Pilot Who Became Incapacitated During American Airlines Flight Dies

An airline pilot who became incapacitated during a flight from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, on November 19 has died. The pilot, whose name has not been released, was required flight crew aboard Envoy Air Flight 3556, an Embraer E175 operated as American Eagle, with service from Chicago O’Hare (KORD) to John Glenn International Airport (KCMH). According to LiveATC.com, approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot flying as first officer notified air traffic control: “Need to return, the… (www.flyingmag.com) Plus d'info...

Airbus says to decouple from Russian titanium 'in months'

Airbus will halt its reliance on Russia for titanium supplies within months, a senior executive said on Thursday. (uk.news.yahoo.com) Plus d'info...

UK Sending Retired Sea Kings to Ukraine

As part of its “unwavering support,” the British government will provide Ukraine with three retired Westland WS-61 Sea King helicopters. UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced the deal last week ahead of a regional European meeting to discuss continued military aid to Ukraine. The first helicopter has been delivered and the Royal Navy is providing Ukrainian crews with training. (www.ainonline.com) Plus d'info...

Rolls Royce conducts third test of hydrogen powered aircraft engine

In September, Rolls-Royce presented its AE 2100 test engine at an easyJet conference on the airline's roadmap to net zero aviation. Today the BBC has reported that Rolls-Royce, in partnership with easyJet, has commenced tests running the AE 2100 on hydrogen. (simpleflying.com) Plus d'info...

Pilots flying under BasicMed can soon act as safety pilots

When FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen signed a final rule requiring medical certificates for commercial balloon pilots, it affected a very small number of pilots. But one of two “miscellaneous amendments” to the final rule does impact general aviation pilots who fly under BasicMed. The final rule makes a “minor change” to “allow a required pilot flightcrew member who is not acting as PIC to operate under BasicMed.” Translation? That means the more than 60,000 pilots who now fly under… (generalaviationnews.com) Plus d'info...

The US regulator mandates additional measure for inadvertent autopilot engagement in A220s during take-off

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration revealed two of 38 Airbus A220 take-off incidents were nearly catastrophic. The unintentional autopilot engagement requires additional precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence, the US regulator says. (www.airlinerwatch.com) Plus d'info...

NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Fatal Texas Midair Collision

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the preliminary report on the fatal midair collision between a B-17G and P-63F Kingcobra during the Wings Over Dallas airshow on November 12. According to the NTSB report, there were no altitude deconfliction briefed before the flight or while the airplanes were in the air. Altitude deconfliction procedures are established in the event pilots find themselves at an improper altitude during the flight. Six people were killed in the… (www.flyingmag.com) Plus d'info...

British Airways prefers Gatwick over Heathrow for operational expansion

LONDON, UK — As relations with Britain's busiest airport deteriorate due to a protracted dispute, British Airways aims to boost its operations at Gatwick. The national carrier of the UK will increase its flights from Sussex rather than expanding its Heathrow operations. (www.airlinerwatch.com) Plus d'info...

Passenger Jet Flies Over Launchpad Right as SpaceX Rocket Takes Off

Passengers on board a United Airlines commercial jet flying over Florida's Cape Canaveral were able to spot an amazingly rare sight in the distance: a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, far below. (futurism.com) Plus d'info...

Back in the saddle: Air Canada relaunches equine service

Air Canada once upon a time transported horses. The airline is now operating all-cargo jets and horses are back in the product portfolio. (www.freightwaves.com) Plus d'info...

Flying Delta Premium Select at Comfort Plus Prices: JFK to SFO Trip Report

Recently, on my trip home from the East Coast, I took advantage of one of the best deals you can find on Delta: Premium Select seats at Comfort Plus prices. (aeroxplorer.com) Plus d'info...

Boeing 777X Test Flights Suspended Over Engine Issue

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has temporarily suspended the flight testing of the 777X pending a potential issue with the General Electric GE9X engines that power the aircraft. “We are reviewing a technical issue that occurred during GE9X post-certification engineering testing, and we are closely coordinating with Boeing on our findings to support their return to flight testing,” GE Aerospace [NYSE: GE] said. The potential issue was discovered during a borescope inspection of a flight test engine. Both GE… (www.flyingmag.com) Plus d'info...

McCauley Completes Vibration Tests on Denali Prop

A new prop for a new engine—and airframe—has completed key tests in the ongoing quest towards certification on the Beechcraft Denali. McCauley, a division of Textron Aviation, announced on its social media channels Wednesday that the C1106 prop completed vibration testing married to the GE Catalyst turboprop powerplant expected to drive the Denali. The 5-blade composite propeller would be the first to the field with the Catalyst. It completed wind tunnel testing last December in Switzerland at… (www.flyingmag.com) Plus d'info...

Air Canada launches North America's only nonstop flight to Bangkok

For the first time in 10 years, there's now a nonstop flight between North America and the capital of one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Thailand. On December 1 at 11 p.m. local time, Air Canada flight AC65 took off from Vancouver International Airport to begin the 15-hour and 55-minute journey to Bangkok. (edition.cnn.com) Plus d'info...