Flight Safety

AVweb’s Flight Safety section offers in-depth coverage of aviation safety topics, including accident analyses, risk management strategies, regulatory updates, and pilot training insights. Designed for pilots, instructors, and aviation professionals, this section provides timely information to enhance situational awareness and promote best practices in flight operations.

Sun ‘n Fun Launches Tuesday

Everything from gliders to state-of-the-art business jets will be on display as the flying world flocks to Lakeland, Florida, for the official start of the airshow season at Sun ‘n Fun 2019. Exhibitors were already setting up on Sunday in preparation for opening day on Tuesday. Thousands of aircraft will be visiting Lakeland Linder International […]

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NTSB Urges Piper Spar AD Changes

The NTSB is urging the FAA to back off on its one-size-fits-all approach to potential wing spar cracking in 20,000 Piper singles, saying the cure may be more dangerous than the condition in some cases. According to the Piper Owners Society, the board says many of the aircraft swept up in the AD are likely […]

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Ethiopian Max Crash: Flight Data Implicates AoA Sensor

A faulty angle-of-attack sensor appears to have incorrectly activated the MCAS stall-protection system on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 that crashed in Ethiopia on March 10, according to sources briefed on the flight data recorder readout. If confirmed in the final report, that would make the accident a repeat of the October 2018 crash of […]

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None Dare Call It Murder

Non-fatal accident/incidents bring easy derision from those of us who’ve never been caught screwing up. Which is why each year IFR magazine runs Stupid Pilot Tricks, a jolly romp through NTSB accident reports, from which we present the best of the worst offenders for sanctimonious ridicule. If you think that’s sophomoric, it is. But I […]

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FAA Proposes Rule To Streamline Commercial Space Operations

The FAA has proposed a new rule that aims to “streamline and increase flexibility” in federal commercial space transportation regulations. The FAA says the rule would “consolidate and revise” existing regulations along with defining safety requirements and how to get and maintain a vehicle operator license for commercial space travel. The rule (PDF) was developed […]

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Boeing Confirms 737 MAX Software Changes, Defends Design

Following a rollout of new MCAS software over the weekend for pilots of five airlines operating the 737 MAX, Boeing on Wednesday brought together more than 200 stakeholders to formally discuss the changes and begin making the case for the aircraft to re-enter service. As we’ve previously reported, the changes to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation […]

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Seaplane Airline Going All Electric

The world’s largest floatplane-only airline says it will be the first electrically powered airline and will convert its entire fleet of 41 vintage de Havilland Beaver, Otter and Twin Otter aircraft and one Cessna Caravan to electric motors. Harbour Air, which is based in Vancouver, Canada, runs daily scheduled service between Seattle and Vancouver and […]

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Southwest 737 MAX Makes an Emergency Landing In Orlando

Seems as though the Boeing 737 MAX can’t get a break. Southwest Airlines had one of its out-of-service 737s commit an emergency landing in Orlando today when the crew reported an engine problem. The ferry flight, SWA 8701, had only the cockpit crew on board and landed safely 10 minutes after departing MCO. According to […]

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Boeing Reveals 737 MAX Software Changes To Pilots (UPDATED)

On Saturday, Boeing met with pilots from several airlines to review changes to the 737 MAX’s MCAS software in preparation for a more public explanation of the alterations expected to remove the beleaguered airliner from its worldwide grounding. On Wednesday, Boeing is expected to bring together “pilots and officials” from the airlines with the affected […]

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