The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revoked the licenses of two Northwest Airlines pilots who flew 150 miles beyond their destination last week as a result of being distracted by a cockpit discussion of airline policy, they claimed . The FAA, in revoking the licenses, said the crew had been out of radio contact for 91 minutes and flown 150 miles past the intended destination. The agency cited “failing to comply with air traffic control instructions and clearances and operating … [Read more...] about Distracted' US pilots loose their licences
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AMERICAS: GE Aviation, FAA research ATC
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and GE Aviation have signed a cooperative research and development agreement to study how manned and unmanned aircraft can share commercial airspace. GE Aviation and the FAA will look at air traffic control systems that would allow commercial airliners operating under instrument rules to fly directly to their destinations. Currently, such aircraft fly a jagged route along designated airways that use ground-based radio beacons to guide them. … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: GE Aviation, FAA research ATC
American gets ok for own RNP approaches
American Airlines has begun developing its own Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approaches, after being certified by the FAA to design its own procedures for selected airports. The airline has already designed and demonstrated RNP approaches at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, where American has one of its major maintenance facilities. RNP approaches have significant safety and efficiency benefits for carriers. Some airlines, such as Southwest, are contracting with third parties to … [Read more...] about American gets ok for own RNP approaches
Foreign MROs may face increased US scrutiny
Threatening to derail an aviation safety pact with the European Commission (EC), US lower house lawmakers have passed a bill mandating US safety inspectors to conduct more checks of overseas aircraft maintenance, repair and overall (MRO) companies. The new bill, not as yet law, requires the Federal Aviation Administration to increase its overseas inspections from once a year to twice a year, and foreign workers would have to submit to the same drug and alcohol testing and criminal background … [Read more...] about Foreign MROs may face increased US scrutiny
Air India to build Hyderabad MRO facility
In a bid to establish itself as a key player in the Indian MRO market, Air India has acquired five acres of land at the new Shamshabad Airport in Hyderabad where it is about to begin building a new MRO facility. The new facility – expected to be completed within 18 months – will consist of a hangar for carrying out major maintenance of aircraft, and an annexe building to accommodate component overhaul shops and various engineering offices. The hangar will be capable of … [Read more...] about Air India to build Hyderabad MRO facility
Foreign MROs may face increased US scrutiny
Threatening to derail an aviation safety pact with the European Commission (EC), US lower house lawmakers have passed a bill mandating US safety inspectors to conduct more checks of overseas aircraft maintenance, repair and overall (MRO) companies. The new bill, not as yet law, requires the Federal Aviation Administration to increase its overseas inspections from once a year to twice a year, and foreign workers would have to submit to the same drug and alcohol testing and criminal background … [Read more...] about Foreign MROs may face increased US scrutiny