Unmanned Airspace
• Kylie Bielby
The FAA is launching Phase 2 of its BEYOND program and inviting additional participants to help integrate drones into the national airspace system. The initiative will examine operations at airports, in controlled airspace and across borders as drone activity expands.
Aviation Safety & Regulation
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The FAA is proposing special conditions for Skyryse’s fly-by-wire conversion of the Robinson R66, focusing on how pilots maintain awareness of control limits after conventional mechanical feedback is removed. The proposal addresses a key safety and certification challenge for helicopters using electronically mediated flight controls.
A solar storm or degraded signal quality can quickly push an aircraft’s navigation performance below the minimum required for an approach. Pilots must recognize the loss, reassess the procedure and take appropriate action to preserve safety when navigation capability no longer supports the published operation.
High activity
The FAA is launching Phase 2 of its BEYOND program and inviting additional participants to help integrate drones into the national airspace system. The initiative will examine operations at airports, in controlled airspace and across borders as drone activity expands.
High activity
Japan Airlines has introduced a remotely operated Aerowash AW3 aircraft-cleaning system at Tokyo Narita, aiming to improve washing efficiency and reduce water consumption. Following a training program, the system is expected to enter regular service in 2026, with reported washing-time savings of 40%.
High activity
NASA has begun examining options to replace its fleet of T-38 Talon jets, which have trained astronauts for decades. The effort comes as the U.S. Air Force prepares to retire its own aging Talon fleet, creating potential challenges for sustaining astronaut training capabilities.
High activity
A DHL Boeing 737-800 freighter arriving from Phoenix as flight KFS 1814 caught fire around 11 p.m. local time Wednesday while landing at Los Angeles International Airport. Video showed flames from the right main landing gear as the aircraft came to a stop on the runway.
High activity
The FAA is moving to dismiss two air-traffic controllers who allegedly left their shifts early before an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in March, according to people familiar with the matter. The collision was fatal.
High activity
The FAA is seeking to dismiss two air traffic controllers who allegedly left LaGuardia before an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with an airport fire truck on March 22, killing both pilots. The controllers are among roughly a dozen employees facing action in a timecard-fraud inquiry.
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