Qantas Pilots Report Radio Interference and GPS Jamming From Chinese Warships

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Qantas pilots reported repeating radio interference and GPS jamming from Chinese military units in the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. Qantas said there were no safety concerns and has instructed its pilots to keep flying on their routes despite the breach. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Flight attendants want to ban lap babies on planes

When the seat belt light blinks on, every passenger buckles up except for one group of fliers: lap babies. Unrestrained children sharing a seat with their parents are exempt from the safety mandate, presenting a growing concern amid recent incidents of severe turbulence. ... Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. “The G-forces are not something even the most loving mother or father can guard against and hold their child. It’s just physically… (www.seattletimes.com) More...

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary Reveals Talks Restarted with Boeing for New Aircraft Order

DUBLIN, IRELAND — In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Michael O'Leary, the Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair, expressed his optimism about the potential for a significant new aircraft order for the Irish budget carrier. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Japan Airlines Places an Order for 21 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — Boeing has emerged victorious in Japan, securing an order from the country's national carrier for 21 of its 737 MAX aircraft. The order comes as a surprise, as initial reports suggested that rival Airbus was the frontrunner. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Pentagon wants upgraded Pratt & Whitney F135 engines for fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters by 2030

The United States Department of Defense wants an upgraded F135 engine for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets by the end of this decade. This was announced by a representative of the Joint Program Office F-35 (JPO). (gagadget.com) More...

Pilot from another airline sets in to help incapacitated pilot

Good stuff that the public doesn't hear about much. (www.nbcnews.com) More...

Senators Propose Raising US Commercial Pilots Mandatory Retirement Age

A group of seven U.S. senators on Tuesday proposed legislation to raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age to 67 from 65, in a bid to address airline industry staffing issues. (www.reuters.com) More...

Vote on Biden's Pick to Run FAA Delayed

The fate of President Joe Biden's pick to run the Federal Aviation Administration is in doubt. The Senate Commerce Committee indefinitely postponed a scheduled vote on Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington, whose nomination has languished since Biden announced his choice July 2022. Major concerns were raised about the nominee's aviation industry experience. (www.usnews.com) More...

Flight problems, not turbulence, found in death of former White House official

The flight that left a former White House official dead earlier this month was marked by a series of missteps, alerts and system issues before the plane lurched violently in the sky, according to a preliminary report Friday from the National Transportation Safety Board. (link to NTSB report in story) (www.washingtonpost.com) More...

A second close call at Hollywood Burbank

The second close call in 30 days. This city has been fighting to close this airport because housing and businesses are bumping up against the airport perimeter. It doesn't leave the pilots much wiggle room if an emergency happens, and it's a relatively short runway to boot. (www.nbclosangeles.com) More...

The FAA Proposes Lengthening Cockpit Voice Recording Time to 25 Hours

The Federal Aviation Administration is working to establish a requirement that aircraft have longer duration cockpit voice recorders. The announcement comes after the agency held an emergency “safety summit” Wednesday following a series of near-collisions on US runways. (www.cnn.com) More...

Cathay Pacific in Talks to Expand Fleet with up to 50 Airbus Planes

HONG KONG — Sources who spoke to Bloomberg anonymously have revealed that Cathay Pacific is currently in discussions with aircraft lessors to acquire up to 50 Airbus A320neo airliners as the Hong Kong-based carrier seeks to expand its fleet following the easing of Covid-related restrictions. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Think you could land a plane in an emergency? Here’s why you can’t.

Picture this: You are on a flight when you learn that the pilots have fallen ill and can no longer fly the plane. A voice comes over the public address system, asking for a volunteer to help land the aircraft. You have no experience, but you have seen “Airplane!” and “Snakes on a Plane.” Maybe you’ve frittered away hours on Microsoft’s Flight Simulator. You throw off your seat belt and march toward the cockpit, your cape rustling behind you. Hold on, hero. You might want to return to your seat… (www.seattletimes.com) More...

FAA And EASA Are Closer After Difficult Discussions

We were faced with five major tragedies: [the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, the Germanwings crash, the Boeing 737 MAX crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war]. (aviationweek.com) More...

Lufthansa Airbus A380s to Re-Enter Service From June 1, 2023

Lufthansa has finally announced firm dates for the reintroduction of its Airbus A380 aircraft. (www.gatechecked.com) More...

Economy Passengers Could Soon Lie Down On Airplanes—Meet The Airline That's Doing It First

Economy flights practically guarantee a stiff neck, a child kicking the back of your seat and competition with your seatmate to claim the middle seat's armrests. One airline wants to cure to these traveling ailments: Air New Zealand recently announced the world's first lie-flat "pods" for economy class airplanes, set to debut in 2024. The concept, called "Skynest," has been in research and development for five years and will likely feature two rows of three stacked… (www.cnbc.com) More...

FedEx to transfer LA airport maintenance to Indianapolis

The Flying Tigers originally operated a maintenance hangar that FedEx acquired and will soon shutter at LAX. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

Two SpiceJet Pilots Suspended Over Photo Of Uncovered Cup Of Tea On Throttle Quadrant

Two SpiceJet pilots have landed themselves in hot water after one of them posted a photo showing an uncovered cup of tea perched on the middle of the throttle quadrant. (www.gatechecked.com) More...

Boeing probed for employees working on Air Force One jets without credentials

The Pentagon is looking into the case of some Boeing employees working on the current and upcoming Air Force One aircraft without updated security credentials. (www.aerotime.aero) More...