With 44% of U.S. mechanics nearing or past retirement age, the aviation industry faces a massive maintenance crunch. But as enrollment climbs and new students step up, industry leaders say mentorship is the key to filling the hangar.
Aircraft
Latest Search for Amelia Earhart Turns Up No Evidence of Her Airplane
The search for Amelia Earhart continues after an expedition to Nikumaroro found no evidence of Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra 10-E. Officials from Purdue University say the search for the lost aviator and her navigator will continue.
Fairbanks Tower Suspends Night Services
Pilots flying into PAFA overnight face non-towered operations, revised weather procedures, and CTAF frequency requirements following new temporary air traffic schedule changes.
Busy Airport With Closed Runway Forces Challenging Crosswind Landing
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a sign.
Picture of the Day: A Lost Dream
Jesus Sagastuy Estivariz submitted this photo and note: “A photo of the An-225 Mriya — Dream in Ukranian — taken in 2010 in Vitoria, Spain, next to a Yakovlev Yak-52 painted in yellow and blue matching the colors of the Ukrainian flag. This cargo giant was lost in the 2022 Russian invasion.”
Questions from the Cockpit: Reading List
Looking to expand your aviation knowledge beyond the standard flight manuals? Discover our columnist’s list of essential aviation books, covering everything from flight instruction and aerodynamics to weather, history, and engaging new children’s literature that inspires the next generation of aviators.
Six New Skyhawks Join Washington College’s Aviation Program
Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) modernized its 80-year-old pilot program with six new Cessna 172S training aircraft.
FAA Reinstates Flight Deck Training For Air Traffic Controllers
The program allows air traffic controllers to ride jumpseat on commercial, military, and general aviation flights. The program, paused at the start of the COVID pandemic, aims to help controllers better understand pilot workload and improve airspace safety.
Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Set to Open in November 2026
The California Science Center will soon begin accepting reservations for the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, permanent home of Space Shuttle Endeavour. The new center will open to the public Nov. 13, 2026.