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The U.S. Air Force said recently that it plans to build a 450-foot-long blimp within five years that will hover at 65,000 feet and stay aloft for a decade. The unmanned ship will serve as an aerial platform for surveillance gear that will allow the military to observe wide areas in fine detail. “That lets […]

Five groups representing the general aviation community this week asked the Transportation Security Administration to withdraw the onerous security directive that requires GA pilots to apply for identification badges from any airport they use, which takes effect on June 1. “We would like to see TSA … [instead] initiate the required rulemaking process to implement […]

A collective agreement covering the FAA’s air traffic controllers could be in place in early June. The National Association of Air Traffic Controllers announced Tuesday that formal mediated talks between the union and the agency began Monday. Former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey will lead the mediation panel, which also includes Richard Bloch and George Cohen, […]

Airports of Thailand (AOT) has given the go ahead for Bangkok-based ASA Group to develop Thailand’s first world-class fixed base operation at Phuket International Airport. The move is a clear indication that the country has overcome its recent troubles when demonstrators seized control of Bangkok’s International Suvarnabhumi Airport. Flights were suspended, leaving at least 3,000 […]

Most passengers on an airliner never even look out the window, but about 300 people on a commercial flight bound for Japan are lucky that U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bartek Bachleda, who works with the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, was paying attention. Shortly after takeoff from Chicago, Bachleda noticed what appeared to be a […]

The FAA is not making good use of the benefits that could be provided by the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), according to a report by the Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General that was released this week. “ASAP, as currently implemented, is a missed opportunity for FAA to enhance the national margin of safety,” […]

The Aeronautical Repair Station Association has issued a call to members to get on the phone, fax machine and e-mail to press their congressional representatives for a change in the FAA reauthorization bill that could affect U.S. repair stations that work on European aircraft. According to ARSA, the bill “will severely damage the competitive balance […]

Eventually, all pilots face the uncomfortable moment when passengers ask about the facts of flight. Don’t blush, stammer or tell them to “go ask your flight instructor.” Instead, tell them to take this quiz. Take the quiz. More Brainteasers

Vancouver International Airport’s neighboring public (and the world) now has access to a new Web site that combines NAV CANADA radar data and Airport Authority noise data to geographically display aircraft noise intensity and facilitate near-immediate public comment. The system, called WebTrak, also retains historical data — meaning that people can check their clock (and […]

First flight of one of six Boeing 787 Dreamliner test aircraft is expected in June, but the flight will test more than the new aircraft; it will also test a new method of manufacture for Boeing and maybe the company’s future. With a heavy reliance on both composites and outsourced manufacture, the 787’s major components […]