The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced $289 million in Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) to 129 airports across 40 states. These grants, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aim to enhance air travel safety and efficiency by improving terminals, runways, and baggage systems.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking to improve aviation safety by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its analysis methods. Through market research, the FAA aims to identify AI capabilities relevant to aviation safety and gather industry feedback on potential areas for growth. The goal is to develop an AI-driven safety system that can enhance the understanding of high-risk operations and provide a tailored analytics tool for aviation stakeholders.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded over $123 million in grants to 235 airports across 35 states and the District of Columbia. The funding will support projects enhancing airfield safety and other improvements, aimed at modernizing airports and meeting the growing demands of air travel.
Joby Aviation, a leading developer of electric air taxis, has received FAA authorization for its proprietary software suite, ElevateOS, designed for on-demand air taxi operations. ElevateOS, which will be showcased in a virtual presentation today, encompasses a range of tools, including pilot applications, operational management software, and a rider app. Joby plans to deploy ElevateOS for its own air taxi services and offer it to select partners. The company is also preparing for the launch of commercial air taxi operations by 2025, with pilot training programs and simulations.
RAI Jets Service Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has expanded its capabilities to service Cessna Citation 560 (XLS), 650, and 750 aircraft, adding to its existing approvals for limited instruments and radio ratings from the FAA. The center, a sister company of RAI Jets, a reputable aircraft management and jet charter firm, received this certification in March 2024, allowing them to provide comprehensive maintenance services for a wider range of aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is ramping up efforts to prevent serious incidents on airfields across the nation as summer travel reaches its peak. With increased flight activity and ongoing runway projects at airports, the risk of unauthorized vehicles and pedestrians entering operational areas and causing safety incidents has heightened. To address this, the FAA has distributed updated training materials to airport directors on vehicle and pedestrian safety, emphasizing the importance of refining airfield protocols, maintaining awareness of airport developments, identifying hotspots, and ensuring clear communication with air traffic control and ground personnel. Technological advancements like Vehicle Movement Area Transponders and Runway Incursion Warning Systems also enhance situational awareness across airport operations. Last year, vehicle/pedestrian deviations doubled in a span of four months, from 14 in April to 32 by August. The FAA aims to proactively mitigate this trend by implementing these measures.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating reports that Boeing and Airbus used falsified reports to verify the authenticity of titanium used in some recently produced jets. The fake documents are currently being investigated by Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing and Airbus’ fuselages supplier. The investigation aims to determine the extent of the issue and the safety implications of the affected aircraft. The discovery of small holes in the material from corrosion sparked the investigation, and it is part of a larger trend of supply chain issues and component shortages that are limiting aircraft manufacturers’ ability to meet demand amid a post-COVID travel surge.
SpaceX is aiming for Wednesday, June 5, for the fourth test launch of its Starship rocket. The launch is contingent upon approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but the company is optimistic about launching with short notice. The 120-meter-tall Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built and consists of the Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft. The first three test flights have met varying degrees of success, but the goal remains to develop a fully reusable system for missions to the moon and Mars.
SpaceX has completed a full launch rehearsal of its Starship rocket, consisting of the Super Heavy booster and upper-stage Starship spacecraft, at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The rehearsal involved fueling the 120-meter-tall rocket and going through all the usual pre-launch procedures, marking the final major test before a spaceflight. SpaceX is awaiting a launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is still investigating the third test flight that took place in March. The Starship program aims to build two launch towers at Cape Canaveral in Florida to increase testing capacity, pending permission from the authorities. SpaceX plans to use the Starship for cargo and crew transport to the Moon and Mars.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an environmental review of SpaceX’s plans to launch the Starship from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The review is necessary as SpaceX has made changes to its plans since NASA’s previous assessment five years ago, including an increased launch frequency and a more powerful rocket design. The Starship, with its colossal thrust of 17 million pounds at launch, has a greater potential to impact the local environment than any other vehicle launched from Florida’s Space Coast. The FAA’s review will assess the potential effects of Starship launches on wildlife, air quality, and noise levels.
