Tom Risen
Washington, D.C.
NYT bestselling co-author of "The Last Honest Man" about the CIA, FBI, NSA investigations by the Senate #ChurchCommittee.
Tweets = just me. Retweets not, etc.
Articles by Tom Risen
GoAERO Awards $500,000 to Stage 1 Teams
30 Mar 2025 08:35 AM 0 GoAERO Awards $500,000 to Stage 1 Teams By Tom Risen, Managing Editor Vertiflite, Mar/Apr 2025 The GoAERO Prize global competition to create emergency response flyers announced on Feb. 11 the award of $100,000 to 11 industry and university teams for their Stage 1 prototype designs, as well as $400,000 to 14 teams at US universities with support from NASA. Three teams won support from both.
18th Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium Was a Great Success
10 Sep 2024 12:21 AM 0 18th Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium Was a Great Success By Tom Risen, Managing Editor Vertiflite Sept/Oct 2024 VFS hosted its annual EAS, featuring talks by leaders from across the global AAM community.
Evolito’s Breakthrough Axial Motors
16 Apr 2024 07:47 PM 0 Evolito’s Breakthrough Axial Motors By Tom Risen Vertiflite, May/June 2024 Lightweight electric motors can power a diverse range of aircraft types. Bicester, UK-based Evolito plans to match demand for electric aircraft once regulators enable large-scale revenue flights by designing electric powertrains that are efficient, lightweight and cost-effective enough to support the nascent sector.
Six Decades of Women in Space
NASA has celebrated the launch anniversaries of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Guion “Guy” Bluford, the first African-American in space, without many Americans asking why the Soviet Union beat NASA to those diversity milestones years ahead of time.
Air Canada turned profitable in 2023 on international travel growth
Air Canada in the fourth quarter of 2023 turned an operating profit of C$79 million ($58.6 million), bouncing back from the C$28 million operating loss it reported for that quarter in 2022 following the end of Canada’s Covid-19 travel restrictions. The Montreal-based airline generated C$5.2 billion in operating revenue during the fourth quarter, up 11% year on year and driven by recovery of both domestic and international routes.
Electro.Aero Seeks to Power Electric Aviation
03 Jan 2024 01:09 PM 0 Electro.Aero Seeks to Power Electric Aviation By Tom Risen Vertiflite, Jan/Feb 2024 Advanced air mobility routes require rapid aircraft battery recharging.
The Anti-Tech Dystopia of "Dune"
Life during the Covid-19 pandemic would be even more difficult without the Internet and automation, making it timely for a new "Dune" film to portray a distant future where humanity is devastated by our dependence on machines. Director Dennis Villeneuve released his adaptation of the science fiction epic in October 2021, both on HBO Max and in movie theaters. The release was delayed from 2020 to make it safer for people to view and hear the space fantasy in theaters.
Back to the Moon - but why?
President Donald Trump’s call on NASA to land American astronauts on the Moon by 2024 is the latest episode in a long-running saga of making grand promises about human spaceflight. Presidents in recent decades have sought to recapture the world’s imagination in that same way by tasking NASA with accomplishing new feats. Despite their passion, these administrations – both Democratic and Republican – have not always given NASA consistent direction on human spaceflight.
Airline Unions Organize for Biden in Texas and Georgia
As election day looms, numerous US airline-related trade unions have endorsed Democratic candidates, particularly in two battleground states that are also home to thousands of airline workers seeking an extension of federal payroll stimulus. Unions have recognised an opportunity to turn out votes for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in traditionally Republican Georgia, home to Delta Air Lines, and Texas, where American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are based.
ANALYSIS: Back to the Moon - but why?
US President Donald Trump's call on NASA to land American astronauts on the Moon by 2024 is the latest episode in a long-running saga. For speechwriters – and indeed for many Americans – former president John F Kennedy's "we choose to go to the Moon" declaration, made in a set-piece speech to a football stadium crowd at Rice University in Houston in September 1962, is nearly as memorable as the Apollo 11 landing that followed seven years later.
Surviving Coronavirus with ‘The Decameron’ Book Club
Quaranteaming: ‘The Decameron’ depicts 10 youths sheltering from the plague in medieval Florence Anybody who needs a reminder of how long a pandemic can last should look at the life of Giovanni Boccaccio, who survived years of bubonic plague outbreaks in medieval Italy.
Surviving Coronavirus with ‘The Decameron’ Book Club
Quaranteaming: ‘The Decameron’ depicts 10 youths sheltering from the plague in medieval Florence Anybody who needs a reminder of how long a pandemic can last should look at the life of Giovanni Boccaccio, who survived years of bubonic plague outbreaks in medieval Italy.
World War II veteran sells his Pearl Harbor plane
TOM RISEN Staff Writer Tuesday Jul 22, 2008 at 9:32 AM Jul 23, 2008 at 6:27 AM ADELANTO� After a lifetime of flying, a World War II veteran is selling his last and favorite plane � one that saw America's first civilian casualties at Pearl Harbor. Built about the same time that Phil Brown, 87, decided to be a pilot after meeting his hero, aviation pioneer Wiley Post, the 1933 Waco UCI is a big part of history. Flying the Waco, Brown won awards at the Hesperia Air Show and Merced Air Show.
FAA expands Boeing 737NG crack inspections
The US Federal Aviation Administration has mandated that airlines with Boeing 737NG aircraft that have completed a high rate of flight cycles must re-inspect hardware known as "pickle forks" that connect a wing to a fuselage. Boeing notified the FAA that one operator found a crack outside of the original section of the fuselage the FAA had mandated for inspection in October.
Boeing aims to resume 737 Max deliveries in December
Boeing says 737 Max deliveries could resume in December as it announced the completion of the first of five milestones to gain approval of safety modifications from the US Federal Aviation Administration to return those aircraft to service. This estimate, however, is based on the airframer's assertion that the FAA could rescind the grounding of Max aircraft during the fourth quarter.
Alaska Q3 profit driven by Hawaii routes
Alaska Air Group reported a net profit of $322 million during the third quarter, compared to $217 million during the same quarter in 2018 as the company continues its aggressive cost management mentality. The Seattle-based parent company of Alaska Airlines and regional carrier Horizon Air on 24 October reported operating revenue grew by 8% to $2.4 billion, up from $2.2 billion during the third quarter in 2018.
Spirit Q3 profit hit by heavy weather
News Airlines Business strategy Spirit Q3 profit hit by heavy weather 24 October, 2019 SOURCE: Cirium Dashboard BY: Tom Risen Washington DC Spirit Airlines reports $992 million in operating revenue during its third quarter, a 10% increase compared with the same quarter during 2018, delivering an $83.5 million profit as the ultra-low-cost carrier plans to build a new headquarters in Fort Lauderdale and expand its Airbus fleet.
Lufthansa partners on automated actuator MRO
Lufthansa Technik AG and the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, aim to develop a faster, more precise procedure to diagnose safety-critical hydraulic flight control actuators through a joint project that runs through the end of 2020. This Hydraulic Diagnostics (HyDiag) project between the university and Lufthansa's MRO company is developing an automated, non-invasive diagnostic procedure aimed at detecting damage or making precise adjustments beyond the capability of human inspections.
Southwest cancels 737 Max flights into February
Southwest Airlines is extending cancellation of flights on its fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft through 8 February, days after its pilots' union estimated the aircraft would take longer to return to service than the Texas-based airline's previous cancellation through 5 January. The carrier states 17 October that it is monitoring efforts by Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration to modify software on Max aircraft and to develop training requirements.
Southwest pilots expect longer 737 Max return to service
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) does not expect that the Boeing 737 Max aircraft will return to service with the carrier before February 2020. The Dallas-based airline has removed 737 Max 8s from its flight schedules through to 6 January.
Southwest grounds two 737NGs with structural cracks
News Airlines Ops & safety Southwest grounds two 737NGs with structural cracks 09 October, 2019 SOURCE: Cirium Dashboard BY: Tom Risen Washington DC Southwest Airlines removed two Boeing 737NG aircraft from service because of structural cracks discovered during inspections mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration of such aircraft that had completed 30,000 flight cycles.
FAA seeks nominees for Women in Aviation Advisory Board
The US Federal Aviation Administration on 9 October announced the establishment of an advisory board to find ways to boost the recruitment of women into the aviation industry, nearly four months after a congressional deadline to appoint board members. Encouraging women to join aerospace could be vital to address a potential worldwide pilot shortage, so Congress last October passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 that mandated the creation of the Women in Aviation Advisory Board.
Boeing reports 38 cracks on global 737NG fleet
Airlines have reported discovering 38 structural cracks after inspecting 810 Boeing 737NG aircraft in fleets worldwide, the Chicago-based airframer says. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered airlines to inspect 737NGs that had completed 30,000 flight cycles by 10 October.
Boeing partners with Porsche on flying taxis
German automaker Porsche is forming a team with Boeing to analyze demand for vertical takeoff flying taxis designed to ferry people around cities and over gridlock traffic as it aims to stay in step with the next generation of travel. Porsche Engineering Services and Studio FA Porsche will help Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences develop and test a prototype electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, or eVTOL.
Boeing bets on space with Virgin Galactic investment
Boeing will invest $20 million in Virgin Galactic to "broaden commercial space access and transform global travel technologies" the companies announced on 8 October. Leanne Caret, chief executive of Boeing's space division, says in a statement that “together we will change how people travel on Earth, and among the stars, for generations to come”.
Southwest pilots sue Boeing for 737 Max damages
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) on 7 October announced it filed a lawsuit against Boeing seeking damages for the 10,000 pilots represented by the association who have lost compensation since the grounding of Boeing 737 Max in March 2019.
DOT denies Hawaiian, Japan Airlines immunity benefits
US regulators say the proposed joint venture between Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines is not anti-competitive but does not merit their request for antitrust immunity. The US Department of Transportation on 3 October issued a show cause order tentatively approving the agreement between both companies. Hawaiian intends on "emphasising" to the DOT the consumer value of its request for antitrust immunity, the Honolulu-based airline says in a statement.
ANALYSIS: Delegating FAA safety certification after Max crashes
The US government faces a challenge addressing concerns about a controversial process that allowed Boeing to conduct parts of its safety certification for its 737 Max aircraft on behalf of regulators. Aircraft safety technicians say limited government resources leave few alternatives to replace that process of delegating engineering data approvals to companies during certification even as the US Federal Aviation Administration faces pressure to reform its oversight.
FAA grants first drone airline approval for UPS
Hospitals will soon have greater access to drone deliveries of healthcare supplies from UPS Flight Forward now that the Atlanta-based company gained the first-ever drone airline certificated from the US Federal Aviation Administration. The agency awarded Part 135 certification to operate as a drone delivery airline on 27 September, giving Flight Forward permission to fly multiple drones beyond line of sight during revenue deliveries.
FAA grants first drone airline approval for UPS
Hospitals will soon have greater access to drone deliveries of healthcare supplies from UPS Flight Forward now that the Atlanta-based company gained the first-ever drone airline certificated from the US Federal Aviation Administration. The agency awarded Part 135 certification to operate as a drone delivery airline on 27 September, giving Flight Forward permission to fly multiple drones beyond line of sight during revenue deliveries.
FAA denies misleading Congress on 737 Max
Lawmakers on 25 September scrutinised the US Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of the aircraft safety certification process, including whether the agency misled the US Senate about the qualifications of inspectors to certify and assess pilot training for Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
Boeing and Safran invest in Electric Power Systems
Boeing and Safran on 17 September announced a joint investment in Electric Power Systems (EPS), giving the Utah-based company more resources to develop batteries for urban air mobility and electric aircraft projects, eventually at an industrial scale.
House seeks Boeing interviews on 737 Max
Top Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure want Boeing to make employees available for interviews ahead of another planned hearing into the design, development and certification of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The committee declined to provide a copy of the letter sent on 12 September to Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg by lawmakers Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Rick Larsen of Washington.
Labour board favors Boeing in IAM union dispute
A US National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) panel says 178 technicians and inspectors at Boeing's 787 factory in South Carolina cannot organise as a union, which could deal a blow to workers nationwide seeking to organise "micro units" representing small parts of a company.
Atlas CEO seeks trade certainty from Washington
Policymakers must take a long-term view on trade with nations including China to reduce uncertainty among air cargo carriers and customers that rely on their decisions to plan investments, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings chief executive William Flynn said in a speech on 10 September in Washington, DC. “Uncertainty certainly hurts large and small companies,” Flynn told an audience at a luncheon hosted by the Aero Club of Washington.
Atlas CEO seeks trade certainty from Washington
Policymakers must take a long-term view on trade with nations including China to reduce uncertainty among air cargo carriers and customers that rely on their decisions to plan investments, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings chief executive William Flynn said in a speech on 10 September in Washington, DC. “Uncertainty certainly hurts large and small companies,” Flynn told an audience at a luncheon hosted by the Aero Club of Washington.
Panel extends inquiry into FAA's 737 Max certification
An international panel of safety technicians will take additional time in its review of how the US Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing 737 Max aircraft that have been grounded since March, including how the agency allowed the airframer to oversee parts of its own certification. The Joint Authorities Technical Review panel "expects to submit its observations, findings and recommendations in the coming weeks", the FAA says in a statement on 30 August.
Air Canada to begin year-round Toulouse flights
Air Canada will begin five-times-weekly flights between Montreal and Toulouse on 4 June 2020. The Star Alliance carrier notes that this will be the only year-round service between the Canadian and French aerospace hubs. Airbus is headquartered in Toulouse, and the European airframer's A220 jet is manufactured at Mirabel near Montreal. Airbus A330-300s configured with 292 seats will be used to operate the Montreal-Toulouse flights.
Rostec unit sues Boeing alleging 737 Max fraud
Russian aircraft lessor Avia Capital Services is suing Boeing for at least $115 million, alleging that the airframer deceptively sold 737 Max aircraft on the premise that the aircraft were properly certificated, and that pilots would not need months of additional training. Avia, a subsidiary of Russian aerospace firm Rostec, filed the lawsuit on 26 August in Cook County, Illinois, which is the jurisdiction of Boeing's Chicago headquarters.
Atlas, Southern cargo pilots lose labor arbitration
News Airlines Ops & safety Atlas, Southern cargo pilots lose labor arbitration 27 August, 2019 SOURCE: Flight Dashboard BY: Tom Risen Washington DC Pilots of Southern Air and sister carrier Atlas Air must combine their seniority lists as part of labour negotiations following a decision by a third-party arbitrator, the latest development in a three-and-a-half-year dispute between pilots and management.
Transat shareholders approve Air Canada buyout
Shareholders of Transat during a meeting on 23 August approved a proposal for Air Canada to acquire all its issued and outstanding shares, a deal that would give Canada's largest carrier opportunity to expand its global network. A 95% majority of Transat's voting shareholders approved the agreement for Air Canada to buy the parent company of Air Transat for C$18 ($13.53) per share, which would make the cash transaction worth C$720 million.
US airlines forecast Labor Day travel increase
US airlines expect the ongoing grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft will eliminate 326 average daily scheduled departures during the third quarter of 2019, but traffic during the Labor Day holiday is forecast to rise by 4% compared with the same period in 2018.
Avianca Brasil to leave Star Alliance
Sao Paulo-based Ocean Air Linhas Aereas, which operated as Avianca Brasil, will leave the Star Alliance network of airlines effective 1 September, following several months of bankruptcy proceedings and the withdrawal of its air operations certificate by regulators in Brazil. Star Alliance chief executive Jeffrey Goh says in the announcement on 19 August that the exit of Avianca Brasil "in no way affects the membership of Avianca SA, our valued member based in Bogota, Colombia".
Competition bureau approves WestJet buyout
The Canadian Competition Bureau has granted approval without conditions to Onex Partners for its acquisition of WestJet, removing another regulatory obstacle and bringing the Toronto-based private equity firm closer to completing the buyout.
ANALYSIS: Trade tensions slow air freight demand
Demand for air cargo deliveries declined in June for an eighth consecutive month, according to IATA's latest report, which cites US-China trade tension as a contributing factor. Air freight demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), decreased by 4.8% year-on-year in June, says the trade group's report, published 7 August. “Global trade continues to suffer as trade tensions, particularly between the US and China, deepen," says IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac.
American Airlines to begin Africa service in 2020
American Airlines will begin a nonstop seasonal service to Moroccan city Casablanca on 4 June 2020, marking the US major's first entry into the African market. The carrier also plans to expand its network in eastern Europe next year. Flights from Philadelphia to Casablanca will be operated thrice weekly by American, using Boeing 757s. Royal Air Maroc is joining the Oneworld alliance, of which American is already a member, in January.
ATSG adds four leases to UPS amid Q2 loss
Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) reports a loss of $26 million for the second quarter, while reinforcing that new aircraft leases to UPS underscore that its core business remains ripe for growth. The loss reported by the Ohio-based aircraft leasing company contrasted with a net profit of $24 million during the same quarter in 2018 amid higher operating expenses.
ATSG adds four leases to UPS amid 2Q loss
Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) reports a loss of $26 million for the second quarter, while reinforcing that new aircraft leases to UPS underscore that its core business remains ripe for growth. The loss reported by the Ohio-based aircraft leasing company contrasted with a net profit of $24 million during the same quarter in 2018 amid higher operating expenses.
DOT tentatively approves Delta-Air France-KLM-Virgin deal
The US Department of Transportation has tentatively granted antitrust immunity to the joint venture proposed by Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic Airways. A show cause order the agency filed on 2 August begins a public comment period about the deal, which would enable the carriers to coordinate their operations between the US and Europe. During the comment period the airlines may begin making arrangements to expand their cooperation, the order says.
Atlas earnings dampened by trade headwinds in second quarter
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings swung to an $87 million net profit during the second quarter ending 30 June despite drags on earnings, including trade tensions, higher heavy maintenance and lower cargo and passenger flight demand from its military customers. The Purchase, New York-based parent company of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo reported a loss of $21 million during the second quarter of 2018.
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