Manufacturer Caps Pretty Good Year with 528 Commercial Deliveries and 1,576 Net Orders

Boeing published its 4th quarter results for 2023, showing that it ended the year with $4.4 billion of free cash flow after generating $6 billion in total. Overall, they managed to deliver 528 commercial aircraft, and racked up 1,576 net orders as they continued to see renewed interest in their 737 line. Notwithstanding the continued niggles and embarrassments included in the type, like their problems with the deicing equipment or the recent uncommanded door ejection at altitude, the company has continued to get new orders for its wares from carriers around the globe. Overall, the fourth quarter saw them deliver 157 aircraft, while recording 611 orders.

'Data Demonstrates That Attempts to Increase Pilot Retirement Age to is Solution in Search of a Problem'

ALPA is touting updated data from the FAA showing the agency issued 11,225 airline pilot certificates (ATP-MELs) during the 2023 calendar year, exceeding analyst forecasts and airline demand for new aviators. This is the second year in a row that pilot production numbers are breaking records. In addition to the impressive pilot production numbers, the number of certified flight instructors totaled 93,567, a nearly 20 percent increase over 2019, further demonstrating that the airline pilot pipeline remains strong and robust – and there is no need to make unstudied, arbitrary changes to U.S. aviation safety regulations. 

Appeal Winds Way Through Courts As Shareholder Sentiments Shellac Stocks

JetBlue has gotten a court date for its appeal for the desired merger with Spirit Airlines, but things won’t be moving as quickly as they desire - the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals will take the case before June of this year. The case is actually being taken care of somewhat expeditiously, as far as legal things tend to go. JetBlue had petitioned to have their appeal considered by July 24th, a deadline their merger agreement had set to close the deal had it all gone as planned. While it would be cutting it close, getting the appeal reviewed (and hopefully approved) would allow both companies to go forward as they wanted to without having to go back and gain the a

GPS Anomaly Detection App to Indicate Spoofing and Jamming Threats

Aircraft Performance Group has introduced NaviGuard, a free, standalone GPS anomaly detection and verification iOS app designed to address the growing concern of GPS spoofing and jamming incidents that threaten aviators and passengers in crisis zones across the world. The FAA recently published a Safety Alert for Operators, advising flight crews to monitor their onboard equipment and to be prepared to fly without satellite navigation. NaviGuard offers a crucial solution to safeguard commercial and business flight operators from spoofing threats. The app detects abnormal GPS readings on iPads and verifies GPS data using radio navigation. 

The Unit Will Be Assigned To The 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

Members of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing departed for an interesting TDY (temporary duty) assignment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. About 100 unit members headed to Guam with their KC-135 air refueling aircraft late last month for a regular three-month rotation to the U.S. island territory in the Western Pacific. The Iowa Airmen will provide in-flight refueling for U.S. military aircraft while at Andersen AFB. Air Refueling missions include refueling U.S. Air Force bomber aircraft that are part of the continuous bomber task force and theater security packages in the Pacific region.

Although... Not Likely To Serve Many In The GA Community 

A new terminal at Key West International Airport delivers added new amenities to well-heeled private aviation travelers in Florida. Signature Aviation has opened a newly built facility at Key West International Airport (EYW). Just a few miles from the city center, the new 4,500 square foot guest terminal fuses modern elements of design with functional space that serves travelers and the community of Key West. The new terminal will add 3,300 square feet of additional space compared to Signature’s previous facility, delivering extra accommodation for larger guest parties. Among the design features specific to Signature Key West are an elevated main terminal area and cover

Pilot Reported That Shortly After Takeoff During The Climb, He Experienced A Partial Loss Power And Began To Descend

On January 16, 2024, at 1130 Pacific standard time, a Sonex experimental amateur-built airplane N920MB was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on a public road near the Auburn Municipal Airport (KS50) Auburn, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff during the climb, he experienced a partial loss power and began to descend. The pilot planned to land the airplane on a road straight ahead, but several seconds later the engine regained power, enabling the airplane to climb.&

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Avilution 'Unpanel' Represents A Major Change In VFR Avionics…

One of the most innovative things on display at AirVenture this summer was the Avilution Unpanel, which represents a major change in avionics for VFR airplanes. Mark Spencer, Founder of Avilution, told Aero-News editor Tom Patton that the company designed the Unpanel by approaching avionics as a software "problem", making it possible to bring a product to the market much faster. The Unpanel was developed in conjunction with Zenith Aircraft

Unexpected Structural Failure Strikes Boise Workers

A hangar under construction in Boise, Idaho collapsed, killing 3 and injuring 9. More than half of the injured are in critical condition and are receiving care at local hospitals. The City of Boise showed up in force from the get-go, bringing out 8 medic engines, 3 ladder trucks, 2 safety officers, 2 battalion chiefs, one division chief, a heavy rescue unit, and medical transport for a dozen patients. Initial fire crews focused on stabilizing the scene and plucking out the most accessible victims.

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Descend Via An abbreviated ATC clearance that requires compliance with a published procedure lateral path and associated speed restrictions and provides a pilot-discretion descent to comply with published altitude restrictions. 

“For months, corporate special interests in Washington have been crying wolf about a lack of available, qualified airline pilots, misrepresenting the facts in a naked attempt to protect to their profits while advocating changes in the law that would significantly complicate air travel for millions of Americans. Once again, the data demonstrates that America does not have a pilot supply problem. Instead, we have a problem with some being willing to say and do anything to advance their narrow agenda at the expense of what’s best for the American traveling public. We have more than enough qualified pilots and raising the pilot retirement age is an ill-conceived solution to a non-existent problem, plain and simple.”  Source:

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