Latest news with #Cessnas
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Buckle Up: These Are The Most Turbulent Airports In The US, According To Pilots And Data
If your last flight into Denver felt more like a rollercoaster than a smooth descent, you're not alone. According to a new ranking by aviation site Denver International Airport (DEN) tops the list of most turbulent major airports in the United States - and pilots say the ranking is well deserved. Coming in just behind Denver are Bozeman (BZN), Albuquerque (ABQ), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Jackson Hole (JAC) - all located in or near mountainous terrain known to stir up unpredictable, and at times downright bumpy, flying conditions. 'Denver hosts a whole set of challenges,' said Ryan Tseko, an experienced pilot who's flown everything from Cessnas to CRJ-700 jets. 'There's a lot of wind, a lot of weather, snow and rain and everything else.' Senior meteorologist Jonathan Belles notes that the city is located in what's known by experts as the Denver Convergence Vorticity Zone, an area where air comes together and spins, and sometimes produces tornadoes and landspouts. Add to that the city's sudden changes in elevation - flat terrain to the east and rising Rockies to the west - and you've got a perfect recipe for turbulent skies. 'When you're flying over those mountains,' explains Tseko from a pilot's perspective, 'All of that wind, all of that weather is riding up those ridges, and it actually is forcing that air up. And so when you're flying over the top of those mountains, that's where you're gonna get more turbulence compared to other flat areas.' And that's not all. 'Denver obviously is known as the 'Mile High City,' so it adds another component to it too, because your atmospheric pressure is a lot higher than if you're landing at sea level,' he points out. Tseko, who got his start flying at 17 and regularly flew 1,000 hours each year, calls turbulence the ultimate test for pilots. 'There's a lot of things you're managing already. You're managing the crew members, you're managing the flight attendants, you're managing the passengers, you're managing air traffic control,' he said. 'In wind, it just adds that one more component where it's a higher stress level.' He compares landing in turbulence to 'riding a mechanical bull,' where pilots are fighting to keep the aircraft steady, but wants passengers to know that a bumpy landing doesn't mean the pilot messed up. In fact, it often means they nailed it. 'If it's a really windy day, what happens is you're crabbing, you're coming in to land, you're pushing on the rudder, you're getting that airplane straight so it's down the center line,' he explains. 'But then actually, if the wind's coming out of the left, you actually want to tilt the airplane a little bit to the left and so your wing is into the wind. So if the pilot lands on the wheel that the wind is coming from, that means the pilot actually did a great job.' According to Tseko, turbulence is categorized into light, moderate, and severe: 'Light is pretty normal, you know, it's a few bumps, a few bounces.' 'When it gets to moderate, it's constant, you know, you're hitting multiple bumps, it's moving the airplane around more and more and more. People start to feel uncomfortable.' 'Severe is very rare. I've never encountered severe, and I hope most people have never encountered severe,' Tseko adds, 'It's actually a very dangerous situation and the airplane has to be inspected when you land.' Turbli used forecasting data from NOAA and the UK Met Office to compile their list, taking into account the highest measurements of turbulence during a plane's approach and descent (as opposed to during takeoff or landing, which can be affected by other factors). Denver International Airport (DEN) – Mile-high elevation, mountainous terrain, and fast-changing weather make this the bumpiest ride. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – Nestled in Montana's mountain country, Bozeman often sees gusty winds and dramatic air currents. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) – Hot air and surrounding desert terrain lead to strong updrafts and rough descents. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Mountain winds and lake-effect weather create turbulence even on sunny days. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – Located inside Grand Teton National Park, this scenic landing can be as rough as it is beautiful. So if you're flying into any of these destinations soon, brace yourself and trust your pilot. As Tseko puts it: 'Some of my best landings are in windy conditions because you're just Johnny-on-the-spot. You have to be on your game,' adding 'As a pilot, you just have to deal with it and manage it in the way that you were trained to do it.' lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. MORE ON Expert Travel Hacks For Weather-Safe, Crowd Free Trips Here's How To Avoid Summer Flight Delays And The World's Best Connected Airport Is…
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After 15,000 close calls at one airport, FAA takes action: What is mixed-used airspace?
The deadly midair collision near D.C. prompted calls for stricter airspace rules. The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report into the fatal collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet in January contained the recommendation that the Federal Aviation Administration permanently restrict helicopter flights around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA agreed to implement the NTSB's recommendation. Still, some travelers were left wondering about other parts of the national airspace where commercial flights and other kinds of aircraft, including helicopters and general aviation planes like small Cessnas, can be in close proximity. Flying feels riskier. Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. Experts say this so-called mixed-use airspace is common throughout the country and is generally safe. However, almost everyone agrees that a closer examination is needed after the disaster at DCA. Here's where things stand and what stakeholders hope the next steps will be for regulators. The NTSB is still investigating the crash at DCA, but its preliminary report showed that the helicopter appeared to be out of its designated flight path. As a result, the agency recommended that the FAA permanently restrict helicopter flights around DCA. The FAA, which the Department of Transportation oversees, agreed to implement that recommendation. 'The FAA is taking a series of steps to improve safety around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that follows with the NTSB's recommendations,' the agency said in a statement. 'The FAA will continue to closely support the NTSB-led investigation and take action as necessary to ensure public safety.' Mixed-use airspace is exactly what it sounds like: parts of the sky that multiple kinds of aircraft can use simultaneously. In general, airspace is mixed-use by default. Certain restrictions apply to military corridors and takeoff and landing paths around major airports, but broadly, the skies above the U.S. are open. But it's not a free-for-all, either. Different aircraft are 'deconflicted,' meaning they are set to avoid one another through techniques like assigning different altitudes to various kinds of vehicles, or controllers specifying speed or other requirements to keep aircraft out of one another's paths. Generally, the system works well. As part of the NTSB's report, the agency identified about 15,000 close calls between commercial jets and helicopters near DCA from 2021 to 2024. It's worth emphasizing, however, that in all of those cases, the system worked and collisions were avoided. 'We're dealing, by definition, with congested airspace around airports,' Mark Dombroff, partner of the aviation law practice at Fox Rothschild LLP, told USA TODAY. 'It doesn't necessarily mean the mixed traffic is dangerous, but getting a better understanding of any of this is a positive step.' Is flying safe?: Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. The FAA has permanently restricted mixed traffic around DCA, but it is also investigating other congested parts of the airspace and considering further restrictions. 'The FAA is continuing its analysis of airports that have high volumes of mixed traffic. That includes an assessment of the eight cities where we have charted helicopter routes. These cities are Boston, New York, the Baltimore-Washington area, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles, some of which have multiple airports,' the agency said in a statement. 'The FAA is also assessing the U.S. Gulf Coast, including offshore helicopter operations. The FAA will have corrective action plans for any risks that are identified.' Still, some advocates worry that the FAA could be too slow or reluctant to act. 'We saw what the NTSB analysis was just at DCA. You had 15,000 incidents in a three-year period. All that data is there for the FAA to have,' Jim Brauchle, an aviation attorney at Motley Rice, told USA TODAY. 'Now to say, 'Oh we're going to start looking at the data' − you've had the data. You should have been looking at it already. If your mandate is safety, let's be safe.' DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said at a news briefing on March 11 that the FAA intends to make further safety improvements 'preemptively as opposed to retroactively' going forward. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents pilots at many U.S. airlines, praised the FAA for restricting the airspace around DCA and suggested more could still be done. 'While pilots in the U.S. are the highest trained in the world and are fully capable of operating in the Washington National Airport environment, taking a layer of risk out of it – taking helicopters out of the equation – is a step in the right direction,' he said in a statement. Though it's possible more restrictions will be suggested once the NTSB concludes its investigation, Dombroff said, flying remains extremely safe, regardless of airspace type. 'From a very personal perspective, do I have any reservations about flying in the national airspace system or taking off or landing at airports with FAA air traffic control facilities? The answer is none; I have no reservations. It is a remarkable system.' Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mixed-use airspace under scrutiny: Is flying near helicopters risky?
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After 15,000 close calls at one airport, FAA takes action: What is mixed-used airspace?
The deadly midair collision near D.C. prompted calls for stricter airspace rules. The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report into the fatal collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet in January contained the recommendation that the Federal Aviation Administration permanently restrict helicopter flights around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA agreed to implement the NTSB's recommendation. Still, some travelers were left wondering about other parts of the national airspace where commercial flights and other kinds of aircraft, including helicopters and general aviation planes like small Cessnas, can be in close proximity. Flying feels riskier. Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. Experts say this so-called mixed-use airspace is common throughout the country and is generally safe. However, almost everyone agrees that a closer examination is needed following the disaster at DCA. Here's where things stand and what stakeholders hope the next steps will be for regulators. The NTSB is still investigating the crash at DCA, but its preliminary report showed that the helicopter appeared to be out of its designated flight path. As a result, the agency recommended that the FAA permanently restrict helicopter flights around DCA. The FAA, which the Department of Transportation oversees, agreed to implement that recommendation. 'The FAA is taking a series of steps to improve safety around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that follows with the NTSB's recommendations,' the agency said in a statement. 'The FAA will continue to closely support the NTSB-led investigation and take action as necessary to ensure public safety.' Mixed-use airspace is exactly what it sounds like: parts of the sky that multiple kinds of aircraft can use simultaneously. In general, airspace is mixed-use by default. Certain restrictions apply to military corridors and takeoff and landing paths around major airports, but broadly, the skies above the U.S. are open. That said, it's not a free-for-all, either. Different aircraft are 'deconflicted,' meaning they are set to avoid each other through techniques like assigning different altitudes to various kinds of vehicles, or controllers specifying speed or other requirements to keep aircraft out of each others' paths. Generally, the system works well. As part of the NTSB's report, the agency identified around 15,000 close calls between commercial jets and helicopters near DCA between 2021 and 2024. However, it's worth emphasizing that in all of those cases, the system worked, and collisions were avoided. 'We're dealing, by definition, with congested airspace around airports,' Mark Dombroff, partner of the aviation law practice at Fox Rothschild LLP, told USA TODAY. 'It doesn't necessarily mean the mixed traffic is dangerous, but getting a better understanding of any of this is a positive step.' Is flying safe?: Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. While the FAA has permanently restricted mixed traffic around DCA, it is also investigating other congested parts of the airspace and considering further restrictions. 'The FAA is continuing its analysis of airports that have high volumes of mixed traffic. That includes an assessment of the eight cities where we have charted helicopter routes. These cities are Boston, New York, the Baltimore-Washington area, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles, some of which have multiple airports,' the agency said in a statement. 'The FAA is also assessing the U.S. Gulf Coast, including offshore helicopter operations. The FAA will have corrective action plans for any risks that are identified.' Still, some advocates worry that the FAA could be too slow or reluctant to act. 'We saw what the NTSB analysis was just at DCA. You had 15,000 incidents in a three-year period. All that data is there for the FAA to have,' Jim Brauchle, an aviation attorney at Motley Rice, told USA TODAY. 'Now to say, 'oh we're going to start looking at the data,' you've had the data. You should have been looking at it already. If your mandate is safety, let's be safe.' DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said during a press briefing on March 11 that the FAA intends to make further safety improvements 'preemptively as opposed to retroactively' going forward. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents pilots at many U.S. airlines, previously praised the FAA for restricting the airspace around DCA and suggested more could still be done. 'While pilots in the U.S. are the highest trained in the world and are fully capable of operating in the Washington National Airport environment, taking a layer of risk out of it – taking helicopters out of the equation – is a step in the right direction,' he said in a statement. While it's possible more restrictions will be suggested once the NTSB concludes its investigation, Dombroff said flying remains extremely safe, regardless of airspace type. 'From a very personal perspective, do I have any reservations about flying in the national airspace system or taking off or landing at airports with FAA air traffic control facilities? The answer is none; I have no reservations; it is a remarkable system,' he said. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mixed-use airspace under scrutiny: Is flying near helicopters risky?
USA Today
18-03-2025
- General
- USA Today
After 15,000 close calls at one airport, FAA takes action: What is mixed-used airspace?
After 15,000 close calls at one airport, FAA takes action: What is mixed-used airspace? The FAA is permanently restricting helicopter flights around DCA following a deadly midair collision, raising broader questions about airspace safety and potential changes at other congested airports. Show Caption Hide Caption Common flight maneuvers that might feel unsettling but are normal Here are three surprising flight maneuvers that feel dangerous but are completely safe. A fatal collision between an Army helicopter and a regional jet near DCA prompted the NTSB to recommend restricting helicopter flights in the area. The FAA agreed to the restriction and is evaluating other areas with mixed-use airspace, where different types of aircraft operate in close proximity. Experts say mixed-use airspace is common and generally safe due to air traffic control procedures, but the DCA incident highlights the need for scrutiny. The deadly midair collision near D.C. prompted calls for stricter airspace rules. The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report into the fatal collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet in January contained the recommendation that the Federal Aviation Administration permanently restrict helicopter flights around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA agreed to implement the NTSB's recommendation. Still, some travelers were left wondering about other parts of the national airspace where commercial flights and other kinds of aircraft, including helicopters and general aviation planes like small Cessnas, can be in close proximity. Flying feels riskier. Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. Experts say this so-called mixed-use airspace is common throughout the country and is generally safe. However, almost everyone agrees that a closer examination is needed following the disaster at DCA. Here's where things stand and what stakeholders hope the next steps will be for regulators. The NTSB's recommendations The NTSB is still investigating the crash at DCA, but its preliminary report showed that the helicopter appeared to be out of its designated flight path. As a result, the agency recommended that the FAA permanently restrict helicopter flights around DCA. The FAA, which the Department of Transportation oversees, agreed to implement that recommendation. 'The FAA is taking a series of steps to improve safety around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that follows with the NTSB's recommendations,' the agency said in a statement. 'The FAA will continue to closely support the NTSB-led investigation and take action as necessary to ensure public safety.' What is mixed-use airspace? Mixed-use airspace is exactly what it sounds like: parts of the sky that multiple kinds of aircraft can use simultaneously. In general, airspace is mixed-use by default. Certain restrictions apply to military corridors and takeoff and landing paths around major airports, but broadly, the skies above the U.S. are open. That said, it's not a free-for-all, either. Different aircraft are 'deconflicted,' meaning they are set to avoid each other through techniques like assigning different altitudes to various kinds of vehicles, or controllers specifying speed or other requirements to keep aircraft out of each others' paths. Generally, the system works well. As part of the NTSB's report, the agency identified around 15,000 close calls between commercial jets and helicopters near DCA between 2021 and 2024. However, it's worth emphasizing that in all of those cases, the system worked, and collisions were avoided. 'We're dealing, by definition, with congested airspace around airports,' Mark Dombroff, partner of the aviation law practice at Fox Rothschild LLP, told USA TODAY. 'It doesn't necessarily mean the mixed traffic is dangerous, but getting a better understanding of any of this is a positive step.' Is flying safe?: Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. What else is the FAA doing? While the FAA has permanently restricted mixed traffic around DCA, it is also investigating other congested parts of the airspace and considering further restrictions. 'The FAA is continuing its analysis of airports that have high volumes of mixed traffic. That includes an assessment of the eight cities where we have charted helicopter routes. These cities are Boston, New York, the Baltimore-Washington area, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles, some of which have multiple airports,' the agency said in a statement. 'The FAA is also assessing the U.S. Gulf Coast, including offshore helicopter operations. The FAA will have corrective action plans for any risks that are identified.' Still, some advocates worry that the FAA could be too slow or reluctant to act. 'We saw what the NTSB analysis was just at DCA. You had 15,000 incidents in a three-year period. All that data is there for the FAA to have,' Jim Brauchle, an aviation attorney at Motley Rice, told USA TODAY. 'Now to say, 'oh we're going to start looking at the data,' you've had the data. You should have been looking at it already. If your mandate is safety, let's be safe.' DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said during a press briefing on March 11 that the FAA intends to make further safety improvements 'preemptively as opposed to retroactively' going forward. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents pilots at many U.S. airlines, previously praised the FAA for restricting the airspace around DCA and suggested more could still be done. 'While pilots in the U.S. are the highest trained in the world and are fully capable of operating in the Washington National Airport environment, taking a layer of risk out of it – taking helicopters out of the equation – is a step in the right direction,' he said in a statement. Is flying in mixed-use airspace safe? While it's possible more restrictions will be suggested once the NTSB concludes its investigation, Dombroff said flying remains extremely safe, regardless of airspace type. 'From a very personal perspective, do I have any reservations about flying in the national airspace system or taking off or landing at airports with FAA air traffic control facilities? The answer is none; I have no reservations; it is a remarkable system,' he said. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Trump's Palm Beach County visits are putting a financial strain on Lantana Airport
Palm Beach County Park Airport in Lantana is reeling from the temporary flight restrictions imposed when President Trump visits Mar-a-Lago. Planes cannot fly in or out of the airport, sandwiched between Atlantis and Lake Osborne Estates. Twenty-five businesses are impacted, including multiple flight schools. The airport, commonly referred to as Lantana Airport, is just 5 miles away from Mara-a-Lago. It employs 772 workers, has an annual payroll of $42 million and generates a local community impact of $42 million a year, according to a recent study undertaken by the Palm Beach County Department of Airports. More than 100,000 planes, most of them small ones, took off and landed at the airport in 2023. When asked to detail presidential security impacts, the county Department of Airports' spokeswoman referred The Post to the local airport's fixed-base operator, Stellar Aviation. A spokesman there declined comment. It's not clear exactly what the current financial losses are, but in 2017, the Washington, D.C.-based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, acting on behalf of Lantana Airport, reported that the flight restrictions were decimating small businesses there, costing as much as $30,000 a day for a three-day presidential stay. Stellar Aviation President Jonathan Miller estimated in 2018 that he'd lost $500,000 during Trump's visits, and that was early in Trump's term. The financial losses are likely even higher for Trump's second term as costs have increased during the past eight years. Back then, Stellar Aviation said the impact threatened the survival of many of the businesses. Both the county and Stellar Aviation lose revenue from lost fuel sales, according to the county. A banner-flying company reported a loss of contracts of $40,000 after three closings and a helicopter company relocated. Assistant County Administrator Todd Bonlarron acknowledged that costs to county taxpayers will depend on how often the president visits Mar-a-Lago: the more visits, the greater the impact. As of Feb. 22, Trump had already spent 10 days at Mar-a-Lago during the month, including a six-day stint from Feb. 14-19. And he is expected to return this weekend as well. About 100 small jets, including Lears and Cessnas, use the airport annually. Military aircraft enforce the flight restrictions. The Palm Beach Post reported that the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, confirmed there were three airspace violations of the imposed presidential protected space during Trump's six-day visit to Mar-a-Lago in February. Two occurred on Feb. 15 and one on Presidents Day, Feb. 17. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at mdiamond@ Help support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lantana Airport grounded when President Donald Trump visits Mar-a-Lago
