Aug
03
2025
Probably the best observation here is “For the first time in my life, I see a purpose for the word ‘lavatory.’”
“We Have No Toilets!” Pilot’s Urgent Plea Misheard As “No Pilots,” Triggers Airport Emergency
air traffic control
Tag Archives for air traffic control.
The FAA Is Blocking Remote Towers Used Worldwide—Even Though They’d Help Solve The Controller Shortage For A Fraction Of The Cost
May
24
2025
There’s something to rethinking how air traffic control works entirely in a digital world. But if we’re realistic, and can only expect incremental improvement, surely this is one we can accomplish?
American Airlines Cleared For Takeoff While United Still On The Runway—LaGuardia Controllers Admit the Mistake
May
17
2025
The tower controller mistakenly issued takeoff clearance to American Eagle flight AA4736. Communication was further complicated by a Spirit Airlines pilot inadvertently blocking transmissions. As American 4736 accelerated down the runway, tower controllers received an automated collision alert and attempted to retract the takeoff clearance.
Trump’s FAA ‘Fix’: Spend Billions More Without Changing The Broken System That Doomed The Last 40 Years
May
10
2025
The Trump administration wants to fix air traffic control by throwing an indeterminate amount of money at upgrading aging technology. Their plan takes the approach laid out in the opening to The Hitchhikers’ Guide To The Galaxy.
“Incredibly Dangerous”: Aviation Safety Enemy Chuck Schumer Attacks FAA Nominee
Apr
28
2025
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer – who has supported an unqualified nominee to run the FAA and blocked air traffic control staffing fixes – is taking on the Trump administration’s nominee to run the FAA. Bryan Bedford, the CEO of Republic Airways, has a long and distinguished career in aviation management – but he sought to have the FAA declared structured pilot training equivalent to mindless hours and this is anathema to the big pilot union.
Seconds From Landing, Southwest Pilots Spot Private Jet Crossing Chicago Runway And Pull Up Just In Time
Feb
25
2025
A Southwest Airlines pilot narrowly averted disaster this morning when their Boeing 737-800 (registration N8517F) was preparing to land at Chicago Midway airport. Flight 2504 from Omaha was in the gradual pitch-up just prior to touchdown when it initiated a go around as a business jet crossed the runway. The plane climbed out, and landed safely 15 minutes later.
From 1920s Thinking to Digital Autonomy: After 100 Years, It’s Time To Rethink How Air Traffic Control Works
Feb
13
2025
Why is it that airlines give up control of their aircraft to the government from the moment it pushes back to the moment it arrives at its destination?
The FAA’s Obsolete Tech—Not Diversity—Is America’s Biggest Air Safety Threat
Feb
07
2025
When last week’s air disaster happened in D.C., the spotlight was thrown quickly on air traffic control – even without having any inkling that controller error contribution to the collision. That’s because there’s been a lot of attention paid recently to diversity efforts at the FAA, and because the President has railed against those sorts of efforts.
There’s a lot of misinformation about what happened. Here’s the basic truth, and how much it matters today.
Collision On Final Approach Sparks DEI Blame Game—The FAA’s Real Air Traffic Control Crisis Runs Much Deeper
Jan
30
2025
After last night’s horrific collision of an American Eagle jet and a Black Hawk helicopter, there’s been a rush to pushing pet agendas. We don’t have a sufficient understanding of the causes of the incident yet to jump on a pet horse. Be very skeptical of anyone pushing solutions of laying blame at this stages.
Air Traffic Control Sends Delta Plane Into SpaceX Rocket’s Launch Area: Falcon 9 Scrubbed With 11 Seconds To Spare
Jan
19
2025
SpaceX scrubbed the launch of its Falcon 9 rock on Sunday morning with just 11 seconds to blastoff – because air traffic control directed a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu into the restricted airspace of its path.
