Tag: Aviation Safety

FAA Moves to Permanently Restrict Helicopters, Powered Lift Near Reagan National

Flying Magazine reports, “Close to one year after a fatal midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., the federal government is moving to permanently restrict certain aircraft types from operating around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that the FAA is formalizing restrictions for helicopters and powered lift aircraft in certain areas near Washington National unless they are conducting essential operations.”

Full Story (Flying Magazine)

Autoland System Completes First Emergency Landing of a Civil Aircraft

CBS News reports, “For the first time, an automatic landing system called Autoland was used to land a plane in Colorado after pilots reported losing cabin pressure mid-flight. The safety system activated itself and took control of the aircraft to land it.”
Full Story (CBS News – video)

Technology Can’t Replace Human Pilots, Safety Expert Warns at AIAA AVIATION Forum

FROM THE INSTITUTE
In a stark warning to aviation technologists and policymakers, veteran air safety investigator Greg Feith cautioned against overrelying on automation, emphasizing that human pilots remain critical to aviation safety. Speaking at the 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum, Feith, a former senior investigator with the NTSB, urged the aviation industry to continue to value human intervention in flight operations at a time when adoption of automation is growing across general and commercial aviation systems.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

Biden Signs Comprehensive Aviation Safety Bill into Law

Reuters reports, “President Joe Biden signed on Thursday sweeping aviation legislation that will boost U.S. air traffic controller staffing, increase funding to avert runway close-call incidents and speed up refunds for canceled flights. The $105 billion, five-year measure reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration. It prohibits airlines from charging fees for families to sit together, requires airplanes to be equipped with 25-hour cockpit recording devices, raises maximum civil penalties for airline consumer violations from $25,000 per violation to $75,000 and boosts aircraft production scrutiny.”Full Story (Reuters)