The news that the Federal Aviation Administration has granted approval for the first flights of small commercial drones at night might not seem like a big deal to the average person, but the move also shows how U.S. regulators are now speeding up efforts to authorize expanded uses of the devices. [More]
federal aviation administration
Plane’s Emergency Slide Falls 2,800 Feet, Lands Outside Arizona House
By 3.31.16
Remember last year when an airplane door panel fell from the sky, landing on a North Carolina golf course? While that was certainly an unusual and scary situation, an Arizona woman can now top it: an airplane emergency slide dropped from the heavens and landed outside her house. [More]
Alaska Airlines, Feds, & Apple Investigating After iPhone 6 Catches Fire Midair
By 3.21.16
Last week, a Delta Air Lines flight was delayed after an e-cigarette ignited itself in a passengers’ carry-on bag. Days later, an Alaska Airlines flight experienced a similarly explosive situation when the iPhone 6 of one traveler allegedly burst into flames midair. [More]
Bill Would Charge FAA With Creating Airline Seat-Size Requirements
By 2.29.16
It seems as if each year airlines shrink the sizes of their seat in the name of fitting more people into their flying metal tubes. One lawmaker wants to put an end to that trend by creating a seat-size standard for commercial airlines. [More]
Airlines Offering Fee Waivers After Winter Weather Snarls Flights
By 2.24.16
High winds and an impending snowstorm have brought a number of delays and cancellations to air travel into and out of Chicago airports today. As a result, many airlines are now offering to waive fees for travelers seeking to change their plans. [More]
FAA: There Are Now More Drones Registered Than Piloted Aircraft
By 2.8.16
What’s that in the sky — is it a bird? A plane? No, it’s a swarm of drones, blacking out the sun as they rise as one to push other aircraft out of the sky. At least, that’s the vision we got after the Federal Aviation Administration announced that drone registrations have now outstripped registrations for piloted aircraft. [More]
American Airlines Should Not Have Told Family They Couldn’t Use FAA-Approved Safety Harness
By 1.11.16 — Updated: 5.23.17
Consumerist reader John and his wife were traveling with their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter on an American Airlines flight from New York to San Diego, and they’d brought along a special device to help keep their toddler safe, a CARES (Child Aviation Safety Restraint System) harness. Despite the fact that it’s approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, John says the flight’s pilot refused to take off while his daughter was using it in her seat. [More]
Southwest Airlines To Pay $2.8M To Settle FAA Lawsuit Over Improper Repairs
By 12.22.15
More than a year after the U.S. government sued Southwest Airlines over allegedly improper repairs to more than a dozen aircraft, the airline has agreed to settle the allegations to the tune of $2.8 million. [More]
Drone Owners Must Register Their Unmanned Aircraft Starting Dec. 21
By 12.14.15
Nearly a month after a task force recommended the Federal Aviation Administration require drone hobbyists to register their unmanned aircraft, the agency has finally solidified a process to keep tabs on the flying devices. [More]
FAA Task Force Recommends Requiring Registration For All Drones
By 11.23.15
A task force directed by the Federal Aviation Administration to recommend guidelines for drone operators has announced the results of its work, issuing a report today that covers which unmanned aircraft will need to be registered before taking to the skies. [More]
FAA: You Don’t Need To Pay Someone To Register Your Drone
By 11.16.15
When you go to register your car, you don’t shop around at different companies and then pay one to perform that service. The Federal Aviation Administration wants you to know you don’t have to fork over cash to register your drones, either. [More]
Feds Investigating After 20 Laser Strikes Aimed At Aircraft Reported Across The U.S. In One Night
By 11.12.15
Federal investigators have been kept busy this year investigating laser strikes at the nation’s airports, but in just one night, their workload jumped by quite a bit: more than 20 laser incidents were reported overnight between Wednesday at Thursday, at airports across the country. [More]
Feds Once Again Increase Scrutiny Of Allegiant Airlines After Repairs For Unsecured Bolts
By 10.28.15
When an Allegiant Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Peoria was speeding down the runway and the nose lifted too soon, pilots aborted the takeoff. That August incident – in which a bolt was found to be insecure – led the budget carrier to inspect all of its aircraft. While the company deemed its planes were in working order, a new report suggests that might not be the case. [More]
New Rule Bans E-Cigarettes From Checked Baggage
By 10.27.15
After more than 26 incidents in six years in which e-cigarettes have caused fires or explosions on planes, a new federal rule is set to go into effect banning the devices from being left in checked baggage. [More]
Walmart Asks The FAA For Permission To Test Drones For Home Delivery, Curbside Grocery Pickups
By 10.26.15
Amazon isn’t the only retailer on the market that wants to get into the drone delivery game: Walmart filed paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration today asking permission to test drones outside for home delivery, curbside pick-up and duties around the warehouse and parking lots. [More]
NFL Receives Permission To Use Drones For Filming, Just Not Actual Games
By 9.23.15
Films, documentaries and television segments featuring footage of professional football practice facilities and stadiums could soon be coming courtesy of an unmanned aircraft, as the NFL received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to use drones for some – very restricted – filming purposes. [More]
FAA Investigating Report Of Drone Flying Near Approach Path Of JetBlue Flight In The Process Of Landing
By 9.14.15
In another incident causing an anti-drone ripple in the airline industry, a JetBlue flight in the midst of landing in Fort Lauderdale this morning reported seeing an unmanned aircraft flying near its flight path. [More]
Pilot Flying As An American Airlines Passenger Caught On Video Texting During Takeoff
By 9.4.15
Where there are rules, there will inevitably be people who break them. But it’s still surprising when someone who’s tasked with enforcing those rules is instead doing exactly what they usually tell others not to do. That was the case for a man flying on American Airlines recently, who filmed an airline pilot traveling as a passenger on a flight from Charlotte to Tampa texting on his cellphone during takeoff. [More]
