This approval follows the FAA’s statement, with Japan’s Transport Minister Akihiro Ohta saying: “We have reached a conclusion that there is no problem with the judgment by the FAA. We believe all possible safety measures would be taken to prevent recurrence of similar problems.” Before the planes can take to the skies, batteries must be changed and an approved system must be installed that will keep the lithium ion batteries from overheating and potentially catching fire.

This is particularly good news for the two Japanese airlines who have the Boeing jets. A total of 50 787 Dreamliners are in service across the globe, with nearly half of them being located in Japan. According to the Associated Press, Japan Airlines has seven 787 Dreamliners and All Nippon Airways has 17 of them, making a total of 24 grounded jets.

On top of the requirements that have been set forth by the FAA, Japan is also making the two aforementioned airlines do some additional changes, which includes a new system that allows those on the ground to monitor the voltage of the batteries on the plane. Estimates have it that the jets will be sky-ready by summertime, with All Nippon Airways saying it’ll take about one week to repair a single plane.

[via Yahoo News]

However, before airlines can get the planes back up in the air, Boeing first needs to replace all the batteries in the fleet of around 50 planes, something that probably should’ve been done before the FAA lifted the official ban, but either way, the aircraft manufacturer says the project will be done in a couple of weeks.

The FAA says that repairs to just United Airlines’ six 787 Dreamliners will cost around $2.8 million, which means that fixing the entire Boeing 787 fleet could cost as much as $23.5 million. However, it seems Boeing will be footing the bill, as it’s technically their problem and not the airlines’ per se.

Plans for a new battery design for the 787 began in February shortly after the defunct ones were discovered, and the first test flights following the incident occurred later that month. It was later announced that Airbus would go back to using the traditional nickel-cadmium batteries found in most planes after they heard about Boeing’s fiasco with the new lithuim-ion batteries. In short, we’re not surprised by Airbus’s decision.

[via Reuters]

Before the FAA will lift the ban, however, they will be publishing a set of instructions for operators to follow in order to implement the design changes in all of the 787 Dreamliners currently out there. And while the FAA will lift ban sometime next week, this doesn’t necessarily mean that airlines will start flying the planes again, as they will have their own protocol as to when they decided to get the Dreamliners back up in the air.

As for the changes that operators will need to make, the FAA says that they will need to “install containment and venting systems for the main and auxiliary system batteries, and to replace the batteries and their chargers with modified components.” Once the changes are made to the planes, they’ll be free to fly again.

Plans for a new battery design began in February, with the first test flights following the incident occurring earlier that month. It was later announced that Airbus would go back to using the traditional nickel-cadmium batteries found in most planes after the manufacturer heard about Boeing’s fiasco with the new lithuim-ion batteries.

The New York Times cites sources working with an industry group that the FAA set up last year to study the use of electronic devices on aircraft. This agency hopes to announce by the end of the year that rules for reading devices during takeoff and landing will be relaxed. However, the source is clearly saying that the change in rules would not include mobile phones.

The New York Times says that a member of the working group and an official at the FAA both confirmed this plan, but wanted to remain anonymous because they aren’t allowed to speak publicly. Both of the sources said that the FAA was under pressure to let people use reading devices or provide solid scientific evidence as to why travelers shouldn’t be allowed to use the devices. This will be very difficult to do considering some major airlines now allow pilots and other crew members to use iPads during all phases of flight.

This working group that the FAA set up last year includes some big-name participants including Amazon, the CEA, Boeing, the Association of Flight Attendents, and the FCC among others. The findings from this working group are expected to be announced by July 31, 2013. Part of the push for a change in the rules has to do with the growing number of wearable computing devices that will be coming to market. Specifically things like smartwatches along the lines of the rumored Apple iWatch and things like Google Glass wearable glasses.

[via NYT]

Travel website Gadling got a sneak peek inside of an American Airlines cockpit where the iPads are just starting to roll out. The iPad Electronic Flight Bag essentially replaces 40 lbs. worth of flight manuals and other paperwork with one single iPad, as well as a HyperJuice external battery that acts as a backup battery to extend the iPad’s battery life an extra 24 hours if need be.

The iPad replaces a slew of manuals and books, including all the Jeppesen approach plates, company manuals, and operations manuals that pilots had to haul around all the time. All of that gets stuffed into an iPad, and the tablet gets attached to a mount that sits right beside the pilot for quick and easy access during a flight.

However, there’s still one manual that pilots will be required to carry around, even with the iPads, and that’s the Quick Response Handbook, which provides information on emergency procedures. However, it’s not that big of a manual, so pilots won’t see it as a big deal, especially since they’re getting rid of 40 pounds worth of paperwork already.

So far, American Airlines has approved the iPad for the Boeing 777, 737, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80, while approval for the 757 and 767 is forthcoming. iPad have to go through a series of tests from the FAA, just as rapid decompression in a hypobaric chamber, as well as testing of the iPad mounts.

[via Gadling]

Reuters reports that the investigations into the failed batteries are going well so far. Kelly Nantel, spokeswoman for the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, says that “investigators are moving swiftly and we are making progress.” Authorities from the US, France, and Japan are all investigating into the matter.

However, according to Bloomberg, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (who recently just stepped down from the position), says that investigators are “not feeling any pressure,” and mentioned that the team is “going to get this right,” meaning that they’re not taking any shortcuts whatsoever in order to get the planes back in the air.

However, this means that there’s no specific timeframe when Boeing and the FAA will have the 787 Dreamliners flying again. Tom Haueter, aviation investigations chief at the NTSB, said that the investigation could take years to complete, based on the complexity of the evidence found during the battery failures. In the meantime, airlines are making due without their new 787s in service, and you can bet that Boeing is paying dearly for this incident.

After two fires caused my malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries were reported, the FAA has ordered all US airlines to ground their entire 787 fleet, and the administration also warned international airlines as well, and all of them have heeded the news and grounded their respective 787 Dreamliners.

The battery failures in question are said to possibly start a domino effect with on-board critical systems and structures, as well as the possibility of fire starting on board. The FAA has said that it’ll work with Boeing to come up with a plan to fix the issues and put the new aircrafts back in commission safely and quickly.

Currently, there are only six 787 Dreamliners in commission in the US, all which are operated by United Airlines. Furthermore, Japanese airlines operate 24 Dreamliners, with other international airlines operating 20 of the new planes. In total, there are 50 787 Dreamliners in operation, all of which have been grounded until further notice. United Airlines has said all passengers who were scheduled to fly on a 787 will be flying on different aircrafts for the time being.

[via WSJ]

The FAA is proposing a new rule that would prohibit pilots from using their personal wireless devices in the cockpit. The FAA is specific that the proposed rule would continue to allow iPads and laptops pilots use for work in the cockpit. Some major airlines have begun issuing iPads to pilots with flight manuals and other required reading materials rather than printed versions of the same material.

The reason for this move has to do with reducing weight and saving fuel. The FAA has had a rule the books since 1981 that prohibits pilots from using anything during taxi, takeoff, or landing that could distract them from their duty. That rule is in effect when aircraft are under 10,000 feet.

The new FAA proposal would extend the rule prohibiting personal electronic devices in the cockpit during the entire flight. The proposal from the FAA spans 19 pages and the goal is to reportedly reduce any distractions for the pilots to allow them to better pay attention to air traffic control, weather, environmental hazards, another things.

Retired pilot John Cox runs an aviation consulting company called Safety Operating Systems. He says that the FAA’s proposal is similar to the don’t text while you’re driving rules in effect in many states. You would think not using electronic devices that could distract you if you’re a pilot flying aircraft would be a no-brainer. However, two Northwest Airlines pilots who were using personal laptops accidentally flew 150 miles past their destination in 2009.

[via USA Today]

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski write a letter to acting administrator of the FAA, Michael Huerta, calling on the administration to “enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable devices” during flights. In the letter, Genachowski also said that he would be willing to work with the FAA, airlines, and manufacturers to make his proposal a reality.

Genachowski’s reasoning is something that all passengers can agree with. He says that “mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives. They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost U.S. competitiveness.” We certainly can’t argue with him on that, but the reason behind the electronics ban during flights is much deeper than what’s on the cover.

While you can still technically use electronics once the aircraft hits cruising altitude, usually you’re required to keep them in airplane mode unless the airline offers WiFi. However, it’s always been a strict rule that all electronics are supposed to be completely turned off during landing and takeoff. Hopefully the letter from Genachowski will help the FAA aim in the right direction.

[via The Hill]

Image via Flickr

The newest information here comes from – for the first time, mind you – the Air Force, Marine Corps, and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). These three Military branches have for the first time had their records shown to the public in all cases save for one. That one case is if these flights are only taking place inside their own “restricted airspace” – over their own military bases. Click the map below to see the live map via the EEF and Google Maps.

Across this map you’re going to be able to see drones of many types, with the Air Force testing cute little hand-launched Raven, Puma, and Wasp drones from Aerovironment on the short end. On the larger end you’ll find the scary types of drones, those being the Predator and Reaper drones you may have heard of flying missions overseas in live warzones.

Some of the lighter uses of drones you’ll be finding across the USA are straight from places like the University of Michigan where a “Flying Fish” drone can be found. This drone is made to float over open water for human tracking and is able to reposition itself through flight when it’s moved too far away from its original and intended spot. The U of Michigan also has a drone made to study “persistent solar-powered flight” and goes by the name YellowTale.

Have a peek up north in Minnesota and you’ll find two basic extremes, one of them being a flight that’s been cancelled due to “unacceptable risk” to the National Airspace System. The other you’ll find right near the border with North Dakota and is set for Customs & Border Protection – that one lists a Predator drone and an unknown drone, with the FAA not being especially clear on where the drones are being flown.

Keep your eye on the map and let us know if you find anything interesting as more information is added in the future!

[via The Verge]

The initial trial saw eleven aircraft engineers make use of the specially designed app for the iPad, which taught them specifics about Airbus A340 planes. Etihad are hoping to eventually replace traditional manuals, with all engineers using iPads instead.

Werner Rothenbaecher, Senior Vice President Technical at Etihad, said the iPads made for more “efficient and effective training”, and that one of the many benefits of using iPads is that “additional supporting materials may now be included in the interactive manuals such as images, videos, cockpit voice recordings and incidents reports”.

While aircraft engineers learning about the ins and outs of various planes isn’t a typical use for the iPad, it’s along the lines of what Apple have in mind. Back in January, the company unveiled iBooks 2 for digital textbooks, as well as iBooks Author. Apple were keen to point out how the iPad can be used in an educational environment for interactive textbooks, as well as partnering with three major publishers.

[via TUAW]

That means while passengers are banned from using their iPads in some of those flight phases, pilots are able to use theirs. The New York Times reports that federal regulators are now reconsidering the ban on consumer electronics for passengers during taxiing, take off, and landing. The NYT reports that FAA deputy assistant administrator for public affairs Laura J Brown has said that the FAA has decided to take a “fresh look” at personal electronics on aircraft.

The downside to the FAA revisiting the rules for devices such as tablets and eReaders is that apparently it still does not intend to include smartphones. I think that has more to do with the irritation that having a plane full of users constantly on smartphones would bring. Currently, FAA rules would allow airlines to request the use electronic devices after the airline has demonstrated that the devices won’t interfere with avionics. That rule put the burden of proof on the airlines rather than the federal government so none of the airlines used to that rule. I bet we have a very long time ago before the FAA repeals the ban on some devices during early phases of flight.

[via NYTimes]