Falling Debris: How SpaceX’s Expansion Raises the Risk of Space Junk Hitting Planes By Ryan Kessler The skyrocketing number of satellites increases the danger of falling space debris threatening aviation safety. Key Points at a Glance: The risk of space debris impacting aircraft is rising due to the surge in satellite launches. SpaceX’s Starlink constellation significantly contributes to this growing...Read More

ATR Presses On With Maintenance Interval Extensions By Thierry Dubois After the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 XT engine resulted in a major extension of maintenance intervals in 2022, ATR has received approval for a comparable improvement on the nose landing gear, and engineers are working on alleviating the servicing needs of more subsystems. The effort aims to address pain...Read More

AA Mandates Rudder Replacements For Thousands Of Piper Aircraft The FAA issued an airworthiness directive for rudder replacements for thousands of Piper aircraft on Feb. 13. By Amelia Walsh The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final airworthiness directive (AD) requiring the replacement of rudders on specific Piper series aircraft. The AD, effective March 20, 2025, addresses safety concerns stemming from...Read More

Vertical Aerospace and its VX4 eVTOL makes you believe the future is possible By Ian Molyneaux After a few past wobbles, Vertical Aerospace has the feel of a company that is entering a new era of real significance backed up by an experienced, international team with a binding belief in its future success. In just the past few weeks, the...Read More

Nuuva V300 takes off with successful first flight Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, has announced the successful first hover flight of the Nuuva V300, a long-range, large-capacity hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) unmanned aircraft. This milestone marks an advancement in the development of advanced, sustainable and versatile unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The Nuuva V300 is designed to carry a 600-pound...Read More

New Challenges in Avionics Training: Adapting to Rapid Technological Change By John Persinos The aviation industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with advancements in avionics transforming aircraft systems and operations. From the development of autonomous flight capabilities to the integration of virtual reality (VR) in cockpit simulations, these innovations promise to make aviation safer and more efficient. However, they also...Read More

Remembering Professor James Reason (1938 – 2025) IFA is sorry to hear that Professor James Reason has passed away. His work continues to have a profound effect on thinking about human factors, safety and culture across many industries. Our thoughts are with his Family and Friends at this time. This International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) video examines Human Factors Error...Read More

The risks of Washington Reagan airport By David Learmount The fatal mid-air collision over the Potomac River next to Washington Reagan airport on 30 January is seen by many industry commentators, including myself, as an accident waiting to happen. Today it happened. A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 twinjet (N709PS), operating as American Eagle flight 5342 from Wichita to Washington, collided with...Read More

All change at CHIRP By Nicky Smith Musings by the new Director Aviation It’s a New Year and a fresh start for us all. For me personally, in my first week and embarking on an exciting new CHIRP journey, it’s an opportunity to introduce myself whilst reflecting on how culture has changed in aviation over the very nearly 40 years...Read More

President Donald Trump fires TSA Administrator Pekoske, warns of more dismissals By Goda Labanauskaite The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) David Pekoske has been asked to step down from his role following Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the new President of the United States. On his first day, he signed...Read More