NEWS: FAA and the Pentagon sign agreement related to operations of counter-UAS laser systems at the southern border that earlier this year caused two abrupt airspace closures.

FAA says systems "do not pose undue risk" to passenger aircraft:

FAA short-lists competitors for key next-gen ATC software platform Common Automation Platform concept progresses as DOT tees up next funding request

Scoop: FAA short-lists competitors for key next-gen ATC software platform known as the "common automation platform" (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

D.C.-area ATC evacuations followed 2025 smoke event which injured controllers Previously unreported smoke event left multiple air traffic controllers with health issues that resulted in the loss of their medical certificates

SCOOP: A year before the two recent evacuations of D.C.'s ATC center, a previously unreported incident caused smoke to enter the control room but did not result in an evacuation. Controllers lost their medical certificates.

via @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

Conversations this week around near misses in aviation are eerie, given today is the 49th anniversary of the Tenerife disaster. Two 747s collided on the runway in the Canary Islands, killing 583 people -- it remains the deadliest accident in aviation history.

(Wikimedia photo)

Fatal collision highlights air traffic control challenges at LaGuardia New York’s airports pose difficulties for an air traffic system already under strain.

Fatal collision highlights air traffic control challenges at LaGuardia (featuring our @willguisbond.com) ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

NEW: FAA says it is investigating whether its new visual separation policy between helicopters and fixed wing aircraft was followed during a Tuesday close call near SNA Airport in California:

NTSB CHAIR: INITIAL ANALYSIS SAYS CRITICAL ASDE-X SURFACE AWARENESS TECH IN ATC TOWER DID NOT GENERATE AN ALERT BEFORE FATAL CRASH B/W AIR CANADA JET AND FIRETRUCK

NTSB SAYS TWO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS WERE IN THE "CAB" AT THE TIME OF FATAL LGA RUNWAY COLLISION.

This included the local controller and the controller-in-charge.

Says it was "unclear" who was controlling ground traffic on taxiways.

On March 13, the Potomac TRACON was evacuated and DCA/IAD/BWI briefly came to a standstill.

Per a report from the local fire department, it appears this single faulty part was causing a smell/leak that led over 30 people to become ill:

Decades of aircraft and ground vehicle near misses at LGA preceded fatal crash Decades of aircraft and ground vehicle near misses at LGA preceded fatal crash Sunday evening that killed at least two

New: Decades of aircraft and ground vehicle near misses at LGA preceded fatal crash, public safety databases show (via @theaircurrent -- no paywall): theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

FAA permanently suspends use of visual separation between helicopters and airplanes around most high-traveled U.S. airports - The Air Current

SAFETY NEWS: FAA permanently suspends use of visual separation between helicopters and airplanes around most high-traveled U.S. airports (via @theaircurrent.com TAC/Intel - no paywall):

theaircurrent.com/intel/faa-pe...

The collision avoidance tool that could help prevent the next midair disaster Breaking down ACAS X as Congress considers competing ROTOR and ALERT bills

A next-gen collision avoidance tool known as ACAS X could help prevent a future midair collision, but will have to make its way through Congress first.

The collision avoidance tool that could help prevent the next midair disaster (via @theaircurrent.com): theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...

We’ve made this free to all readers, too! ⬇️

NEWS: White House spokesperson says Inman was fired because of “highly concerning reports” of alcohol use, staff abuse:

NTSB board member J. Todd Inman abruptly departs safety watchdog J. Todd Inman, one of the five members of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, has left the investigative body, according to multiple people familiar with the situation.

SCOOP w/ @jonostrower.com: NTSB board member J. Todd Inman abruptly departs safety watchdog (via @theaircurrent.com):

theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

This incisive piece of analysis from @jonostrower.com is now free for all readers as a public service, given the evolving and incredibly critical nature of the conflict.

Read more ⬇️

Hyundai eVTOL subsidiary Supernal lays off most of its staff in major retrenchment The struggling eVTOL developer will retain a skeleton crew in California focused on aircraft design.

Must read breaking news from @theaircurrent.com's @elanhead.com: Hyundai eVTOL subsidiary Supernal lays off most of its staff in major retrenchment #staycurrent

theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

For those keeping track at home, this is the same mechanism the FAA activated last year to address chronic issues at Newark Liberty International Airport.

NEWS: The FAA will hold a delay reduction meeting next week to reduce flights at Chicago O'Hare Airport, citing over scheduling during peak travel periods.

FAA closes airspace in Fort Hancock, Texas after reported accidental use of anti-drone laser The Federal Aviation Administration barred flights on Thursday in an area around Fort Hancock, Texas, after lawmakers said a military laser-based anti-drone system was believed to have been used by th...

FAA closes airspace in Fort Hancock, Texas after reported use of anti-drone laser (via @reuters.com): www.reuters.com/business/aer...

The NTSB has issued a safety alert to first responders warning of dangers posed by unused rockets that power ballistic parachute systems, like Cirrus' CAPS. www.ntsb.gov/Advocacy/saf...

American Airlines safety executive John DeLeeuw was confirmed to be the fifth member of the NTSB by the Senate today in a 50-45 vote.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON was a "no" vote on this bill.

BREAKING: ROTOR ACT FAILS TO PASS HOUSE AFTER NOT RECEIVING TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE IN STUNNING SETBACK FOR FAMILIES & SENATE AUTHOR CHAIR TED CRUZ.

NEW: Rep. Graves says he is committed to marking up the ALERT Act as soon as *next week* if ROTOR fails on the House floor at 1:30pm:

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy slams House ALERT Act in a gaggle. Says idea that the bill implements all 50 recommendations is “false.”

Big day on the hill - ROTOR Act vote set for this afternoon. Packed press conference happening now

NTSB Chair Homendy here, among others.

Folks with @theaircurrent.com TAC/Intel saw this first last night: NTSB analysis contradicts lawmakers on how House bill addresses D.C. crash safety recommendations.

Notable chart from said analysis, which is provided for free to subscribers:

theaircurrent.com/intel/ntsb-a...

NEWS: Monday’s House vote on the ROTOR Act (and all other votes) are POSTPONED due to inclement weather.

DC area set for a significant snow event starting early tmrw morning.

After DCA crash, Congress acts to mandate decades-old aircraft tracking tech Bipartisan ROTOR Act would mandate ADS-B in, close military helicopter “loophole” for key surveillance technology

As the U.S. House considers two different aviation safety proposals, @theaircurrent.com has dropped the paywall on my Oct. '25 feature on the ROTOR Act and the fight over mandating ADS-B In.

Available for free as a public service. Read here: theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...