Aviation News

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 […]

On the opening day of the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) national convention in Phoenix, Garmin’s Jim Alpiser announced the GCO 14—the company’s first carbon monoxide detector. The miniature remote sensor is compatible for displaying on the Garmin GTN Xi-series GPS navigators and on the GI 275 electronic flight display in a dedicated data field or […]

A German aviation publication is calling for the reopening of the investigation of the Germanwings A320 crash in France in 2015, saying there were some fundamental errors made by investigators. The crash, which killed all 150 people on board, was blamed on the suicide of Flight 9525’s First Officer Andreas Lubitz, who the investigation found […]

Aviation groups are endorsing President Donald Trump’s nomination of Bryan Bedford as FAA administrator. As we reported earlier, Bedford, the CEO of Republic Airlines, has broad support as Trump’s pick and doesn’t appear to trigger any red flags for Senate approval. National Air Transportation Association President Curt Castagna said Bedford’s long career in the industry […]