Russ Niles

Editor-in-Chief at Canadian Aviator

Writer at AVweb

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Articles

EAGLE Assesses Alaska's Specialized Avgas Needs

1 week ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

Representatives of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative visited Alaska recently to gain a better understanding of the unique circumstances faced by operators and fuel distributors in the far-flung state.
ATC Plan To Be Unveiled Thursday

1 week ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says President Donald Trump supports his plan to modernize the air traffic control system and it will be unveiled on Thursday. In a Fox News interview, Duffy said the multi-billion dollar plan will be transformative. “We are going to radically transform the way air traffic control looks,” Duffy told Laura Ingraham.
Conversion Of Temporary Air Force One Reportedly Under Way

1 week ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

Various reports suggest L3Harris is already at work adding gear to an ex-Qatari Royal Family Boeing 747-8 that President Donald Trump plans to use instead of the heavily modified VC-25s currently used as Air Force One. The Wall Street Journal and MSNBC say their sources have confirmed that the lavishly appointed 12-year-old aircraft is being modified somewhere in Texas.
United Urges FAA To Require Slots At Newark

1 week ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

United Airlines is calling on the FAA to issue slots at Newark Liberty Airport to control access at a time when it's unable to handle the traffic it is generating. In a statement, United CEO Scott Kirby suggested it as a way to restore order at Newark, which has seen hundreds of delays and cancellations over the last week as a combination of technical issues and an unofficial walkout of 20 percent of controllers boiled over into a full-blown crisis.
Politicians Call For End To Unnecessary DCA Blackhawk Flights

1 week ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

Reuters is reporting that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling for more restrictions on Army helicopter operations at Reagan National Airport after two airliners were ordered to go around last Thursday to keep separation from a Blackhawk enroute to the Pentagon. "No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians. Take a taxi or Uber - besides most VIPs have black car service," Duffy said Friday.
Loose Screw May Have Led To Rob Holland Crash

1 week ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

A loose screw on a customized elevator counterweight receptacle may have led to the crash that killed air show legend Rob Holland a week ago. The NTSB issued a preliminary report on the crash that occurred at Langley Air Force Base on April 24 and said the screw, which Holland used to adjust the amount of weight to alter control feel of the MXS depending on the kind of routine he intended to fly.
Equipment Problems, Staff Shortage Cripple Newark Flights

2 weeks ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

Equipment problems compounded with staff shortages to cause massive delays at Newark Airport on Monday night. Hundreds of flights were delayed or diverted starting in the afternoon and although the equipment issues were resolved relatively quickly the unexplained staffing problems at Philadelphia TRACON, which controls the Newark flow, prevented a full recovery.
Cub Cuts Line Of Ski Racers

2 weeks ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

Participants in a ski race in the Italian Alps are calling for action against the pilot of a Swiss-registered Super Cub on skis who cut through the racers during a takeoff on Saturday. The skiers were taking part in the Mezzdalama Trophy, a prestigious skimo back country skiing race, on Monte Rosa. Although the plane went through a sizeable gap in the line of skiers, they were still appalled at what they considered to be a reckless act.
Super Hornet Goes Overboard From Harry S. Truman

2 weeks ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

An F/A-18E Super Hornet and the truck that was towing it fell overboard from the USS Harry Truman when the carrier took evasive action while under attack. The tow vehicle driver managed to jump clear before the $60 million fighter, with the truck still attached tipped over the side into the Red Sea. “The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft,” the Navy said in a statement.
A Rare Crash In An Information Vacuum

2 weeks ago | avweb.com | Russ Niles

I guess I would describe myself as a nodding acquaintance of the late Rob Holland. We spent part of an afternoon at the Abbotsford Air Show years ago shooting a video. He was patient, gracious, forthcoming and laser focused on the task at hand. Ever since, whenever our paths crossed he would give me that nod. That was his way. Never a big showman, no entourages or flashy gear. Pure focus on being better every day. And when that canopy closed, pure aviation magic.