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Airline news, business aviation, aviation safety, the tech shaping the industry, and more — the news that matters to you, all day long.

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Top stories right now

  1. 01
    Aviation Safety

    Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 overruns runway and suffers tail strike during Munich takeoff

  2. 02
    Airports

    Air India A320neo Lost Flight Controls, Dropped 300 Feet in Hydraulic Failure Incident

  3. 03
    Military/Defense

    China's J-50 6th-Gen Fighter Ditches Vertical Stabilizers, Relies on Advanced Software

  4. 04
    Airlines

    Pratt & Whitney's 35-Part Hot Section Plus Retrofit Set to Nearly Double A320neo Engine Time-On-Wing

Most read this week

  1. 01
    Airlines

    Boeing Delivers 53 Jets in July Amid Airbus Lead in 2026 Production Race

  2. 02
    Aviation Safety

    Private Jet Pilot Flies Into Path of United 787 Over Newark Amid ATC Confusion

  3. 03
    MRO/Maintenance

    FAA Orders $2.66M Seat Inspections on 453 Boeing 737 MAX Jets Amid Certification Oversight

  4. 04
    Airlines

    Emirates Crafts 8-Foot Arsenal Badge Sculpture from Retired A380 and 777 Parts

  5. 05
    Flight Training

    Ohio Pilot Mike McCoy Turns Passion Into Ownership and Aviation Career

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Allegiant Air aircraft on tarmac with clear skies at a leisure destination airport
AirlinesAug 15, 7:25 PM

Allegiant Air to Launch First Class Cabin and Offer Free Drinks in Economy Starting Spring 2027

Allegiant Air, historically known as one of the United States' most disciplined ultra low cost carriers, plans to significantly improve its passenger experience. This includes introducing a first class product, and also adding free drinks in economy. At this point I don't think it'll surprise anyone, but clearly this premium trend isn't just a fad, but is a fundamental industry shift. I first covered this a couple of weeks ago, but would like to provide an update, as first class tickets are now on sale… and they're not as cheap as some might assume! Allegiant First product launches in the spring of 2027 Allegiant plans to introduce a first class product, which will be branded as Allegiant First . This will debut and be phased in on select aircraft as of April 2027, and represents the latest step in the company's long term strategy to modernize customer experience while expanding ancillary and premium travel offerings for leisure focused travelers. Allegiant First is coming to select planes Allegiant First will consists of eight seats, spread across two rows, in a 2-2 configuration. Seats will have 37″ of pitch, 5″ of recline, calf rests, and adjustable head rests. Each seat will also have USB-A, USB-C, and AC power outlets. The cabin will provide passengers with priority access to check-in and boarding, and Allegiant First fares will include one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag weighing up to 70 pounds. Allegiant First will also offer complimentary drinks & snacks, though it remains to be seen if that's just a selection from the standard buy on board selection, or if there's a completely different offering. The Allegiant First product will have 37″ of pitch Flights with the new product have just gone on sale, with the product launching as of the spring of 2027. The cabin will debut on flights to and from Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda (PGD). Allegiant First will complement, and not replace, Allegiant Extra, which is Allegiant's extra legroom economy seating option. With Allegiant First tickets now on sale, what are fares like? They're not as cheap as some people may assume. Looking at a random date from Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda to Atlantic City, you'll find that economy fares start at $87, while Allegiant First fares start at $371. Allegiant First fares Meanwhile looking at a flight from Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda to Boston on a certain date, you'll find economy fares start at a staggering $429, while Allegiant First fares start at $674. Allegiant First fares Keep in mind that even though Allegiant is an ultra low cost carrier, it doesn't necessarily have as consistently of a price conscious customer base as some other ultra low cost carriers. That's because the carrier largely operates routes that other airlines don't fly, so even many people who aren't that price sensitive fly the airline for the convenience. So I don't think the airline will have much trouble actually selling its first class with decent yields. With this development, I think it's interesting to note that Southwest is the only major carrier in the country that hasn't (officially) announced plans to introduce first class, though we also have reason to believe that's coming … Allegiant adds free non-alcoholic drinks in economy It's not just those willing to pay for first class who are getting an upgrade, but also those in economy. As of August 1, 2026, Allegiant has rolled out a free beverage service onboard all flights, instead of charging for virtually everything. Free drinks include water, soft drinks, juices, etc., so that's an upgrade. There are still upgraded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, like cold brew, bloody mary mix, etc. Allegiant non-alcoholic drink selection These updates of course follow Allegiant acquiring Sun Country , and the idea very much seems to be to create a new set of product offerings for the combined passengers of both airlines. Here's how Allegiant Chief Commercial Officer Drew Wells describes this: "This is about giving customers more ways to travel with us. As we bring together two highly complementary leisure airlines, we see significant opportunity to expand complimentary and premium offerings in a way that strengthens the customer experience and supports the long-term growth of the combined company. Travelers are increasingly looking for more comfort, more personalization and more flexibility, and these new offerings are a meaningful step forward in delivering that." Bottom line Allegiant is improving its passenger experience. Starting in the spring of 2027, we'll see the airline introduce a first class product, with select flights having a dedicated cabin with eight seats. Tickets are now on sale, and the airline is trying to charge a hefty premium. On top of that, and more immediately, Allegiant is adding free non-alcoholic drinks in economy, rather than having a full buy on board model. These are all great updates for passengers, and I look forward to learning more about the new first class as we get closer to the launch date. What do you make of Allegiant's passenger experience updates?

Boeing 787-9 on runway after a takeoff incident with visible dust and emergency response
Aviation SafetyAug 15, 4:23 PM

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 overruns runway and suffers tail strike during Munich takeoff

A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 had an accident today while taking off on a long haul flight from Germany to Vietnam. Fortunately no one appears to have been injured, but I can't even begin to wrap my head around how something like this could happen… Vietnam Airlines 787 struggles to take off on very long runway This incident happened today (Saturday, August 15, 2026), and involves Vietnam Airlines flight VN34, scheduled to fly from Munich (MUC) to Hanoi (HAN). The flight was operated by a 10-year-old Boeing 787-9 with the registration code VN-A867 . At 1:57PM local time, the plane started its takeoff roll on runway 26L, which is 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) long. This is about as long as commercial runways get, so it's way longer than what even a fully loaded Dreamliner would need. However, something went seriously wrong with this takeoff. The plane accelerated down the runway… and kept accelerating, and accelerating, and accelerating. Eventually the plane seemingly overran the end of the runway, causing damage to runway lights. In the video you can see that huge clouds of dust rose around the aircraft, as the tail struck the ground. Fortunately the plane did manage to become airborne, though the crew immediately declared an emergency. The plane climbed up to 10,000 feet, and at that point the crew reported that they had an indicator that they had an issue with tire pressure. The plane circled around the area for around 90 minutes (either to burn or dump fuel), at which point the aircraft performed two low approaches over the runway, so damage could be assessed. Then the plane landed on runway 26R on the third approach, and it became disabled on the runway, closing the runway for an extended period of time. That landing was at 3:57PM, two hours after the plane first took off. The path for Vietnam Airlines flight VN34 Below is the takeoff video. Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner reportedly overruns the runway during take-off from Munich. The aircraft is currently on approach to the airport after holding. Video: MunichAviation pic.twitter.com/qqbWSV2jrN — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 15, 2026 Then below is the landing video. Vietnam B787-9 appears to have shredded its tires on emergency return landing to Munich https://t.co/4ZvkFG1nXC pic.twitter.com/2Gz0ZiTLs8 — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 15, 2026 Below are pictures showing the tire damage and tail strike after the plane returned to Munich. Tail strike on VN-A867 + possible ELECTRIC BRAKE ACTUATOR ISSUES On Both MAIN GEAR. Vietnam Airlines 787-9 out of Munich today… very late rotation, almost full runway used, confirmed tail strike, then returned with multiple tires shredded. Electric Brake Actuator (EBA)… pic.twitter.com/d2t2mD52T5 — Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) August 15, 2026 Confirmed tail strike damage on VN-A867 The whole tail strike module is gone. There's a clear puncture through the lower fuselage, with torn composite and heavy scrape marks running aft. This was not light contact… they must have been pulling hard to get it airborne. This jet… pic.twitter.com/WNBqFvzMzf — Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) August 15, 2026 I think it's safe to assume that this plane will be on the ground for quite some time, and isn't going anywhere any time soon… What could possibly explain this messed up takeoff? Looking at the video of the takeoff, there's nothing that stands out to me as being particularly unusual. It looks like the plane is accelerating decently, the flaps are in use, etc. But the plane just keeps going and going. I tried to pull up the flight data through Flightradar24, which typically shows you the altitude and speed for a plane, but oddly there's a roughly five minute gap around the takeoff time. I'm not sure how we're supposed to interpret that. Flightradar24 data on this Vietnam Airlines flight Either way, it's hard to comprehend what happened here. If the pilots felt something was off during the takeoff roll, they'd logically abort the takeoff. And a 13,000+ foot runway is particularly long, so they should've had a major buffer here. Typically when we see incidents like this, it's because the takeoff performance for the plane wasn't calculated correctly (that's not to say that's the cause here, but I'm just saying that's the most common explanation for this kind of an incident). Did the crew not have the right "numbers" for this flight when determining takeoff performance? That mistake can happen sometimes, but typically pilots would catch the error, because something looks off. I mean, this was a long haul 787 flight, so pilots roughly know what kind of takeoff performance they should be expecting. Was there some technical or other glitch that prevented the plane from taking of when it was supposed to, or what? We'll have to wait for a full investigation, but everything about this incident is very strange. Bottom line A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 had a seriously messed up takeoff from Munich, as the plane overran the runway on takeoff, causing it to damage runway lights, strike its tail, and cause huge clouds of dust to rise. When the plane came back to land, it also had serious issues with its wheels, and the full damage of the tail strike was discovered. Particularly given how long Munich Airport's runway is, there's nothing about this that looks good… I'm curious to see what an investigation reveals. On the plus side, thank goodness no one was hurt, because it seems like this could've also had a much worse ending. What do you make of this Vietnam Airlines runway overrun in Munich?

Airbus A320neo taxiing at an airport with Pratt & Whitney engines in early morning light
AirlinesAug 15, 3:00 PM

Pratt & Whitney's 35-Part Hot Section Plus Retrofit Set to Nearly Double A320neo Engine Time-On-Wing

For Airbus A320neo operators, the most critical metric to care about today is no longer just fuel burn; it is Time-On-Wing (TOW). As Pratt & Whitney rolls out its comprehensive series of upgrades for the Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine family, the spotlight has shifted to the Hot Section Plus (HS+) retrofit kit. More than just a simple tweak, this retrofit kit is a 35-part change designed to close the durability gap between the existing fleet and the new GTF Advantage standard.

Pilatus composite manufacturing facility with employees at work inside a modern factory
RegulatoryAug 15, 12:51 PM

Pilatus inaugurates $123M Schwarzhorn composite manufacturing center in Nidwalden

Pilatus has opened a new CHF 100 million ($123 million) composite manufacturing center in Switzerland as it prepares to expand the use of the lighter-weight materials in future aircraft. The new "Schwarzhorn" building in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden brings Pilatus' composite development and production operations together under one roof for the first time. The facility provides workspaces for about 300 employees. Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher said the project represents the company's largest investment in a single new facility to date. Pilatus has used fiber-reinforced composite materials for more than 40 years, although their use was traditionally limited to non-load-bearing parts such as covers and cowlings. That changed with the PC-24 twinjet, which uses composites in primary structures including load-bearing control surfaces. The lighter structures help reduce aircraft weight and fuel consumption, and Pilatus said it plans to increase its use of composites in the future. The Schwarzhorn facility handles the full production process, starting with delivery and storage of raw materials and continuing through component manufacturing, subassembly and surface treatment. Finished component kits can then be sent directly to final assembly. Pilatus said the manufacturing areas were also designed to accommodate new production and inspection technologies and greater automation in the future. Bringing engineering and manufacturing teams into the same facility is intended to improve cooperation between the two groups. "With this building, Pilatus is once again reaffirming its commitment to Switzerland as a place of innovation, manufacturing, and training," Bucher said. The facility also incorporates photovoltaic panels on its roof and facades, while waste heat from production processes and groundwater are used for heating and cooling. Pilatus is seeking LEED Platinum certification for the building, which would be a first for the company. The Schwarzhorn name refers both to a Swiss mountain and to the dark color of the composite components produced there.

Two Boeing 737-800 aircraft flying in close but safe proximity near Phoenix airport at night
Aviation SafetyAug 15, 10:26 AM

American Airlines Boeing 737-800s with identical callsigns nearly conflicted near Phoenix

Controller acted to separate converging outbound and inbound services on Chicago O’Hare route. Air-ground radio communications have revealed that a controller at Phoenix had to resolve an extraordinary conflict between outbound and inbound American Airlines Boeing 737-800s that were using identical callsigns. The aircraft were both operating the AA2482 service, whose flight number applies to the Phoenix-Chicago and Chicago-Phoenix sectors. Communications from Phoenix departure control, archived by LiveATC, indicate that the conflict occurred just after midnight on 14 August, about 5min after the Chicago-bound aircraft took off from runway 7L. It turned north and its crew informed the controller that they were climbing through 6,000ft to their assigned altitude of 9,000ft. The controller appeared to realise that the aircraft would cross the flightpath of the inbound service, arriving from Chicago, which was descending from the northeast at about 12,000ft. Distinguishing the inbound flight to its crew by referring to its being "on the arrival", the controller instructed it to maintain 10,000ft, which the crew confirmed. The controller then asked: "And there's an American 2482 on a 0730 code, is that correct, on the departure?" When the outbound crew confirmed they were climbing to 9,000ft, the controller acknowledged. "On the departure I need you to maintain 9,000, traffic one o'clock and 10 miles," he instructed, then added: "[It's] your company, same callsign, out of 11,800 descending to 10,000." "Incredible – we're looking, thank you," the outbound crew replied. Publicly-available ADS-B data suggests the outbound aircraft passed behind, and below, the inbound, although their precise horizontal and vertical separation has not been verified. The inbound Chicago-Phoenix flight appears to have been running some 90min behind schedule which would have contributed to the coincidental positioning. Identical callsigns for inbound and outbound services between the same city pairs are not unusual. American's flight AA1888 operates both ways on the Dallas-Raleigh route, as does Delta Air Lines' DL2006 between Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

Airlines

More Airlines →
Allegiant Air aircraft on tarmac with clear skies at a leisure destination airport
AirlinesAug 15, 7:25 PM

Allegiant Air to Launch First Class Cabin and Offer Free Drinks in Economy Starting Spring 2027

Allegiant Air, historically known as one of the United States' most disciplined ultra low cost carriers, plans to significantly improve its passenger experience. This includes introducing a first class product, and also adding free drinks in economy. At this point I don't think it'll surprise anyone, but clearly this premium trend isn't just a fad, but is a fundamental industry shift. I first covered this a couple of weeks ago, but would like to provide an update, as first class tickets are now on sale… and they're not as cheap as some might assume! Allegiant First product launches in the spring of 2027 Allegiant plans to introduce a first class product, which will be branded as Allegiant First . This will debut and be phased in on select aircraft as of April 2027, and represents the latest step in the company's long term strategy to modernize customer experience while expanding ancillary and premium travel offerings for leisure focused travelers. Allegiant First is coming to select planes Allegiant First will consists of eight seats, spread across two rows, in a 2-2 configuration. Seats will have 37″ of pitch, 5″ of recline, calf rests, and adjustable head rests. Each seat will also have USB-A, USB-C, and AC power outlets. The cabin will provide passengers with priority access to check-in and boarding, and Allegiant First fares will include one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag weighing up to 70 pounds. Allegiant First will also offer complimentary drinks & snacks, though it remains to be seen if that's just a selection from the standard buy on board selection, or if there's a completely different offering. The Allegiant First product will have 37″ of pitch Flights with the new product have just gone on sale, with the product launching as of the spring of 2027. The cabin will debut on flights to and from Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda (PGD). Allegiant First will complement, and not replace, Allegiant Extra, which is Allegiant's extra legroom economy seating option. With Allegiant First tickets now on sale, what are fares like? They're not as cheap as some people may assume. Looking at a random date from Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda to Atlantic City, you'll find that economy fares start at $87, while Allegiant First fares start at $371. Allegiant First fares Meanwhile looking at a flight from Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda to Boston on a certain date, you'll find economy fares start at a staggering $429, while Allegiant First fares start at $674. Allegiant First fares Keep in mind that even though Allegiant is an ultra low cost carrier, it doesn't necessarily have as consistently of a price conscious customer base as some other ultra low cost carriers. That's because the carrier largely operates routes that other airlines don't fly, so even many people who aren't that price sensitive fly the airline for the convenience. So I don't think the airline will have much trouble actually selling its first class with decent yields. With this development, I think it's interesting to note that Southwest is the only major carrier in the country that hasn't (officially) announced plans to introduce first class, though we also have reason to believe that's coming … Allegiant adds free non-alcoholic drinks in economy It's not just those willing to pay for first class who are getting an upgrade, but also those in economy. As of August 1, 2026, Allegiant has rolled out a free beverage service onboard all flights, instead of charging for virtually everything. Free drinks include water, soft drinks, juices, etc., so that's an upgrade. There are still upgraded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, like cold brew, bloody mary mix, etc. Allegiant non-alcoholic drink selection These updates of course follow Allegiant acquiring Sun Country , and the idea very much seems to be to create a new set of product offerings for the combined passengers of both airlines. Here's how Allegiant Chief Commercial Officer Drew Wells describes this: "This is about giving customers more ways to travel with us. As we bring together two highly complementary leisure airlines, we see significant opportunity to expand complimentary and premium offerings in a way that strengthens the customer experience and supports the long-term growth of the combined company. Travelers are increasingly looking for more comfort, more personalization and more flexibility, and these new offerings are a meaningful step forward in delivering that." Bottom line Allegiant is improving its passenger experience. Starting in the spring of 2027, we'll see the airline introduce a first class product, with select flights having a dedicated cabin with eight seats. Tickets are now on sale, and the airline is trying to charge a hefty premium. On top of that, and more immediately, Allegiant is adding free non-alcoholic drinks in economy, rather than having a full buy on board model. These are all great updates for passengers, and I look forward to learning more about the new first class as we get closer to the launch date. What do you make of Allegiant's passenger experience updates?

Business Aviation

More Business Aviation →
Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet on taxiway at dawn
Business AviationAug 13, 1:00 PM

Owning a Bombardier Challenger 300 Beats Chartering Beyond 300 Flight Hours Annually

200 hours of flight time is the most commonly cited figure for when it makes more sense to purchase a private jet than charter one. However, the exact number of flight hours depends heavily on the cost of charter and the aircraft in question. To take the Bombardier Challenger 300 as an example, charter rates are usually between $5,950 (low-end quote) and $9,525 (billable average) per hour, according to the Air Charter Journal . The latter is the figure that this article will use.

Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet on runway at a small airport under clear sky
Business AviationAug 12, 1:00 AM

Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet Offers Ultra-Cheap Ownership Compared to Chartering Business Jets

Most people associate the term ' private jet ' with the largest, most expensive long-range jets produced by Gulfstream and Bombardier, but most business jets are significantly smaller with less range. These planes are less usable and may appear to provide fewer benefits, but they're also much cheaper to purchase. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the market lies the tiny Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet, a single-engine, single-pilot very-light-jet that's more similar in design and capabilities to turboprops than other VLJs.

Aviation Safety

More Aviation Safety →
Boeing 787-9 on runway after a takeoff incident with visible dust and emergency response
Aviation SafetyAug 15, 4:23 PM

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 overruns runway and suffers tail strike during Munich takeoff

A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 had an accident today while taking off on a long haul flight from Germany to Vietnam. Fortunately no one appears to have been injured, but I can't even begin to wrap my head around how something like this could happen… Vietnam Airlines 787 struggles to take off on very long runway This incident happened today (Saturday, August 15, 2026), and involves Vietnam Airlines flight VN34, scheduled to fly from Munich (MUC) to Hanoi (HAN). The flight was operated by a 10-year-old Boeing 787-9 with the registration code VN-A867 . At 1:57PM local time, the plane started its takeoff roll on runway 26L, which is 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) long. This is about as long as commercial runways get, so it's way longer than what even a fully loaded Dreamliner would need. However, something went seriously wrong with this takeoff. The plane accelerated down the runway… and kept accelerating, and accelerating, and accelerating. Eventually the plane seemingly overran the end of the runway, causing damage to runway lights. In the video you can see that huge clouds of dust rose around the aircraft, as the tail struck the ground. Fortunately the plane did manage to become airborne, though the crew immediately declared an emergency. The plane climbed up to 10,000 feet, and at that point the crew reported that they had an indicator that they had an issue with tire pressure. The plane circled around the area for around 90 minutes (either to burn or dump fuel), at which point the aircraft performed two low approaches over the runway, so damage could be assessed. Then the plane landed on runway 26R on the third approach, and it became disabled on the runway, closing the runway for an extended period of time. That landing was at 3:57PM, two hours after the plane first took off. The path for Vietnam Airlines flight VN34 Below is the takeoff video. Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner reportedly overruns the runway during take-off from Munich. The aircraft is currently on approach to the airport after holding. Video: MunichAviation pic.twitter.com/qqbWSV2jrN — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 15, 2026 Then below is the landing video. Vietnam B787-9 appears to have shredded its tires on emergency return landing to Munich https://t.co/4ZvkFG1nXC pic.twitter.com/2Gz0ZiTLs8 — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 15, 2026 Below are pictures showing the tire damage and tail strike after the plane returned to Munich. Tail strike on VN-A867 + possible ELECTRIC BRAKE ACTUATOR ISSUES On Both MAIN GEAR. Vietnam Airlines 787-9 out of Munich today… very late rotation, almost full runway used, confirmed tail strike, then returned with multiple tires shredded. Electric Brake Actuator (EBA)… pic.twitter.com/d2t2mD52T5 — Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) August 15, 2026 Confirmed tail strike damage on VN-A867 The whole tail strike module is gone. There's a clear puncture through the lower fuselage, with torn composite and heavy scrape marks running aft. This was not light contact… they must have been pulling hard to get it airborne. This jet… pic.twitter.com/WNBqFvzMzf — Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) August 15, 2026 I think it's safe to assume that this plane will be on the ground for quite some time, and isn't going anywhere any time soon… What could possibly explain this messed up takeoff? Looking at the video of the takeoff, there's nothing that stands out to me as being particularly unusual. It looks like the plane is accelerating decently, the flaps are in use, etc. But the plane just keeps going and going. I tried to pull up the flight data through Flightradar24, which typically shows you the altitude and speed for a plane, but oddly there's a roughly five minute gap around the takeoff time. I'm not sure how we're supposed to interpret that. Flightradar24 data on this Vietnam Airlines flight Either way, it's hard to comprehend what happened here. If the pilots felt something was off during the takeoff roll, they'd logically abort the takeoff. And a 13,000+ foot runway is particularly long, so they should've had a major buffer here. Typically when we see incidents like this, it's because the takeoff performance for the plane wasn't calculated correctly (that's not to say that's the cause here, but I'm just saying that's the most common explanation for this kind of an incident). Did the crew not have the right "numbers" for this flight when determining takeoff performance? That mistake can happen sometimes, but typically pilots would catch the error, because something looks off. I mean, this was a long haul 787 flight, so pilots roughly know what kind of takeoff performance they should be expecting. Was there some technical or other glitch that prevented the plane from taking of when it was supposed to, or what? We'll have to wait for a full investigation, but everything about this incident is very strange. Bottom line A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 had a seriously messed up takeoff from Munich, as the plane overran the runway on takeoff, causing it to damage runway lights, strike its tail, and cause huge clouds of dust to rise. When the plane came back to land, it also had serious issues with its wheels, and the full damage of the tail strike was discovered. Particularly given how long Munich Airport's runway is, there's nothing about this that looks good… I'm curious to see what an investigation reveals. On the plus side, thank goodness no one was hurt, because it seems like this could've also had a much worse ending. What do you make of this Vietnam Airlines runway overrun in Munich?

Two Boeing 737-800 aircraft flying in close but safe proximity near Phoenix airport at night
Aviation SafetyAug 15, 10:26 AM

American Airlines Boeing 737-800s with identical callsigns nearly conflicted near Phoenix

Controller acted to separate converging outbound and inbound services on Chicago O’Hare route. Air-ground radio communications have revealed that a controller at Phoenix had to resolve an extraordinary conflict between outbound and inbound American Airlines Boeing 737-800s that were using identical callsigns. The aircraft were both operating the AA2482 service, whose flight number applies to the Phoenix-Chicago and Chicago-Phoenix sectors. Communications from Phoenix departure control, archived by LiveATC, indicate that the conflict occurred just after midnight on 14 August, about 5min after the Chicago-bound aircraft took off from runway 7L. It turned north and its crew informed the controller that they were climbing through 6,000ft to their assigned altitude of 9,000ft. The controller appeared to realise that the aircraft would cross the flightpath of the inbound service, arriving from Chicago, which was descending from the northeast at about 12,000ft. Distinguishing the inbound flight to its crew by referring to its being "on the arrival", the controller instructed it to maintain 10,000ft, which the crew confirmed. The controller then asked: "And there's an American 2482 on a 0730 code, is that correct, on the departure?" When the outbound crew confirmed they were climbing to 9,000ft, the controller acknowledged. "On the departure I need you to maintain 9,000, traffic one o'clock and 10 miles," he instructed, then added: "[It's] your company, same callsign, out of 11,800 descending to 10,000." "Incredible – we're looking, thank you," the outbound crew replied. Publicly-available ADS-B data suggests the outbound aircraft passed behind, and below, the inbound, although their precise horizontal and vertical separation has not been verified. The inbound Chicago-Phoenix flight appears to have been running some 90min behind schedule which would have contributed to the coincidental positioning. Identical callsigns for inbound and outbound services between the same city pairs are not unusual. American's flight AA1888 operates both ways on the Dallas-Raleigh route, as does Delta Air Lines' DL2006 between Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

A Boeing 737 parked on the tarmac with maintenance access panels open under the nose section
Aviation SafetyAug 14, 3:48 PM

Researchers Reveal Rapid 60-Second Hardware Hack on Boeing 737 Avionics Systems

Researchers from UC San Diego and Oberlin College on Thursday presented a proof-of-concept hardware attack that could interfere with communications between critical avionics systems on Boeing 737 Next Generation and MAX aircraft. The device can be installed during roughly 60 seconds of physical access on the ground, according to the research presented at the USENIX Security Symposium. The team demonstrated the attack on a testbed built from authentic 737 components and software rather than an operating aircraft. Device Targets Maintenance Connection The researchers identified an unused maintenance connector inside the 737 Electronics and Equipment bay. The bay sits below the aircraft’s nose and can be accessed from the ground. Their paper estimates an attacker could open the access hatch in 15 seconds, install the device in about 30 seconds and close the hatch in another 15 seconds. The implant targets ARINC 429 data buses between the flight management computer and the multipurpose control display unit. Researchers demonstrated that the device could alter flight-plan information and values used for weight, balance and takeoff calculations while suppressing indications of some changes on the pilot’s display. "This is something the aviation industry will want to plan to defend against," UC San Diego professor Stefan Savage told WIRED. "I would not sleep on this one." The researchers said the attack would require advance planning, technical knowledge and physical access to the aircraft. Their paper says the findings apply to 737 NG and MAX models, which account for more than 95% of the active 737 fleet. Boeing Reviewed Findings The research team first disclosed the vulnerability to Boeing in 2020 and later demonstrated the attack in a Boeing laboratory. Boeing told WIRED that it reviewed the relevant component designs, installations and interfaces after receiving the researchers’ findings. The company said existing protections in the aircraft and its operating environment substantially reduce the feasibility and risk of a real-world attack. "Our technical experts are confident that the layers of protection in place on the airplane, including within the system design and the operating environment, provide sufficient mitigation to significantly limit the feasibility and risk of real-world attacks," Boeing told WIRED . Pilots could override changes to the autopilot by taking manual control, the researchers noted, and some correct information would remain available through other cockpit displays. The team proposed several possible defenses. Those include removing or permanently blocking the unused connector, adding software capable of detecting the attack, increasing electrical isolation between systems and eventually adding authentication to avionics data communications.

Flight Training

More Flight Training →
A regional airline pilot preparing to board a turboprop aircraft on the tarmac at a US airport during sunset
Flight TrainingAug 15, 11:00 PM

US Regional Pilot Shortage Eases As Cadet Programs Adjust to New Realities

Members of the PSA Airlines Cadet Program received a disappointing email in late July 2026, when the company advised pilot cadets that it would no longer sponsor the ATP/CTP course that all new hires are required to complete before officially joining the airline. Traditionally, this is paid for by the company, but for those in the PSA program, it's now on the cadet's shoulders to take the course and pay for it.

Modern Spirit Airlines corporate headquarters campus in Dania Beach with adjacent residential units and parking
Flight TrainingAug 1, 9:04 PM

Spirit Airlines' $250M Dania Beach Campus Faces $88M Bankruptcy Bid

Spirit opened its new $250 million "Spirit Central" corporate campus in 2024, complete with training facilities, employee housing, and space for more than 1,000 workers. Now, in bankruptcy, a stalking horse bidder is offering just $88 million for much of the nearly brand-new headquarters complex — an extraordinary markdown for a project that symbolized how far the airline had drifted from its ultra-low-cost roots.

Military/Defense

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This New Tailless 6th-Gen Fighter Ditches Vertical Stabilizers & Bets The Airframe On Software
Military/DefenseAug 15, 9:00 PM

China's J-50 6th-Gen Fighter Ditches Vertical Stabilizers, Relies on Advanced Software

It seems that fifth-generation aircraft are beginning to give way to the next era of air combat, as the competition to develop a sixth-generation fighter has been underway for several years. The difference now is that these aircraft are quickly becoming a reality, with China publicly displaying its J-50 during test flights, the Boeing F-47 expected to conduct its first flight in the coming years, and the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) continuing its development.

US Army to use Robinson R66 as next rotary-wing trainer under $10bn contract with M1
Military/DefenseAug 14, 9:27 PM

US Army selects Robinson R66 for $10bn Flight School Next rotary-wing training overhaul

Military training services provider M1 won the hotly contested Flight School Next contract with a bid centred on the R66 light-single. The US Army has selected a winner in the hotly contested competition for a multi-billion-dollar overhaul of the service’s rotary-wing flight instruction programme. Military training provider M1 Support Services was announced as the army’s vendor of choice on 13 August. The associated contract is valued at $10 billion over a potential 26-year period. Known as Flight School Next, the deal will entirely replace the service’s current helicopter instructional programme, which is split among multiple different vendors using a fleet of government-owned Airbus Helicopters UH-72 Lakotas as the primary training aircraft. Unlike the current model, Flight School Next will use a contractor-owned/contractor-operated approach to the physical rotorcraft as well as instructional and sustainment services. The service says consolidating the various functions into a single fixed-price contract will ultimately reduce costs. “Flight School Next delivers a critical improvement in our Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training model,” says Major General Clair Gill, commander of the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence. “Simply put, it delivers new military helicopter pilots with far better foundational skills," he adds. "The fact that it delivers this increased capability at a significant long-term savings to our army is a great added benefit." The new training structure will provide basic flight instruction for 800-1,500 new pilots annually, compared to 1,250 annually under the current system. M1 was chosen from a crowded field that had at various points included vertical lift heavyweights Lockheed Martin, Bell and Boeing. "M1 will deliver a fully integrated, innovation‑rich training solution designed to develop more proficient army aviators on time and on budget,” says M1 chief executive George Krivo. The company calls its comprehensive rotary-wing training package “Flight School First”. US Army leaders have long been critical of the UH-72A as a trainer helicopter, saying they would prefer a simpler single-engined alternative. Credit: US Army Three of the four finalists for the Flight School Next contract, including both M1 and Lockheed, had submitted bids based around the Robinson R66. Bell, meanwhile, had crafted a proposal using its 505 light single, while Boeing had partnered with Leonardo Helicopters to offer the TH-73. The army says the first phase of the Flight School Next plan will cover a three-to-four-year transition that will see the UH-72 phased out. The service has long been critical of the Lakota, describing the light twin as too sophisticated an aircraft on which to teach rudimentary flying skills. In particular, army leaders allege automation features included in the UH-72 led to new pilots graduating without sufficient “stick and rudder” flying skills. The army has linked an increase in serious rotary-wing accidents to adoption of the UH-72A as the service’s primary trainer in 2020. Airbus has countered that the automated flight assistance can easily be dialled down or turned off entirely using existing aircraft controls but that the US Army has not endeavoured to modify its flight procedures. In the run-up to the Flight School Next decision, army leaders made it clear they wanted a lightweight, single-engined rotorcraft with minimal computer assistance as the next trainer. The Army National Guard will continue to operate the UH-72, which is based on the Airbus H145 civil rotorcraft, in a light utility role for natural disaster response and other domestic operations. Robinson assembles the R66 at a factory in Torrance, California, that uses a highly vertically integrated supply chain, extending as far as sheet metal fabrication.