entity List to identify companies that pose supply chain risks.
Strengthening the Industrial Base and Exports: The directives aim to boost the export of U.S.-made civil drones. The secretary of commerce, in coordination with other agencies, is authorized to review and amend export control regulations to enable expedited exports.

The order also creates the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a three-year initiative to..." Learn More about these dierectives that adress Dromes and eVTOLs by Clicking Here.

08/19/2025 Choosing Airplane Camera Gear for Pilots - from AVweb - "Learn how to choose the best camera gear for pilots in this comprehensive guide." Read it Here.

08/18/2025 Which Apple Watch Model Is Best Suited for Pilots? - From AVweb - "From the practical SE to the rugged Ultra 2, discover which Apple Watch model is best for pilots. - Pilots are increasingly adopting smartwatches like the Apple Watch for their convenience in managing tasks such as the automatic tracking of time zones. While not a primary flight instrument, the device offers several built-in features and third-party applications that can serve as useful tools in the cockpit." Full Article Here.

08/17/2025 Best FPV Drones for 2025 - From FLYING - "Learn about First Person View basics, BNF vs. RTF UAVs, and find your perfect aircraft for adrenaline-pumping flights and stunning aerial footage. - The popularity of drones continues to grow. With the widespread adoption of technology in fields as diverse as agriculture and search and rescue operations, it’s easy to think of drones as another tool of industry. - While there are over a million registered drones in the United States, many are used for other purposes, such as the thrill of flying. One of the best examples of this is First Person View (FPV) drones. - FPV drones are the ones you see capturing adrenaline-charged footage of zigging and zagging through canyons or abandoned factories. They are also the drones you see flying at incredible speeds through obstacles on drone racing circuits, such as the Drone Racing League. It’s an exciting part of the drone industry, and contrary to popular belief, it’s not only for those who know how to build these UAVs from scratch." Complete Story Here.

08/16/2025 FAA AIRPORTS - We recently added the following items to the Airport News and New Resources page on the FAA website:

Advisory Circulars

Airport Engineering

Airport Improvement Program

Airport Part 139 Certification

Part 139 CertAlert 25-02: Clarifications Regarding Restrictive Use Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

Passenger Facility Charge Program

08/16/2025 Business Aviation Pays its Fair Share: NBAA Fact-Checks New York Times Video’s False Narrative - From NBAA - "Washington, DC, Aug. 10, 2025 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is setting the record straight in response to a New York Times editorial video’s misstatements and mischaracterizations about how general aviation, including business aviation, contributes to the funding of the nation’s aviation system. - In a letter to the news organization, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen points out a simple reality: Just like the airlines, business aviation pays proportionately for its use of the system. The unfounded argument being made by the Times fails the credibility test because the costs for our aviation system aren’t driven by a small airplane flying to an outlying community airport. Instead, as independent studies have shown, the system’s costs are driven by the airlines’ complex, costly hub-and-spoke network, which pushes hundreds of flights through big airports at peak travel times every day of the year." Read Mr. Bolen's rebuttal Here.

08/16/2025 Forget vertiports: Archer CEO says 1st eVTOL routes will run from existing airports and helipads - From Aerospace Global News - "As eVTOL aircraft progress closer to entry into service, the question is often asked: Can the vertiport industry keep up with the rapid pace of aircraft OEMs? - A few dozen vertiports are already built or underway, but these projects are the tip of the iceberg. A study by Global AAM showed some 1,504 vertiports in planning, but with a realistic expectation of only 900 or so being delivered by 2029. - In 2024, just 24 vertiports were completed. - Leading eVTOL company Archer Aviation isn’t waiting for futuristic vertiports. Instead, the company is retrofitting current aviation assets with charging, safety, and regulatory compliance, then scaling globally through smart partnerships. - Infrastructure readiness is not a bottleneck; it’s been an integral part of the Midnight launch plan from the start." Read More Here. *Full Disclosure: SCAUWG.ORG Editorial staff member has an equity interest in Archer.

“The plan is to start with existing infrastructure,” Archer CEO Adam Goldstein tells AGN. “We’ll start from existing airports and helipads, where we don’t need a lot of additional infrastructure.”

08/16/2025 Joby, L3Harris partner on hybrid defense craft that can be piloted or autonomous - From CBNC - "Joby Aviation and defense contracting giant L3Harris a partnership... to develop a next-generation military craft that can be piloted or fly autonomously. - The partnership brings together Joby’s hybrid vertical take-off and landing, or VTOL, aircraft and L3′s expertise in military systems and certification. - The companies expect to begin testing this fall, followed by operational demonstrations in 2026, according to the release. - “Conflicts like Russia, Ukraine, are really changing how people think about, you know, low altitude aviation generally,” Joby executive chairman Paul Sciarra told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan. “Getting something out there that can move very quickly from demonstration to deployability felt especially important.” Read more Here. *Full Disclosure: SCAUWG.ORG Editorial staff member has an equity interest in Joby

08/16/2025 Austin City Council approves measure to explore creating air traffic controller academy amid staffing shortages - From Spectrum News 1 - " - AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council voted on a measure that seeks to address the shortage of air traffic controllers at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA).- The resolution was proposed by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes and was approved during Thursday’s regular meeting. - It asks the Federal Aviation Administration to take “immediate comprehensive action” to mitigate the staffing shortages, including prioritizing the transfer of air traffic controllers to ABIA and upgrading the airspace levels surrounding the airport. The resolution also proposed the establishment of an air traffic controller academy in Austin, which would be a collaboration between the FAA and Austin Community College." "This comes after multiple reports of staffing issues at the FAA, causing delays at airports across the country, including the Austin airport. - According to the resolution, staffing at the air traffic control tower is under 50% of the FAA’s staffing target." Read this story about how communities might choose to contribute Here.

08/15/2025 Duffy Calls Alaska Aircraft Accident Rate ‘Unacceptable' - From FLYING - "U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has described the rate of aircraft accidents in Alaska as "unacceptable," pledging federal action to improve safety in the state's airspace. - "I think it's so important to recognize that, again, the rates of aviation crashes and aviation fatalities in Alaska are unacceptable," Duffy said during a Wednesday press conference. "For too long, the Lower 48, and specifically the swamp in Washington, D.C., hasn't heard the plea from Alaska for more help. We need better technology. We need some investments in a state where 82 percent of our communities can't be reached by road." "Duffy emphasized that aviation is the only practical transportation option for most of Alaska's remote communities.- "If we're going to bring people and supplies and services into our communities, we use aviation and we need it to be safer," he said. "And so that message has been heard loud and clear." Continue to read Here.

08/15/2025 Pilot arrested upon landing in Antarctica says he remains stuck after case suspended - From ABC - "An American pilot who was arrested upon landing in Chilean Antarctica over 40 days ago says he has still not been allowed to fly out even after his case was suspended. - Ethan Guo was trying to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents and raise money for cancer research when he was accused of illegally landing in a Chilean territory in Antarctica. - While attempting to fly from Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina, in late June, Guo told..." Finish reading Here.

"08/14/2025 Low-Time Female Pilots Show Strength in Simulated Emergencies - from AVweb - "Eye-tracking and high-fidelity simulator data reveal faster, more stable approaches. - University of Waterloo researchers released a report that found female pilots with fewer than 300 hours of flight time conducted more stable landings and completed emergency-scenario tasks faster than their male counterparts did. The study, presented at the 2025 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications, included a group of 20 low-time pilots composed of 10 women and 10 men. This group conducted nine landing trials using a high-fidelity simulator while wearing eye-tracking glasses. - Gaze metrics like fixation durations and..." Finish reading Here.

08/13/2025 NBAA Disputes NYT Video Calling for FAA Funding Changes - From AIN- "NBAA said video misleads - In response to the video, NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen wrote NYT editors that the editorial “puts forward a false narrative about what general aviation, including business aviation, pays within our national airspace system.” Read the details Here.

08/13/2025 Archer Aviation Expands Defense Program - From AVweb - "The eVTOL maker acquires a patent portfolio and a 60,000-square-foot production facility:" Her e.

07/30/2025 Luminary Cloud Unveils Transonic Wing Design Tool - From FLYING - "Shift-Wing model promises to reduce planning time and costs using advanced physics simulations.- A new artificial intelligence tool could accelerate the design of cutting-edge aircraft wings. - Luminary Cloud, a platform that uses advanced physics simulations to help engineers experiment with aerospace and automotive designs in the conceptual phase, on Tuesday announced the launch of Shift-Wing—a model and dataset geared specifically toward advanced wing designs. The model, which is publicly available for noncommercial purposes and can be licensed for commercial use, simulates wings designed for subsonic all the way up to transonic speeds. - Often, innovative concepts—such as transonic wings—are bogged down by a lack of performance guarantees and uncertain cost and schedule estimates. If a problem is discovered during flight testing, for example, a redesign could be expensive." Full Article Here.

07/30/2025 Could Automotive Lane-Deviation Tech Help Combat Pilot Disorientation? - From AVweb - "Haptic vibration could be an aid in preventing loss of control accidents. - A team at the University of Maryland is exploring the same technology used in automotive lane-deviation warnings in hopes it could help cut down on spatial disorientation in pilots. FAA statistics show that between 5% and 10% of all general aviation accidents involve spatial disorientation and that 90% of those accidents are fatal. - As outlined in a CBS News report, the Maryland researchers are exploring whether using haptic vibration could cue pilots they are losing spatial orientation, particularly in zero-visibility conditions. Maryland professor Anubhav Datta, who is learning to fly helicopters, said, “It happens when you fly into clouds or bad weather, but especially for helicopters, [in which] ..." Finish reading Here.

07/29/2025 Which Apple Watch Model Is Best Suited for Pilots? - From FLYING - "Discover which of these smart timepieces is right for you and the cockpit. - When selecting a smartwatch, pilots have several Apple Watch models to consider, each offering a different balance of features, battery life, and price. The choice often depends on whether a pilot seeks a convenient daily watch with some aviation benefits or a more integrated flight tool. - The Apple Watch is a popular choice among pilots interviewed at airports, as they value its convenience for tasks like automatically tracking time zones.

All recent Apple Watch models provide built-in features useful in the cockpit. The internal GPS and compass can serve as a backup navigation tool, while the timer app provides haptic feedback, a subtle wrist vibration for alerts.- Pilots can use the GMT watch face, which shows " In-depth article Here.

07/29/2025 Senators Push to Raise Global Pilot Retirement Age - From FLYING - "Bipartisan group urges Trump administration to back ICAO change, warning of lost U.S. influence in worldwide aviation policy. - A bipartisan cohort of U.S. senators has urged the Trump administration to support international efforts to raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67, according to a Reuters report. - In a July 14 letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senators John Thune (R-S.D), Marsha Blackburn (R‑Tenn.), and Mark Kelly (D‑Ariz.) emphasized that expanding the retirement age, when combined with rigorous ongoing technical and medical evaluations, would preserve pilot experience and could reduce accidents. - They also pressed the United States to maintain its leadership role in civil aviation, warning that ceding ..." Continue Here.

07/27/2025 Advocates seek to end unfair Colorado seaplane ban - From AOPA - "Colorado seaplane pilots cite unequal treatment - Although some seaplane operations are allowed on Kenney Reservoir in western Colorado, flying seaplanes in the state has been a challenge since the 1980s when Colorado Parks and Wildlife prohibited them on waters controlled by the agency. Other agencies including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) jumped on board with similarly discriminatory prohibitions. - In a May 20 letter to the USBR Western Colorado manager, AOPA—joined by a coalition of aviation advocacy organizations including the Seaplane Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and Colorado Pilots Association—argued that not only is the current seaplane restriction on Navajo and McPhee Reservoirs discriminatory and unfair, it is also unwarranted. The letter states, “Colorado..." Continue and Learn about this Advocacy Matter Here.

07/27/2025 Eyes Hands and Feet - From AOPA - VIDEO - "AOPA President Darren Pleasance helps AOPA Video Producer Michelle Walker sharpen "core stick and rudder skills" in an American Champion Citabria. Continue"

07/27/2025 Wings not required - FROM AOPA - "Aerobatic helicopter pilot Aaron Fitzgerald gives us an inside look at how he got the Red Bull gig, and how he prepares for his remarkable airshow performances. Continue"

07/26/2025 "LESSON: LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND LISENING TO THE RADIO are IMPORTANT!" - "Runway Mishap In Mexico Investigated - Regional jet almost landed on top of a 737." From AVweb -"Mexican and American authorities are trying to figure out how an AeroMexico E190 ended up landing in front of a Delta 737 that had already started its takeoff roll at Benito Juarez Airport in Mexico City on Tuesday. The Delta flight, with 150 people on board, was heading to Atlanta when the regional jet passed over it at 200 feet and landed in front of it. " Finish Here.

07/25/2025 Lines Being Drawn In Unleaded Fuel Competition - From AVweb - "LyondellBasell gave a bullet point summary of its progress toward an unleaded aviation fuel. - The quest for an unleaded replacement fuel for 100LL looks like it will be a winner-takes-all affair between the three candidate fuels still in the running. Although much has been said about collaboration and cooperation in the quest to get lead out of aviation gasoline, the three proponents have now all said they’re not interested in having their fuels mixed with those of the other two companies because of liability concerns. All three companies have said their fuel can be mixed with 100LL. - In his forum at EAA AirVenture Tuesday, Swift Fuels CEO Chris d’Acosta reiterated..." Read More Here.

07/25/2025 MOSAIC Is Here: What It Means For Homebuilts - From AVweb - "The FAA's sweeping new rule is a game-changer for the Experimental/Amateur-Built community, dramatically expanding Sport Pilot privileges and revolutionizing maintenance options. -

This article first appeared in KITPLANES Magazine.

The long-awaited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule was signed by the FAA Administrator on July 18, 2025, marking the most significant change to the light aircraft landscape since the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rule was introduced in 2004. While the rule is complex—the final document spans over a thousand pages—its core impact on the Experimental/Amateur-Built (EAB) community can be distilled into a few key areas that represent a massive expansion of freedom and utility for pilots and a profound shift in the maintenance landscape for owners.

For years, the world of homebuilding has offered performance and capability that the factory-built LSA world could not match due to restrictive weight and speed limits. A central philosophy behind MOSAIC is to make..." Finish reading this very detailed article Here.

07/20/2025 MedXPress helps - From AOPA - VIDEO - "Don't get deferred because of inadequate documentation of your medical conditions. Learn how the FAA's MedXPress can help you prepare your submission. Continue

07/18/2025 Insider Outlook: The Biggest Trends Impacting Aviation Maintenance Today - From Veryon - C0mmentary and VIDEO - "Bethany and Pete’s conversation explored the biggest factors impacting aviation maintenance today, including AI, predictive tech, workforce gaps, integrated platforms, and global trade pressures. - Whether you're an MRO, fleet manager, OEM, or operator, this conversation delivered a clear message: aviation is transforming, and now is the time to lead that change. - Here are the top takeaways, plus what they mean for your organization." Experience it Here.

07/18/2025 ATC Budget Allocation Viewed As Just A Start $12.52 billion called just 'one third' of the required investment. From AVweb - "General aviation advocacy groups are seeing the current public outcry over air traffic control challenges as a chance to “seize the day” and make lasting improvements in the National Airspace System. While record delays and stories of airline passengers stranded on ramps for hours have garnered headlines, tragic accidents have also dominated the news cycles. - The 2025 Air Traffic Modernization Summit yesterday (July 15), National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen said at the event hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives, “This is not just a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’ve never seen this level of public awareness, industry unity and bipartisan resolve in Washington. The time to act is now. We can only go as fast as our oldest technology. It’s time to build something new, not just patch the old.” - Continue.

07/13/2025 Amid Air India probe, US FAA, Boeing notify fuel switch locks are safe, document, sources say - From Reuters - "WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI/MONTREAL (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have privately issued notifications that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe, with the FAA saying they are safe, a document seen by Reuters showed and four sources with knowledge of the matter said. - The FAA's Continued Airworthiness Notification on July 11 came after a preliminary report on Friday into last month's Boeing 787-8 crash, which killed 260 people, raised questions over engine fuel cutoff switches.

The FAA's notification to Civil Aviation Authorities, seen by Reuters, said: "although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787." Continue to learn more Here.

07/12/2025 In-Flight Separation of Left Mid Exit Door Plug, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, Boeing 737-9, N704AL - From NTSB - "On January 5, 2024, a Boeing 737-9 airplane operated by Alaska Airlines as flight 1282 experienced an in-flight separation of the left mid exit door (MED) plug and rapid depressurization when climbing through about 14,830 ft after takeoff from Portland International Airport (PDX), Portland, Oregon. One flight attendant and 7 passengers received minor injuries; the captain, the first officer, 3 flight attendants, and 164 passengers were uninjured; and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight and cabin crews executed the emergency procedures in response to the rapid depressurization, and the flight returned to PDX for a safe landing. - The airplane had a hole in the fuselage where the left MED plug..." Finish Reading Here.

07/12/2025 FAA Revokes Environmental Review Rule - From FLYING - "Agency cites executive order prioritizing economic growth - The FAA has revoked a 10-year-old rule governing how it complies with federal environmental protection regulations. - In a notice published in the Federal Register, the agency said it is rescinding FAA Order 1050.1F in light of a recent executive order from President Donald Trump, which instructs federal departments to prioritize domestic energy needs and “economic security” over environmental protection and conservation. - The order, known as “Unleashing American Energy,” lays out a path to eventually reverse all regulations that could block the discovery and exploitation of oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, minerals, and other resources. - FAA Order 1050.1F governed how..." Full Story Here.

07/11/2025 NBAA Calls Climate Report on Bizjets Flawed, Incomplete - From AIN - "NBAA’s Bolen questioned why readers weren’t given information about environmental advances in business aviation - NBAA is disputing a recent report from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) about business jet emissions, saying the findings provide an inaccurate and incomplete picture of private aviation. - The ICCT report claims private jets are “a large and growing source of air and climate pollution,” noting that a typical aircraft emits about 810 tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHG) a year, the equivalent of 177 passenger cars. While private jets are concentrated in the U.S., the report further claims that in 2023, private jets collectively emitted more GHGs than all flights departing from London Heathrow Airport. In addition, the report says taxation of private jets could generate “substantial revenue” to support aviation decarbonization. - However, NBAA noted that the report's conclusions were based on a flawed extrapolation of flight trajectory data and..." Read More from NBAA Here.

07/06/2025 Aviation Industry Veteran Says: Ask Questions Before Privatizing ATC - From Alliance for Aviation Across America - "ATH Group President and Principal Michael Baida details the flaws in privatized ATC systems in Canada and elsewhere in responding to a Forbes op-ed. - Note: This piece was submitted to Forbes in response to this piece: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2025/06/26/why-the-us-should-copy-canada-to-fix-its-broken-air-traffic-control-system/ - While FAA needs newer equipment and more controllers, and we all support modernizing the US ATC system, calls for ATC privatization often rest on vague claims rather than concrete analysis. Complete story Here.

07/06/2025 Military experts weigh in on China's new mosquito-like spy drone - From Business Insider - "Last month, China's National University of Defense Technology unveiled a new spy drone designed to look like a mosquito. - While it may not look as impressive as some of the bigger unmanned systems coming out of Ukraine, its stick-thin body is said to be equipped for a range of covert surveillance and military operations. Read More Here.

07/04/2025 NBAA Welcomes Final Congressional Passage of Aviation Priorities in Budget Bill - PR Release NBAA - "Washington, DC, July 3, 2025 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed today’s final vote in the House of Representatives of a bill with multiple NBAA-supported initiatives to promote the growth, safety and sustainability of the U.S. aviation industry.

The wide-ranging budget reconciliation measure was initially passed in the House on May 22. The Senate passed its revised version on July 1, sending the bill back to the House for today’s vote. The bill now heads to the president’s desk, and he is expected to sign the legislation into law. - The final legislation preserves $12.52 billion to fund replacement of aging air traffic control (ATC) facilities, systems and infrastructure and to bolster controller staffing and training.

Announced by House leaders in April, the ATC funding provision has the support of NBAA and more than 50 other aviation stakeholders comprising the Modern Skies Coalition of aviation associations, trade unions, manufacturers and others. - “We thank congressional leaders for preserving this vital ATC-transformation measure in the final budget-reconciliation bill, which provides a critical downpayment on investments in new technologies, facilities, the controller workforce and other priorities,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

The legislation also includes a permanent reinstatement of full and immediate expensing on purchases of factory-new and preowned aircraft. The current expensing schedule, most recently authorized in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, is phasing out and set to expire in 2027. - Immediate expensing has proven effective for incentivizing aircraft purchase, which in turn helps companies obtain a competitive asset and supports American manufacturing jobs. In the U.S., business aviation supports 1.3 million high-skill, high-paying manufacturing and service jobs and accounts for $340 billion in annual economic activity.

The final legislation also maintains a key provision supporting business aviation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – an additional two-year extension of the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit incentivizing production of sustainable aviation fuel to 2031, albeit with a reduction in the credit’s value, which could pose challenges for incentivizing enough production to meet demand. - “This bill enacts many important initiatives to ensure America’s continued leadership in aviation,” Bolen said. “The business aviation community looks forward to working with Congress and government agency leaders to ensure its full implementation.”

07/04/2025 Flying against the clock: life-saving missions from Africa to the world - From ITIJ - "In this exclusive ITIJ interview, AMREF Flying Doctors’ Chief Pilot, Samuel Mbugua Muikia, shares a personal, behind-the-scenes perspective on the operational complexities of delivering emergency medical evacuations. He offers rare insights into the unique demands and rewards of air ambulance operations on a global scale." Read it Here

07/04/2025 FBI Warns That Casino Hackers Are Now Targeting Airlines - From AVweb - '"Scattered Spider' group reportedly plant ransomware. -FBI Warns That Casino Hackers Are Now Targeting Airlines - According to the FBI, several airlines have been the subject of security breaches from a cybercrime organization known as “Scattered Spider.” Multiple news outlets, including The Hill, are reporting the FBI’s alert issued last week. The alert reads, in part, “They target large corporations and their third-party IT providers, which means anyone in the airline ecosystem, including trusted vendors and contractors, could be at risk.” - "The FBI warns that Scattered Spider consists of a group of hackers that, last year, targeted casinos and appears to be branching out to new victims, such as..." Full Story Here.

Bryan Bedford's Current Private Certificate

07/01/2025 Truthfully, The FAA Could Do Better - From Russ Niles - AVweb - "Bryan Bedford needs to set the record straight before he takes over aviation's top job. - I guess the fundamental question in the discussion over Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford’s nomination as FAA Administrator is when a mistake (if, indeed, it was a mistake) becomes a lie when left uncorrected. Unfortunately, it would seem like Bedford isn’t very interested in pee0ling apart those layers and will instead follow a political playbook that, at best, counsels its adherents to ignore the uncomfortable questions from a minority because the majority doesn’t really care. And, for the sake of political expedience, that minority is being challenged to look the other way, which may become Bedford’s biggest challenge.

When news of Bedford’s nomination began circulating a few months ago, he seemed like a pick that could at least speak to the myriad challenges facing aviation. Running a regional airline over the past 20 years actually sounds like a special kind of hell to me and I would assume his days were packed with the kinds of existential crises that would be a good primer for the top job at the FAA, which sounds like an extra special kind of hell.

High-profile nominees like this have, in the past at least, gone through the kind of rigorous background checks that are designed to uncover even the slightest miscue on matters of character, policy direction and general behavior that might give opponents to his nomination potentially embarrassing fodder during the Senate nomination process."

"It seems inconceivable to me that the administration’s vetting process did not pick up the false assertion in his company bio that he had a commercial pilot certificate. It’s also inconceivable that Bedford wasn’t entirely responsible for that false assertion." Continue reading this opinion Here.

Webmaster Note: It seems very revealing that Mr. Bedford referred to a Commercial "License." For you non-pilots out there, the FAA does NOT issue licenses, they issue "certificates."

06/30/2025 For the first time on July 4th, drones will be used to catch illegal fireworks violators in some cities - From the Daily News - "iverside, Hemet and Brea, and possibly other cities, will launch drones to film illegal activity as municipalities increasingly marry new technology with old-fashioned legislation to prevent injuries and the type of fast-moving fires that devastated the region in January. - Offenders or their landlords will then receive a surprise: Those cities are mailing citations to property owners, in some cases without ever first contacting them, regardless of..." Continue Here.

06/29/2025 Pilotless: This Is Your Robot Speaking - From FLYING - "Once we’ve accepted driverless cars, what about pilotless airliners? Is that a bridge too far? - I’m not sure what’s gained by putting ride-share drivers out of work, but driverless cars have become a common sight in Los Angeles. I seldom drive any distance without encountering one of Waymo’s white Jaguar SUVs, its roof and fenders barnacled with spinning sensors and its front seats empty. I’ve followed them in traffic for miles—they drive well. I’ve tried to book a ride, but the hilly neighborhood of narrow, winding streets in which I live lies just outside their comfort zone. Give them another six months. - A few years ago, a survey found almost 80 percent of respondents unwilling to ride in a driverless car. I don’t know what the fraction would be today, but I’ll bet it’s shrunk. One of my least adventurous friends reported that after a few minutes of a Waymo ride she felt perfectly comfortable—a triumph of experience over imagination.

06/28/2025 Personal Minimums: Know When to Say No - From NBAA Business Aviation Insider -"It’s essential for pilots to regularly assess their skills, experience, health and comfort levels in an effort to improve safety, reduce stress and heighten decision-making abilities during flight operations." Explore professional guidance Here.

06/28/2025 Bills to stop ADS-B misuse introduced in Congress - From AOPA - "AOPA advocates to limit ADS-B use for its intended purposes: Safety and airspace efficiency - Legislation introduced in Congress, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, seeks to address growing concerns about the misuse of ADS-B, which has been increasingly used to collect fees from pilots." Continue Here.

06/28/2025 DOT’s Duffy Announces ‘Road Map’ for Air Taxis - From Transport Topics - "US Agrees With Four Other Countries to Streamline Certification, Standardize Airworthiness Qualifications - Le BOURGET, France — Air taxi companies have promised for years that the small planes will soon carry customers and make deliveries — but they have yet to metaphorically get off the ground. - Now, with intense support from President Donald Trump’s administration, companies vying to be the first in the air, including Boeing, are confident the next wave of travel will take off soon." Complete Reading Here.

06/28/2025 Maintenance: 4 Ways AMTs Can Improve Fuel Efficiency - From NBAA - "In a business aviation operation, everyone – especially aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) – can contribute to sustainability. Through everyday best practices, here are four things AMTs can leverage to raise fuel efficiency, lower emissions and move the industry toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050." Read More Here.

06/24/2025 Senate’s spectrum proposal raises aviation safety question - From Roll Call - "The Senate Commerce Committee's proposal to auction radio spectrum in the 3.98-4.2 GHz band has raised concerns about potential interference with aviation instruments, particularly radio altimeters. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, argues that the bill allows enough time to address safety concerns and emphasizes the proposal's benefits for FAA modernization.Full Story: Roll Call

06/24/2025 Report Shows Continuing Lag in ATC Hiring - From FLYING - "A recent study identified multiple factors behind the lack of FAA air traffic controllers. - A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released on Wednesday may offer the most comprehensive view yet of the nation’s air traffic controller shortage and the potential paths to resolve it. - The National Academies, which performs research for the federal government, found that ATC staffing levels have been declining for 15 years. In 2010, the number of understaffed ATC facilities was relatively small, and some were even overstaffed, but in the following years the FAA hired only two-thirds of the controllers called for by its staffing models. By fiscal year 2024, nearly a third of ATC facilities had fallen 10% below adequate staffing levels and about 22% had fallen 15% below. - The gradual slowdown in hiring eventually dug the nation’s ATC system into a giant hole, committee chair Bill Strickland said during a livestreamed presentation Wednesday." Read it Here.

06/24/2025 Ukraine Buys Drone-Fighting LSA - From AVweb - "The Czech ULM Shark is fitted with drone detection and jamming gear.-Ukraine has reportedly added a drone-fighting LSA to its fleet of warplanes. In a report from the Paris Air Show, YouTuber Ate Chuet says the ULM Shark, a speedy light aircraft made in the Czech Republic, has been equipped with drone detection and jamming gear to fight against the Russian drones that have become one of the biggest threats in the current conflict. The Shark can reach speeds of more than 160 knots behind either a Rotax 912 ULS or 914 engine. It can also loiter for as long as 12 hours." Finish reading Here

06/24/2025 Drone Opportunities for Military and Veterans - From FLYING - "Discover valuable UAV programs for former service members, from Part 107 training to business support. - Military service exposes many people to some of the very best and worst that the world has to offer. Given their sacrifices, it’s never expected but always appreciated when someone or an organization does something to help out a veteran. It has never been lost on me how much our country does to help those who have served. - Since becoming a commercial drone pilot in 2017, I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous drone-related programs for veterans. I know a lot of former service members who are also drone pilots, and I am surprised that so many aren’t aware of the numerous programs available to help them out. - In this article, I’ll share some of the programs worth checking out. Even if you are not a veteran, you probably know someone who is or may want to support some of these worthy causes." Read it Here.

06/19/2025 NBAA Welcomes New Measures to Bolster U.S. Aerospace Leadership - PR from NBAA - "Washington, DC, June 16, 2025 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today welcomed the recent introduction of several federal directives, which redouble government agencies’ focus on advancing U.S. aviation as the gold standard in aerospace for decades to come. Specifically, three Executive Orders (EOs) issued by the administration aim to foster the development and use of American UAS, support airspace safety and security and usher in a new era of supersonic flight.

The first EO, Unleashing American Drone Dominance, directs the FAA to expand UAS operations by enabling BVLOS operations for commercial and public safety missions. The Order, which complements the FAA’s new BVLOS proposal, also establishes an electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) integration pilot program to accelerate U.S. eVTOL operations.
The second EO, Ensuring American Sovereignty Over its Skies, focuses on mitigating risks to public safety and national security due to the increasing use of UAS – commonly referred to as drones – in the national airspace system, including nefarious operations by criminals, terrorists, drug cartels and other hostile foreign actors. The Order authorizes federal agencies to use existing authorities to detect, track and identify drones and drone signals, and provides state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement agencies access to grant programs for detection equipment.
A third EO, Leading the World in Supersonic Flight, directs the FAA to repeal the prohibition on overland flight exceeding the speed of sound and rescind other regulations that hinder supersonic flight. The Order also instructs the FAA to establish a standard for supersonic aircraft noise certification that considers community acceptability, economic reasonableness and technological feasibility.

“NBAA welcomes these announcements, which will accelerate innovation and unleash promising new capabilities,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Equally important, they will also enhance airspace safety, strengthen national security and ensure continued global leadership for an essential American industry.”

06/19/2025 U.S. Expected To Object To An ICAO SAF Policy - From AVweb - "American corn growers seen to be at a market disadvantage. - The U.S. is poised to object later this month to a recommendation from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). U.S. officials argue that ICAO’s recent proposal unfairly favors Brazilian corn farmers in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). - According to a report by Reuters, the U.S. objection stems from ICAO’s recent recommendation that awards a lower carbon score to multicropping, a common South American farming practice where two or more crops are grown on the same parcel of land. Due to climatic disadvantages, multicropping is not a common practice available to many farmers in the U.S. The lower carbon score would give Brazilian farmers a leg up in the growing global SAF market. Full Story Here.

06/18/2025 Mayo Clinic Concept: Remote Flight Physicals - As the field of AMEs continues to thin and demand for FAA medical certification rises, kiosk-based flight physicals could make a lot of sense. - From Aviation Consumer - "Mayo Clinic has played an important role in aviation medical certification since 1920, when several of the Clinic’s docs served as the first pilot medical examiners for the Civil Aeronautics Board, the precursor to the FAA. Contributions include developing the first high-altitude pressure chamber in North America, a simulator for training World War II pilots, plus the BLB supplemental oxygen mask and the A-14 mask and bailout bottle. It’s a rich heritage and while there is a lot more aeromedical research needed, the 2021 pandemic put a lot of studies on hold because pilots couldn’t come to the Clinic. That turned out to be a unique opportunity that leads to the question of whether in-person FAA medical exams are even necessary. - Today a large focus of the Mayo Clinic’s Aerospace Medicine division (in conjunction with the FAA) is developing a plan for ..." Continue Here.

06/16/2025 Guest Blog: Why Airlines Must Resist The Transition To Single-Pilot Flight Decks - From AVweb - "The two-pilot flight deck is fundamental to the safety of commercial flight. - The aviation industry stands at a crossroads, with technological advancements and economic pressures prompting discussions about reducing flight deck crew from two pilots to one. Proponents of single-pilot operations argue that automation and artificial intelligence can handle routine flight tasks, potentially cutting costs for airlines in an intensely competitive market. - The desire to transition to single-pilot flight decks overlooks a fundamental principle of aviation safety: redundancy. The two-pilot system is not designed for the everyday, uneventful flight but for the rare, critical moments when human judgment, coordination, and backup are indispensable." Learn More Here.