U.S. FAA

A “vendor technology issue” briefly grounded American Airlines flights on Dec. 24, the disruption landing in the middle of a busy holiday travel period.

The changes will direct pilots to a specific checklist when smoke or fumes are detected in the cockpit following an engine failure.

The new ruling limits electronic access to Work-in-Progress aircraft documents, a change made as part of implementation of its Registry Modernization System.

German startup Vaeridion has raised €14 million ($14.6 million) in a Series A round led by European climate investor World Fund.

Joby says it has completed initial testing under FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), with agency personnel assessing human factors and flight safety in a type-conforming flight deck using a company simulator.

Major events in aerospace and defense during 2024.

New orders are rolling in, buoyed by upticks in defense spending and increased demand from the public safety, air ambulance and energy sectors.

Business aviation will see lots of changes in 2025.

The FAA has finished its Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP) of Southwest Airlines, a formal review initiated following several incidents.

Results of the tests are expected to lead to FAA certification of a new high-pressure turbine design of the Trent 1000 in early 2025.

The FAA cleared SpaceX to conduct a series of Starship-Super Heavy flight tests from Boca Chica Beach, Texas.

The agency administrator has timed his resignation to coincide with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration day.

Boeing did not rush its production restart following the strike, and the climb to needed rates—notably for the 737—will not come quickly.

The FBI has received more than 5,000 reported drone sightings over the past few weeks, with about 100 leads generated.

The FAA has fast-tracked a final rule mandating drug and alcohol testing in non-U.S. repair stations approved to work on U.S. aircraft.

Locke’s first day as executive director of Aircraft Certification (AIR-1) was Dec. 16; she replaces Wes Mooty, who has been serving as acting AIR-1 since June.

Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) has received U.S. FAA engine type certification for use on the longer-range Airbus A321XLR.

The FAA is not considered a fast-moving agency, but under outgoing Administrator Mike Whitaker, things are getting done.

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker has informed the agency’s workforce that he will step down from his position four years early on Jan. 20, 2025.

Air New Zealand is to lease an electric CX300 Alia CTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies next year for in-country familiarization ahead of all-cargo operation.

A newly developed high-pressure turbine upgrade kit to increase CFM Leap 1A time-on-wing has been cleared for use after receiving FAA and EASA certification.

Joby Aviation has ticked two more boxes on its journey toward launching commercial electric air taxi service in the U.S.

MagniX has completed electric engine altitude testing at NASA, with Wright Electric and RTX to follow.

Some pilots are concerned about a Boeing 737 MAX engine safety device, but regulators say the risk does not warrant immediate action.

United is quantifying the effects of air traffic control staffing shortages on its operations at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.