50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United States aviation news

FAA failing to ensure airline pilots retain flying skills, report shows

The government is falling short in ensuring airline pilots keep up their flying skills and get full training on how to monitor sophisticated automated control systems in cockpits, according to the Transportation Department's internal watchdog. Most modern airline flying is done through automated systems that pilots closely monitor. Pilots typically use manual flying skills only briefly duri...

The latest buzz on flying drones in state and national parks: Rules can still be vague

It was a nearly perfect day at Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla: seals at rest in the sand, tourists gathered along the cliffs, sea gulls wheeling above. And in the middle of it all, a hovering drone. "Wouldn't it be great if the gulls attacked?" one bystander asked. "Who is flying that drone?!" demanded another, voicing worries that the drone could endanger...

Alaska-Denver Flight Diverted To Vancouver

A United Airlines flight en route to Denver from Anchorage, was diverted on Saturday to Vancouver where a suspect was arrested due to "security concerns," authorities said. United flight UA1104 landed safely at about 4:30 am local time in Vancouver, where it was met by law enforcement authorities, the airline said. There were 131 passengers and six crew members aboard the Boeing 737....

United Fined $2.75 Million for Mistreating Disabled Passengers

The U.S. government is fining United Continental Holdings Inc. $2.75 million for mistreating passengers with disabilities and for six instances of stranding aircraft on the tarmac. The Department of Transportation began receiving a “significant increase in the number of disability-related complaints” about how United treated customers in wheelchairs or who needed additional assistan...

Spirit Air’s Ousted CEO Walks Away With $1 Million and Free Flights for Life

Ben Baldanza resigned his position as Spirit Airlines CEO and also his board position on January 4. His separation agreement with the airline was revealed Friday evening in an SEC filing by the company. Baldanza will receive $1 million divided into monthly payments over the next two years and he will consult for the airline for one year. His annual salary at Spirit had been $500,000 as...

Constant Aviation and Lone Star AOG to merge

Constant Aviation is merging with Lone Star AOG. The combined companies will operate under Constant Aviation and the full transition will take 30 days. “The AOG business at Constant Aviation has been growing consistently the last year.” Stephen Maiden, president & CEO at Constant Aviation said: “The AOG business at Constant Aviation has been growing consistently the las...

UAV registrations at 181,000; model aircraft group fights rule

FAA administrator Michael Huerta said the mandatory registration process for recreational unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has proceeded smoothly, with 181,000 registrations completed so far. The number of registrations represents owners of UAVs weighing between .55 lbs. and 55 lbs.; an owner can register multiple vehicles using the same number. FAA launched a registration website Dec. 21. &l...

Man arrested for repeatedly pointing laser at news helicopter

He allegedly pointed a green laser at least four times -- three cases from outside, plus once through an apartment window -- at a TV news helicopter racing to the scene of a New Jersey fire. And because of that, Stiven Lopez-Bender now faces the prospect of five years in federal prison. Authorities arrested the 26-year-old on Thursday, a day after a criminal complaint was filed accusing him...

Associated Air Center Completes FAA STC Certification for Installation of CPDLC/FANS System on BBJ

Associated Air Center , through its in-house Organization Designation Authorization delegation, has obtained a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of a Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) System — as part of the requirements for Future Air Navigation System (FANS) — on a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) VIP ...

Boeing Achieves Record Commercial Airplanes Deliveries in 2015

Boeing delivered 762 commercial airplanes in 2015, 39 more than the previous year and most ever for the company as it enters its centennial year. “The Boeing team has worked hard to achieve strong performance,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “Our team did a fantastic job achieving higher deliveries and getting our products to our custo...

FAA Proposes $417,500 Civil Penalty Against FedEx

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $417,500 civil penalty against FedEx of Memphis, Tenn., for allegedly operating an aircraft that was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleges that FedEx failed to rebalance a horizontal stabilizer tab control surface on the Boeing 727 after repainting the pa...

Boeing, Air China Finalize Order for Six 777-300ERs

Boeing and Air China announced an order for six additional 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners. The order is valued at more than $2 billion at current list prices and bolsters Air China’s long-haul widebody fleet as it looks to expand its international network. “The 777-300ER has consistently proved its value as a long-haul flagship for our customers around the world, making it the...