U.S. is open to privatizing air traffic control

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the U.S. could consider privatizing the nation's air traffic control system. "My feeling is that we should engage with all of the stakeholders and keep our ears and minds open to new and different ways of doing things," Foxx said. AIN Online (2/25) (www.ainonline.com) Más...

The 11 Worst Soviet Aircraft

The Soviet Union lasted a mere sixty-nine years (the Spitfire has been flying longer), but in that time produced some of the largest, fastest, toughest and most agile aircraft. Even now, 25 years after its collapse, almost all Russian and Ukrainian aircraft have their roots in the communist super state. Favoring clever robust design over high technology and refinement, the Soviet approach enabled the mass production of cheap machines. Many of these were outstanding, but some – for reasons of… (hushkit.net) Más...

Trouble in the skies

FAA Hiring practices for ATC is putting air travelers at risk. (www.foxbusiness.com) Más...

Aviation Safety Expert Archie Trammell Flies West

Archie Trammell, Jr., a renowned aviation journalist, safety advocate, and weather radar expert, died on February 5. He was 89. Born on October 23, 1928, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Trammell long had a passion for aviation, receiving Army Air Corps training during World War II. He subsequently became a mechanic and joined the U.S. Coast Guard, where he went to Loran school and first learned about radar on the job. Following his service, he earned degrees in aircraft maintenance engineering and… (www.ainonline.com) Más...

Dem senator urges FAA to stop airborne calls.

This should stir up a good discussion. A Democratic lawmaker is calling on the new head of the Transportation Department to ban all types of phone calls on flights. In a letter to Secretary Elaine Chao, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) “respectfully” urged the agency to go one step further in a pending airline proposal and issue a final rule that would also prohibit in-flight voice calls. (thehill.com) Más...

FAA Official Teixeira Resigns Following FBN Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration's Joseph Teixeira has resigned according to a letter obtained by FOX Business Network. As Vice President, Safety and Technical Training Air Traffic Organization, Teixeria has come under scrutiny following a FOX Business Investigation into the hiring practices of the FAA, Trouble in the Skies. (www.foxbusiness.com) Más...

Great little ground attack option.

Meet the Wolverine - WWII style with state of the art tech. (www.foxnews.com) Más...

Stop the drone panic!

For an industry that’s usually obsessed with “risk management,” aviation sure isn’t using much of it when it comes to drones. The constant drumbeat of stories about close encounters between airplanes and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can be described as nothing short of a panic, with pilots and non-pilots alike convinced that a drone disaster is looming. Flying Magazine has chronicled the drones disrupting wildfire aircraft operations in California and AOPA has written about about “chillingly… (airfactsjournal.com) Más...

Airbus Terminates A380 Program

While stressing it would continue to fully support the A380 customers that operate a total of about 230 of the four-engine jetliners, Airbus on Thursday confirmed enduring speculation it would end the program that it launched only in 2000 as part of its goal to gain a share of the market Boeing had cornered with the 747. Airbus CEO Tom Enders described the decision as “painful” but inevitable after Emirates Airline, by far the largest customer of the aircraft, reduced its outstanding A380 order… (www.ainonline.com) Más...