Airborne 02.13.26: Lasers v Cartel UAV?, WiFi Prank Scrambles Jets, ATC Dropouts

Описание: Also: Blended-Wing Aircraft, Free Pilot’s Guide To Airspace, F16 Pilots Earn DFC, Mardi Gras TFR

A lack of coordination between the Defense Department and the FAA over the military’s use of a high-energy, counter-drone laser led to the FAA shutting down the El Paso airspace. Military activity and the use of the counter-drone laser raised immediate concerns by the FAA for civilian traffic arriving and departing El Paso International Airport. Fort Bliss and its airfield, Biggs Army Airfield, sit just north of the commercial airport, which serves about 100 flights each day. A Wizz Air flight headed to Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport was intercepted by Israeli Air Force fighter jets after a concerning WiFi hotspot name was discovered by the cabin crew. While a full security response was triggered, the event turned out to be nothing more than a kid’s ill-conceived prank. While announcing a new audit of the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, the DoT IG gave some behind-the-scenes numbers that show how the controller shortage got as bad as it is today: a trainee failure rate of more than 30% in 2024. This has left current controllers working overtime and six-day workweeks to keep the system moving amid growing travel demand. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-Unlimited!!!

Airborne 02.13.26 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Wednesday, February 13th, 2026... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Holland Lee. Holland is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:

Pentagon Used Laser In El Paso Airspace, Causing Shutdown And Confusion
Wizz Air Gets Fighter Escort After Kid’s WiFi Prank
Air Traffic Controller Trainee Dropouts Hits 30%
Natilus Brings in $28M to Get Blended-Wing Aircraft Airborne
Sportys Publishes Free Pilot’s Guide To Airspace
Three Air National Guard F-16 Pilots Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
No-Drone Zone Temporary Flight Restrictions Noted For Mardi Gras

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