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Howard Slutsken

@wingborn.com

β€’ Proudly πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ aviation writer β€’ Check out my story archive: www.wingborn.com/stories β€’ Editorial & Operations for The Air Current. β€’ β€œThere’s Always an Aviation Angle” βœˆοΈπŸ“ β€’ Ottawa, Ontario

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Latest posts by Howard Slutsken @wingborn.com

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09.03.2026 14:48 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Trump's executive order on drones will shape U.S. eVTOL roll-out FAA’s Beyond program for small UAS will provide established structure and waiver authority for eVTOL integration effort.

Lots of buzz around the eIPP today, including Beta Technologies kicking off its Q4 earnings call with an eIPP rap to the tune of O.P.P. (yeah you know me) 🎀

From August, here's my feature for @theaircurrent.com on how the eIPP came to be: theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...

09.03.2026 16:01 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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The Air Current App - App Store Download The Air Current by JAO Aero Media LLC on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like The Air Current.

We've officially kicked off internal beta testing of @theaircurrent.com's app for Android phones and tablets. This has been a hugely requested feature from our subscribers and we'll have it in your hands soon.

In the meantime, iOS users can grab it here: apps.apple.com/us/app/the-a...

03.03.2026 19:09 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This incisive piece of analysis from @jonostrower.com is now free for all readers as a public service, given the evolving and incredibly critical nature of the conflict.

Read more ⬇️

03.03.2026 16:27 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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With Iran strikes, geopolitical chaos again haunts commercial aviation Disruption and uncertainty land at the crossroads of global aviation and again test its resilience

News Analysis: With Iran strikes, geopolitical chaos again haunts commercial aviation theaircurrent.com/analysis/us-... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

02.03.2026 04:55 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2
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After DCA crash, Congress acts to mandate decades-old aircraft tracking tech Bipartisan ROTOR Act would mandate ADS-B in, close military helicopter β€œloophole” for key surveillance technology

As the U.S. House considers two different aviation safety proposals, @theaircurrent.com has dropped the paywall on my Oct. '25 feature on the ROTOR Act and the fight over mandating ADS-B In.

Available for free as a public service. Read here: theaircurrent.com/aviation-pol...

20.02.2026 21:51 πŸ‘ 22 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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NTSB publishes final report on January 2025 D.C. midair collision, capping off a year-long investigation - The Air Current

NEWS: NTSB publishes its final DCA investigative report, capping off a year-long investigation. Document is roughly 400 pages.

via @theaircurrent.com TAC/Intel (no paywall): theaircurrent.com/intel/ntsb-p...

17.02.2026 19:22 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Just saw a Japanese travel YouTuber starting a video with "so Japan's not a budget travel destination", and… what?!

As a person earning in any Western currency, Japan is *incredibly* inexpensive if you want and need it to be. Tokyo is the cheapest international city I visit regularly.

13.02.2026 08:13 πŸ‘ 42 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 6
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Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong D.C. midair crash was the result of a complete collapse of the protections designed to keep aviation safe β€” and the institutions that design and maintain them

NTSB Chair today references 2013 near midair collision that was nearly identical to series of events that led up to the Jan. 2025 crash near DCA airport which killed 67 people.

This 2013 event was reported by @theaircurrent.com in December: theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...

12.02.2026 16:26 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

In 800ish landings nothing was as wild as this. Absolutely wild. Loved it.

10.02.2026 14:09 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Holy crap, that was insane!

I’ve been on a lot of flights to some interesting places doing what I do, but that was BY FAR the most heart pounding landing. St Barth over the hill with some very interesting crosswinds today. Even the seasoned pilot said today was β€œinteresting.”

10.02.2026 13:45 πŸ‘ 258 πŸ” 32 πŸ’¬ 16 πŸ“Œ 3

The Air Current is always looking for great journalists to expand our coverage of aviation, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and everything adjacent. If you're curious what that might look and feel like for your next act, please reach out.

04.02.2026 18:46 πŸ‘ 49 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 3

Just one example of the relevant, timely information you get as a subscriber to @theaircurrent.com (this graf is behind our paywall):

30.01.2026 20:53 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The team from @theaircurrent is seeking more information on this statement from the President. A massive amount of the U.S. fleet of mainline, regional, helicopter and military aircraft are "made in Canada."

30.01.2026 00:28 πŸ‘ 692 πŸ” 189 πŸ’¬ 78 πŸ“Œ 82
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FAA moves to codify existing DCA helicopter restrictions into law Helicopters and powered-lift operations now permanently limited in airspace following fatal January 2025 crash

FAA moves to codify existing DCA helicopter restrictions into law theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent

22.01.2026 20:03 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The accountability problem exposed by the first Garmin Autoland deployment Garmin and the FAA expected Autoland would be used following pilot incapacitation, an assumption that was overturned in December. What happens now?

The accountability problem exposed by the first Garmin Autoland deployment theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

21.01.2026 22:47 πŸ‘ 34 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2
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In UPS crash, NTSB probing MD-11 engine mount issue first identified by Boeing in 2011 Rare mid-investigation update sheds light on previously disclosed engine attachment cracks

In UPS crash, NTSB probing MD-11 engine mount issue first identified by Boeing in 2011 theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @willguisbond.com & @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

14.01.2026 22:49 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 9 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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What Peraton signed up for as ATC modernization’s β€˜prime integrator’ Now largely in charge of FAA modernization, Peraton becomes the center of an ambitious project and inherits immense political, reputational and financial risk

Analysis: Who is Peraton? And what did they sign up for as lead contractor of the Trump admin's effort to modernize air traffic control?

These are questions I attempt to answer in my latest for @theaircurrent.com:

theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-...

13.01.2026 13:40 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Inside US Plans to reopen WWII air bases for war with China The United States is expanding "air corridors" that will deliver combat power to China's doorstep in a future conflict.

Inside US Plans To Reopen WWII Air Bases for War With China www.newsweek.com/inside-us-pl... (via Carter Johnston & @newsweek.com)

05.01.2026 02:14 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong D.C. midair crash was the result of a complete collapse of the protections designed to keep aviation safe β€” and the institutions that design and maintain them

For the last few months, I've been working on a story about January's crash near Washington, D.C. What I learned was that it was simply an accident waiting to happen.

Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...

18.12.2025 18:26 πŸ‘ 306 πŸ” 101 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 19

Almost 16 years to the day since the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has finally flown an all-new commercial aircraft β€” this one with four passenger seats and no pilot.

A bigger take from @theaircurrent.com on what this milestone means for the 797. Spoiler: A lot.

17.12.2025 19:42 πŸ‘ 27 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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The Air Current App - App Store Download The Air Current by JAO Aero Media LLC on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like The Air Current.

So, what do you all think of the new @theaircurrent.com app? Keen to hear your feedback. apps.apple.com/us/app/the-a...

10.12.2025 16:27 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Vertical Aerospace wants the stock market to take it seriously Company hopes unveiling of new eVTOL design will help boost its stock price and fundraising prospects

Vertical Aerospace wants the stock market to take it seriously theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

09.12.2025 00:35 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Now available on the Apple App Store: The Air Current for iPhone & iPad

Now available on the Apple App Store: The Air Current for iPhone & iPad

TAC/Intel: Real-time, short-form intelligence updates on everything from aircraft programs, airline performance and global competition to industry strategy, supply chain and regulation.

TAC/Intel: Real-time, short-form intelligence updates on everything from aircraft programs, airline performance and global competition to industry strategy, supply chain and regulation.

Airflow: High-value headlines from across aviation, defense and space

Airflow: High-value headlines from across aviation, defense and space

Standby for news: Instant notification of new scoops, features and insights

Standby for news: Instant notification of new scoops, features and insights

πŸš€ The Air Current app is here.

- Standby for news: Instant notification of new scoops, features & insights
- TAC/Intel: Real-time, short-form updates
- Listen to TAC: Audio for soaking up TAC on the go
- Airflow: Headlines from across aviation, defense & space
apps.apple.com/us/app/the-a...

25.11.2025 22:47 πŸ‘ 23 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Some Airline CEOs Pushed Trump Officials to Justify Flight Cuts Days before US government-mandated flight cuts went into effect across domestic carriers, some airline executives privately pressed for more information on whether the safety data justified the Trump ...

This @bloomberg.com story supports the reporting laid out by @theaircurrent.com last week (theaircurrent.com/airlines/air...)

Some Airline CEOs Pushed Trump Officials to Justify Flight Cuts (via @allyversprille.bsky.social et al) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

11.11.2025 15:44 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Open your Photos app

Search β€œAirplane”

Scroll down to what you think is exactly halfway and screenshot it

Post.

#AvGeek

29.10.2025 18:30 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Okay, real talk: The rejected headline for this article was β€˜GE wants its customers to pound sand’.

13.10.2025 13:23 πŸ‘ 29 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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GE’s quest to keep an engine on the wing where it belongs An industry’s economics, and a willingness to embrace new technology, hinge on rebuilding the durability of GE Aerospace’s latest engines.

GE’s quest to keep an engine on the wing where it belongs theaircurrent.com/engine-devel... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

13.10.2025 00:11 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 3
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Duffy to air traffic controllers: β€˜Show up for work’ Frustrated with staffing-induced delays, the secretary mixes his support with a stern warning

New from me: Duffy's message to controllers is shifting. Its gone from buying pizza for them to "Show up for work. You’ve got a job to do."

Watch this space as the shutdown develops.

Duffy to air traffic controllers: β€˜Show up for work’ (via
@theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

09.10.2025 17:09 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 4
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Airbus CEO: A220-500 launch paced by program profitability Crucial 2026 ahead for A220 program as Airbus CEO targets production ramp and breakeven

Airbus CEO: A220-500 launch paced by program profitability theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

09.09.2025 20:13 πŸ‘ 23 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1