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This Page [latest] was added on `10/19/25 "

Let's Begin:

12/24/2025    Garmin Autoland Activation Was Crew Decision - From AVweb - "Charter company clarifies circumstances behind first reported real-world use of emergency landing system. - The recent emergency landing of a Beechcraft Super King Air at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Colorado using Garmin’s Autoland system was the result of a conscious decision by the flight crew, not pilot incapacitation, according to the aircraft’s operator. Buffalo River Aviation told CBS Colorado that the pilots deliberately allowed the automated system to retain control of the aircraft after a pressurization failure, describing the decision as an exercise in “conservative judgment.”

"The aircraft was climbing through 23,000 feet mean sea level after departing Aspen when it experienced a rapid loss of pressurization, Buffalo River Aviation CEO Chris Townsley said. The two pilots immediately donned oxygen masks, and the aircraft’s Garmin emergency systems engaged as designed once cabin altitude exceeded safe limits. The system selected"   Find out the rest Here.

12/20/2025   We recently added the following to the Draft Airports Advisory Circulars page on the FAA website: - Draft AC 150/5200-28H, Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for Airport Operators - Comments are requested by January 20, 2026. Please visit the page to access the draft AC and read procedures for submitting comments.

12/20/2025   DOT OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY AND COMPLIANCE NOTICE:

On December 18, 2025, the President of the United States issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Justice to complete the rescheduling process of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

We have had inquiries about what impact this Executive Order will have on the Department of Transportation’s longstanding regulation about the use of marijuana by safety‐sensitive transportation employees – pilots, school bus drivers, truck drivers, train engineers, subway operators, aircraft maintenance personnel, transit fire‐armed security personnel, ship captains, and pipeline emergency response personnel, among others.

First – marijuana is still a Schedule I drug under the CSA until any rescheduling is complete. It remains unacceptable for any safety‐sensitive employee subject to drug testing under the Department of Transportation’s drug testing regulations to use marijuana.

Second – until the rescheduling process is complete, the Department of Transportation’s drug testing process and regulations will not change. Transportation employees in safety-sensitive positions will still be subject to testing for marijuana. Furthermore, the Department’s guidance on medical and recreational marijuana and CBD are still in effect.

Laboratories, Medical Review Officers and Substance Abuse Professionals must continue to follow 49 CFR Part 40.  There are no changes to your roles and responsibilities as they relate to marijuana. - We will continue to monitor the rescheduling process and update the transportation industry as appropriate. - We want to assure the traveling public that our transportation system is the safest it can possibly be.

2/19/2025   Fuel-injected Lycoming rollbacks prompt FAA concern - From AOPA - "Cessna 172, Piper Archer among affected models - Uncommanded shutdowns affecting Lycoming IO-360 engines when throttled to idle prompted the FAA to seek additional information from owners and operators of many popular trainers. -  An airworthiness concern sheet issued December 16 requests details about any engine rollbacks during ground or flight operations, including actions performed and outcomes. The fuel-injected four-cylinder IO-360 is installed on recent models including the Cessna 172S/172R, Piper Archer III and Pilot 100i; and Piper Seminole twins. Operators and maintenance personnel who work on IO-360 engines are asked to provide any information on uncommanded shutdowns, even if they do not involve the AVStar vertical- or horizontal-mounted fuel servos installed in cases reported so far. - Continue Here.

12/20/2025   A Low Approach Meets a Downdraft - From AVweb - "Downdrafts, descent below glide path led to landing gear collapse at remote Arctic strip, TSB says. - The pilots of a De Havilland Dash 8 cargo flight aimed to reduce the risk of runway overrun at a remote northern Canadian airstrip last spring. Instead, they encountered a downdraft and landed short, shearing off the left main landing gear and damaging the aircraft, according to a newly released Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) report. -  On March 30, 2024, the Air Inuit DHC-8-314, operating as a daytime cargo flight under instrument rules, departed La Grande Rivière Airport (CYGL) bound for Kangiqsujuaq (Wakeham Bay) Airport (CYKG) in northern Quebec. The two pilots and cargo agent onboard thankfully did not receive any injuries, despite significant damage to the Dash 8 on landing."  Find out More about the circumstances Here.

12/19/2025   No mayday call reported in Greg Biffle plane crash - From Autoweek - "After taking off at about 10:05 a.m., NTSB investigator in charge Dan Baker said the plane turned left to the west, followed by another left turn back to the east towards the airport, approximately five minutes after taking off. Baker said the plane initially hit a runway light stanchion located about 1,800 feet from the runway and trees on the edge of Lakewood Golf Club. It took out two other runway approaching lighting systems, hit the ground, slid across the road and took out an airport perimeter fence. It continued to slide in a ball of fire, s

topping just short of the runway’s threshold."  Find Out More Here.

12/17/2025   Boeing, United Test New Data Communication System - From Flying - "Partners conduct flights over the U.S., U.K., and Europe. -Boeing and United Airlines are partnering to test out an internet-based data communication system meant to improve the flow of information between the flight deck, air traffic control (ATC), and airline operation centers. - Starting in October, the manufacturer conducted test flights using a United 737-8 crewed by United pilots to assess Internet Protocol Suite (IPS) standards. The IP-based system is expected to enhance operational efficiency and flight safety while also reducing air traffic congestion, fuel use, and emissions."  Find Out More Here.

12/17/2025   Consider These Tool Control Tips for Safer Aircraft Maintenance - From Business Aviation Insider - "In the aircraft maintenance world, inadequate tool control procedures can potentially contribute to catastrophic consequences. The countless possibilities of worst-case scenarios that begin with misplaced tools or foreign object damage are why business aircraft maintenance technicians put a priority on ensuring their tool control procedures are top notch. That means carefully managing every tool in a flight operation."  Learn about the technologies for safety Here

12/17/2025   Bedford Discusses ‘State of American Aviation’ in House Hearing - From AVweb - "Lawmakers review post-crash actions as agency details modernization plans. -  Federal Aviation Administration administrator Bryan Bedford appeared before the House Aviation Subcommittee on Tuesday to outline the agency’s assessment of the U.S. aviation system and steps taken following a fatal January collision near Reagan Washington National Airport. The hearing, titled “The State of American Aviation,” brought together lawmakers and agency leadership to review airspace safety, air traffic control staffing, and the pace of long-planned modernization efforts. -  Safety Measures Following January Collision:

Bedford, who took office in July, said January’s deadly accident between a CRJ700 and a military Black Hawk helicopter near DCA that killed 67 people prompted immediate operational changes and a broader review of risk management practices. - “The DCA accident was a defining moment for the FAA and for the country,” Bedford said in prepared testimony. -  During the hearing, Bedford pointed to new helicopter restrictions around Washington-area airports, along with..."  More Here.

12/17/2025    InFO 25008, Safety Enhancements to Flightcrew Alerting on Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft Designated as Boeing Models 737-7, 737-8, 737-8200, 737-9 and 737-10, is now published. - This InFO explains the upcoming restrictions on airworthiness certificate issuance and operational restrictions on the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in the United States (U.S.). - The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link,  https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/   InFO25008.pdf

12/17/2025   US government admits negligence in helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 in Washington - From AP - "WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army played a role in causing the collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk helicopter near the nation's capital, killing 67 people. -  The official response to the first lawsuit filed by one of the victims’ families said that the government is liable in the crash partly because the air traffic controller violated procedures about when to rely on pilots to maintain visual separation that night. Plus, the filing said, the Army helicopter pilots' “failure to maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid” the airline jet makes the government liable."  Continue Reading Here.

12/16/2025   FAA to reform safety efforts - Story by Reuters - "WASHINGTON, Dec 15 - The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday it plans to open a new aviation safety office as part of a strategic plan to improve hiring, training and proactively identify hazards before incidents occur. - FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford unveiled the "Flight Plan 2026" and will create an FAA Safety Management System "and implement an FAA-wide safety risk management process. To accomplish this, we will establish a Safety Integration Office..."  Continue Here

12/11/2026  Using AI to Improve Aircraft Weight and Balance Safety - From NBAA - "Aircraft industry innovators are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to develop new, on-aircraft, weight and balance (W&B) technology designed to increase safety by producing accurate, real-time measurements and reducing potential dangers from human error. - Of course, weight and balance is critical to safe flight operations because it directly affects aircraft performance, stability and controllability. An overloaded aircraft may struggle to takeoff, climb or maintain altitude, while an improperly balanced aircraft can become dangerously unstable and difficult to control, especially during takeoff and landing."  Read about it Here.

12/11/2025   The FAA’s final rule, Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC), responds to evolving aviation and airmen needs, providing for future growth and innovation without compromising the safety of light-sport category aircraft. MOSAIC increases the availability of safe, modern, and affordable aircraft for recreational aviation, flight training, and certain aerial work.

The MOSAIC final rule has two effective dates. On October 22, 2025, the following changes became effective:

• Pilot training and certification rules and privileges
• Repairman certification, maintenance rules, and tow-hitch installation
• Class G airspace and right-of-way rules

Changes affecting the removal of the “light-sport aircraft” definition from 14 CFR § 1.1, airworthiness certification requirements, and operations (including operating limitations), will take effect on July 24, 2026.   -   Visit faa.gov/newsroom/modernization-special-airworthiness-certification-mosaic-fact-sheet for more information on the changes.

12/11/2025    SAFO 17004, Cargo Retention Methods Using Pallet Straps, has been revised. - FAA -  This SAFO serves to warn operators that strapping cargo to a pallet to restrain cargo must be done in accordance with configurations explicitly permitted by the design approval holder’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved Weight and Balance Manual (WBM) or WBM supplement. - The SAFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link, https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos

• SAFO17004.pdf

12/04/2025   Plane crashed after 3D-printed part collapsed - From BBC - "A plane crashed after a 3D-printed part softened and collapsed, causing its engine to lose power, a report has found. - The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said in a report that the induction elbow was made of "inappropriate material" and safety actions will be taken in future regarding 3D printed parts."   Read full story Here.

12.03/2025   Beyond Proficient: Extra 300 Series | Part Two, The Flight - From AOPA - VIDEO - Upset Recovery in an EXTRA 300. Plus Links to Parts 1 and 3.  Join the advanced student as he experiences preparing to fly aerobatics for the first time. View PART TWO Here.   More:  LINK TO PART ONE:    • Beyond Proficient: Extra 300 Series | Part...   LINK TO PART THREE:    • Beyond Proficient: Extra 300 Series | Part...   Part Two, The Flight, shows why upset recovery training with a qualified instructor can help pilots better understand the dynamics of unusual attitudes and gain knowledge on how to safely recover from them. The Extra 300 Series introduces upset recovery from turning and accelerated stalls—including base-to-final skidded and slipped turns leading to stall/spin scenarios—nose pitched down stall recovery, and aerobatics such as aileron rolls, loops, Cuban eights, split-S maneuvers, and more. The series is made possible by the generous support of the Hall-Halliburton Foundation. Special thanks to Bruce Williams who donated the Extra 300 to AOPA.

12/03/2025   Guest Post: How Part 108 Could Pave the Runway to LA 2028 - From AVweb - "UAS safety leader explores how Part 108 automation, manufacturing standards and system-level reliability could redefine “pilot in command.” - "With eVTOL developers like Archer targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the debut of on-demand aerial mobility, the FAA’s proposed Part 108 BVLOS rule may be the regulatory bridge that connects drone operations to crewless passenger transport. Automation, manufacturing standards, and system-level reliability in Part 108 could redefine what “pilot in command” means for the next generation of aviation. - From Remote Pilots to Autonomous Aviation - Part 108 may do for unmanned aviation what Part 23 did for general aviation. - For years, the drone industry has called for a rule that enables scalable beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), released earlier this year, introduces just that—a structure that..."   Read More About This Here.

12/02/2025   Quantifying maintenance risk - From AOPA - "Are GA airplanes more dangerous to fly during the first hours after maintenance? - In the early 1940s as World War II was raging, distinguished British biologist Conrad Hal (C.H.) Waddington had his academic career temporarily interrupted when he became involved in operations research for the Royal Air Force Coastal Command.- The principal assignment of Waddington and his fellow scientists in the Coastal Command Operational Research Section was to advise the British military on how it could more effectively combat the threat from German submarines. Among other projects, Waddington and his colleagues were tasked with improving the dispatch reliability of two squadrons of B–24 Liberator submarine hunters based at Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, consisting of approximately 40 aircraft. At any given time, only about 20 of these were flight ready, with the rest of them undergoing maintenance or waiting for repair parts."   Finish Reading Here.

12/02/2025   Guest Post: Building Flight Training Cultures of Mutual Support - From AVweb - "How psychological safety, honest debriefing, and mutual support turn flight schools into true high-performance teams. -  When we talk about improving safety and performance in flight training, the conversation often drifts toward curriculum updates, simulator hours, or technology upgrades. But as anyone who’s spent time in a flight school knows, the real difference between an average training environment and a great one isn’t just about tools—it’s about culture. - Specifically, it’s about how instructors support each other, hold each other accountable, and create an environment where everyone—students and CFIs alike—feels safe to speak up, learn, and grow. - That’s psychological safety, mutual support, and peer accountability in action. And the open-honest, humble debrief is where it all starts." Read More Here.

12/01/2025    Climb every mountain - From AOPA - "Ya know, once you get past the plateaus - Learning to fly is hard and sometimes teaching it feels even harder. - At some point, your students might flounder with a skill or two and see their learning plateau. This can be a discouraging experience, and without CFI guidance and a light at the end of the tunnel, these challenges can feel insurmountable. Most people who start flight training don’t finish, and plateaus in learning likely contribute to that."  Learn how to vanquish learning plateaus Here.

12/01/2025   Loft Dynamics Partners with Trifork to Scale Qualified Pilot Training on Apple Vision Pro - PR Release - " Loft Dynamics, the pioneer behind the world’s first EASA- and FAA-qualified virtual reality flight simulators, announced a strategic partnership with Trifork, a global technology company and leader in spatial computing. Together, the companies are developing an industry-defining solution called LoftHOME, an at-home pilot training kit that extends Loft Dynamics’ qualified training ecosystem to Apple Vision Pro. This will allow Loft Dynamics to bring its high-fidelity, regulator-approved flight instruction to pilots anywhere, anytime and at scale.

For decades, pilot training has relied on full-motion simulators which are trusted but costly and cumbersome, limited in number, and often far from where pilots live and work. That model restricts how often pilots can train and how flexibly operators can schedule instruction. LoftHOME aims to change that by delivering the same realism and rigor trusted by regulators in a flexible, immersive format on Apple Vision Pro.  Read More about this program and the Vision Pro Here

12/01/2025   NBAA, FlightSafety International and CAE Launch Standardized Aircraft SOPs to Enhance Business Aviation Safety - From NBAA - "Washington, DC, – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), FlightSafety International and CAE announced the publication of industrywide aircraft standard operating procedures (SOPs), a key resource years in the making that marks a new milestone in business aviation safety and consistency. - The new Airplane Standard Operating Procedures Manual represents the culmination of a long-standing effort aimed at helping aircraft operators follow the same, proven standards in multi- and single-pilot operations. The manual incorporates best practices developed with input from business aircraft operators of all sizes, manufacturers and training experts.

Widespread adoption and implementation of the SOPs will result in improved safety through standardization and ensure consistency among multi-fleet operators and dynamic crew and staffing situations. - The common SOPs also will produce stronger data, enabling tailored and informed improvement to training programs. - “We’re excited to introduce these SOPs with our partners after years of work with operators, aircraft manufacturers and training experts,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “These SOPs will ensure everyone is following proven best practices – creating a more predictable safety environment for all.”

“This is a defining collaborative step to enhance safety in business aviation,” said CAE Senior Director, Global Training Solutions Timothy Schoenauer. “With these SOPs rooted in our training programs, we’re equipping pilots with the knowledge and skill for today’s operational environment.” - “This effort reflects years of collaboration across the business aviation industry,” said FlightSafety International EVP, Learning Center Operations Ben Carter. “Embedding the SOPs into training is a step toward greater consistency and directly supports safer operations.”  - Crews can expect to see the new SOPs during training events at FlightSafety International and CAE in summer 2026, giving operators time to become familiar with the new standards. - NBAA will provide opportunities for the industry to provide feedback on the Airplane Standard Operating Procedures Manual as it continues to update the resource with best practices.

Business aviation professionals can learn more about the new SOPs by viewing the recording of NBAA’s National Safety Forum, which took place Oct. 15 during the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

12/01/2025   Businessman admits scamming airlines with fake parts - From The Telegraph - "An engineering boss has admitted supplying fake parts to airlines such as Ryanair in a scandal that grounded hundreds of planes around the world. - Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, the chief executive of UK-based AOG Technics, on Monday pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit aircraft engine parts in a scam that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said risked public safety on a global scale. - Mr Yrala, 37, of Virginia Water in Surrey, was granted conditional bail at Southwark Crown Court to appear for his sentencing hearing at the same court on Feb 23. - Between 2019 and 2023, the SFO said Mr Yrala defrauded customers by selling them bogus components that were eventually fitted into the world’s most widely used passenger aircraft engine powering the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320."  More on this story Here.

12/01/2025    Development of the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy Graduate Competency Model - This information has recently been updated and is now available. The updated report 25-55 is available in full text:

Full-Text PDF: Development of the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy Graduate Competency Model

Authors:  L. Cole, E. A. L. LaRose, A. Shiomichi, E. Lentz, J.D. Barrett, C. Sanders

Air Traffic Controller (ATC) training provides new and previous-experience hires the opportunity to learn and practice various knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to control air traffic successfully. However, there is a lack of understanding of the minimum competencies and proficiencies new hires possess when they arrive at a field facility, which could influence the field training experience and potentially affect certification rates at the first facility.

To address this gap, a competency model was developed for Tower and En Route training options at the FAA Academy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) conducted research directed by the National Airspace System (NAS) Human Factors Research Division, NAS Human Factors Safety Laboratory, AAM-520, to develop a competency model for the expectations for performance of trainees upon successful completion of the Academy training.

In support of this effort, CAMI contracted the services of PDRI by Pearson. The contractor team applied rigorous job analysis methods to develop and validate the competency model. As such, three primary steps were taken: developing a framework and draft competencies and reviewing them with instructors and evaluators, developing and administering a job analysis survey to validate the competencies, and revising the competency model based on the results of the survey. This report provides details on the steps taken to develop the model and present the final model for use within and outside of the FAA.  No. of Pages: 57

11/30/2025    Cirrus SR Series G7+ Is the First Autoland-equipped Piston Aircraft - AINonline - VIDEO  "Cirrus has announced the launch of the new SR series G7+, the first piston-single aircraft to be equipped with Garmin’s Safe Return Emergency Autoland system."  -  Read About it Here.

11/29/2025   When Tech Fails, Analog Gear and Skills Can Save You - From Business Aviation Insider - "Modern avionics are reliable, and most pilots fly with backups for the backups, but every now and then you hear about pilots who experience a massive malfunction requiring them to fall back on basic skills – pilotage, dead reckoning, an instrument scan and hand flying."  Discover How Here.

11/29/2025   Maintenance: Tips for Preflight Walk-Around Inspections  - From NBAA - The FAA generally defines preflight inspections as a thorough and systematic visual and functional examination of an aircraft to ensure it’s in airworthy condition for safe operation before each flight. Obviously, preflight walk-arounds contribute to safety by providing a critical last line of defense to detect any issues that may have been missed. - But what are the “best practices” for a typical walk-around? Ask any group of business aviation pilots or maintainers for their “best” way to do a preflight walk-around inspection, and you’re likely to get two different sets of answers." Read the rips Here.

11/26/2025   "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast - From AOPA There I Was Podcast - Episode 89: Gear-Up Landing - "Tony Williams and Ben Taylor prepare to ferry a Cessna 401 that’s been resurrected after almost 25 years in storage. Despite meticulous planning, high-speed taxi tests, and pattern work, a loud bang on..."  Left Gear Failed - with ATC help - A landing on a Foamed Runway - Listen to it Here.

11/26/2025   Ex-Thunderbird Pilot Shares Lessons for Bizav Operators - From Business Aviation Insider -  "An insightful list of productive habits from a former combat fighter pilot and precision aviator has potential applications in the business aviation industry."  Read about the tips Here.

11/26/2025   Ice/Snow on Wings Blamed for Fatal TBM 700 Crash - From AINonline - "Aircraft departed without deicing and stalled and crashed shortly after liftoff - The pilot’s decision to take off with ice and snow contamination on the wings resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain was the probable cause of the Nov, 26, 2023 fatal accident of a Daher TBM 700, according to the NTSB final report. The instrument-rated private pilot and his passenger, a commercial-rated pilot and flight instructor, were killed when the turboprop single crashed and burned moments after taking off from Mason County Airport in Ludington, Michigan, on a planned Part 91 day IFR flight to Angola, Indiana. - Some 15 minutes after being rolled out from an unheated hangar, the pilot taxied to the runway for departure, “with visible snow accumulation on the ground and on the airplane wings, and horizontal stabilizer,” said the report. Visibility was zero with moderate snow showers, and a temperature and dewpoint of -1 degrees C."  Aircraft manager described what happened. Read it Here.

11/26/2025   Boeing Apache Pilots Will Train With Augmented Reality for First Time - From FLYING - "Red 6’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems (ATARS) can simulate real-world scenarios for military pilot training. -  For the first time, U.S. military helicopter pilots will train using augmented reality (AR) technology that can recreate real-world scenarios within a digital space. - On Monday, augmented reality flight training systems developer Red 6 said it has integrated its Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems (ATARS) on Boeing’s AH64E Apache Crewstation Advanced Technology Testbed (CATT). That marks the company’s first integration with a U.S. Army platform and the first-ever integration of such a system on a rotorcraft platform, Red 6 said.

The company’s ATARS is designed to allow pilots to simulate “threat-relevant, near-peer level training scenarios” without the risks, logistical constraints, and costs of live exercises. The system overlays virtual scenarios onto the real world, including one-on-one fighter jet combat and air-to-air refueling. It could even enable training with autonomous “loyal wingmen” envisioned under the military’s collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) strategy. - Previously, Red 6 collaborated with Boeing on an advanced pilot training system for the T-7A Red Hawk"   Continue Here.

11/26/2025   Don’t Put Your Business Aircraft at Risk: Paint Pros Share Best Practices - Business Aviation Insider - "Business aviation managers and maintenance technicians know that the value of an effective aircraft paint job goes well beyond appearance alone. Not only does paint protect against damage from moisture, dirt and harmful pollutants, but chipped, cracked or improperly maintained paint can ultimately threaten the aircraft’s structural integrity and impact safety. -  With so much at stake, business aircraft paint professionals shared their top do’s and don’ts, as well as important guidance on choosing the best shop for your operation.  Continue and Learn More Here.

11/26/2025   FAA’s Bedford: ATC Apps Key to Innovating Faster - From AINonline - "FAA is eyeing a four-layer system - FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told industry leaders at the Honeywell aviation leadership conclave last week in Washington, D.C., that the agency needs an ATC system based on iPad-like applications. New tools, including commercial off-the-shelf systems, will be used, Bedford said. -  “We have to move from an analog National Airspace System to a digital NAS,” he said. "How data is delivered is less relevant than rearchitecting the ATC system. -  Bedford added ATC systems such as Stars and advanced technologies and oceanic procedures are some of the most sophisticated and safe on the planet. But these systems are not connected, and only..."  Find Out More Here.

/26/2025   NTSB Preliminary Report On United Windshield Strike - From AVweb - "Report details United windshield impact, balloon proximity and early findings. - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the Oct. 16 windshield strike incident involving United Airlines flight 1093 over Moab, Utah. The Boeing 737-8 was forced to divert to Salt Lake City after an object hit the first officer’s forward windshield during cruise at 36,000 feet. Glass entered the cockpit during the impact and left the captain with minor injuries, although aircraft pressurization remained stable for the duration of the flight." More Here.

11/21/2025   McSpadden Report: GA accident rate down in 2023 - From AOPA - VIDEO - "AOPA’s Air Safety Institute documented statistical safety improvement in the thirty-fifth edition of the Richard G. McSpadden Report—formerly the Joseph T. Nall Report—which covers general aviation accidents in 2023. -  During that calendar year, the most recent for which complete accident reports are available, there were a total of 1,097 GA accidents across the United States, of which 186 were fatal. -  The overall accident rate per 100,000 flight hours fell markedly, to 3.86 from 4.3 in 2022, and the fatal accident rate declined to 0.65 from 0.68 in the year before. A significant increase in flight hours drove the accident rate lower.

Overall, GA flight activity increased by 6 percent in 2023 to 28.4 million hours, from 26.8 million hours in 2022. - Noncommercial fixed-wing aircraft were involved in 929 accidents, about 70 percent of which were related to pilot actions (or inaction). Of that total, 156 were fatal."   Continue Here for further explanation and  VIDEO,  

11/21/2025    NBAA Welcomes Senate Bills to Protect Pilot and Controller Safety, Support Mental Health -  PR From NBAA - Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, dhubbard@nbaa.org   -  Washington, DC, Nov. 20, 2025 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today welcomed the introduction of the Mental Health in Aviation Act and the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, which will improve transparency surrounding medication guidelines and increase access to mental health resources, while reducing the stigma surrounding such needs and protecting the livelihood of controllers and pilots.

11/20/2025   Sharp Rise In Serious Military Accidents Last Year - From AVweb - "Pentagon figures prompt renewed scrutiny as accident rates climb. -  Pentagon data released internally to Congress earlier this year indicated a significant increase in serious military accidents in 2024. The data showed a 55% increase in significant military aviation accidents per 100,000 flight hours in the 2024 budget year compared with four years prior. Marine Corps saw the steepest climb, nearly tripling its rate over the same period. - The Associated Press received a copy of the data and said it conducted an independent review of the figures. - Over the first 10 months of the 2024 budget year, 25 service members and Defense Department civilian employees were killed and 14 aircraft were destroyed. In a statement to AP, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said the rising rates “are incredibly troubling and demand action.”  Read About it Here.

11/14/2025    Maintenance: Tips for Preflight Walk-Around Inspections - From Business Aviation Insider - "The FAA generally defines preflight inspections as a thorough and systematic visual and functional examination of an aircraft to ensure it’s in airworthy condition for safe operation before each flight. Obviously, preflight walk-arounds contribute to safety by providing a critical last line of defense to detect any issues that may have been missed. - But what are the “best practices” for a typical walk-around? Ask any group of business aviation pilots or maintainers for their “best” way to do a preflight walk-around inspection, and you’re likely to get two different sets of answers. - “I think the difference is..."  Find out More Here.

11/14/2025   Eyes on the Sky: How Next-Gen HUDs Will Transform Cockpits in 2026 - From Avionics International - "As we approach the cusp of 2026, one of the most significant avionics trends set to reshape the cockpit isn’t artificial intelligence, it’s the evolution of Head-Up Displays (HUDs). Once a specialized feature for fighter jets and select business aircraft, HUD technology is now moving into commercial airliners and regional aircraft at scale. - Next-generation HUDs promise to improve safety, situational awareness, and operational efficiency while redefining the pilot experience.  - At its core, a HUD projects critical flight information directly..."  More Here.

11/13/2025   Industry Input Leads FAA to Expand Organization Designation Authorization Program  - From NBAA - "The FAA recently published a revised Order 8100.15C Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) Procedures, expanding the ODA functions to include some airmen certification activities. - The ODA program allows authorized companies to issue certificates and conduct certain inspections on behalf of the FAA, with agency oversight. Traditionally, the program has been applied to various airworthiness functions, including certain type certification; production certification; supplemental type certification; and major repair, alteration and airworthiness activities. -  “The revised order expands flight standards-related activities to include certain airmen certification functions, applicable to Parts 121, 135, 141, 142, 145 and 147,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s senior vice president of safety, security, sustainability and international operations. “This is especially helpful as the FAA faces resource constraints, and some Part 135 operators wait extended periods of time to have an FAA inspector conduct a pilot check.”  More Here.

11/13/2025   NBAA Press Release - Washington, DC, Nov. 13, 2025 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), FlightSafety International and CAE announced the publication of industrywide aircraft standard operating procedures (SOPs), a key resource years in the making that marks a new milestone in business aviation safety and consistency. - The new Airplane Standard Operating Procedures Manual represents the culmination of a long-standing effort aimed at helping aircraft operators follow the same, proven standards in multi- and single-pilot operations. The manual incorporates best practices developed with input from business aircraft operators of all sizes, manufacturers and training experts.

Widespread adoption and implementation of the SOPs will result in improved safety through standardization and ensure consistency among multi-fleet operators and dynamic crew and staffing situations. - The common SOPs also will produce stronger data, enabling tailored and informed improvement to training programs.  Continue Here.

11/11/2025    He saved over 400 lives midair. Now, this former pilot warns AI could make pilots' jobs harder, especially during a crisis. -= From Business Insider - COMMENTARY and VIDEO "When Qantas Flight 32 left Singapore on November 4, 2010, everything felt routine. It was clear skies, no wind, the "perfect day to go flying," recalled Captain Richard Champion de Crespigny, the pilot in command. - That didn't last long. Four minutes after takeoff, two loud bangs tore through the cabin, shaking the aircraft as dozens of warning alarms erupted. = "The engine number two had exploded, and it created shrapnel like a cluster bomb where 400 pieces of shrapnel hit the aircraft," de Crespigny told Business Insider's Maggie Cai, who interviewed him for our video series, Authorized Account. - De Crespigny, a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot, led a five-person crew that day. They faced 21 system failures, 120 checklists, 650 broken wires, 50% network failures, and shrapnel holes through the wing."   Read the story & View VIDEO Here,

11/09/2025   Trump: ATC Overhaul Contract Coming Within Six Weeks - From AVweb - "Donald Trump said the government will issue contracts within six weeks to retool the nation’s air traffic control system. - President Donald Trump said Thursday the government will move forward with plans to replace the current air traffic control system, calling it “much worse” after what he described as failed modernization efforts under previous administrations. Speaking at a press conference, Trump said “about four” major companies are competing for the contract to install a new, nationwide system. - ATC Overhaul Contract Status - “It’ll be expensive, but we’ll have the best,” he said. “The control towers, they’ll be stripped down to the bone.” - "Trump claimed that billions were wasted on past ATC overhaul projects. The new modernization contract is expected to be awarded within six weeks, he said. - The FAA issued a request for solutions (RFS) for a ‘prime integrator’ in late August. The prime integrator’s role would..."  Read More Here.

11/06/ 2025   Ask ATC: Calling Up a Busy Controller - From ASI - VIDEO -  "When tuning into a busy frequency, what’s the most important thing to tell ATC? In this video, Indianapolis Center Air Traffic Control Specialist Bob Obma offers VFR pilots advice."  View it Here.

11/05/2025     Duffy: ‘We’ll Shut the Whole Airspace Down’ - From AVweb - "Transportation secretary Sean Duffy warns growing risks to aviation system amid prolonged shutdown. - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday that the impact of the ongoing government shutdown is spreading through the nation’s air traffic system, with staffing shortages causing widespread flight delays and cancellations. Speaking on CNBC, Duffy described the situation as “like a rolling thunder throughout the system,” saying conditions change daily as different air traffic control facilities become short-staffed.  - “You saw New York yesterday was incredibly rough,” he said. “Significant delays.” - Missed Paychecks, Heightened Safety Risks - Duffy said air traffic controllers will again likely receive pay stubs showing “zero” pay for the next period, warning that missing a second paycheck could lead many to quit."  Continue Here.

11/03/2025   PHI Air Medical Becomes First Air Ambulance Operator in the Americas to Train Pilots with VR Flight Simulation—Using Loft Dynamics’ Simulator - PR - Loft Dynamics - "MESA, ARIZONA and SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – Oct. 23, 2025 — PHI Air Medical, one of the largest air ambulance providers in the United States has become the first air medical operator in the Americas to implement full-motion virtual reality (VR) flight simulation for pilot training. The company has installed a full-motion VR simulator from Loft Dynamics—the first VR system qualified by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)—at its training base in Mesa, Arizona. PHI is now launching an entirely new training program centered around VR and its Airbus H125 simulator, giving pilots round-the-clock access to immersive, mission-specific training that mirrors the urgency and complexity of real-world operations."  More about this Here

11/03/2025   The FAA Mandate for 25-Hour Cockpit Voice Recorders: An Under-Reported Story - From Avionics International - "In the whirlwind of headlines about NextGen surveillance, 5G interference, and ADS-B, one U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement has been creeping under the radar, yet it could reshape safety, retrofit schedules, and costs across the aviation industry: the recently legislated mandate for 25-hour Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs)."  Find Out More Here

11/03/2025   NTSB Warns: Learjet Landing Gear May Detach - From AVweb - "Recommendation follows Scottsdale Learjet accident tied to maintenance misassembly. - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent recommendation Wednesday, calling for immediate action on certain Bombardier Learjet aircraft after investigators found that landing gear on multiple models could separate from the airframe during landing. - The recommendation, directed to the FAA, urges the agency to require operators of 10 Learjet models—affecting 1,883 airplanes in service—to comply with Bombardier service bulletins issued in March. A second recommendation calls for Bombardier to revise its maintenance procedures to include a post-maintenance visual check confirming that the main gear’s aft trunnion pin and retaining bolt are correctly aligned and secured. - The action stems from the NTSB’s ongoing investigation into a Feb. 10 runway excursion in Scottsdale, Arizona, involving a Learjet 35A that veered off the runway and..."  Story and Photo Illustration Here.

11/03/2025    VFR into IMC: Automated Weather Reports - From ASI - "Because they offer very specific information, METARs tend to carry a lot of weight with pilots. There's nothing wrong with that - but it's worth keeping a few things in mind. Video from ASI's online course, VFR into IMC https://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/vfr-.... This video was prepared by the AOPA Foundation under award NA12NWS4680015 from the National Weather Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Weather Service or the U.S. Department of Commerce."  Watch it Here on YouTube

11/03/2025   Johnston Regional Airport hopes to pioneer FAA's next-gen digital air traffic control - From WRAL-NEWS - "While the Federal Aviation Administration is facing an air traffic controller shortage, it’s testing a modern alternative to the traditional air traffic control system called a remote tower. The head of Johnston Regional Airport wants to be “first in flight” once this digital remote tower takes off. - While the Federal Aviation Administration is facing an air traffic controller staffing shortage, it’s also testing a modern alternative to the traditional air traffic control system called a digital remote tower. -  The head of Johnston Regional Airport wants to be “first in flight” once this remote tower takes off."  Read/View it Here.

11/02/2025    How Business Aircraft Technology Is Mitigating Air Turbulence - From NBAA - "At 42,000 feet, the air is thinner and smoother – cruising is just that: cruising. -  Up on that stratospheric superhighway is where many business jets spend most of their time. Their passengers remain safe, in large part, from the turbulence affecting many aircraft below. -  But outside of the ultra-long-range jets and midsize models, among the light jets and turboprops – aircraft often with altitude ceilings of 35,000 feet or below – turbulence can cause passenger discomfort at best and at worst, structural damage or loss of control. - Pilots report about 65,000 incidents of clear air turbulence each year, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research."  Learn more about what might be done Here.

11/02/2025   Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein and Game Aerospace Co-Founder and Chairman Steuart Walton drew a packed crowed to the NBAA-BACE Flight Deck stage, where they discussed the nation’s technological, regulatory and workforce environment and how those factors often are linchpins to driving change. Read more.

10/29/2025   Investigation into crash of small jet owned by Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil prompts urgent NTSB recommendation - From CNN - "The investigation into the crash of a Learjet, owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil, has prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to issue an urgent recommendation to make sure similar planes’ landing gear are “securely attached.” - On February 10, Neil’s Learjet 35A was landing at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona when the left main landing gear separated and the jet veered across a gravel safety area, slamming into a parked Gulfstream G200 jet.

10/25/2025    Uncleared take-off led Hawker 850XP to collide with landing Mustang - From Flight Global - "Expectation bias played a role in a Raytheon Hawker 850XP crew’s decision to take off without clearance from Houston, before the jet collided at an intersection with a landing Textron Aviation Citation Mustang. - As the Hawker neared lift-off from runway 22 at William Hobby airport, its left wing-tip struck the tail cone of the Mustang which was rolling out on runway 13R. - The Hawker crew continued the take-off and, during the initial climb, advised air traffic control that they needed to return to the airport."   Expectation Bias is allegedly bas the cause of many runway incursions and other types of accidents.  Learn what happened Here.

10/24/2025   Satellite Navigation - GPS/WAAS Approaches - FAA - Newest inventory numbers HERE

10/19/2025    NTSB Report: Carb Ice Cited in Colorado Tecnam Crash - From AVweb - "NTSB says failure to apply carb heat led to partial power loss, highway landing. - Last week the NTSB released its final report on a June 16, 2024 off-airport accident in Larkspur, Colorado. Both pilots were seriously injured and the Tecnam P2006T they were flying sustained substantial damage. - The main culprit? Carb ice. - During the flight, the pilots conducted one-engine-inoperative procedures with the left engine shut down. After two tries to restart the engine afterwards, the pilots got the engine going again and started their return journey back towards Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood. - As they began descending near the airport, the MEI and CSEL pilots noticed they needed an increased amount of right rudder pressure in order to maintain control of the aircraft. While dealing with the battle to stay coordinated, the pair discovered drops in both left engine rpm and temperature. - Emergency Landing - As the left engine continued losing power, the instructor diverted toward Perry Park Airport (CO93), about four nautical miles away. After securing the left engine and..."  Understanding Carb Ice IS important!  Finish reading Here.

Wiseman pilots the Citation over southern Nevada during an Oct. 15 demo flight [Credit: Ryan Ewing]

10/19/2025    From Cabin to Cockpit: Starlink Takes Hold in Business Aviation - From FLYING - "Pilots and operators say the system is reshaping cockpit communication, maintenance support, and real-time decision-making. - Pilots and operators say the system is reshaping cockpit communication, maintenance support, and real-time decision-making. - On the sidelines of NBAA-BACE 2025 in Las Vegas, business aviation operators demonstrated how Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system is rapidly gaining traction beyond the passenger cabin — with direct benefits for flight crews and operations teams. - During a demonstration flight aboard a Starlink-equipped Citation Sovereign, Ken Wiseman, director of aviation for Bryan Electric, described the system as a “game changer” for cockpit and operational communications.

“You can get access to all kinds of resources now, just like if you were on the ground, even better because it’s so much faster,” Wiseman said during an interview with FLYING. “If I have a problem with the airplane … I could get people on the phone immediately. I can text people. I can email. I can go online to some really serious resources about the jet or maybe the engines or avionics, whatever, and you pull it up quickly.” - "Wiseman said the high-speed connection has enhanced in-flight crew resource management, enabling pilots to pull up digital resources, maintenance databases, and training references in real time." -Get the rest of the story Here,

09/28/2025   FAA to Update Airline Evacuation Procedures Recommendations - From AVweb - "Agency urges evacuation procedures to include clearer briefings to stop passengers from carrying bags during emergencies. - The Federal Aviation Administration is directing airlines to re-examine evacuation procedures after several recent incidents in which passengers exited aircraft with carry-on luggage, NBC News reported Friday. The FAA said the updated recommendations cover crew training, passenger announcements and commands during emergency situations."  Continue Here

09/28/2025   2 Candidates Emerge to Lead Massive ATC Overhaul - From FLYING - "Many of the FAA’s usual partners did not bid for the project. - Just two companies are vying for the massive job of upgrading the nation’s aging air traffic control (ATC) system, according to a Reuters report. - FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed to the news outlet that only two companies are in the running for the role of “prime integrator,” which will manage the multibillion-dollar project and parcel out work to numerous technology, construction, and logistics subcontractors."  Finish Reading Here

09/28/2025  Fueling Speculation: Sumping for Safety Still Critical to Preflight Checklist - From FLYING - "Instructor recounts a flight where an emergency landing revealed the critical importance of meticulous preflight checks. - After more than an hour of flight and several landings, during our fourth takeoff the flight instructor candidate was at the controls, and just 50 feet above the runway, the engine started to sputter."   A valuable lesson; read more Here.

09/27/2025   Part 108’s Implications for Drone and GA Safety - From AVweb - "Part 108 proposals raise questions on right-of-way, portable EC devices, and pilot responsibilities'- YOUR COMMENT INVITED - OPEB UNTIL OCT. 6 -

Announced this summer under a joint FAA and TSA proposal, Part 108 could reshape low-altitude airspace by opening the door for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The rule, now in the public comment stage, marks a major departure from Part 107 and introduces questions for both the unmanned and manned communities on how aircraft will safely share skies below 400 feet.

At the core of the discussion for manned pilots: who has right-of-way, how will drones and crewed aircraft avoid each other, and can portable electronic conspicuity devices offer a bridge for aircraft without ADS-B Out."  Continue Here.

09/26/2025   Episode 34: Aithre at SUNnFUN 2024 - From Wings "Plane Talk" Podcast - "Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer which can impact a pilot’s or flight crew’s cognitive skills and if left unchanged during flight could lead to a loss of consciousness. Jim Ruttler of Aithre, a CO alerting technology evangelist, discusses their technology" » Listen Now

09/21/2025  New APIS Rules for Bizav Start in Mexico | Aviation International News - From AOPA - "If you have ever felt an uncomfortable, involuntary tightening inside while speaking with air traffic controllers, perhaps asking them to “please say again” for the second or third time, you are not alone. Other pilots including seasoned professionals, as well as veteran controllers, occasionally have similar difficulty making sense of radio transmissions that might be plagued by signal interference, cabin noise, and terminology that is not always familiar." Learn More Here.

09/21/2025   When Flight Crews Have to Say ‘No’ to Principal Passengers - From Business Aviation Insider - "Despite the boss making it very clear that earning new business was critical to the pilot’s advancement in the company, the pilot didn’t cave to the pressure to give in, and the meeting was rescheduled. But the incident caused a rift between the business owner and the pilot that never quite healed."  The ways "no" can be expressed Here.

09/21/2025    ‘Perception Is Reality’ – Why It’s Important to Show Your Dedication to Aviation Safety - From Business Aviation Insider - "Experts explain the benefits of demonstrating safety accomplishments to company leaders, passengers and the public – especially now, after several recent accidents, incidents and near misses across the industry. - “Our industry must not only be safe, it must also be perceived as safe.” That credo, frequently cited by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, has gained added significance in the wake of several high-profile aviation accidents in 2025, some involving business aircraft and many of which have also received extensive media coverage and public scrutiny. - At a moment when safety is not only of paramount importance to aviation stakeholders but also a concern throughout the general public, flight operations must be able to effectively demonstrate their commitment to safe operations to company leaders, passengers and others."  An article dedicated to the promotion of safety. Read it Here.

09/21/2025   For all of you Airline Pilots out there:  A New SAFO - SAFO 25003, Addressing Risk Associated with Passenger Non-Compliance and Retention of Carry-On Baggage and Personal Items During Emergency Evacuations. - This SAFO serves to emphasize the operational and safety-critical importance of strict passenger compliance with crewmember instructions during emergency evacuations. Specifically, it addresses the adverse effects of passengers attempting to evacuate with carry-on items, which can significantly impede evacuation procedures and increase the potential for injury or fatality. - The SAFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link, https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos   SAFO25003.pdf

09/20/2025   Explore The Wide World of GA Flying in the FAA Safety Briefing Magazine - The September/October 2025 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine explores the tremendous variety of general aviation and focuses on the new perspectives and skills you'll need to consider when moving on to a different type of flying.

Feature Articles

Can a Balloon Stall?
Balloon Aerodynamics and the Importance of Transient Aerodynamic Lift

Seaplanes and Safety
Risk Management Essentials for Amphibious Aircraft 

Parachute Safety Unpacked
Reducing Risk from Freefall

Tackling Transition Training
The Importance of Familiarizing Yourself with Unfamiliar Aircraft 

Harvesting Safety in the Skies
Navigating Risks in Agricultural Aviation

Philanthropic Flying
Giving Back with General Aviation

Departments

Jumpseat: an executive policy perspective
The Wide World of GA Flying

Aeromedical Advisory: a checkup on all things aeromedical
Updates to Congressional Directives

Checklist: FAA resources and safety reminders
Handbooks Help You Choose Your Next Adventure

Drone Debrief: drone safety roundup
Three Airspace Mistakes Drone Pilots Make

Nuts, Bolts, and Electrons: GA maintenance issues
The 411 on Form 337

Vertically Speaking: safety issues for rotorcraft pilots
A Smooth and Safe Transition 

On Final: an editor’s perspective
A Little Bit of Everything

Faces: FAA employee profile
Charles Grabill, FAA's Authorized and Certificated Operations Section