airline industry safety

FAA issues final rule on air carrier pilot training

March 3, 2020

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a final rule aimed at enhancing the professional development of air carrier pilots. The Pilot Professional Development rule requires specific training for newly-hired pilots and supplemental training for captains.

Is the shutdown affecting the safety of air travel?

January 15, 2019

While unions representing air traffic controllers and aviation safety inspectors are warning that the partial government shutdown is endangering the flying public, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – which is in partial function mode – is assuring the public that safety “is the top priority.”

Engine failure traced back to one part

Disneyworld had to wait

September 22, 2016

An engine part that separated from a plane while in flight caused a cascade of problems that forced the aircraft to make an unplanned landing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which investigated the incident.

Are these dangerous items in the cargo of the plane you’re flying on?

February 11, 2016

The National Transportation Safety Board issued two safety recommendations Tuesday to physically separate lithium batteries from other flammable hazardous materials stowed on cargo aircraft and to establish maximum loading density requirements that restrict the quantities of lithium batteries and flammable hazardous materials.

Planes v. wildlife: Incident reporting on the rise

August 12, 2015

Wildlife strike reporting for both commercial and general aviation airports continues to increase, according to a new report by renowned wildlife expert Dr. Richard A. Dolbeer. At the request of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dolbeer recently published the wildlife report (PDF), which shows that 47 percent of the wildlife strikes that occurred from 2009 to 2013 were reported to the FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database.

Boeing accused of exposing flight crew, passengers to “fume events”

June 24, 2015

Four flight attendants are suing Boeing for allegedly exposing them to toxic air aboard a commercial flight from Boston to San Diego. The 2013 flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Chicago after three of the four flight attendants on board lost consciousness and had to be rushed to a hospital.

Drones have arrived – in the regulatory sphere

February 17, 2015

Drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are the subject of a framework of regulations proposed this week by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would limit flights to daylight and visual-line-of-sight operations, set height restrictions, and specify operator certification, among other items.

FAA revises icing standards for new transport airplanes

Goal: To fly safely in icing conditions

November 5, 2014

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule that broadens the coverage of its icing certification standards. The updated standards require U.S. manufacturers to show that transport airplanes can operate safely in freezing drizzle or freezing rain, conditions that constitute the icing environment known as “supercooled large drops” (SLD).

United Airlines cited for exposing workers to electrical, other hazards

Same hazards found in 2011, 2013

July 28, 2014

United Airlines Inc. has exposed ground operation workers at the Newark airport to hazardous conditions, prompting OSHA to issue 16 citations and propose penalties of $101,300. The safety violations were found during a January 2014 inspection that is part of an OSHA effort to focus on workplaces with high rates of injuries and illness.

Is your pilot flying tired because of sleep apnea?

FAA clarifies how condition affects pilot medical evaluations

March 31, 2014

In response to concerns from the aviation medical community, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sent out draft guidance for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) to key industry medical representatives to review within 14 days. Untreated OSA has always been and will continue to be a disqualifying medical condition.