FAA Tackles Controller Shortage
The FAA is hoping to increase the number of air traffic controller trainees by cutting some of the training for many of them. The agency says those who graduate from Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) programs at some universities and colleges no longer have to attend the FAA’s own ATC training academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and can go directly into on-the-job training at active FAA facilities. Most grads currently spend 12 weeks at the academy along with recruits who have qualified based on their life experience and education background. The FAA says allowing the AT-CTI grads to skip Oklahoma City will make room for more candidates that haven’t attended the post-secondary programs and that should increase the number of trainees. It says it will work with the colleges and universities to ensure the grads are ready to go straight to ATC operations.
Ethiopian Buys More MAXes
Five years after the fatal crash of their brand-new Boeing 737 MAX killed all 157 onboard, Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 20 MAXes. The airline announced the order at the Dubai Airshow and CEO Mesfin Tasew said there was no trepidation in buying the planes. “We believe we have checked and confirmed that the design defect of that aircraft has been fully corrected by Boeing. We have renewed our confidence in that aircraft,” he said. The Ethiopian crash and one five months earlier in Indonesia prompted a worldwide grounding of the type to address control issues caused by the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System. Ethiopian also ordered 11 787s and took options for another 21 MAXes.
Flip-Proof Amphib
A New Zealand company says its new amphibious Light Sport aircraft solves one of the leading safety issues involving amphibs. Vickers Aircraft CEO Paul Vickers said the WAVE flying boat will not flip if it lands on water with the gear deployed. Vickers said he’s not discussing the design in detail until he gets the aircraft into the hands of its first owners, likely in 2025. Although comparisons to the ICON A5 are inevitable, the WAVE is bigger, heavier and has a larger engine (Rotax 916iS) than the ICON. Vickers said the plane cruises at 120 knots and will be offered as a base model with extra cost options like folding wings, electric hull thrusters and a reversible prop.
Mental Health Rulemaking Committee Formed
The FAA is establishing a Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee to address the widely accepted premise that a significant number of active pilots are hiding health issues to avoid losing their flying privileges. The committee will be made up of doctors, industry and labor representatives. Among the areas given priority are increasing mental health training for aviation medical examiners (AMEs), providing support for industry-wide studies and research into pilots’ mental health, adding more mental health professionals to the FAA staff with the dual goals of expanding in-house expertise and hastening “return-to-fly” decision-making.
UND Goes Back To Leaded Gas
The University of North Dakota has stopped using Swift 94 UL unleaded avgas in its flight training fleet and switched back to 100LL because it suspects the unleaded fuel was damaging engine valves. The school said it found exhaust valve recession in the engines of some of its Piper Archers after a four-month trial that involved a total of 46,000 flying hours. It has sent the engines to Lycoming for analysis.
NOTAMs
Avionics sales setting records in 2023 … The FAA and airlines are monitoring the influx of newly trained pilots … The FAA is scheduling more on-site safety meetings at ATC facilities … FedEx is urging pilots to take signing bonuses at regional airlines … FAA urged to get NextGen back on track … B-21 Raider takes first flight … Switchblade flying sports car development version flies … A horse had to be put down after getting loose from its stall in a 747 freighter … The Air Force has taken delivery of its first T-7A trainer … F-16 training base for Ukrainian pilots opens … Find breaking news in general aviation at AVweb.com.
