Aviation Safety & Regulation News

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

High activity

FAA lifts nationwide ground stop after overloaded communications routers disrupt U.S. air traffic

The FAA lifted a nationwide flight-departure halt after a communications failure at air traffic control centers disrupted operations across the country. Officials attributed the outage, which began at 3:36 p.m., to overloaded routers experiencing instability; they said there was no indication of an attack. The shutdown was described as the longest since Sept. 11, 2001.

The War Zone

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USAF responds to suspected unauthorized drone activity at RAF Lakenheath; no impact reported

U.S. Air Force security forces responded Friday evening to suspected unauthorized drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in eastern England, prompting an alarm and reports of a lockdown. The service said no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected; the reports do not identify the drone’s origin or operator.

Flying Magazine

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FAA proposes expanding KDJT Class C airspace to reduce midair collision risk

The FAA has proposed expanding the vertical limits of the airspace around KDJT and extending Class C coverage over the airport’s main arrival and departure corridors. The change is intended to reduce the risk of midair collisions.

AINonline

Private aviation owners urged to vet pilots and management companies

An AINsight commentary argues that private aircraft owners and operators should not assume pilots are qualified simply because they have been hired or entrusted with a trip. It urges them to make safety the priority by scrutinizing both pilot credentials and the management companies overseeing their aircraft.

telegraaf.nl

KLM reports former CEO to police after power bank catches fire aboard flight

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has filed a police complaint against former CEO Camiel Eurlings after a power bank caught fire during a flight in September, prompting an emergency diversion, according to reports. The complaint brings attention to the onboard safety risks posed by battery-powered devices.

Air Data News

FAA orders radio-altimeter cable replacements on 169 US-registered Boeing 787s after landing altitude-data failures

The FAA has directed operators to modify certain Boeing 787s after reports of unreliable altitude information during approaches and landings. The directive covers 169 US-registered aircraft and requires radio-altimeter cable replacements, giving airlines five years to complete the work.

eVTOL Insights

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Archer and Formula 1 explore air-taxi flights at selected Grands Prix

Archer has signed a multi-year partnership with Formula 1 to explore air-taxi flights at selected Grands Prix, using its Midnight aircraft. Any commercial service would require regulatory approval. The agreement extends Archer’s plans to deploy electric aircraft around major sporting events.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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NTSB rebukes New York Times Magazine over DCA crash coverage and aviation-safety claims

The National Transportation Safety Board says a New York Times Magazine article misrepresented its chair’s comments about the Reagan National crash and politicized aviation safety. Critics of the story also dispute its account of the crash and its attribution of the industry’s safety record to a pilot-hours rule.