Aviation News

A communication from the FAA addressed the issue of cockpit distractions caused by use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as laptop computers and multifunction mobile phones. The document opened with three instances of PEDs creating dangerous distractions — beginning with the now infamous Northwest Airlines flight that overflew its destination airport by 150 miles. […]

Starting May 18, the National Transportation Safety Board will hold a three-day forum on professionalism in aviation. The meeting will be held at NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C. Addressing recent incidents involving lapsed standards of professional behavior, the agency expects to gather information on how to improve the professionalism of pilots and air traffic controllers. […]

According to statistics compiled by Robert E. Breiling and Associates, there was a small increase in the number of business turboprop accidents the first quarter of this year, compared with the same time frame last year. But even a small increase can look larger in percentage terms, since there are so few accidents making up […]

Every year, the National Air Transportation Association holds its ‘Day on the Hill’ allowing nearly 100 association members the chance to meet with key members of Congress. Last week’s meeting was hailed as especially successful at a pivotal time in aviation development. NATA president Jim Coyne said he believes Congress is now “getting it,” and […]

A study funded by Rockwell Collins (a manufacturer of Head-Up Displays aka HUDs) examined 983 accidents over the last 13 years. The study, conducted by the Flight Safety Foundation and released on Monday, found that HUD technology could have prevented or mitigated about a third of the accidents (all involving aircraft 12,500 pounds or more). […]

Whether you prefer to call it a “near-miss” or a “near-collision,” no Cessna 172 pilot wants to see a Boeing 737-700 passing 200 feet below. On April 19, a Southwest Airlines flight was landing on Runway 8 at Burbank (Calif.) Bob Hope Airport as a pilot in a Skyhawk was performing touch-and-goes on Runway 15. […]

Yesterday was ‘Aviation Saves’ day at Centennial Airport near Denver, organized by the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA). The ramps and hangars at X Jet and Signature FBOs were chock-a-block with aircraft representing the public service mission served by GA. Displays included aircraft and service providers representing aeromedical, patient transfer, law enforcement, newsgathering, firefighting, community […]

On May 19-21, Aviation Week magazine is sponsoring “NextGen Ahead 2010,” a look at air traffic modernization. Topics include: how concepts for modernizing the National Airspace System are being developed and researched; how the FAA is leveraging cross-agency practices in developing communications, navigation and surveillance capabilities; the FAA approval process for nav procedures; reviewing practical […]

Reports from European general aviation operators did not have the same dire content as those of the airlines. With days worth of canceled flights, air carriers were criticized as overcautious in the wake of the Iceland volcano eruption and the subsequent plume of volcanic ash spreading throughout the continent. Tentative test flights launched early this […]

Could the media be switching gears on how they cover general and business aviation? Check out CNN’s interview of Cessna’s Jack Pelton, which aired last week and is now on cnn.com’s video section. Part of CNN’s Building Up America series, the interview gives Cessna a balanced platform to show how it has negotiated through the […]