All articles by David Learmount
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AnalysisDespite exceptional 2023 figures, airline safety faces scrutiny after wake-up calls
The airline industry’s exceptional performance in 2023 illustrates how much safety has improved over recent decades – but the new year’s opening week delivered a stark wake-up call.
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AnalysisWas airline industry's exceptional first-half safety performance in 2023 an anomaly?
Only one fatal accident made the first six months of this year exceptional for airline safety – but will a lack of progress on broader improvements cause it to appear as an anomaly in the longer term?
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AnalysisHow a different approach could help reduce airline cockpit vacancies
A new initiative led by the Airline Pilot Club aims to ensure that those completing their instruction have all the skills needed to secure a position flying for an airline.
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In depthCan airline safety improve from average performance in 2022?
With annual accident rates for airliners and associated fatalities having remained roughly stable for a decade, it is time for the industry to tackle the causes of mishaps and improve further.
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NewsDeadly airline accidents reduced, but fatalities climbed in 2022
The world’s airlines suffered 12 fatal accidents in 2022, causing a total of 229 deaths.
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In depthHow airline safety ranked in first half of 2022
The first six months of 2022 involved more fatal airline accidents and resulting fatalities worldwide than during the same period in each of the two previous years, but amid increased flight activity.
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AnalysisWhy younger recruitment drive will help airlines find the right stuff
With a route to the cockpit beyond the financial means of many would-be aviators, new training initiatives are seeking to attract the best candidates without risking breaking the bank.
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AnalysisHow fatal lapses impacted airline safety in 2021
Assessing the airline industry’s recent safety performance is tricky during the pandemic-driven downturn, but alarming and deadly mishaps remain all too common away from the mainline carriers.
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NewsAirline accident fatalities in 2021 more than halved from previous year
The world’s airlines suffered 15 fatal accidents in 2021, causing a total of 134 deaths.
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In depthWhy aviation’s compass is shifting towards True navigation
The aviation sector’s increasingly outdated use of magnetic navigation could be heading for the exit, with Canada championing a Mag2True adjustment, targeted for 2030
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In depthHow pandemic pause shifted focus to safety in first half of 2021
A reduced volume of global flight activity should equate to fewer accidents being recorded, but the current slower rate of working also is providing the industry with extra thinking time aound safety.
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AnalysisHow did airline safety rank in extraordinary 2020?
With a dozen fatal airline accidents reported during 12 months of operations that were severely disrupted by Covid-19, how did aviation’s safety record for 2020 stack up against previous years?
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NewsAirline accident fatalities higher than 2019 despite reduction in flights
Despite the sharp reduction in flying during 2020 because of travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, fatal losses for the last 12 months were just as high as in some recent years. Globally there were 12 fatal airline accidents in 2020, resulting in the deaths of 332 passengers and ...
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In depthCAE to help aspiring pilots fund their training
Scheme to give less-well-off candidates a route to the cockpit could help with supply once demand returns.
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In depthWhy is flightcrew training failing so many?
Regardless of the current crisis, many would-be commercial pilots lack the aptitude to get an airline job. One aviation veteran believes changes to the system are needed – in Europe at least – before the sector starts to recruit again.
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AnalysisSafety: Accidents, lockdowns and shoot-downs under scrutiny
During a half year characterised by coronavirus lockdown, airlines were reminded that political instability remains a risk to flight safety
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AnalysisSafety: Accident reports published in first six months of 2020
Skyward International Aviation Fokker 50, Nairobi, 2 July 2014 Kenyan investigators report the crew of a cargo flight (5Y-CET) continued a night take-off despite multiple warnings of engine problems and crashed some 50s after becoming airborne. The report said the crew of the Skyward International Aviation Fokker 50 departing Nairobi’s ...
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AnalysisAirline safety review January-June 2020
Nothing has been normal about air transport operations during the first half of this year, so analysis is subjective. But, our semi-annual review of global flight safety points to a period that may not have matched the high standards of recent years
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In depthAssumptions on pilots’ reaction to the unexpected are dangerously outdated
As airliners become more automated and a cadre of military-trained airline pilots hands over to commercially sourced flyers, training needs to adapt
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In depthDoes Boeing design fix need to go beyond 737 Max?
After two fatal crashes and a grounding, extensive remedial work should fix the 737 Max; now Boeing must also rethink the basic design philosophy underpinning its future aircraft