John Sheridan

Among the operational topics for the technical committee at the triennial ICAO Assembly were significant safety issues. One paper from the Russian delegation provided a description of extensive studies of wake vortices, and the development of a wake vortex safety system that would use outputs from ADS-B, Swim and two Aviation System Block Upgrades 1 elements, with pilot alerts transmitted over the anticipated datalinks in that period–that is, by 2018. The Russian presenter suggested that the uncertainty of wake turbulence today causes unnecessarily large longitudinal approach spacing that could be significantly reduced if real-time wake measurements could be provided to pilots, thereby increasing capacity and airport throughput. Better wake-turbulence forecasting at high cruise altitudes would also allow more flexibility in planning future trajectory operations. 
A separate Russian paper discussed training to prevent of loss-of-control accidents stemming from undetected high-altitude stalls caused by icing, IAS failure, incorrect weight entry or lack of angle-of-attack information, particularly during autopilot operation, where the classic symptoms of stick shaker, warning horns and buffet may actually lag the actual stall itself, with the aircraft already descending in a high pitch attitude and possibly rolling. Currently, according to the presenters, even advanced flight simulators cannot adequately simulate high-altitude stalls and are only moderately able to simulate “traditional” lower-altitude ones.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Ensuring Safe Operations

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Regulators flag Gulf risks as MEBAA predicts a record show in Dubai

MEBAA Chief Insists Middle East Still Open for Business

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Secretary Duffy spoke of need to pave way for safer technologies, AAM

DOT’s Duffy at BACE: FAA Needs Better Cert Processes

Rep. Jay Obernolte says the FAA, not a new agency, should write AI rules

Pilot-Congressman Makes the Case for FAA-Led AI Rules

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Company facing allegations operates under the name Jett Aircraft

FAA Proposes Fines for Arkansas Charter Operator

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

The fixed-wing Alia CX300 electric aircraft already holds a special airworthiness certificate

FAA Clears Beta’s Alia eVTOL for Passenger Demo Flights

Jared Isaacman says test data is ‘extremely encouraging’ so far

NASA Chief Touts X-59 Progress at NBAA-BACE

Updates include integration of FAA Data Collection Tools

Web Manuals Launches Compliance Assistant for AI Tool

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

More In Regulations and Government