NATCA Issues Warning To FAA On Controller Fatigue Amid ATC Understaffing

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the agency's unilateral decision-making process concerning new policies aimed at addressing air traffic controller fatigue. This comes amid growing concerns over understaffing and the subsequent strain it places on the existing workforce, potentially exacerbating the very issue the FAA seeks to mitigate.

Q1 2024 Sees Spike in Preowned Aircraft

The first quarter of 2024 has seen a notable uptick in the sales of preowned business aircraft, sparking continued optimism in the market, as reported by the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA). The association's latest market report highlights a robust start to the year, with 253 resale transactions recorded in the first quarter, showing an increase from 239 during the same period in 2023. Additionally, there were 248 aircraft under contract by the end of the first quarter, up from 206 at the close of the first quarter the previous year.

NBAA Applauds New FAA SMS Rule

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has officially praised the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for integrating essential feedback from the association into the newly finalized rule on Safety Management Systems (SMS). This rule extends SMS requirements, previously limited to Part 5 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, to include all Part 135 operators, certain Part 21 certificate holders, and §91.147 air tour operators.

 

 

Vermont-based Beta Technologies has marked a significant advancement in the eVTOL aircraft sector with the successful piloted transition of its Alia-250 from vertical hover to cruise flight. This development underscores Beta's commitment to pioneering practical and commercially viable eVTOL solutions. The transition, which occurred with a pilot on board, involved moving from a stationary hover to forward flight, showcasing the aircraft's dual capabilities. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging retaliation by Boeing management against two of its union members. On the morning of April 20, a protest by climate activists at Hanscom Field airport in Bedford, Massachusetts, led to the arrest of 20 individuals. The protesters,

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