Tag: Safety

Elliott Aviation Delivers First King Air Upgrade

Aviation International News reports that Elliott Aviation “has performed its first completion and delivery of the Garmin Autoland upgrade in a King Air B200.” Designed as a safety measure, the Autoland system “in an emergency situation can take control of an aircraft and autonomously land itself at the nearest suitable airport.” According to Elliott, the modification “represents the next chapter in the evolution of the Garmin G1000 NXI package for the King Air family.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)

FAA Reinstates Mexico’s Aviation Safety Rating to Highest Level

The AP reports that on Thursday, the FAA “returned Mexico’s aviation safety rating to the highest level two years after downgrading it.” The change will “allow Mexican airlines to add new routes to the United States, and U.S. airlines will once again be able to sell tickets on Mexican airline-operated flights.” In May 2021, the FAA “lowered Mexico’s rating because the country did not meet standards set by a United Nations aviation group.” The FAA “found that Mexico’s ability to oversee its airlines fell short of standards set by a U.N. group called the International Civil Aviation Organization.” Those standards “cover a broad range of issues, including the regulator’s technical expertise, inspection procedures and record-keeping.”
Full Story (Associated Press)

EASA to Examine A380 Wind-Spar Cracking More Closely

Aviation Week reported that Airbus A380s that “sit idle in severe environmental conditions may be susceptible to wing-spar cracking previously linked to the wing’s age, prompting the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to adopt broader inspection criteria recommended by the manufacturer.” An airworthiness directive (AD) from last Thursday noted that A380 operators must calculate “factored time on ground” (FTOG) and “conduct inspections based on Airbus’ revised criteria.” The AD builds “on existing inspection criteria for the A380 wing box areas: the top and bottom flanges of the outer rear spar (ORS) between Ribs 33 and 49, the outer inner front spar (OIFS) between Ribs 8 and 14 and the outer front spar (OFS) between Ribs 38 and 49.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

AIAA, Iridium, OneWeb, SpaceX Release “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices” Reference Guide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Authors will discuss at ASCENDx Webinar, 15 September

UPDATED September 9, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), along with Iridium Communications, Inc., OneWeb, and SpaceX, today announced the immediate release of a best practices reference guide, “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices,” to provide a foundation for discussions leading to a global consensus of behaviors for satellite operators. The guide is designed to help improve cooperative operations in space to ensure that future generations maximize the benefits of space on Earth. AIAA is providing access to download the reference guide today, in advance of a timely webinar to address the urgency of space traffic management and coordination. Industry professionals can join the authors of the document, low Earth orbit industry experts from major satellite constellation operators, to discuss its implementation:

ASCENDxSpace Traffic Management: Industry Advancing Orbital Safety
Thursday, 15 September, 1200 hrs ET USA
 Complimentary registration

This webinar will include remarks from Richard DalBello, Director, Office of Space Commerce, Department of Commerce, and Sandra Magnus, Principal, AstroPlanetview, LLC. The panel includes:

  • Matt Hejduk, Senior Project Leader, The Aerospace Corporation (Moderator)
  • John Guiney, Vice President, Fleet Operations Management, OneWeb
  • Dave Goldstein, Principal Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, SpaceX
  • Ryan Shepperd, Mission Planning and Orbital Analyst, Space Situational Awareness Lead, Iridium

The authors will also host a session during 2022 ASCEND, Las Vegas, 24–26 October. The panel discussion, META-07, Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices, is the continuation of the work the group started during 2021 ASCEND to address the issue of space traffic management and coordination with meaningful actions. Registration for 2022 ASCEND is open with early bird rates effective through 9 September.

“We must face the urgent problem that tens of thousands of objects traveling at roughly 17,500 mph in low Earth orbit threaten launch vehicles, space assets, and human lives,” stated Dan Dumbacher, AIAA Executive Director. “We are pleased to facilitate these industry leaders in moving their conversation forward to publishing their ideas today, as a direct outcome of 2021 ASCEND. AIAA is committed to seeing improved space traffic management and coordination to help avoid a catastrophe in space.”

The “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices” reference guide outlines four points in time when operators should focus their safety planning efforts: Design Time, Pre-Launch and Early Orbit, On Orbit, and Satellite Disposal. The guidance is designed to be applicable to any satellite operator in the world, regardless of how they receive conjunction warnings.

Media contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, andInstagram.

Business Jets Sustained Five Fatal Accidents in the Past Year

Aviation International News reports, “Over the 12 months between Sept. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, eight people died in two accidents of U.S.-registered business jets being operated under Part 91 and 19 people lost their lives in three crashes of non-U.S.-registered business jets flying charters.” In all, there were 188 accidents and 98 investigated incidents involving turbine business airplanes globally. Fatal and non-fatal accidents worldwide totaled 35, of which 20 occurred during private operations. Business turboprops were involved in 64 accidents worldwide, nearly twice that of jets, and resulted in 62 fatalities, roughly 2.5 that of jets.
Full Story (Aviation International News)

Future of Flight Takes Center Stage at 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2025 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced its program for the 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 21–25 July, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. The five-day event will focus on the theme, “Navigating the Future: Sustainability, Safety, and Innovation.”

“We’re thrilled to bring together the aviation industry during this time of unprecedented transformation,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “As the industry grows and evolves, it’s crucial to ensure the next generation of air transportation systems are safe and efficient. This event is mission essential for aviation professionals in industry, government, and academia—it’s where the future of aviation takes shape.”

Educational, Interactive, Mission-Critical Program Planned
From the main stage, attendees will learn about the innovative technologies and services that  are driving efficient growth in civil and military aviation. The lineup of speakers and panelists represent the leading aviation agencies, companies, and universities from around the world. They will showcase groundbreaking capabilities that are redefining what’s possible in flight – from sustainable aviation fuels and electric propulsion to advanced air mobility and hypersonics.

AIAA forums are well known for the depth of technical content presented. The technical program will feature over 1,200 presentations spanning more than 20 research topics, including fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, air transportation systems, thermophysics, and multidisciplinary design optimization. More than a dozen technical workshops are scheduled, providing attendees with valuable in-depth learning opportunities. Attendees also can participate in the AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference during the week. In addition, the FlightLab sessions include important content from the aviation community submitted on a range of timely and important topics.

Confirmed speakers from industry, government, and academia across the aviation community include:

  • Michael Berube – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation & Fuels, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Yemaya Bordain – President of the Americas, Daedalean AI
  • Sergio Cecutta – Founder and Partner, SMG Consulting
  • Jan de Regt – Director, Advanced Aviation Systems, Flight Safety Foundation
  • Lt. Col. David Dunwoody – Deputy Director Data & Analytics Enablement, National Defence of Canada
  • Michael Dyment – Managing Partner, NEXA Capital Partners
  • Roberto Guerrero – Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy
  • Rafferty Jackson – Principal, Jack Industries
  • Greg Feith, former Senior Air Safety Investigator, National Transportation Safety Board
  • Natasha Neogi – Senior Technologist for Assured Intelligent Flight Systems, NASA
  • Linda O’Brien – Vice President and Chief Engineer, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
  • Alain Siebert – Chief Technology and Strategy, SESAR
  • Walter A. Silva – Senior Research Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center
  • Michael Sinnett – Senior Vice President, Product Strategy, Product Development and Development Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
  • Akbar Sultan, Director, Airspace Operations and Safety Program, NASA
  • Lt. Col. Taylor Wilson – Commander, 40th Test Flight Squadron, U.S. Air Force

Registration for the forum is open, with early-bird rates ending 23 June. Journalists can request a Press Pass online. For the most updated program information, visit www.aiaa.org/aviation.

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org or follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.