John Sheridan

Among the operational topics for the technical committee at the triennial ICAO Assembly were significant safety issues. One paper from the Russian delegation provided a description of extensive studies of wake vortices, and the development of a wake vortex safety system that would use outputs from ADS-B, Swim and two Aviation System Block Upgrades 1 elements, with pilot alerts transmitted over the anticipated datalinks in that period–that is, by 2018. The Russian presenter suggested that the uncertainty of wake turbulence today causes unnecessarily large longitudinal approach spacing that could be significantly reduced if real-time wake measurements could be provided to pilots, thereby increasing capacity and airport throughput. Better wake-turbulence forecasting at high cruise altitudes would also allow more flexibility in planning future trajectory operations. 
A separate Russian paper discussed training to prevent of loss-of-control accidents stemming from undetected high-altitude stalls caused by icing, IAS failure, incorrect weight entry or lack of angle-of-attack information, particularly during autopilot operation, where the classic symptoms of stick shaker, warning horns and buffet may actually lag the actual stall itself, with the aircraft already descending in a high pitch attitude and possibly rolling. Currently, according to the presenters, even advanced flight simulators cannot adequately simulate high-altitude stalls and are only moderately able to simulate “traditional” lower-altitude ones.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Ensuring Safe Operations

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More than 400 TSA officers have quit during shutdown

Industry Urges Continued Worker Pay in Govt Shutdowns

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Supersonic bill was among series of aviation measures the House approved

House Approves Bill To Pave Way for Supersonic Ops

Curt Epstein

Manny has been an IS-BAH participant for a decade

IBAC’s Partner Program Welcomes First Mexico Member

Exemption opens access to certain FAR Part 91 Subpart F provisions

NBAA Secures Renewal of Small Aircraft Exemption

Charles Alcock

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Malta-based charter and MRO group said it is cooperating with authorities

Harmony Jets Denies Reports It Has Ceased Operations 

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

The fees are set for KPTK, but still under fire at KFFZ

Landing Fees Take Center Stage at Two U.S. Airports

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Graham joined the board in 2020

Senate Panel Approves Graham for Another NTSB Term

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

More In Regulations and Government