Software bug at Alaska Airlines caused 2 tailstrikes

This is what led to the FAA issuing temporary ground holds for all Alaska Airlines flights. (gizmodo.com) More...

Is the Airbus A380 the World's Safest Plane?

Everyone knows the Airbus A380. The aircraft is a true icon, an engineering marvel no matter how many times you see or fly on it. Unfortunately, the age of four-engined aircraft is quickly fading, and various airlines have scrapped the aircraft or announced plans to phase out their Airbus A380s. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

FAA investigating near collision of two jets at Reagan National Airport

Two passenger jets came within 400 feet of each other before controllers took last-minute evasive action and immediately stopped the two planes. It’s not clear why the jets were authorized to be on the same runway at the same time. (wtop.com) More...

Onboard Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Inaugural Flight From Honolulu to San Francisco

Hawaiian Airlines’ first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner might have been one the biggest hyped aviation stories in the western hemisphere this year, with promises of a completely modernized long hauler, with new cabins in economy and business/first class. (www.gatechecked.com) More...

Pilot Shortage ‘Isn’t Real,’ ALPA Says

The union claims that there's a surplus of airline pilots. (airlinegeeks.com) More...

Delta is Giving Away Free Flights to the Paris Olympics. Here's How to Enter

As airlines around the world gear up to ferry passengers to the 2024 Paris Olympics, one airline is holding sweepstakes for one lucky person to win a free ticket to Paris. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

New Data Suggests a Rise in Aircraft Near-Misses

While it is true that plane collisions occur quite frequently, recent events may be overstating just how often they may occur. Accidents themselves do not occur as often as many believe and it is incredibly rare for a plane to experience difficulties during the flight itself. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

The New Boeing CEO Must Be an Airplane Geek, Not Just a Bean Counter

As Boeing prepares for a leadership change later this year, the incoming CEO faces an immense challenge: orchestrating a profound cultural shift within the company’s vast workforce of over 170,000 employees, a significant portion of whom are engineers. (www.airguide.info) More...

Boeing and the Dark Age of American Manufacturing

Somewhere along the line, the plane maker lost interest in making its own planes. Can it rediscover its engineering soul? (www.theatlantic.com) More...

United Cockpit Breach Incident: FAA Begins Investigation

United Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating how a passenger gained access to the cockpit of a 757 at cruise altitude in violation of the company’s policy and FAA regulations. (aviationa2z.com) More...

US Postal Service to migrate air cargo to UPS during summer

UPS will begin taking Postal Service air shipments from FedEx as the incumbent's contract winds down in the coming months. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

Nasa Veteran’s Propellantless Propulsion Drive That Physics Says Shouldn’t Work Just Produced Enough Thrust to Overcome Earth’s Gravity

Dr. Charles Buhler, a NASA engineer and the co-founder of Exodus Propulsion Technologies, has revealed that his company’s propellantless propulsion drive, which appears to defy the known laws of physics, has produced enough thrust to counteract Earth’s gravity. A veteran of such storied programs as NASA’s Space Shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS), The Hubble Telescope, and the current NASA Dust Program, Buhler and his colleagues believe their discovery of a fundamental new force… (thedebrief.org) More...

Regulator Investigating "Serious" Incident Involving ANA Wings Boeing 737-800 Ground Warning System

The incident involved two go-arounds. . (simpleflying.com) More...

Asia Pacific Airlines on notice for $2.9 million FAA fine

FAA says Pacific island carrier violated numerous safety rules. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

This AI-controlled jet fighter has now flown against human pilots

An AI test pilot has successfully flown a jet fighter in dogfights against human opponents. It's the latest development for DARPA's Air Combat Evaluation program, which is trying to develop aerospace AI agents that can be trusted to perform safely. Human test pilots have a bit of a reputation thanks to popular culture—from The Right Stuff to Top Gun: Maverick, the profession has been portrayed as a place for loose cannons with a desire to go fast and break the rules. The reality is… (arstechnica.com) More...

JetBlue, Southwest planes nearly collide – experts warn of air traffic control fatigue

Two planes were cleared on a collision path at Washington Reagan National Airport on Thursday. Thankfully, air traffic controllers got both aircraft to stop before disaster struck. JetBlue flight 1554 from Washington to Boston was cleared for takeoff, while Southwest flight 2937 to Orlando was cleared to cross the same runway. (www.usatoday.com) More...

Douglas C-54 plane with 2 people on board crashes into river outside Fairbanks, Alaska

Another veteran lost ... what a shame for the aircraft and crew (lasvegassun.com) More...

United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Diverts To San Francisco After Smoke Fills Cabin

Passengers arrived safely in San Francisco around 45 minutes after departure from Los Angeles. (simpleflying.com) More...

Russian Airlines Adopt Domestic Software for Maintenance of Western-Made Airliners

In response to increasing international tensions, Russia’s major airlines are beginning to implement domestically developed software solutions to support the maintenance of their Western-manufactured aircraft. This strategic shift aims to reduce reliance on Western technology and enhance the sustainability of Russia’s aviation operations amid global trade restrictions. (www.airguide.info) More...

Two Southwest 737s Remain in Legacy ‘Canyon Blue’ Livery

The airline has gradually been phasing out the 2001 paint scheme. (airlinegeeks.com) More...

American Scales Back Pilot Hiring Plans, Pauses Summer Classes

The airline is reducing its hiring targets by nearly half in 2024. (airlinegeeks.com) More...

Sunclass A330neo cockpit to Phuket Thailand

In the cockpit of the Sunclass Airlines Airbus A330-900neo from Oslo to Phuket and returning Phuket to Gothenburg with a fuel stop in Varna Bulgaria. (www.youtube.com) More...

United Airlines sets bar for Q1 cargo performance

United Airlines rode the coattails of the cargo recovery to a relatively strong first quarter. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

FAA will require more rest for air traffic controllers

"There are 1,000 fewer certified air traffic controllers working today than a decade ago, according to NATCA. As a result, many air traffic facilities are short-staffed, union president Rich Santa told a Senate subcommittee in November. Mandatory overtime — including six-day workweeks and 10-hour shifts — are routine, he said." (www.npr.org) More...

US FAA to mandate use of safety tool by charter airlines, manufacturers

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday said it is finalizing new rules requiring charter, commuter, air tour operators, and aircraft manufacturers to implement a key safety tool aimed at reducing accidents. The FAA is adopting a final rule mandating the use of Safety Management Systems (SMS), which are a set of policies and procedures to proactively identify and address potential operational hazards, after first proposing to do so in January 2023.… (www.reuters.com) More...

The Iron Dome: How Israel Was Able to Thwart 99% of Iran's Missile Attacks Thus Far

Since 2011, Israel's Iron Dome defense system has intercepted thousands of rockets and protected the country during times of conflict. It consists mainly of a three-part system that intercepts short-range rockets. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

Flight returns to CLT after smoke in cabin is reported

An American Eagle flight from CLT to CHA returned to CLT after smoke was reported in cabin after takeoff. (www.wcnc.com) More...

ALPA to Return $50 Million in Member Dues Amid ‘Record Revenue Gains’

The world's largest pilots union is returning member dues in a 'first-of-its-kind' move. (airlinegeeks.com) More...

When Culture and Air Travel Intersect

In Ask the Pilot: Crossover. Those moments when history, culture, art or politics intersect unexpectedly with commercial aviation. (askthepilot.com) More...

New Marine One POTUS Copter Demoted to Back-up to Fix its Tendency to Scorch the White House Lawn

While Lockheed Martin, maker of the new VH-92 Patriot Marine One type, actively advances a fix, USMC Helicopter Squadron One's (HMX-1) lawn friendly Nixon-era Sikorsky VH-3D Sea Kings will cover all Pennsylvania Ave. segments. (www.bnnbloomberg.ca) More...

Robin Hayes, Ex-JetBlue CEO, Appointed Head of Airbus North America

Airbus has announced the appointment of Robin Hayes, former CEO of JetBlue Airways, as the new leader of its North American operations. This strategic move by the European aircraft manufacturer was disclosed on Monday, signaling a significant shift in leadership aimed at strengthening its presence and operations in North America. (www.airguide.info) More...

FlySafair Boeing 737 loses wheel on take-off Johannesburg Airport, safely returns

On 21 April, a FlySafair Boeing 737-800 (registered ZS-FGE) operated domestic flight FA212 between Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. (www.aviation24.be) More...

Southwest Flight Declares Emergency in St. Louis: Engine Failure

In the last 30 minutes, a Southwest Airlines flight to Sacramento declared an emergency due to an engine failure, prompting a return to St. Louis. (aviationsourcenews.com) More...

FAA Publishes New AD On 737 MAX 8 & MAX 9 Electrical Fault As Watchdog Calls For Fleet Grounding

In The Foundation for Aviation Safety's opinion, the continuous electrical problems of the Boeing 737 MAX warrants the grounding of the type. (simpleflying.com) More...