One Mile at a Time

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

On January 29, 2025, we saw a devastating accident near Washington National Airport (DCA), whereby a military Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter collided with an American Eagle CRJ-700, leading to 67 fatalities. This is the first crash of a US airliner since 2009. Obviously theres now a big focus on just how congested the airspace around DCA is, between commercial aircraft landing at the airport, and military helicopters using routes near the airport.

Air Traffic Control

Aerotime

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

A Jet Rescue Learjet 55 ambulance aircraft crashed violently moments after takeoff from North Philadelphia Airport (PNE/KPNE) on January 31, 2025. The crash comes just forty-eight hours after the collision between a civilian CRJ-700 and a US Army Blackhawk , raising fresh concerns about aviation safety. The Bombardier Learjet 55, registered in Mexico as XA-UCI and operating under the call sign Med Jets 56, was completely destroyed upon impact.

Descent

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Welcome to the world of aeronautical terminology , where every acronym has a story to tell. Today, well focus on one of the lesser-known yet important terms: TRSA, or Terminal Radar Service Area. Heres the issue. You might have come across this term while studying for your written exam, or maybe it popped up on your sectional chart during flight planning.

Visual Flight Rules

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The last few years have been a mixed bag for the Airbus A380, with some operators keeping their faith in the double-decker quadjet while others have withdrawn the 'superjumbo' from service altogether. One carrier where the A380 is set to enjoy a longer operational life than initially expected is Korean Air, which now plans to operate the type long after the aircraft's initially planned retirement date in 2026.

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

When we think of piloting aircraft, we often conjure images of the pilot sitting transfixed on the airplane instruments. While this is often true, it is not always the case. In fact, there are two different ways that airplanes navigate. One way is by using the instruments. The other uses a much older instrumentthe human eyeball, otherwise known as flying visually.

Visual Flight Rules

AV Web

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The scope being used by the controller working both the American Eagle flight and Army Blackhawk helicopter that collided Thursday in Washington, D.C. showed the helicopter about 125 feet lower than the CRJ700 it met over the Potomac River. At a press briefing on Saturday, NTSB member Todd Inman said the flight data recorder and ADS-B data put the regional jet at 325 feet AGL at the point of impact, plus or minus 25 feet while the controller’s console showed the helicopter at 200 feet, the

AGL

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The student pilot may initially struggle to understand the functions of an E6B flight computer. They may even begin to question the necessity of learning this skill in today’s world, where digital devices are always readily available for assistance. But pilots around the globe rely on this indispensable gadget for charting their flights, crunching numbers to determine time in transit, fuel usage, and necessary adjustments for wind shifts.

Groundspeed

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

In aviation, altitude is far more complex than its dictionary definition. Pilots use several types of altitude for varying purposes, which include reading aeronautical charts, communicating with ATC, and calculating aircraft performance. In this short guide, youll learn about the different altitude types and their significance. Lets start with the simplest one.

Density Altitude

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has stated that the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) will be the only source of information surrounding the terrible mid-air accident involving American Airlines Flight 5342. On Wednesday night, a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a small American Airlines plane operated by PSA Airlines crashed, killing all 67 people on board.

Airline

One Mile at a Time

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

While Im not sure what exactly to make of this, it certainly isnt normal, and makes for quite a story Somethings wrong with an American Boeing 787-8 Its normal for planes to once in a while return to their origin due to a maintenance issue, since airplanes are complex machines that sometimes malfunction. However, one of Americans eight-year-old Boeing 787-8s with the registration code N819AN seems to be having issues with a frequency thats raising eyebrows, as reported by @xJonNYC.

Tail

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

In the past few weeks, Austrian Airlines has once again spread its wings with new frequencies. In addition to the launch of new, intra-European routes, the airline has announced big plans for Los Angeles. The carrier, which will serve the Southern California hub with direct service from Vienna, has announced plans to operate the route once-daily with its Boeing 777-200ER - the largest aircraft in its fleet.

Airline

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

On this day in aviation history, February 1, 1912, the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 made its maiden flight. Often maligned by aviation historians for its high casualty figures sustained over the Western Front, the B.E.2 was a pioneering pre-war design that was among the first aircraft flown by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) that gave valuable experience to British aircrews and taught British designers lessons that applied to later observation bombers of the First World War.

Cockpit

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Etihad Airways revealed the latest destination for its upcoming Airbus A321LR fleet earlier this week when it announced it would be boosting service to Milan with the addition of a third daily flight. The new service brings the current list of known A321LR destinations to 10. The carrier hopes to both take delivery of its first example and launch it into service later this year.

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The First Flight Society has announced its Board of Directors for 2025. Paul Wright Jameson was elected as president, succeeding Mike Fonseca. Jameson is a great-great-nephew of aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. The Executive Committee for 2025 includes: Vice President : K. Lynn Tadlock Education Committee Chair : Judith Fearing Event Committee Chair : Paul Carr Finance Committee Chair : Erica Paynter Governance Committee Chair : Mark Flynn Marketing/Membership Chair : K.

Stability

Thrust Flight

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

In this article we’re going to explore the difference between AIRMETs and SIGMETs, and understand the types of sigmets and how they differ from airmets. A wise pilot once said it’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground. […] The post What Is the Difference Between AIRMETs and SIGMETs?

Thrust

The Aviationist

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

With Demon Ape, General Atomics XQ-67A drone will leverage its modular architecture to provide testing for the U.S. Air Forces Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has been awarded a sole-source contract for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratorys (AFRL) Demon Ape program, which will see the XQ-67A drone, revealed for the first […] The post XQ-67 Will Get New Capabilities with Demon Ape Program appeared first on The Aviationist.

AV Web

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to X early Sunday to report that the primary NOTAM system was down “but there is no impact to the National Airspace System because a backup system is in place.” He said all NOTAMs are available but he did not describe the cause of the outage or an estimate of when the primary system might be up again.

NOTAMs

The Aviationist

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The integration of SIRTAP of the Juan Carlos I will focus on command and control, combat system integration and navigation support, including take-off and landing operations. European defense and aerospace major Airbus has announced the signing of an agreement with Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia to explore the integration of Airbus SIRTAP UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) […] The post Airbus, Navantia to Explore SIRTAP UAVs Flight Operations from Spanish Juan Carlos I Carrier appeared

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

United Airlines had a stellar year. The airline continues to report massive profits as it capitalizes on strong demand for international flying and premium seating options. The airline continues to invest in its operations and customer experience, and has become one of the most profitable airlines in the United States as it pursues an intense rivalry with Delta Air Lines.

Airline

One Mile at a Time

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! Im at home with family, but have a review trip coming up in a few days, which I look forward to sharing the details of (its a fun one). On the points & travel front, of course the biggest story of the week has been the heartbreaking, horrifying midair collision of an American Eagle jet and a helicopter near Washington National Airport.

Runway

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is located around 10 miles west of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and serves as the principal international airport serving the city and its surrounding communities. One of the largest facilities in the state by land area, Pittsburgh International covers around 10,000 acres and is operated under the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

Airline

Airline Geeks

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Unionized workers will be temporarily laid off, the airline said, while management and non-union cuts will be permanent.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Tim Clark, the President of Emirates , has reiterated once again Emirates' desire for Airbus to restart production of the A380, a development that seems highly unlikely considering the fate of the final assembly line (FAL) of the aircraft type.

Airline

Airline Geeks

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

After a dismal year, Boeing's productivity has bounced back its deliveries to new heights during the first month of 2025.

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

An aviation enthusiast can identify various aircraft types based on how they look. They develop a discerning eye based on years of observation, but for someone not so keen on aviation, most aircraft can look similar to one another.

The Aviationist

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

While Japan is in the process of massively up-gunning itself with other U.S. weapons, the SM-6 represents a specific strategic capability against ballistic missile threats. The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of 150 SM-6 Block Is (Standard Missile-6 Block I), worth $900 million, for Japan as part of a BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) […] The post U.S.

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

IndiGo is venturing for the long-haul. The airline is getting a headstart on its European expansion, reportedly calling on Norse Atlantic Airways for the capacity it needs ahead of its Airbus A350s start being delivered. The anticipated network is not at all insignificant.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The modern world is an increasingly intertwined one, thanks, in part, to the large network of airports that connects people from all over the globe, bringing them closer to friends and family than ever before. Even amid the challenges of the last few years, new airports have opened all around the world, but which countries have the most?

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoons are set to be retrofitted with a new radar known as European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 that will be supplied by BAE Systems in a project estimated to be worth $1 billion. The new initiative is aimed at giving a boost to the Typhoons combat effectiveness by upgrading detection range, tracking precision, signal processing, and the overall radar power and fidelity.

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The Boeing 727 entered commercial service on February 1st, 1964. To mark its 61st anniversary, we take a closer look at the iconic aircraft that went on to become a mainstay of the aviation industry around the world.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Later this year, Delta Air Lines plans to launch additional direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne Airport (MEL), completing its expanding list of overseas destinations. The move significantly improves Melbourne's international connections and represents a substantial expansion for Delta, one of the biggest airlines in the world.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Its not a great look for Boeing (of all companies) to be asking its aviation safety regulator for an exemption. But that seems to be the case in this most recent news.

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Germany's Lufthansa is continuing its efforts to consolidate its airline business across Europe. Following investments in airBaltic and ITA Airways, the German flag carrier is now reportedly seeking a 20% stake in Spain's Air Europa, according to El Economista.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Thailand's national airline, Thai Airways, has invested in refurbishing its short-haul business class cabins by introducing Royal Silk Class on its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. This initiative aims to redefine premium travel on domestic and regional routes across Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Riyadh Airs first operational Boeing 787-9 has departed on its inaugural international test flights as the airline secured an operational license for its 787-9 simulator from the local aviation authority.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Angolan flag carrier TAAG Angola Airlines has received the first of four Boeing 787 Dreamliners just over a year after placing the order. The airline is undergoing significant transformation, with new aircraft, a new hub, and a new brand identity.

Airline

Simple Flying

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

In a stunning development, not just did US federal law enforcement authorities track down the drone pilot whose DJI Mini 3 Pro crashed into a Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper, but they found the drone's pilot in Peter Akemann of Culver City, California to plead guilty on February 1, 2025 in United States District Court for the Central District of California to unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 39B(a)(2), (c)(1).

Pilot