FAA Issues First Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 31-page document recommends AI safety assurance strategies By Hanneke Weitering The FAA has released the first iteration of its “Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Safety Assurance,” a 31-page document outlining the U.S. air safety regulator’s approach to safely integrating novel AI technologies in aviation. In addition to making AI safe, the FAA also seeks to...Read More

FAA Boeing 787 inspections FAA Boeing 787 inspections could impact 64,000 flights, according to Mabrian By Craig Waters The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new directive mandating inspections of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, a move that could potentially disrupt over 64,000 flights and affect more than 18 million seats globally in the next 30 days, according to...Read More

Archer Delivers First Aircraft to US Air Force By Yves Le Marquand Archer Aviation has delivered its first Midnight eVTOL to the US Air Force (USAF) after the Department of Defense accepted the aircraft’s military airworthiness assessment. The Midnight aircraft will now be evaluated as part of Archer’s AFWERX Agility Prime contract worth up to $142m (subject to certain conditions...Read More

Body of knowledge: why your aircraft’s condition is your responsibility You don’t need a doctor to tell you when you’re sick. Instead, you watch your health, try to keep fit and make appointments. It’s the same with aircraft. However, CASA airworthiness inspectors have noticed something halfway between folklore and a trend develop among some aircraft operators: the pernicious idea that...Read More

Sensationalism, panic reporting dangerous to  aviation sector, NCAA tells journalists, media houses From Sola Ojo, Abuja The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged aviation journalists and media houses to avoid sensational and panic reporting, saying such reports are dangerous to the growth of the Country’s aviation industry. That appeal was the crux of a two-day workshop that brought together...Read More

Challenges continue for Boeing Boeing grounds 777X test planes for defective part linking engine to airframe By Dominic Gates, Seattle Times Boeing said Monday that it has grounded its fleet of 777X test aircraft for inspections following discovery over the weekend of a failed component connected to the jet’s engine. After one of the 777X test airplanes landed Friday in...Read More

Study: Flying keeps getting safer Reflecting a “Moore’s Law of aviation,” commercial flight has become roughly twice as safe each decade since the 1960s; Covid-19 added a wrinkle, however. By Peter Dizikes, MIT News IFA Comments: IFA agrees that it’s really hard to keep improving aviation safety at the same rate as past decades. As global air traffic continues to...Read More

UK aviation industry sees highest number of licences issued to women but mountain still to climb Between 2019 and 2023, there has been a 26 per cent increase in pilot licences issued to women. There’s been a 43 per cent increase in the number of licences issued to women for commercial flying, and a 11 per cent increase for general...Read More

What Skills Do You Need to Become an Aviation Maintenance Technician? By Andrew Chen Being an AMT is a challenging job and requires certain abilities and expertise. Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) play a critical role in the aviation industry. Working tirelessly behind the scenes, AMTs keep aircraft in safe working condition. Becoming an AMT can lead to a lucrative and rewarding career. However,...Read More

Reverse engineering to determine airworthiness IFA comments: Part replacement using reverse engineering can be safe but the maker needs to fully understand past design assumptions and applicable rules. By Shivakumar Raman When parts from aging aircraft begin to fail, they often require an assessment of repair versus replacement using reverse engineering. Our research is focusing on the sustainment of aging...Read More