Articles
Flight safety and incidents
01 ARTICLE
Washington, D.C. Midair Collision: Systemic Safety Failures
The January 2025 collision near Reagan National Airport killed 67 people. The NTSB identified long-standing gaps in helicopter route design, safety oversight, air traffic control, and collision avoidance technology.
Weather and meteorology
02 ARTICLES
Mount Etna Disrupts Air Travel in Sicily
Volcanic ash disrupted flights at Catania Airport. Read the story, explore the operational response and practise English with grammar lessons at your level.
Nor’easter Disrupts Northeast Air Travel
A nor’easter disrupted flights across the U.S. Northeast. Explore airport cancelations, airline travel waivers and grammar lessons at three levels.
Aircraft systems and equipment
01 ARTICLE
Onboard Battery Events Surging as Power Bank Use Grows
Cabin power bank/lithium battery thermal-runaway events up 15%, now over 2/week — driven by passengers carrying more personal electronics. FAA stresses cooling/containment (not just dousing flames); airlines tightening power-bank policies; crews reminded to treat battery reports as high-value intel.
Aircraft performance and fuel
01 ARTICLE
Ryanair Fuel Mayday After Multiple Windshear Go-Arounds
Three windshear warnings, a refused diversion and a fuel Mayday during Storm Amy. A Boeing 737-800 landed at Manchester with just 363 kg of fuel remaining. Explore fuel planning, alternate decisions and the safety lessons.
Aviation security
01 ARTICLE
How vulnerable are airports to rogue drones?
A drone sighting at Brussels Airport stopped runway operations. Explore detection, safe responses and the disruption that a single drone can cause.
Career and personal speaking topics
01 ARTICLE
So You Want to Be a Pilot?
Two routes to the flight deck — modular or integrated training. Costs, licences and key milestones from first flight to line flying; a career-changer’s story shows the challenges along the way.