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'I don't know what to do': Student pilot on first solo flight caught in US shutdown
FAA ground stop flights cancelled: A nationwide FAA ground stop triggered by a communications network failure disrupted US air travel for more than four hours on Friday, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and forcing airlines to scramble. A student pilot on his first solo cross-country flight was among those caught up in the chaos, while passengers aboard a Southwest flight witnessed an impromptu midair concert by touring rock bands.
Did flights resume after FAA ground stop? Here's what to know if you are travelling with American, Delta, United and JetBlue
Flights in the United States have resumed after a nationwide ground stop was lifted by the FAA. The delay, caused by a telecommunications outage, resulted in thousands of cancellations and delays. Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue have implemented travel waivers for affected passengers. Recovery efforts are expected to take several days as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crews.
Thousands of flights canceled as airlines work to dig out from nationwide ground stop
Airlines across the U.S. experienced major disruptions due to a nationwide ground stop that lasted for over four hours. The ground stop resulted in the cancellation of more than 2,500 flights and left many travelers stranded. Sports teams had to change travel plans, with some opting to take buses instead of flights. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that aging technology contributed to the communication failures experienced.
WATCH: Rock band Hoobastank performs mid-flight for stranded passengers amid FAA ground stop while travelling for the Warped Tour
On November 13, 2026, the skies over the US fell silent for over four hours as a major telecommunications outage grounded flights, breaking a 25-year record of air traffic disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration indicated the effects spanned multiple regional control systems. To lighten the mood, Hoobastank took to the air, performing classic hits for stranded passengers.
Is Sabrina Pasterski the next Einstein? Meet the physicist who built her own aircraft at 12 and is exploring Einstein’s biggest unanswered questions about gravity
Sabrina Pasterski's journey from building an aircraft as a teenager to studying Einstein's biggest unanswered questions has drawn attention to her work in physics. The MIT graduate now researches quantum gravity, black holes and space-time at Canada's Perimeter Institute. She also leads an $8 million research initiative exploring how gravity and quantum mechanics could fit together.
Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro lands in Florida after election defeat
Flavio Bolsonaro, Brazil's defeated presidential candidate, arrived in Florida despite a court order barring his exit. He is currently under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering following his election loss. Bolsonaro's trip included a stop in Ecuador and speculation about his whereabouts had been rampant. Brazilian President Lula condemned his departure from the country as shameful and suspicious.

QClairvoyance's quantum chemistry bet: Transitioning from research to pharma partnerships
QClairvoyance Quantum Labs has performed chemically precise simulations of eight small molecules on an actual quantum computer, marking progress towards drug discovery applications.

Bringing down cost of flying can lead to disruptive aviation growth: Air India executive
Reducing taxes on aviation could make air travel more affordable for average Indians. Air India officials believe this will drive significant growth in passenger traffic. Currently, annual domestic passenger numbers are projected to rise from 340 million to 1.1 billion by 2040. Long-haul flights present a huge market opportunity for Indian carriers, contributing significantly to revenue. Focus on regional connectivity is essential for utilizing airports outside major cities more effectively.

FAA launches investigation after Delta aircraft collides with Air Canada plane: What happened at Los Angeles International Airport?
A Delta Air Lines plane collided with an Air Canada jet at the Los Angeles International Airport. The wingtip of Delta Flight 7 accidentally struck the tail of the Air Canada jet, which had just landed. No injuries were reported, but both planes are now undergoing inspections. Delta Air Lines has expressed regret to the passengers affected by the incident, which disrupted travel plans.

Smit Machchhar’s journey: From ‘why become a pilot?’ to ‘Captain, you are a hero’
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot praised for helping save a flydubai flight after a violent cockpit attack, had never originally planned to enter aviation. A textile engineer who discovered flying at 19, Machchhar went on to become a Boeing pilot, train on the 737 Max and mentor aspiring aviators, describing the profession as a career in which constant learning and composure are essential.

flydubai cockpit attack: Saudi Arabia hands over co-pilot to UAE as investigators probe midair stabbing incident
Saudi Arabia has handed over the Omani flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing Captain Smit Machchhar and attempting to crash Flight FZ1073 to the UAE. The Dubai-Tel Aviv flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk after plunging thousands of feet. Investigators are probing the motive, possible terrorism links and an alleged Iran connection as Netanyahu and Trump weigh in.

World is proud of you: Smit Machchhar, pilot from Mumbai's Ghatkopar, becomes global hero
Smit Machchhar, a daring Flydubai pilot, is receiving widespread recognition for his exceptional bravery during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He bravely subdued his co-pilot, who posed a threat, sustaining injuries in the process. Currently, he is recuperating in a Saudi Arabian hospital, while heartfelt prayers for his swift recovery resonate throughout India.

'Captain Smit Machchhar is a hero': PM Modi hails former pilot SpiceJet pilot aboard Flydubai flight
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery during a Flydubai emergency incident. The captain was injured after his co-pilot attempted to crash the aircraft mid-flight. He managed to send emergency signals and allowed passengers to overpower the assailant. This incident could have resulted in a significant tragedy, but Machchhar's actions saved many lives.

Captain Smit Machchhar saved us from another 9/11: PM Modi hails injured Flydubai pilot, says 'entire world is proud of him'
Captain Smit Machchhar displayed incredible bravery after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073. Despite serious injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene. His actions prevented a potential tragedy and saved the lives of 174 passengers on board. Indian leaders and aviation officials praised Machchhar for his extraordinary courage during the incident.

Flydubai stabbing incident: Pilot Machchhar to be honoured with ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar will be honored with the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his bravery. He intervened during a mid-air emergency and protected the lives of 174 passengers. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel praised Machchhar’s courage and dedication in a post on social media. A special prayer was conducted at Somnath temple to wish for Machchhar's recovery and long life.

On 30 September 1978, a Finnish man hijacked a flight. His demands were four bottles of whisky, a chauffeured limousine and 24 hours alone with his wife
In a weird coincident to today's Flydubai flight hijack scare, 48 years ago another plane was hijacked by a Finnish man. But the hijacker of Finnair Flight 405 had weird demands. He managed to get ransom of about $200,000 in the 17 hour hijack drama during which the plane flew 4500 km journey via Helsinki and Amsterdam.

In the 1960s, Donald Bateman built a cockpit warning system after aircraft kept crashing into terrain; by 1973, the FAA was requiring the technology
C. Donald Bateman invented the Ground Proximity Warning System in the 1960s to prevent controlled flight into terrain accidents. This system provides pilots with crucial alerts about dangerous altitude and proximity to terrain. Despite being equipped with the original GPWS, a tragic crash in Peru highlighted its limitations in preventing all accidents. Modern aircraft benefit from an advanced version known as the Terrain Awareness and Warning System.

Legendary US spy plane vanishes from California base amid mystery over new NASA aircraft
A historic Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird has gone missing from NASA’s Neil Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, igniting speculation about a new cutting-edge experimental aircraft initiative. Recently, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman teased the possibility of revitalizing the agency's fleet of X-planes, suggesting potential ties to the SR-71A. This remarkable aircraft, which hasn't taken to the skies since 1999, symbolizes NASA's ongoing commitment to advanced speed and altitude exploration in aeronautics.

Man quits job to travel across the world with 80 year old father; Video of their emotional journey wins hearts online
In a heartwarming moment, Shrikant Pandey recently celebrated his 80-year-old father's first-ever flight. After the passing of his mother from cancer, Shrikant chose to prioritize family time, capturing the joy and wonder on his father's face as they soared through the skies. The video struck a chord with many, inspiring viewers to reflect on their own cherished moments spent with parents and the vital importance of creating lasting memories.
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