The impact of the Federal government shutdown on commercial flights and private jets, the MD-11 fleet-wide grounding after the UPS crash, Bombardier Global 8000 cabin pressure, the FAA’s desire for flight schools to conduct their own pilot testing, United flight attendant priorities, the oldest airports in the world, and a new center wing box for Fat Albert.
Aviation News
The FAA is requiring airlines to reduce flights by 10% at 40 high-volume airports. Thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed as the flight reductions cascade through the network.
The FAA shut down private jet and business aviation operations at 12 airports:
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN that flights were being limited to “reduce the pressure on controllers.” See Private Jets Grounded at a Dozen Airports Nationwide. The NBAA’s CEO Ed Bolen said that the restrictions were “disproportionately impacting general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day.”
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’”
UPS flight 2976, an MD-11, crashed on November 4, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The left-hand engine and its pylon detached from the airplane during takeoff, and the MD-11 crashed into a nearby neighborhood, resulting in at least 14 fatalities, including the three crew members onboard and numerous casualties on the ground.
Following the crash, the FAA grounded all MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft. MD-11F operators UPS and FedEx also voluntarily grounded their MD-11 aircraft out of an abundance of caution, following Boeing’s recommendation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation.
From Aviation News Talk: 403 UPS MD-11 Crash Analysis + Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro on How to Make Better Landings
At Mach 0.95, Bombardier says the Global 8000 will be the fastest business jet in the world and have a cabin altitude of 2,691 feet while flying at 41,000 feet. Most commercial aircraft maintain cabin pressure at levels equivalent to 6,000–8,000 feet above sea level. Business jets generally operate at a pressure equivalent of between 3,000 and 6,000 feet.
Global 8000, courtesy Bombardier.
A designated pilot examiner (DPE) shortage is resulting in a checkride backlog. Only 74 of 509 certificated flight schools have the authority to do their own testing for pilot certificates. In response, the FAA wants more schools to run the tests themselves. A reduction in flight school surveillance to assess whether a school can qualify to do its own testing makes a policy change easier.
In July 2025, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) recommended that United Airlines flight attendants accept the proposed contract; however, 71% of the voting membership rejected it. At the time, the union felt the proposed contract was the best that could be achieved. Since then, the union has worked to understand what contract areas were of most concern to the flight attendants. Eight focus areas were identified. The next bargaining session is scheduled to take place in early December.
A surprising and historically informative list.
“Fat Albert” is the KC-130J Super Hercules that supports the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. It’s off to Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, UK, to have its center wing box replaced, extending its service life by 20 years. This particular plane is the former Royal Air Force Hercules C5 ZH885, which was refurbished and repainted by Marshall Aerospace, an authorized Lockheed Martin C-130J heavy maintenance center.
See: US Navy bringing ‘Fat Albert’ back to Marshall Aerospace for a new centre wing box
Mentioned
Talking E2 with Embraer & Virgin Australia – Plane Crazy Down Under.
Video: RED BULL FLUGTAG FLYOVER | FlySafair B737-800 🇿🇦
https://youtu.be/lwugk_-hvjs?si=iVw7MxOR4mC-_EaA
Hosts this Episode
Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, and Rob Mark.