ATM ModernizationFAA Shutdown Already Delaying Data Comm Transition to En Route Airspace The U.S. federal government partial shutdown is already delaying the FAA’s ability to stay on schedule with the deployment of air traffic controller-to-pilot digital messaging technology in high altitude airspace. Data Comm…
ATM ModernizationFAA Contracts NovAtel For WAAS Modernization The FAA has granted NovAtel a contract for 40 ground uplink station signal generators to help modernize its wide-area augmentation system (WAAS) navigation service network. Under the contract, NovAtel will design and…
ATM ModernizationData and Visualization Innovations to Drive FAA NextGen Success By modernizing the U.S. airspace as we know it, the FAA’s NextGen effort is grounded in critical innovations that will make flying more safe, predictable and efficient. Being approximately halfway through its…
CommercialFAA Issues Boeing 737 AOA Directive After Lion Air Crash The FAA has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) on the Boeing 737 MAX after Lion Air flight JT610 crash investigators found the aircraft’s angle of attack (AOA) sensors are capable of…
ATM ModernizationBlue Origin's Bumpy Road to Smooth Launches Blue Origin has launched its New Shepard rocket nine times. The first seven, it had airspace issues, according to Audrey Powers, the company’s deputy general counsel. Speaking at the Air Traffic Controller…
CommercialGE-Owned Avitas Granted First Large Commercial BVLOS Waiver Avitas Systems, a GE venture, received the first FAA approval to fly a 55-plus-pound UAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) with no spotter for commercial purposes. Operating on Shell oil facilities…
CommercialAfter Air Canada 759 Near-Miss, NTSB Recommends Safer Avionics On July 7, 2017, an Airbus A320-211 operated by Air Canada came within 60 feet of crashing into an Airbus A340 on a taxiway at San Fransisco International Airport (SFO). In its…
CommercialSafety, Reliability Beats Innovation in Modernizing US Airspace The FAA is slow — Those are the words of Joshua Gustin, the Administration’s manager of communication, information and network programs. It is intentional, though. “Be the safest, most reliable, biggest airspace in…
MilitaryADS-B Security Risk Remains Unresolved for US Military U.S. Defense Department (DOD) officials are working with the FAA to develop a solution that can address security concerns associated with equipping thousands of military aircraft with ADS-B Out transponders over the…
CommercialFAA Funded for Five Years: Reauthorization Bill Passes Congress with Wide Support The U.S. Senate has passed a bill to reauthorize the FAA ahead of the extended Oct. 5 deadline, providing five years of funding for the agency for the first time in 36…