Pilot's Life Blog
JANUARY 12, 2025
For many, the thought of flying sparks more fear than getting behind the wheel, even though statistics show otherwise. Is flying in a plane safer than driving? Absolutely. Flying is backed by rigorous safety protocols, highly trained pilots, and advanced technology. As Leopard Aviation, we understand these fears and prepare pilots to ensure every flight is as safe as possible.
Aerotime
JANUARY 13, 2025
The team at Boom Supersonic are determining whether a 12 th test flight of its XB-1 demonstrator is needed before undertaking its first attempt at breaking the speed barrier. On January 10, 2025, XB-1 reached speeds of Mach 0.95 during a 44-minute flight over the Mojave Desert with Chief Test Pilot Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg at the controls. The 11 th XB-1 test flight also saw the aircraft climb to 29,481 feet as it closes in on supersonic speeds.
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Cranky Flier
JANUARY 13, 2025
There are a handful of regional airlines that I’m always surprised to find still in business. There’s Mesa, of course, and yes, GoJet, but one of the biggest surprises of all is Air Wisconsin. And now, it just lost its only regional relationship with no replacement on the horizon. Survival is… going to be a challenge. Air Wisconsin started up flying commuter routes in the 1960s.
Vintage Aviation News
JANUARY 13, 2025
The Philippine Mars has made its way back to its home base for an engine replacement. The historic aircraft departed Sproat Lake three weeks ago on a journey to its new home at the Pima Air and Space Museum (PASM) in Tucson, Arizona. The planned route included stops in San Francisco and San Diego and an inland leg to an undisclosed desert lake. However, the journey hit a snag when the aircraft made an emergency landing in Patricia Bay on December 15.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 12, 2025
I like to cover various aspects of the premium travel experience. For example, Ive shared what I consider to be the worlds best business class airlines , the worlds best business class seats , and the worlds best business class lounges. In this post, I want to take a look at a related but different topic which airlines have the best bedding in business class?
Aerotime
JANUARY 17, 2025
AeroTime is excited to welcome Christian Charalambous as a guest columnist. A pilot operating Boeing 767s on global routes and a consultant leveraging his extensive aviation and technology expertise, Christian also holds a First-Class Honours degree in Air Transport Operations plus a masters degree in Blockchain. In his columns, he explores the modern challenges and innovative technologies that are shaping the future of flight.
Cranky Flier
JANUARY 14, 2025
It was November 2021 when Avelo struck gold. The airline went into the recently-abandoned New Haven Tweed airport along the southern Connecticut coast, and it instantly found strong demand. It has grown to having almost 20 daily departures on peak days, a remarkable feat considering how constrained the airport is. But now, the airport seems to have hit a wall.
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One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 13, 2025
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is one of the most useful frequent flyer programs for redeeming miles. Not only does the program have great award pricing for travel on Air France-KLM, but it also has lucrative award pricing for travel on partner airlines. Well, it appears that the Flying Blue program has just rolled out a significant devaluation when it comes to redeeming miles, particularly for travel on Air France-KLM, as flagged by Travel on Points.
Aerotime
JANUARY 15, 2025
Boeing delivered 180 fewer commercial aircraft in 2024 than 2023 after a torrid year which began with a door plug separating from an Alaska Airline 737-9 midflight. On January 14, 2025, Boeing confirmed that 348 passenger jets were delivered to customers last year including just 57 in the final quarter. In 2023, a total of 528 commercial planes were handed over to operators, with 157 delivered in the final quarter.
Vintage Aviation News
JANUARY 14, 2025
Platinum Fighter Sales has announced the listing of an extraordinary aircraft: the worlds only factory-built, two-seat Messerschmitt Bf-109 / Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon. This ultra-rare airplane represents a unique chapter in aviation history. Photo by Gavin Conroy via Platinum Fighter Sales The Origins of the Buchon By 1942, the Spanish Air Forces fleet of Messerschmitt Bf-109Ds was aging, prompting Spain to license the production of the newer Bf-109G model.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 17, 2025
Boeing has resumed the flight test campaign for the 777X after the test fleet was grounded due to an issue that the manufacturer discovered during scheduled maintenance.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 15, 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was recently unbanned from the European Union , with the first route resumption being between Islamabad (ISB) and Paris (CDG). Well, Pakistans government is now reportedly investigating the airline, over what might be one of the most widely seen airline social media posts ever Pakistans Prime Minister calls PIA ad stupid When PIA resumed nonstop flights to Paris, the airline shared an attention grabbing post on social media, depicting a PIA Boeing 777 flying
Aerotime
JANUARY 17, 2025
South Korean authorities have discovered bird feathers and blood in both engines of the Jeju Air aircraft that crashed and killed 179 people on December 29, 2024. On January 16, 2025, Korean investigators announced that feathers were found in one of the engines recovered from the crash scene, as reported by local news outlet MBN. The Korea Aviation Accident Investigation Board confirmed that feathers were also found in the other engine.
Plane and Pilot
JANUARY 13, 2025
In FBOs and online forums, many prospective airplane owners ask other pilots for aircraft recommendations. Oftentimes, the shopper specifies that they want to be able to carry multiple, full-sized adult passengers, access relatively short runways, and fly cross-countries at a reasonably quick speed. Faced with all of these simultaneous requirements, the aircraft type most often recommended as a true jack-of-all-trades is the legendary Cessna 182.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 16, 2025
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's largest carrier by many metrics, although there's little competition for that title. As of January 16 and subject to change, the Star Alliance member plans passenger flights to 138 airports from its Addis Ababa hub this year.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 15, 2025
Many of us aviation enthusiasts are big fans of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 , given that these planes are no longer in production, and wont be in passenger service for that much longer. Korean Air is one of two airlines in the world to operate both of these jets (the other is Lufthansa). Up until recently, the carriers plan was to retire Airbus A380s by 2026, and retire Boeing 747s by 2031.
Aerotime
JANUARY 14, 2025
Lufthansa and Thai Airways International are expanding their existing codeshare program to expand connectivity between Europe and several Asian destinations. The deal will see two cities in Vietnam plus one in the Philippines join the program to be linked by the Thai carrier from its hub in Bangkok. The expansion will see flights between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh (SGN), and Manila (MNL) all continuing to be operated by Thai Airways but carrying an additional LH fligh
Alaska Air
JANUARY 14, 2025
We're continuing to grow in Portland -- one of our key West Coast hubs -- along with adding new nonstop flights in Oregon to destinations across state and country. The post Attention Oregonians! Alaska Airlines announces three new nonstops around the state appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 17, 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) has released its report on a United Airlines flight that ended in a damaged fuselage due to pilot inputs. The Boeing 767 was landing in Houston from Newark when the nose gear of the plane touched down with such force that it caused significant damage.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 12, 2025
I spend more nights in airport hotels than Id care to admit. Over the years, Ive developed some strong preferences, and I tend to have pretty polarizing takes on them. I love some airport hotels so much that Id almost want to vacation at them (purely for aviation geek reasons), while there are plenty I just wouldnt return to. In this post, I want to talk about that in a bit more detail.
Aerotime
JANUARY 14, 2025
Austrian Airlines has become the latest carrier from the Lufthansa Group to adopt the aerodynamics-enhancing AeroSHARK technology. The Austrian flag carrier announced on January 14, 2024, that one of its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft (OE-LPC) had flown between Bangkok (BKK) and Vienna (VIE) featuring the specially treated fuel-saving fuselage surfaces. AeroSHARK was developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik, which is the engineering and maintenance arm of airline group, and German chemicals giant BASF.
Pilot Institute
JANUARY 14, 2025
Even driving a car can be dangerous in foggy weather. So, how do pilots manage to land their aircraft safely and accurately without even being able to see where theyre going? The ILS (Instrument Landing System) uses radio signals to help pilots align the aircraft accurately on their approach to a runway. Lets learn more about this system! Key Takeaways ILS provides precise guidance for safe landings in low visibility.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 11, 2025
In the 1990s and 2000s, the US military ran their H-1 upgrade program, intended to modernize their aging fleet of AH-1W Super Cobras. The Bell AH-1Z Viper and Bell UH-1Y Venom attack helicopters emerged, with the Viper taking its first flight in December 2000 and entering into production in October 2003.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 14, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a close call that happened at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on Saturday, January 11, 2025. This is a case where automation prevented a potential disaster. TCAS saves the day for jets on approach to Phoenix This incident happened around 11AM this past Saturday, while two aircraft were on approach to Phoenix: Delta flight DL1070 was coming from Detroit (DTW), and was operated by a 17-year-old Airbus A330-300 with the regis
Aerotime
JANUARY 15, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun an investigation into a midair incident involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER and a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300. According to the US aviation regulator, both aircraft were scheduled to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on January 11, 2025, within 23 minutes of each other.
Plane and Pilot
JANUARY 12, 2025
Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplanean Ercoupe. He was proud of his little bird, with its unique split sliding canopy, no rudder pedals, and a delightful art deco instrument panel. Long before he purchased his very own Boeing 707, actor John Travolta discovered this economical fun flier and began his remarkable aviation career as a proud owner.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 14, 2025
Over recent weeks, multiple wildfires have ravaged several different neighborhoods across the Los Angeles , California, area. Due to powerful winds and severe drought conditions, wildfires have spread rapidly across the Los Angeles area, affecting thousands of residents. According to ABC News, so far, approximately 24 people have died due to the fires.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 14, 2025
Could Korean Air launch a nonstop flight between Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) and Orlando International Airport (MCO)? Well, thats what airport executives in Orlando seem to think, though Im not holding my breath Orlando wants a nonstop flight from South Korea Orlando Business Journal reports on how the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and Osceola County have signed a partnership agreement with Incheon International Airport, laying the groundwork for direct service between the two airports.
Aerotime
JANUARY 14, 2025
Australian airline Qantas has said it is being repeatedly forced to delay its flights operating between Sydney and Johannesburg in South Africa with little notice due to warnings the airline receives about descending debris from Elon Musks SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets re-entering the Earths atmosphere. The delays of up to six hours are being caused due to last-minute changes in coordinates for the location and timing of the re-entry of rockets from Musk’s space technology firm.
Airline Geeks
JANUARY 12, 2025
In its latest cost-cutting move, ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit has phased out its remaining two Airbus A319 aircraft earlier than planned.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 13, 2025
The US Navy now has a preferred air-to-air missile loadout for its Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets called a Murder Hornet loadout. This is according to a list of 2024 US Navy accomplishments released by the US Navy's Chief of Naval Operations. The loadout is of four AIM-9X Sidewinder heat-seeking and five AIM-120 AMRAAM active radar missiles both made by Raytheon, a RTX Corporation company that has come about to address the need for Super Hornets to engage slow-moving, low radar return drones a
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 17, 2025
Recently, United Airlines announced an incredible international expansion for the summer of 2025, whereby the airline is adding eight new destinations. What makes this so cool is how far-flung some of the new destinations are. If you ask me, the two coolest new routes are to Nuuk, Greenland, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. While United Airlines Greenland route went on sale a few months back, there was no sign of the Mongolia route going on sale until now.
Aerotime
JANUARY 12, 2025
The Jeju Air black boxes aboard a Boeing 737-800 that crashed at Muan International Airport (MWX) on December 29, 2024, failed to record the final minutes of flight data. According to the Yonhap News Agency , the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the Jeju Air Boeing 737 only captured data up until around four minutes before the plane collided with an airport embankment.
Vintage Aviation News
JANUARY 17, 2025
We often receive questions about the fate of Lockheed L-1649A Starliner N7361Cthe aircraft Lufthansa invested heavily in restoring for airworthy use, only to cancel the project at the final stage. Nearly six years ago, Lufthansa announced the end of its ambitious Super Star project. Shortly after, the largely restored aircraft was shipped from the USA to Germany and stored in a hangar in Bremen.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 16, 2025
The sinkhole created by Boeing keeps getting bigger, with another airline seeing its plans disappear into thin air. Yesterday, news emerged that 2025 deliveries of Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Riyadh Air would be halved, pushing the airline's launch back to the third quarter of this year.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 11, 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has finally made its return to the European Union, over four years after the airline was banned. The company is certainly making headlines for its return, but not for the reason youd expect Pakistan International Airlines resumes European Union flights In July 2020, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) banned Pakistan International Airlines from flying to European Union destinations.
Aerotime
JANUARY 15, 2025
Southwest Airlines is pausing corporate hiring and promotions and will be suspending most of its summer internships to cut costs and improve profits, CEO Bob Jordan said in a message to employees. Every single dollar matters as we continue to fight to return to excellent financial performance, Jordan said in a memo to employees on January 13, 2025, which was seen by CNBC.
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