Airplane Geeks Podcast

FAA ATC hiring record, NBAA and ATC modernization, restrictions on flights near spacecraft launches, Army findings on the DC midair crash. Also, VFC-12 (the “Fighting Omars”), talking with Kiah Erlich and Martin Kemp, Launchpad’s last chocolates, Kinner Sportwing B-2, a new refueling squadron, and a United transatlantic flight makes an unusual fuel stop. Aviation News FAA Breaks ATC Hiring Record, But More Work Remains In an October 1, 2026 press release, the FAA said the agency “exceeded its Fiscal Year 2026 goal, hiring 2,235 air traffic controller trainees, the most in FAA history. This record follows the highly successful gamer campaign that recruited more than 12,000 qualified Americans to apply in just 24 hours.” The FAA’s FY26 hiring goal was 2,200 ATC trainees. The FAA’s 2026–2028 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan calls for hiring at least 2,300 new controller trainees in FY27 and 2,400 in FY28. The plan established a three-year strategy to 1) grow the controller workforce, 2) optimize scheduling performance, and 3) modernize the air traffic control systems and tools. NBAA Applauds House Legislation Accelerating ATC Modernization Rep. Tracey Mann (R-01-KS) introduced legislation that would boost funding by $30 billion to continue the air traffic control (ATC) modernization work begun last year. This is a companion bill to legislation introduced last month by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO). The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is one of about 60 other aviation stakeholders that formed the Modern Skies Coalition in 2025 to support plans to upgrade aviation safety. The Modern Skies Coalition Statement on Secretary Duffy’s Aero Club of Washington Luncheon Remarks of September 22, 2026 states, “The Modern Skies Coalition supports Secretary Duffy’s continued efforts to modernize our nation’s air traffic control system and strengthen the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).” FAA will accept more risk to aircraft from space debris under new policy The FAA identifies aircraft hazard areas before each launch and re-entry operation. Aircraft are not permitted to fly in the most hazardous portions of these zones. Previously, the FAA allowed up to 6,412 aircraft per 12-month period to fly through the outer portions of aircraft hazard areas. That equates to no fatal accidents from space debris falling due to a launch or re-entry operation over 80 years, at a 95% confidence level. The FAA’s Executive Safety Council has now removed that restriction. Army Identifies Systemic Failures Behind DC midair and Calls for Safety Fixes The U.S. Army publicly released its report on the midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. The Army identified systemic failures involving air traffic control, helicopter routes, training, and safety practices. The report is listed in the Army’s Freedom of Information Act Library as: AR 15-6: Investigation of the 29 January 2025 Collison [sic] of a UH-60 Black Hawk and Civilian Aircraft Near Ronald Reagon [sic] National Airport Interviews Micah speaks with Kiah Erlich (see the band Incidental on Facebook) and Martin Kemp. We also hear Micah’s story, Launchpad’s Last Chocolates. Micah and Kiah Erlich under the black light. Martin Kemp and Micah out on the town. Mentioned VFC-12, the Fighting Omars, visit the Portland Jetport. Photos by Kyle. Bangor Air National Guard Base One of Four Finalists for New Refueling Squadron 82-year-old pilot injured when ‘last of its kind’ airplane [Kinner Sportwing B-2] flips at Brunswick airport Micah and the Kinner Sportwing B-2 Unusual arrival. A transatlantic flight made a rare landing in Portland, Maine Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

Advanced airline systems technology with the head of DataArt’s Aviation Practice. In the news: cloud-based air traffic control in the Washington, D.C., area; thousands of flights delayed and canceled after FAA and NATS system failures; safety reforms after the DCA midair collision; and the loss of a new Cessna Citation Latitude. Guest Tim McMullen is Vice President, Business Development, Aviation and Travel Technology, at DataArt. That company provides data and analytics services, artificial intelligence and machine learning services, cloud migration and optimization, and custom software engineering to the aviation and other industries. Tim leads DataArt’s Aviation Practice and has spent nearly twenty years working with airlines worldwide on technology, from start-ups to the largest network carriers. He has provided clients with solutions in reservations, customer care, loyalty, network planning, pricing/RM, airline operations, dispatch, crew planning and scheduling, airport operations, aircraft maintenance, and cargo. Tim previously worked as a software product manager and managed the end-to-end lifecycle of a SaaS suite of network planning, forecasting, and fleet optimization solutions. He also has 10 years’ experience at two airlines in network planning, pricing, revenue management, and finance. Aviation News FAA Preparing to Field SMART in Washington, DC in First Operational Deployment The Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories, or SMART, is characterized by the FAA SMART Fact Sheet [PDF] as “a cloud-based platform system that enhances existing FAA air traffic management systems. It provides air traffic control and aircraft operators with a shared, data-driven view of the National Airspace before flights depart.” Using AI, SMART analyzes airline schedules, weather, airport capacity, airspace conditions, and operational constraints to forecast traffic flows and identify potential conflicts before they occur. It gives the FAA, airlines, and operators a shared, continuously updated view to coordinate efficient routes and departure times as conditions change. The FAA is preparing to put SMART into operational use in the Washington, DC area in the system’s first operational fielding. SMART is part of the Flow Management Data and Services (FMDS) platform being built by Air Space Intelligence (ASI). The company says the award covers both systems and is worth US$875m over 12 years. See also: FAA to launch AI-enhanced software to help manage the nation’s airspace Video: Civil Aviation at ASI https://youtu.be/2dDMx3KW760 Thousands of US flights snarled due to FAA telecom problem FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that a circuit blew at the Philadelphia TRACON. When the system tried to switch to the backup, it discovered that a construction crew had cut the fiber-optic line. ​FlightAware reported that more than 5,600 US flights were delayed or canceled. The three New York-area airports accounted for 1,200 of those flights. UK air traffic controller blames a millisecond-software glitch for flight cancellations On September 8, 2026, over 2,000 flights in and out of the United Kingdom were canceled. A preliminary report faults a software glitch with NATS, formerly known as National Air Traffic Services. The system, which allocates codes, allows air traffic controllers to identify flights on radar. Hundreds of thousands of travelers were impacted, and it took days to fully restore operations. Families of D.C. midair crash victims press Congress for aviation safety reforms Families of the victims of the January 2025 mid-air collision between an American Eagle CRJ700 commuter jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) are looking for Congressional action. Some of the family members are concerned that Congress isn’t up to the task. The father of one victim referred to it as “fading urgency” where  “Something everyone agrees will make people safer gets caught in process, objections, exceptions and delay until you look up and an entire generation has passed. Flight 5342 cannot follow that path.” FAA, Army move to implement spirit of NTSB recommendations after DCA mid-air The NTSB issued recommendations in its February 2026 final report on the DCA mid-air collision. These were directed at “deficiencies with area helicopter routes, Army helicopter operations in the DCA area, and the conduct of air traffic control — both in the DCA tower and the Potomac Consolidated TRACON (PCT) Terminal Radar Approach Control, and the management of both those facilities by the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO).” The NTSB directed 33 recommendations to the FAA. Eleven 11 are classified as “Open—Unacceptable Response.” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford issued a formal reply to the NTSB saying most would be implemented or resolved by the end of May 2027, when the FAA intends to issue already scheduled updates to manuals, policies, and procedures. Among those recommendations is a mandate for ADS-B In with cockpit traffic display and audible alerts where ADS-B Out is already required. The ROTOR and Alert Acts in Congress would institute an ADS-B In mandate, but neither had cleared both chambers before Congress at this time. Both Pilots of Crashed Bizjet Accused of Being Intoxicated On September 14, 2026, a Cessna 680A Citation Latitude jet, recently delivered to an Istanbul charter company, departed the runway at Misrata International Airport in Libya upon landing. The pilots got the jet back on the runway, but not after damaging the landing gear. The plane caught fire and was destroyed. The two pilots and the cabin attendant escaped unharmed. The pilots are in a Libyan jail and accused of being intoxicated. See also: Pilot and copilot of Misrata Airport crashed private jet found intoxicated: Attorney General Cessna Citation Latitude Destroyed in Fire After Off-Runway Excursion at Misrata Airport Mentioned RTX Selects Jill Albertelli As Pratt & Whitney President Skycards: the new collectible aviation card game powered by Flightradar24 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

Dynamic airline ticket pricing, Blackhawk helicopter altitude instrumentation, a U.S. Government equity position in Spirit Airlines, the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal LGA accident, capacity cuts at airports, AI-enabled ATC, the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, and SpaceX Starlink in-motion aviation plans. Aviation News JetBlue sued over claims it uses customers’ personal data to set ticket prices Airline executives have told Congress that personal data is not used to dynamically set ticket prices. However, a complaint has been filed in federal court alleging that JetBlue uses "trackers" and shares data with third parties to dynamically set prices. This stems from an exchange on X where a passenger complained about a ticket price increase and JetBlue responded by saying the passenger should try "clearing your cache and cookies or booking with an incognito window." JetBlue later stated that the response was incorrect and added that "fares can change at any moment as seats are purchased or as inventory is adjusted based on demand". Army aviation chief: D.C. crash ‘wasn’t about’ outdated Black Hawk cockpit At a media briefing on Bell’s MV-75 tiltrotor, The Air Current asked the commanding general of Army Aviation, Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, whether last year’s fatal midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet changed the Army’s thinking about fielding the Black Hawk’s partial replacement. Gill answered, “No, it’s completely unrelated.” The MV-75 will have “a more advanced cockpit, but the D.C. crash really wasn’t about whether or not it was an advanced cockpit or not.” This implied that faulty altimeters and outdated avionics in the accident helicopter did not substantially contribute to the crash. The NTSB found that altitude exceedances on the Washington, D.C., helicopter routes were likely exacerbated by inaccurate altimeters on older UH-60L “Lima” Black Hawks, including the one involved in the crash. Possible Spirit rescue fuels new fears about government involvement in business The Federal government is considering an equity deal to keep Spirit Airlines afloat. Under the proposal, the airline would receive $500 million, providing additional liquidity as Spirit works to emerge from bankruptcy. The U.S. government could own up to 90% of the airline, according to sources. Reportedly, the government would charge Spirit a reasonable interest rate and move to the top of the debtor list. CBS News says, “The loan would be protected by Spirit assets that would exceed the government's costs, and would provide taxpayers with a warrant — the right to own 90% of the company after it emerges from bankruptcy.” Also, “The Pentagon would use Spirit's excess capacity for transporting troops, military cargo, or other missions. The airline would then likely be sold to another carrier.” See: Spirit Airlines nears deal with Trump administration for $500 million rescue package White House mulls using Defense Production Act in Spirit Airlines takeover Ted Cruz pours cold water on Trump administration plan to bail out Spirit Airlines: TERRIBLE idea' NTSB Report LGA Air Canada Incident [PDF] On March 22, 2026, Jazz Aviation LP flight 646 (operating as Air Canada flight 8646), a CRJ-900, was substantially damaged after it collided with Rescue 35 (R35), an Oshkosh Striker 1500 aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, while landing on runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport. The captain and first officer were fatally injured. Of the 2 flight attendants, 72 passengers, and 2 crew of the ARFF vehicle, 39 were transported to local hospitals with 6 serious injuries reported. The airplane was a Part 129 scheduled flight from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Montreal, Quebec, to LGA. A review of the ASDE-X system data by the FAA determined that the system did not generate an aural or visual alert on the ASDE-X displays in the LGA ATC tower to warn controllers of the potential runway conflict. FAA orders Chicago O'Hare International Airport to cut over 300 planned flights daily between May and October The FAA is ordering flight reductions at Chicago O'Hare International Airport over the summer travel season. 3,080 daily flights were scheduled for peak summer days in 2026. Now O'Hare flights will be restricted to 2,708 per day from May 17 to Oct. 24. This change is motivated by capacity and operational delay concerns. The FAA said it intends to bring in more air traffic controllers, speed up controller training, reduce delays by optimizing routes and airspace, and increase communication between the agency, the airport, and airlines during high-risk periods. FAA quietly developing AI enabled air traffic management system The Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART) is an artificial intelligence-powered software tool designed for air traffic management. People familiar with the project say it could fundamentally change how the U.S. airspace system operates. Palantir, Thales, and Airspace Intelligence (ASI) are competing on the initiative. Operational start could be as early as later this year. The system could enable the FAA to plan for bottlenecks and anticipate schedule conflicts before an aircraft even leaves the ground. This contrasts with today's human-centric, reactive ATC structure. Digital Tower Technology Coalition Pushing Remote ATC The Digital Tower Technology Coalition “is an alliance of stakeholders advocating for the FAA’s implementation of the digital tower program, as outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. By leveraging U.S. airports, regional partners, air traffic controllers, original equipment manufacturers, and federal partners, our coalition seeks to ensure an efficient and transparent process while strengthening U.S. global competitiveness in cutting-edge aviation technology.” See the Press Release: Introducing the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, Representing Bold Commitment to Innovation in Effort to Modernize U.S. Aviation [PDF] SpaceX Cuts Starlink Aviation Prices – New GA Plans Start at $200/Month When SpaceX imposed a 100 mph speed cap on all non-aviation plans, general aviation pilots were forced to switch to more expensive aviation-specific tiers. That generated an outcry from the flying community, including a petition with over 9,500 signatures. GA pilots had been using Starlink Roam for $50 per month with a 100GB data cap. Now SpaceX has made some changes to its in-motion aviation plans. Aviation 300MPH is renamed General Aviation Local 50GB, the price is lowered to $200 per month (from $250), and the monthly data limit is increased to 50GB (from 20GB). Additional data can be purchased in 50GB blocks for $25 (from $10 per GB). The Aviation 450 MPH plan is now General Aviation Global 50GB, which is still $1,000 per month, but the monthly data cap has been increased to 50GB (from 20GB). Additional data can be purchased in 50GB blocks for $100 (from $50 per GB). Mentioned Swiss cheesemakers allowed to artificially make holes in Emmental cheese Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

The decline of enjoyment in today’s air travel experience, special TSA treatment for Congress members, consolidating ATC functions, TRACON evacuations, Artemis II, Part 141 training organizations, and aerial refueling. Also, Av-Con 2026, Spacewoman documentary, “souls onboard,” and EAS. Aviation News ‘The alarm bells are going off’: Air travel hits new lows Recent events have made commercial air travel a difficult proposition for many air travelers. We see increasing fuel costs and increasing ticket prices, long lines at some security checkpoints, TSA workers absent, recent accidents, air traffic controller shortages, equipment malfunctions, and more. The U.S. Travel Association’s senior vice president of government relations, Erik Hansen, said of passengers, “What they’re seeing is chaos, and what they’re seeing is a system that doesn’t work.” Delta suspends special congressional services amid shutdown In a statement to The Hill, Delta said, “Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta. Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.” Those services have included airport escorts and red coat services. Senate passes measure prohibiting preferential airport screening for lawmakers Just days before the Delta action, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a proposal to end the special treatment members of Congress get at airports. That included permitting members of Congress to speed through or skip security screening checkpoints. To become law, the House would have to pass the bill, and the President would have to sign it. LaGuardia controller staffing may have violated procedures on night of collision, document shows On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada jet landing at LaGuardia struck a fire truck, killing both pilots. LaGuardia tower's standard operating procedures specify that a controller cannot perform both air and ground duties. The NTSB is investigating the roles of the controllers at the time of the crash. A 2023 rule in the LaGuardia ​Tower Standard Operating Procedures states, "Positions at LaGuardia Tower are not to be consolidated to one position prior to midnight local time or 90 minutes after the start of the shift, whichever is later." Those familiar with the matter said the rule remained in effect in 2026. D.C.-area ATC evacuations followed 2025 smoke event which injured controllers On March 13, 2026, FAA operations were disrupted after Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) reported a strong smell. Fire responders investigated, and the source was identified as an overheated circuit board. That incident caused a ground stop lasting a little over two hours, affecting DCA, IAD, BWI, and nearby airports. On March 27, 2026, the TRACON was evacuated again after another strong chemical smell, reportedly originating from an overheated battery backup or other electrical component in the break room/IT area. That second evacuation also triggered ground stops and significant delays across the region. A similar event occurred in April 2025, when smoke entered the Potomac TRACON control room. That incident did not lead to an evacuation, but did leave multiple controllers with health issues severe enough to affect their medical certificates. Artemis II Headed for the Moon The Artemis II Mission flew four astronauts around the moon before returning them to Earth. The planned 10-day test flight is the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 that humans have departed Earth orbit. NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026. The Artemis III mission will launch a crew in the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft (SpaceX and Blue Origin) needed to land astronauts on the Moon. NASA will announce specifics on the Artemis III mission design and crew closer to the 2027 launch. Artemis IV astronauts will travel to lunar orbit, where two crew members will descend to the surface and spend approximately a week near the Moon's South Pole conducting new science before returning to lunar orbit to rejoin their crew for the journey back to Earth. Report Calls for Major Flight Training Changes The FAA has released a 471-page report by the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) titled A Comprehensive Modernization of Pilot Training Conducted by 14 CFR Part 141 Training Organizations, which states: “The goal of this modernization effort is unambiguous: to develop a robust certification and regulatory framework under 14 CFR Part 141 that stands alone as the preeminent accreditation and method by which aviators are trained throughout the world. Under this new framework, achieving FAA certification would represent the highest standard of training excellence available anywhere negating the need for further accreditation or external oversight. The American flight training system would, in this vision, stand alone already.“ The key recommendations include: Establishing a dedicated Central Management Office responsible for all Part 141 pilot school initial certification and ongoing certificate management. Establishing both Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems within the Part 141 training environment. Reforming how the FAA manages and oversees certificated pilot schools. Developing industry consensus standards as an alternate means of compliance with Part 141 regulations. Reforming the Part 141 examining authority framework. Expanding Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) and Technology Credit and Usage. Modernizing training course appendices. Replacing Provisional Pilot School with Registered Pilot School. A-10 Warthog Being Tested With Aerial Refueling Probe Bolted Onto Its Nose A test A-10 has been flown for the first time with a refueling probe replacing its normal aerial refueling receptacle. The A-10 successfully connected to the aerial refueling drogue of a C-130. The Air Force uses a flying boom system, while the Navy uses a probe-and-drogue system. Mentioned The “Spacewoman” documentary about Eileen Collins, the first woman Shuttle pilot. Journey is the Reward / Airplane Geeks Meet-Up, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 4:00 PM at Charlie’s Pizza, Restaurant and Pub (1980 Rt. 37, Manchester Township, NJ 08759). Visiting the Av-Con 2026 in Atlanta - Held April 4, 2026, at the Delta Flight Museum. Av-Con is described as “the world’s first convention built for aviation fans by aviation creators.” Souls On Board Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

A runway incursion at LaGuardia results in a fatal crash, new helicopter safety regulations are introduced near airports, Airbus voices frustration with Pratt & Whitney, the second NASA X-59 test flight ends prematurely, A-10 Warthogs see combat over the Strait of Hormuz, and Essential Air Service is considered for Presque Isle Airport. Aviation News Decades of aircraft and ground vehicle near misses at LGA preceded fatal crash CRJ900, courtesy Air Canada. A tragic runway incursion at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026, ended in disaster when an Air Canada Jazz CRJ900 landing there collided with an airport rescue and firefighting vehicle on the runway. The crash claimed the lives of both pilots and left dozens seriously injured. See also: LaGuardia Airport crash: Plane was traveling 93-105 mph at time of ground collision Two pilots dead, 41 people hospitalized after Air Canada plane hits fire truck when landing at LaGuardia, causing airport closure Moment air traffic controller pleads 'Truck One, stop, stop, stop' before Air Canada jet smashes into emergency vehicle on runway at LaGuardia killing pilot and co-pilot FAA tightens helicopter safety rules near major airports The FAA now requires air traffic controllers to use radar to manage aircraft and helicopters in close proximity. The interim general notice (Notice (GENOT) JO 7110.801 - Interim Helicopter Separation Procedures) suspends the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters in Class B and Class C airspace, and Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs). The DOT said, “Many helicopter operators who are used to obtaining immediate approval to transit through certain areas may have to adjust their flight routes or be delayed while controllers ensure they maintain safe distance from other aircraft. When helicopter pilots, conducting urgent medical or LEO missions, request to fly through these heavy-traffic areas, airline operations to those airports may be disrupted in order to allow these missions priority clearance.” Exclusive: Airbus seeks Pratt & Whitney damages over engine delays, sources say Airbus is frustrated with Pratt & Whitney over the slow delivery of GTF engines for the A320 family. The issue stems from an allocation crunch, with demand coming both from Airbus for new aircraft and from airlines waiting on repairs to get problem engines back in service. Reports suggest Airbus may be seeking potential damages. This stems from a manufacturing problem where contaminants were introduced into the nickel-based powdered metal used to forge certain rotating engine components. (Turbine disks and some HPC parts.) These engines face an increased risk of microscopic cracks and premature failure, particularly those produced roughly between late 2015 and 2021. Instead of waiting for routine shop visits, these engines required accelerated inspections and life‑limit reductions. NASA Second X-59 Flight Cut Short from Warning Light The second flight of the NASA X-59 supersonic demonstrator ended after nine minutes when a warning light illuminated shortly after takeoff. An unrelated caution light indicated an issue prior to the flight, but after a system reset, the flight was approved to proceed. The first flight took place on October 28, 2025, when the demonstrator reached 12,000 feet and 200 knots. The second flight was intended to last an hour and reach 20,000 feet and 225 knots, but ended up matching the first flight. A-10 Warthogs Are Prowling For Iranian Boats In The Strait Of Hormuz The Pentagon has long sought to retire the A-10 Warthog, but Congress has kept it flying. In the meantime, A-10 pilots have been training for a maritime mission: attacking Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz. AH-64 Apache attack helicopters are also now performing this mission, as well as shooting down Iranian drones. The A-10 has long been considered a close air support aircraft for ground forces, but it also has a maritime role. JetBlue and American Airlines Bid to Serve Presque Isle Airport The U.S. Department of Transportation has received proposals from JetBlue and American Airlines for the next Essential Air Service contract for Presque Isle International Airport. JetBlue has provided the service since 2024 with seven weekly round-trip flights to Boston. The 140-seat Airbus A220s depart early in the morning and return late at night. The airline is proposing to continue that service. American Airlines is proposing at least 12 round-trip weekly flights on a 65-seat jet, split between Boston and Philadelphia. American is seeking a two-year contract with an average annual subsidy of $8.2 million. JetBlue is seeking an $11,521,129 in each of four years, or a two-year contract worth $11,745,899 annually. See: How commercial air service has evolved at Presque Isle’s airport. Presque Isle adopts new procedure for air service recommendations Presque Isle airport sees busiest December in 26 years DOT Essential Air Service FAQ Bonus story: U.S. Air Force to Update U-2 Dragon Lady Defensive System The U-2 Dragon Lady first flew 70 years ago, and it’s still being used as an ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) platform. Recently, BAE Systems was awarded a contract by Robins Air Force Base in Georgia to support and sustain the U-2’s AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS). In a press release (BAE Systems to modernize Advanced Defensive System for the U.S. Air Force U-2 reconnaissance aircraft), BAE said, “Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide continuous field service support for the aircraft’s electronic warfare (EW) system, complete repairs to maintain system availability, and provide software updates so it can detect and engage new threats.” Mentioned Stories about Flying. Flight Instructing is About More Than Just Logging Hours. China Clipper (1936) movie. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Erin Applebaum.