ATC News

AeroTime

High activity

At NBAA-BACE, FAA chief weighs Citation single-pilot pathway and SMART airspace access tools

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford discussed business aviation access, safety and air traffic modernization at NBAA-BACE. He said additional training and aircraft modifications could support consideration of a new single-pilot pathway for Citation aircraft, while the FAA’s SMART traffic management system could give on-demand operators better visibility into airspace availability.

FlightGlobal

FAA chief says AI-powered air traffic control overhaul will avoid NextGen’s failures

FAA chief Bedford says the regulator has a “great plan” for an AI-powered overhaul of the air traffic control system and promises it will not meet the fate of the troubled NextGen program. The remarks frame execution and delivery as central tests for the new modernization effort.

Space Intel Report

Iridium Q3 revenue rises 8%, with Aireon acquisition contributing to results

Iridium Communications reported an 8% increase in total revenue and a 13% rise in service revenue for the three months ended Sept. 30. The acquisition of Aireon, which provides aircraft tracking and flight data services, figured heavily in the results.

Reuters

NATO to deploy more patrol aircraft, radar and drones to Black Sea after attacks on shipping

NATO said it will send additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea following a series of deadly drone attacks on shipping in the region, apparently linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The move adds surveillance and monitoring capacity amid heightened risks to maritime traffic.

AINonline

RTX Collins’ Tower MicroELITE wins FAA approval, enters service at San Bernardino

RTX Collins’ Tower MicroELITE display system combines ADS-B and radar data for contract and private air traffic control towers. Following FAA approval of its airborne position-reference tool, the system has been installed at San Bernardino International Airport, marking its first deployment.

Washington Post

Opinion: Privatized air traffic control offers an alternative path to safer skies

The opinion piece argues that Democrats’ preference to slow modernization and Republicans’ call for government ownership are not the only choices for air traffic control. It advocates privatization as a better route to safer skies, though the supplied summary does not detail the proposed model or supporting evidence.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

German Typhoons intercept British Airways A321neo after air traffic controllers lose contact

Two German Air Force Typhoon fighters intercepted a packed British Airways A321neo on Saturday after air traffic control lost contact with its pilots as the aircraft approached German airspace. The aircraft was bound for London; the report does not specify how long contact was lost or what caused the communications failure.

Wall Street Journal

High activity

FAA, controllers’ union agree to 2.8% raise retroactive to Jan. 1, tied to workforce changes

The Federal Aviation Administration and the union representing U.S. air traffic controllers reached an agreement providing thousands of workers a 2.8% pay increase retroactive to Jan. 1. The deal links the raise to workforce changes and new work requirements that the FAA says will improve efficiency.