Jun 09 FAA says airline pilots do not need psychological testing By Joan Lowy, Associated Press Federal officials say they've ruled out requiring psychological testing for airline pilots, despite an air crash last year in which a German pilot deliberately flew an airliner full of passengers into a mountainside. Continue reading
Apr 03 Should commercial drone flights be permitted to fly over populated areas? By Joan Lowy, Associated Press A government-sponsored committee is recommending standards that could clear the way for commercial drone flights over populated areas and help speed the introduction of package delivery drones and other uses not yet possible. Continue reading
Mar 16 Airlines dodge legislation aimed at curbing excessive fees By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON — A Senate panel has approved an aviation policy bill Wednesday after a partisan fight over whether airlines are unfairly gouging consumers with fees for basic services like checked bags, seat assignments and ticket changes. Continue reading
Jan 10 Report: Government not ensuring airline pilots' skills are sharp By Joan Lowy, Associated Press The government is falling short in ensuring airline pilots keep up their flying skills and get full training on how to monitor sophisticated automated control systems in cockpits, according to the Transportation Department's internal watchdog. Continue reading
Dec 28 Most helicopters unprotected as bird strikes rise, FAA warns By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Government researchers warned 10 years ago that changes were needed in helicopter designs to prevent birds from crashing through windshields and disabling pilots. Today, dangerous bird strikes are on the rise, but there are still no safety standards… Continue reading
Nov 21 Aviation task force recommends registration of even smaller drones By Joan Lowy, Associated Press An aviation industry task force is recommending that operators be required to register drones weighing as little as a half a pound, a threshold that could include some remote-controlled toys, industry officials said. Continue reading
Oct 19 Drone close calls spur government to require registration By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The federal government will require many drone aircraft to be registered, a move prompted by the growing number of reported close calls and incidents that pose safety risks, officials announced Monday. Continue reading
Oct 13 Industry group says U.S. faces critical shortage of air traffic controllers By Joan Lowy, Associated Press A chronic shortage of controllers has reached a crisis that will lead to widespread flight delays if left unchecked, officials for the union that represents air traffic controllers said Tuesday. Continue reading
Aug 13 Pilot reports of drone sightings more than double, FAA says By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Pilot reports of drone sightings so far this year are more than double last year, government regulators say, raising concern about the potential for a deadly collision. Continue reading
Aug 13 Pilot reports of drone sightings more than double By Joan Lowy, Associated Press Pilot reports of drone sightings so far this year are more than double last year, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, raising concern about the potential for a deadly collision. Continue reading