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From safety oversight to technology innovations, the FAA Blog shares insights that keep the public and aviation community informed about how we're keeping the nation's skies safe.
The National Archive’s Freedom Plane took off from the Coast Guard Hangar at Reagan Washington National Airport on March 2 as part of America’s Freedom 250 celebration. Dubbed “Archive One,” the Freedom Plane will ferry national treasures -- together and through the air for the first time -- to eight U.S. cities where they will be on display in prominent museums free to the public. See our coverage and learn about this historic mission.
Following your airline’s packing restrictions can prevent property loss, injury, and fines. Let’s look at some examples of the hazard warnings you might see and what items you can and can’t bring on board.
The age of aviation has run through nearly half of our nation’s history. Since the Wright brothers took flight, 22 U.S. presidents, starting with Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., have witnessed and helped propel aviation forward.
The FAA has a clear message for people considering a charter flight to the Super Bowl or any other venue: Use good judgment and avoid signing on with an illegal or uncertificated operation that exposes you to unwanted safety risks and potential liability.
George Washington and four future presidents witnessed our nation’s first aviation milestone in Philadelphia, 1793, when Jean-Pierre Blanchard, the French aeronaut and pioneer of gas balloon flight, took to the air in a hydrogen-filled balloon from the interior yard of the Walnut Street Prison.
How Archie League Helped Pioneer Air Traffic Control
His office was a beach chair. His ‘control tower’ a wheelbarrow housing two rolled-up flags. The checkered flag signaled GO. The red flag commanded HOLD. With those tools to communicate with pilots Archie William League became America’s first air traffic controller at the St. Louis airfield. A lunch pail, drinking water, notepad and umbrella helped him get through the day. His hire date was January 1, 1929.
