The US Senate has passed the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act in response to a fatal midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025. The legislation aims to eliminate exemptions for certain government aircraft operating without ADS-B Out, increasing situational awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers.
The US government shutdown is reviving a debate over air traffic control privatization, with lawmakers questioning the FAA's dependence on annual congressional funding. Advocates argue that an independent corporation could manage air navigation services more efficiently, but general aviation groups remain strongly opposed.
A partial US government shutdown ended on February 3, as a $1.2 trillion spending package funded most federal agencies through September 30, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration resumed normal operations after furloughing over 10,000 staff members, and air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers returned to work without pay.
The US government has acknowledged its role in the January 2025 collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle jet over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. The accident resulted in the deaths of 67 people, with court documents filed on December 17, 2025, accepting the government's responsibility for the breach of duty of care.
Senator Maria Cantwell accused FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford of violating his ethics agreement by failing to divest a multimillion-dollar stake in an airline he once led, drawing criticism and raising fresh questions about potential conflicts at the helm of the US aviation safety regulator. Bedford had promised to sell all his shares within 90 days of taking office but has failed to do so more than 150 days later.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a hearing to adopt formal probable cause findings into the midair collision between a PSA Airlines CRJ700 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington's Reagan National Airport. The NTSB concluded that systemic failures, including flawed airspace design and inadequate oversight, led to one of the deadliest US aviation accidents in over two decades.
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined IndiGo $2.6 million following a December 2025 operational meltdown that left over 300,000 passengers stranded. The regulator also warned top managers and required the airline to deposit $6 million into the 'IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme'.
Firefly Aerospace conducted its first test launch of the Alpha launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The maiden flight demonstrated the company's capabilities, but an electrical issue caused a safe termination of flight.
The FAA has launched a comprehensive search for a unified Common Automation Platform (CAP) to replace the fragmented air traffic control systems currently managing US airspace. This modernization initiative seeks to consolidate the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) into a single integrated platform capable of handling commercial aviation, general aviation, and emerging air taxi operations.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to roll out a nationwide system allowing pilots to give feedback on designated pilot examiners (DPEs) after check rides. The agency seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget to introduce a voluntary 'post-activity survey' for pilots who complete practical tests conducted by DPEs.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that concerns raised by President Trump over the time taken for Gulfstream jets to be approved in Canada have been addressed. According to Reuters, FAA head Brian Bedford said that Transport Canada will announce the Gulfstream certifications that were delayed for years.
The FAA has replaced paper flight strips with a new digital system developed by Leidos at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The system, part of the Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program, introduces digital flight strips and a shared surface display.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians will receive $10,000 bonuses for working without pay during the recent government shutdown. The bonus plan was originally proposed by President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post and aims to reward employees with perfect attendance during the historic 43-day shutdown.
The FAA is facing an audit by the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General, which aims to examine the effectiveness of air traffic controller training programs. The review comes as the FAA tries to reverse a long-running shortage of certified controllers, with retirements, training washouts, and staffing disruptions continuing to hinder efforts.
The FAA issued a temporary airspace restriction near El Paso, citing 'special security concerns.' However, within hours, the agency lifted the restriction, stating there was no threat to commercial aviation. Several reports describe counter-drone activity and the use of a directed-energy system, but details are scarce.
Philadelphia International Airport experienced a brief ground stop on November 29 after the FAA responded to a bomb threat involving a passenger aircraft. The temporary halt, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, was resolved after authorities cleared the aircraft for departure.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is criticizing the US House's ALERT Act for not mandating ADS-B In technology with a cockpit traffic display for pilots. ALPA argues that this would have saved 67 lives in the January 2025 tragedy near Washington Reagan National Airport.