Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2025

Many aspiring pilots feel discouraged before they even start training, believing that their height disqualifies them from taking to the skies. This misconception can shatter dreams and rob the aviation world of potential top-notch pilots. Heres the truth. There is no specific height requirement or limit in the civil aviation industry. Military aviation does have height requirements, but they vary based on the aircraft and service.

Pilot 59

Pilot Cockpit Airplanes General Aviation 59

Aerotime

APRIL 3, 2025

The automatic pilot (autopilot) has to be one of aviations finest technological inventions. Yet, it is also one of the earliest, having been introduced (in its most rudimentary form) in 1912, just nine years after the Wright Brothers first took to the air in their powered Wright Flyer in 1903. Since those early days, the autopilot has developed enormously, both in terms of capabilities and functionality.

Weight-Shift-Control 316

Weight-Shift-Control Cockpit Pilot Stability 316

Cranky Flier

APRIL 1, 2025

In the post-pandemic world, airlines have been struggling to figure out how to deal with the massive variability in demand by day-of-week. Every airline has been forced to make adjustments, but now Spirit is going one step further. It will stop flying on off-peak days entirely. Just recently, Spirit began to transition to this plan. In June of 2024, off-peak days operated at 95 percent of the peak day departure numbers for the airline.

Airplanes 195

Airplanes Airline Airlines 195

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 1, 2025

Flights divert all the time, for a variety of reasons. However, this is definitely one of the more eye-catching diversions that weve seen in some time. American 787 flies from New York to Dallas in 12+ hours This incident happened yesterday (March 31, 2025), and involves American flight AA167, scheduled to fly from New York (JFK) to Tokyo (HND). The flight was operated by an eight-year-old Boeing 787-9 with the registration code N829AN.

Jet 108

Jet Airline Airlines Pilot 108

Simple Flying

APRIL 1, 2025

Anticipation for the Airbus A321-XLR (eXtra Long Range) has been widespread in the commercial aviation world. A February CNN website travel feature on the A321XLR projected that the new single-aisle long-haul jet was " changing the air map of the world. " The excitement shifts down under this spring as Australia-based Qantas Airways (Qantas Group) prepares to take possession of its first A321XLR in June with cabin and flight crew training already underway.

Jet 119

Jet Airline Airlines 119

Aerotime

APRIL 2, 2025

The Transport Accident and Incident Investigations Division of Lithuanias Ministry of Justice has published an interim report regarding the safety investigation into the crash of a DHL cargo aircraft in Vilnius in late November 2024. On November 25, 2024, a Swiftair Boeing 737-400 tragically crashed during its approach to Vilnius Airport (VNO) in the early hours of the morning.

Cargo 304

Cargo Air Traffic Control Final Approach Descent 304

Cranky Flier

APRIL 4, 2025

Delta Adds Sun Flying Delta Air Lines announced new service to the Caribbean , along with Mexico and Central America today, including two new nonstops from its Atlanta hub: Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The winter flights will begin December 20 and operate through April 12, both operating daily. Also for DL, Detroit will add Saturday only-service to Grand Cayman while increasing frequencies to Nassau and Cancn.

Cargo 165

Cargo Airline Airlines Airplanes 165

AV Web

APRIL 2, 2025

Airbus’s sudden postponement of its hydrogen aircraft development program in February set an ominous tone for what has been cited as among the most promising future aviation technologies but that’s all history now. The planemaker announced at its annual forum last week that its plans for its ZEROe concept just got bigger. It unveiled a bigger and more capable airliner with four propellers, whose electric motors are each powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Airlines 117

Airlines Airline Aviation Technology Airplanes 117

Aerotime

APRIL 4, 2025

Few people in the airline industry can match the entrepreneurial record of Carlos Muoz. In just under a decade, Muoz launched two of Europes most successful airlines. After the sale of his first success, Vueling, to Iberia (now part of the International Airlines Group), he launched Volotea in 2012, an innovative low-cost carrier connecting Europes small and mid-sized cities.

Airline 300

Airline Airlines Pilot Tail 300

Cranky Flier

MARCH 31, 2025

I have never cared about elite status, not even a little bit. Would an upgrade be nice? Sure, but I don’t travel enough to have high enough status to think that I’d ever actually get one. And I’m not tall, so I really don’t care much about extra legroom either. Living in Southern California, there are different airlines that are better for different routes.

Airline 147

Airline Airlines 147

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 2, 2025

Air Frances impressive investment in its passenger experience is continuing, as the airline has today unveiled a refreshed lounge at its global hub. Air France Lounge Terminal 2E Hall K renovated, expanded On April 2, 2025, a new Air France Lounge has opened in Terminal 2E Hall K at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). I actually reviewed this exact lounge two years ago , and since then, it has undergone a renovation and expansion.

Runway 111

Runway Airline Airlines 111

Simple Flying

APRIL 1, 2025

United Airlines has received the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration for its first Starlink-equipped aircraft type, paving the way for further installation on other aircraft. The airline plans to install this technology across its entire fleet of regional jets by the end of this year.

Airline 111

Airline Airlines Jet 111

Aerotime

APRIL 3, 2025

Wizz Air announced on April 3, 2025, that it will be investing 14 billion over the next three years to enhance the customer experience it provides to its passengers. This plan, called Customer First Compass, aims to be comprehensive in its scope, covering four major customer touchpoints: product, price, service and communications. Although no specific figures have been provided by the carrier about the exact allocation of this investment among the airlines different areas, the official announcem

Approach 303

Approach Airline Airlines 303

Vintage Aviation News

MARCH 29, 2025

On a quiet Virginia afternoon, the Military Aviation Museum ‘s Messerschmitt Me 262 replica returned to the skies for the first time in over a decade. The museums chief pilot, Mike Spalding, took off at 3:14 PM and landed safely at 3:45 PM, marking a significant milestone in the aircrafts journey back to operational status. Back in February, the Military Aviation Museum announced that its Me 262 replica was on track to return to flight , with the goal of making an appearance at EAA AirVent

Pilot 131

Pilot Airplanes 131

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 3, 2025

In this, I want to cover how to pre-order meals in Delta Air Lines premium cabins, including in domestic first class and Delta One business class. While Delta allows you to select your meal in advance when traveling in a premium cabin, the process isnt quite as straightforward as with American, so Id like to take a look at how that works (based on a recent flight experience).

Airline 104

Airline Airlines 104

AV Web

MARCH 30, 2025

Airbus says it is considering using an open rotor engine on its replacement for the A320. The company has been working with CFM to develop the engine, which has primary and secondary counterrotating turbine vanes on the outside of the engines rather than being encased in a nacelle. Exposing the turbines makes the bypass ratio a lot bigger and that improves efficiency.

Jet 118

Jet Airplanes 118

Aerotime

APRIL 4, 2025

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued new safety recommendations in response to fears that Boeing 757 emergency slides may not deploy. On April 3, 2025, the NTSB said that, during an ongoing investigation of an emergency landing involving FedEx flight 1376, a bannis latch was found that did not comply with safety regulations. A FedEx Boeing 757-236 received an engine indication and crew alerting system message on October 4, 2023, indicating a failure of the left hydraulic sy

Airplanes 282

Airplanes 282

Simple Flying

APRIL 2, 2025

When Emirates revealed yesterday that it would be branching out into the field of package delivery, many assumed that it was little more than a harmless April Fool's joke. After all, the UAE flag carrier did so with a rather implausible photograph depicting one of its Airbus A380s parked on a suburban street. However, the airline has since revealed that its announcement had more than an element of truth.

Airline 126

Airline Airlines Cargo 126

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 2, 2025

Yesterday, United Airlines teased that it would announce new routes today. Well, the details have now been revealed , and there are some very cool additions however, theyre not all from the US. United boosts Pacific network with three new routes United will be launching flights to two new destinations in Asia and one new destination in Australia. Specifically, the Star Alliance carrier will fly to Adelaide, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Wide-Body Aircraft 113

Wide-Body Aircraft Airlines Airline 113

AV Web

APRIL 4, 2025

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has confirmed the Air Legends Foundation of San Antonio, Texas will bring its Lockheed C-121A Constellation to AirVenture this year, reprising a 2023 visit. The 72nd running of the AirVenture event will take place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconisin, July 21-27. The Connie, wearing military livery, will be on display at Boeing Plaza.

Tail 103

Tail 103

Aerotime

APRIL 4, 2025

Virgin Atlantic has made a return to Canada, launching direct services between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Maiden voyage Flight VS 147 departed London at 18:02 local time on March 30, 2025, arriving at Toronto Airport at 20:42 local time. Virgin Atlantic are in Toronto with @richardbranson Daily flights to London!

Airline 322

Airline Airlines 322

Simple Flying

APRIL 4, 2025

FedEx Express is a major US cargo carrier headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, at the airline's massive hub at Memphis International Airport (MEM). It has long been a global leader in logistics and air cargo, renowned for its expansive fleet of aircraft and its ability to meet the growing demands of international shipping.

Cargo 119

Cargo Airline Airlines 119

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 4, 2025

The United Kingdom has the worlds highest taxes for airline passengers, known as the Air Passenger Duty (APD). In this post, I want to look at how the APD works what is it, how much does it cost, when does it apply, and are there any tricks to minimizing it? The UK has made changes to the APD as of April 2025 , so Id like to go over what those changes mean for passengers.

Airline 104

Airline Airlines 104

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 3, 2025

The photographers who flew on Aviation PhotoCrew’s mission on April 2nd were treated to an exquisite surprise when Starfighter Aerospace’s TF-104G unexpectedly appeared in their viewfinders, posing for a series of dramatic photographs. Starfighter Aerospace’s Chief Pilot, PierCarlo Chiacchi, took off from Cape Canaveral around 2:00 PM and rendezvoused with Aviation PhotoCrew’s Short SC.7 Skyvan.

Payload 124

Payload Hangar Pilot 124

Aerotime

APRIL 3, 2025

A fractured axle caused by overheating led an Aer Lingus flight to land in Belfast without one wheel, according to a report from the United Kingdoms Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). On October 31, 2023, during its return flight from Edinburgh Airport (EDI), the aircraft, an ATR 72-212, executed an ILS approach and successfully landed on Runway 04 at Belfast City Airport (BHD).

Runway 297

Runway Approach 297

Simple Flying

APRIL 4, 2025

Another report about smoke in an aircraft cabin has come to light, this time on a United Airlines flight from Florida to Newark, which led to a diversion to Washington, D.C. Several cases of smoke or haze have been reported in airplanes in recent times, but thankfully, they did not lead to any significant incident.

Airline 111

Airline Airlines Airplanes 111

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 3, 2025

For the final segment of our royal visit to Versailles , I flew United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 first class on the 2hr20min flight from Washington (IAD) to Miami (MIA). I booked this flight because it was the most convenient way to get home, but I was excited about this because it would be my first flight with Uniteds new interiors. United has been doing an impressive job upgrading its cabins on narrow body aircraft, and it was nice to finally experience that.

Narrow-Body Aircraft 101

Narrow-Body Aircraft Air Traffic Control Flight Deck Airline 101

Vintage Aviation News

MARCH 29, 2025

Seventy-six years ago today, on March 29, 1949, the P-51C Mustang Thunderbird set a new transcontinental speed record in the United States. Flown by former Army Major Joseph C. De Bona, Thunderbird departed Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, at approximately 6:20 AM. Over the next five hours, the cobalt-blue Mustang carved a path into the record books, cruising at 30,000 feet and averaging an astonishing 490.625 miles per hour.

Pilot 119

Pilot Hangar 119

Aerotime

APRIL 3, 2025

ITA Airways has received official approval to begin its integration into Star Alliance, following a decision by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB), which brings together the CEOs of its 25 member airlines. ITA Airways started its integration with the Lufthansa Group back in February 2025 , revealing more detailed plans for incorporating the newly acquired Italian airline into its global operations.

Airline 289

Airline Airlines 289

Simple Flying

APRIL 4, 2025

Despite a tire malfunction on departure from Atlanta, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 made a safe landing in San Diego International Airport on April 3, 2025. According to the Aviation Herald , at around 17:30 local time on Thursday, Flight AS474, which was carrying 165 passengers and six crew members, took off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on its way to San Diego.

Airline 111

Airline Airlines 111

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 29, 2025

If reports are to be believed, a fight broke out in the air traffic control tower at Washington National Airport (DCA), and it got so bad that blood was spattered on control consoles. Bloody fight breaks out at Washington DCA tower The Daily Mail reports on an event that reportedly happened on Thursday, March 27, 2025. According to sources, two air traffic controllers traded punches, when a fight erupted inside the control tower at Washington National Airport.

Air Traffic Control 131

Air Traffic Control Airline Airlines 131

Pilot Institute

APRIL 4, 2025

If you dream of becoming a pilot, you might be wondering if its a hard career to enter. You see those men and women in uniform and ask yourself, what will it take to get there? Just like the aircraft you will fly, youll go through highs and lows, and moments where youll have to correct your course. You might even have to crunch some numbers. But if you plan for the journey wisely and anticipate the obstacles ahead, your destination will be worth it.

Pilot 98

Pilot Checkride Cabin Crew Airplanes 98

Aerotime

MARCH 31, 2025

Germanys Lufthansa Group has declared that, from summer 2025, all ITA Airways flights at Frankfurt and Munich airports will be managed from Lufthansa terminals. On March 30, 2025, the German airline group announced that this change means ITA and other Lufthansa Group airlines will operate under one roof at all the Group’s hubs. The move follows a previous announcement in February 2025 , where the German airline outlined detailed plans for incorporating the newly acquired Italian carrier in

Airline 308

Airline Airlines 308

Simple Flying

APRIL 2, 2025

An incident has surfaced involving a regional American Eagle flight in which the aircraft cabin was filled with haze upon landing. Any indication of a possible fire inside an aircraft can be extremely dangerous, and the American Eagle flight was promptly evacuated. Thankfully, no passenger injuries were reported.

Airlines 114

Airlines Airline 114

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 1, 2025

American AAdvantage has four published elite tiers (in addition to Concierge Key status , which is invitation-only). In separate posts, I wrote guides to Executive Platinum status , Platinum status , and Gold status. In this post, I want to take a look at the elite tier between those, which is Platinum Pro. Id argue that Platinum Pro is a sweet spot in the AAdvantage program, and that its the all-around most valuable mid-tier elite status at any of the big three US carriers.

Threshold 103

Threshold Airline Airlines Pilot 103

AV Web

APRIL 4, 2025

Tariffs will add millions of dollars to the cost of an airliner and destroy a free trade system that has created a massive export surplus for the U.S. industry according to aerospace officials canvassed by MSNBC on Thursday. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg just happened to be testifying at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday and diverted from the topic at hand (Boeing’s progress on improving quality control) to comment on the tariffs that will affect raw materials and parts it uses i

Airplanes 101

Airplanes Airline Airlines 101

Aerotime

MARCH 31, 2025

Virgin Atlantic has posted its 2024 financial results, which show an Earnings Before Interest and Tax profit (EBIT) of 230m (US$297 million), an almost five-fold increase over the 48 million (US$62.1 million) posted the preceding year. In terms of revenue, 2024 was a record year for the UK-based long-haul carrier. Virgin Atlantics revenues went up by 183m (US$236.7 million) to a total of 3.3bn (US$4.27 billion).

Cargo 300

Cargo Airline Airlines 300