Lockhart, Texas Hot Air Balloon Crash Involved Impaired Pilot

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently heard expert testimony as part of their investigation into the Lockhart, Texas hot air balloon crash. The July 20, 2016 crash killed 16 people, including the pilot of the balloon. The balloon hit …

United Airlines Introduces New Steerage – or, sorry – Basic Economy Class

In keeping with the holiday spirit, United Airlines just announced that starting in early 2017, it will charge for overhead space. So-called Basic Economy fliers will be limited to one carry-on, and it must fit under the seat. The valuable and limited …

Daallo Airlines Explosion Kills Passenger

What many believe to have been a bomb exploded yesterday on a commercial airliner, an Airbus A321, flying from Mogadishu to Djibouti. The pilots landed the plane safely, which was reportedly in flames and surrounded by smoke, after declaring an emergen …

Run and Hide – Not Exactly The John McClane Approach

Remember Die Hard 2, where Officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) saves Washington Dulles Airport from a rogue band of militant terrorists? Well apparently that’s not how they roll in Chicago. If you see the aviation police running in Chicago, don’t assum …

A Holiday Guide to FAA Drone Rules

If you are on Santa’s nice list, chances are you may find a drone, or even better, a drone with a mac-daddy Go-Pro camera under your tree this Christmas. But just remember, that gift comes with some strings. A drone, no matter how small, is an aircraft …

Ebola Scare Spreads to Airlines

Ebola, a problem in other parts of the world for decades, has finally reached the United States. The initial victim flew to Dallas before showing symptoms of the deadly disease. Since his death, two of his medical providers, both nurses, have been diag …

Mesa Airlines – An Unnecessary Trip To The Edge Of Tragedy

Yesterday, the right wing tip of American Eagle flight 5786 struck the runway as the plane was landing at the McAllen International Airport. The incident occurred just before noon after a short flight from DFW International Airport. The flight was bein …

Real ID Act May Be A Real Pain For Some Air Travelers

One of the lesser-known responses to the 9/11 attacks was the passage of the Real ID Act in 2005 (the Act). According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Act is a joint effort between state and federal authorities to improve the reliability and …

New Clues About The Fate OF MH370

Families of those on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 may finally have a potential clue as to what happened to the airplane, which disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 227 passengers and 12 crewmembers on board. One small piece of the puzzle may have …

Airbus A-400 Crash Highlights Issues With Modern Aviation Technology

Earlier this month, an Airbus A-400 transport plane intended for the Turkish Air Force crashed near Seville San Pablo Airport in Spain, killing four people. Two of the four dead were the plane’s test pilots. The crash has been blamed on issues within o …