Aviation News

The Montana House of Representatives passed a bill limiting the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to assess landing fees on certain aircraft. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Shane Klakken (R-Grass Range), would block the use of ADS-B data for charging landing fees on aircraft weighing under 9,000 pounds, according to a March 20 […]

The Federal Aviation Administration is deploying runway safety technology upgrades at 74 air traffic control towers in the U.S., the agency announced Wednesday. The Runway Incursion Device (RID) is designed to assist air traffic controllers by providing real-time alerts when a runway is occupied or closed. With the ability to monitor up to eight runways […]

A Bering Air Cessna 208B that crashed on Feb. 6 in Nome, Alaska, killing all 10 people on board, was found to be more than 1,000 pounds overweight, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The report stated that the plane’s estimated gross weight at departure was approximately 9,865 pounds, […]

Boston-based Merlin, a developer of autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval today (March 19) for its Remote Data Concentrator. Approval for the RDC, developed in collaboration with Shadin Avionics, “supports Merlin’s ability to create certified advanced automation for an aircraft platform,” Merlin said, adding the approval represents a […]

Airport neighbors in Chatham, Massachusetts, are filing a town meeting petition to restrict the Chatham Municipal Airport to only Design Group I models (less than 49-foot wingspan). Because the measure received the requisite number of signatures, there will be a vote on May 10. But the town’s attorney along with the airport commission attorney warn […]

Group Captain John “Paddy” Hemingway, DFC, AE, an Irishman who served in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) during the 1940 Battle of Britain, died Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, at the age of 105. Hemingway was the last surviving of “The Few” participants in the epic air campaign. The summer of 1940 saw the outnumbered […]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has posted its Preliminary Report on the runway incursion and near-collision involving a Flexjet Challenger 350 and a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW). The Feb. 25 incident saw Southwest Flight 2504 (SWA2504) on final approach execute a last-minute go-around from just above the surface as […]

German-based Aviotech announced last week it has completed the first phase of flight testing on its Cirrus SR22-based unmanned aerial system (UAS) demonstrator. Associated with the University of Stuttgart, Aviotech is targeting type certification for the Cirrus-based UAS. The first phase of testing was conducted with a safety pilot on board. The next phases will […]

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore splashed down off the Gulf Coast near Tallahassee, Florida, a little before 6 p.m. local time today (March 18). The 286-day mission, which began last June aboard a NASA Boeing Starliner spacecraft, was expected to last just over a week. Also on board the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule […]

At this week’s Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) International Convention & Trade Show, the trade group announced its new Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) certification. As developed by AEA, the title becomes the primary certification for technicians. Earning the certificate requires an online knowledge-based written exam for entry-level technicians, administered by AEA’s new partner organization, the […]