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The Air Current • Will Guisbond

FAA top safety oversight and certification executive set to retire

The FAA’s senior executive overseeing safety oversight and aircraft certification is retiring, prompting a leadership transition at the center of the agency’s certification and compliance posture. The change arrives as the FAA continues broader modernization efforts across oversight and airspace operations.

2026-05-11T15:47:25.989220-07:00

The Air Current

FAA ATC modernization sparks “America first” backlash over foreign-owned contractor involvement

2026-05-11T14:07:58.312996-07:00

FlightGlobal

Pilatus clears factory acceptance for first RCAF PC-21 “Siskin II” trainer; Team SkyAlyne completes CT-157 FAT ahead of Ottawa d

2026-05-11T09:50:16.048758-07:00

Flying Magazine

Collins Aerospace invests $26.5M in Largo, Florida to scale FAA radar production for next-gen ATC

2026-05-11T08:26:46.063389-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

USAF again targets U-2S retirements amid high airframe-age fatigue and sustainment costs, with a 2027 end-state The U.S. Air Force’s civilian leader says the high-altitude reconnaissance U-2S fleet faces “significant costs” driven by airframe aging and fatigue. The service is again planning retirements aimed at a 2027 sundown, underscoring mounting sustainment risk as the platform ages.

2026-05-11T16:19:51.248280-07:00

USAF again targets U-2S retirements amid high airframe-age fatigue and sustainment costs, with a 2027 end-state

The Air Current

FAA top safety oversight and certification executive set to retire The FAA’s senior executive overseeing safety oversight and aircraft certification is retiring, prompting a leadership transition at the center of the agency’s certification and compliance posture. The change arrives as the FAA continues broader modernization efforts across oversight and airspace operations.

2026-05-11T15:47:25.989220-07:00

FAA top safety oversight and certification executive set to retire

AINonline

FAA updates real-time weather analysis guidance after operator feedback, adding backup capability when automated sensors fail The FAA has revised its guidance for real-time weather analysis following operator feedback, emphasizing continuity of information quality when automated sensors underperform or fail. The updated system behavior provides backup coverage so decision-making can continue without relying solely on sensor outputs.

2026-05-11T15:31:42.411031-07:00

FAA updates real-time weather analysis guidance after operator feedback, adding backup capability when automated sensors fail

The Air Current

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FAA ATC modernization sparks “America first” backlash over foreign-owned contractor involvement The FAA’s selection and consideration of foreign-owned contractors for work to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system has triggered fresh criticism from U.S. stakeholders. The controversy centers on how national-security and procurement “America first” expectations intersect with needed modernization capacity.

2026-05-11T14:07:58.312996-07:00

FAA ATC modernization sparks “America first” backlash over foreign-owned contractor involvement

FlightGlobal

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Pilatus clears factory acceptance for first RCAF PC-21 “Siskin II” trainer; Team SkyAlyne completes CT-157 FAT ahead of Ottawa d Pilatus says the first Royal Canadian Air Force PC-21 basic trainer completed factory acceptance testing, moving Canada’s “Siskin II” program toward deliveries later this year. The milestone builds on continued production and test progress for the 19-aircraft CT-157 fleet, including FAT completion by Team SkyAlyne for the first unit bound for the RCAF.

2026-05-11T09:50:16.048758-07:00

Pilatus clears factory acceptance for first RCAF PC-21 “Siskin II” trainer; Team SkyAlyne completes CT-157 FAT ahead of Ottawa d

Flying Magazine

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Collins Aerospace invests $26.5M in Largo, Florida to scale FAA radar production for next-gen ATC RTX’s Collins Aerospace is investing $26.5 million to expand its Largo, Florida facility to accelerate production of commercial aviation radars and multi-domain security solutions for defense customers. The expansion targets work tied to the FAA’s Radar System Replacement Program, including Condor Mk3 and ASR-XM production.

2026-05-11T08:26:46.063389-07:00

Collins Aerospace invests $26.5M in Largo, Florida to scale FAA radar production for next-gen ATC

AeroTime

Solar Impulse 2 (Skydweller) crashes off US Gulf coast after power loss Solar Impulse 2, the pioneering solar-powered aircraft, crashed into the sea off the coast of Mississippi following a loss of power. The incident ends a high-profile chapter in solar aviation development that was intended to extend into next-generation high-altitude sensor platforms.

2026-05-11T05:48:37.453309-07:00

Solar Impulse 2 (Skydweller) crashes off US Gulf coast after power loss

ch-aviation

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European Commission issues jet-fuel shortage guidance, allowing temporary breaches of EU slot use and tankering rules As the Middle East conflict continues to drive uncertainty in jet-fuel availability, the European Commission has published guidance to help the EU transport and tourism sector plan for potential fuel constraints. Carriers may be allowed to breach EU slot-use rules and use tankering to prevent disruptions at affected destination airports.

2026-05-11T01:28:40.844362-07:00

European Commission issues jet-fuel shortage guidance, allowing temporary breaches of EU slot use and tankering rules

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Aviation Safety & Regulation News

FAA top safety oversight and certification executive set to retire

FAA ATC modernization sparks “America first” backlash over foreign-owned contractor involvement

Pilatus clears factory acceptance for first RCAF PC-21 “Siskin II” trainer; Team SkyAlyne completes CT-157 FAT ahead of Ottawa d

Collins Aerospace invests $26.5M in Largo, Florida to scale FAA radar production for next-gen ATC

News Timeline