Qantas Pilots Report Radio Interference and GPS Jamming From Chinese Warships

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Qantas pilots reported repeating radio interference and GPS jamming from Chinese military units in the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. Qantas said there were no safety concerns and has instructed its pilots to keep flying on their routes despite the breach. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Flight attendants want to ban lap babies on planes

When the seat belt light blinks on, every passenger buckles up except for one group of fliers: lap babies. Unrestrained children sharing a seat with their parents are exempt from the safety mandate, presenting a growing concern amid recent incidents of severe turbulence. ... Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. “The G-forces are not something even the most loving mother or father can guard against and hold their child. It’s just physically… (www.seattletimes.com) More...

Flight problems, not turbulence, found in death of former White House official

The flight that left a former White House official dead earlier this month was marked by a series of missteps, alerts and system issues before the plane lurched violently in the sky, according to a preliminary report Friday from the National Transportation Safety Board. (link to NTSB report in story) (www.washingtonpost.com) More...

A second close call at Hollywood Burbank

The second close call in 30 days. This city has been fighting to close this airport because housing and businesses are bumping up against the airport perimeter. It doesn't leave the pilots much wiggle room if an emergency happens, and it's a relatively short runway to boot. (www.nbclosangeles.com) More...

Senators Propose Raising US Commercial Pilots Mandatory Retirement Age

A group of seven U.S. senators on Tuesday proposed legislation to raise the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age to 67 from 65, in a bid to address airline industry staffing issues. (www.reuters.com) More...

Economy Passengers Could Soon Lie Down On Airplanes—Meet The Airline That's Doing It First

Economy flights practically guarantee a stiff neck, a child kicking the back of your seat and competition with your seatmate to claim the middle seat's armrests. One airline wants to cure to these traveling ailments: Air New Zealand recently announced the world's first lie-flat "pods" for economy class airplanes, set to debut in 2024. The concept, called "Skynest," has been in research and development for five years and will likely feature two rows of three stacked… (www.cnbc.com) More...

Pilot from another airline sets in to help incapacitated pilot

Good stuff that the public doesn't hear about much. (www.nbcnews.com) More...

The FAA Proposes Lengthening Cockpit Voice Recording Time to 25 Hours

The Federal Aviation Administration is working to establish a requirement that aircraft have longer duration cockpit voice recorders. The announcement comes after the agency held an emergency “safety summit” Wednesday following a series of near-collisions on US runways. (www.cnn.com) More...

FedEx to transfer LA airport maintenance to Indianapolis

The Flying Tigers originally operated a maintenance hangar that FedEx acquired and will soon shutter at LAX. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

Pentagon wants upgraded Pratt & Whitney F135 engines for fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters by 2030

The United States Department of Defense wants an upgraded F135 engine for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets by the end of this decade. This was announced by a representative of the Joint Program Office F-35 (JPO). (gagadget.com) More...

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary Reveals Talks Restarted with Boeing for New Aircraft Order

DUBLIN, IRELAND — In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Michael O'Leary, the Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair, expressed his optimism about the potential for a significant new aircraft order for the Irish budget carrier. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

EASA Director Patrick Ky Attests Improvement in Boeing 777X Certification Debate with FAA

FRANKFURT, GERMANY — During a recent interview with Aviation Week, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Executive Director, Patrick Ky, confirmed significant progress in the ongoing discussions surrounding the certification of Boeing's groundbreaking, newer generation widebody aircraft. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Cathay Pacific in Talks to Expand Fleet with up to 50 Airbus Planes

HONG KONG — Sources who spoke to Bloomberg anonymously have revealed that Cathay Pacific is currently in discussions with aircraft lessors to acquire up to 50 Airbus A320neo airliners as the Hong Kong-based carrier seeks to expand its fleet following the easing of Covid-related restrictions. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Two SpiceJet Pilots Suspended Over Photo Of Uncovered Cup Of Tea On Throttle Quadrant

Two SpiceJet pilots have landed themselves in hot water after one of them posted a photo showing an uncovered cup of tea perched on the middle of the throttle quadrant. (www.gatechecked.com) More...

Boeing probed for employees working on Air Force One jets without credentials

The Pentagon is looking into the case of some Boeing employees working on the current and upcoming Air Force One aircraft without updated security credentials. (www.aerotime.aero) More...