Aviation on Edge: How the Government Shutdown Threatens the Skies

Good morning! 

In today’s email:

• FAA Workers Say Safety Is Slipping as Shutdown Deepens

• Around the Skies: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum closes amid shutdown turmoil, New FAA rules reshape D.C. helicopter traffic, Steady skies ahead for Embraer’s Q3 results, Used jet prices hold steady in September, Burbank Airport operates for hours without controllers, Jet charter firm takes GE and Bombardier to court, NTSB faults controller oversight in San Diego close call

• PilotTube: Bearhawk 5 Review—Built for the Wild, Born to Haul

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

“Dangerous Game:” Shutdown Standoff Puts Aviation Safety on the Line

A growing coalition of aviation unions is warning that the ongoing federal government shutdown isn’t just a political stalemate; it’s a threat to public safety. Speaking outside the American Federation of Government Employees headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, called the situation “a dangerous game.” She joined leaders from several unions, including those representing air traffic controllers, engineers and inspectors, urging Congress to end the shutdown before it causes lasting damage to the nation’s aviation system.

More than 11,000 FAA employees have been furloughed while tens of thousands of others such as air traffic controllers, TSA agents and safety inspectors continue to work without pay. Nelson warned that the situation is “increasingly unsafe” as controllers face mounting pressure and distractions. “What could be more of a distraction than not getting a paycheck?” she asked. “Not knowing if you can keep your child alive or make good on what your loved ones need you to do?” Her comments underscore a growing fear that the shutdown is eroding the focus and morale of those responsible for keeping the skies safe.

The impact is already visible. Major airports from Denver to Newark are reporting flight delays and the FAA acknowledges that staffing shortages are disrupting safety operations and modernization projects. Controllers are working 10-hour shifts six days a week to cover a shortage of nearly 4,000 certified professionals. At the same time, about 40 percent of the FAA’s engineering and certification staff remain furloughed, halting vital safety and technology work. “We simply don’t have enough hands on deck,” said Professional Aviation Safety Specialists president David Spero.

Union leaders expect a prolonged fight ahead. The White House has floated permanent workforce cuts, prompting lawsuits and fierce criticism from union officials. “Congress, do your damn job,” demanded Randy Erwin of the National Federation of Federal Employees. “Pass the budget. That’s going to require a little compromise.” Until that happens, the people guiding aircraft, inspecting equipment and protecting passengers are carrying the full weight of the system on their shoulders—and even the most skilled professionals can only hold that line for so long.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum closed its doors on October 12 as the government shutdown continued, grounding the world’s largest collection of aviation and space artifacts. The Smithsonian had remained open through October 11 using leftover funds, but when those ran out both the D.C. museum and the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia went dark. The closure came amid a $1 billion redesign transforming all 20 galleries ahead of the museum’s 50th anniversary in 2026. For aviation fans, it marked a temporary pause in one of America’s most iconic stories of flight.

🛩️ The FAA issued new helicopter route updates around Washington, D.C., tightening safety measures after January’s fatal midair collision near Reagan National. Routes 1 and 5 remain limited to medical and law enforcement flights with several nearby zones now reduced in size. Adjustments at Baltimore/Washington and Dulles include new routing and altitude changes to improve aircraft separation. The goal is to keep the capital’s busy skies safer and better organized.

🛩️ Embraer kept production steady in the third quarter, delivering 62 aircraft that included 41 business jets, 20 airliners and one military model. The Phenom 300E once again led the pack, accounting for nearly half of executive jet deliveries and extending its 13-year streak as the world’s best-selling light jet. Commercial output saw a slight lift with 20 E-Jets handed over compared to 16 a year ago. With strong year-end forecasts and rising demand for its Praetor lineup, Embraer looks poised to finish 2025 flying high.

🛩️ Used jet prices held steady in September, rising less than 1 percent as inventories climbed about 4 percent, according to Sandhills Global. Turboprops and Robinson helicopters saw the biggest gains while piston aircraft prices dipped slightly. With the post-pandemic boom now behind it, the used aircraft market appears to be cruising smoothly into year’s end.

🛩️ Hollywood Burbank Airport went six hours without on-site air traffic controllers last Monday evening, underscoring the growing strain of the ongoing federal shutdown. Controllers in San Diego managed flights remotely while pilots coordinated movements on the ground, leading to delays of more than two hours. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the lapse, blaming the shutdown for the staffing shortfall. With no deal in Washington, the nation’s airspace is beginning to feel the squeeze.

🛩️ Hop-A-Jet has filed suit against GE Aerospace, Bombardier and several maintenance firms over last year’s fatal Challenger 604 crash on a Florida highway that killed two pilots and injured three others. The company claims corrosion in GE’s CF34 engines caused the dual failure that forced the emergency landing and alleges the manufacturer knew about the issue for years. Bombardier and others are accused of missing warning signs during inspections. The NTSB’s investigation is still underway but the case has reignited debate over safety and accountability in business aviation.

🛩️ The NTSB blamed “poor judgment” and weak supervision for a 2023 runway incident at San Diego International that brought a Southwest 737 and a Citation within 100 feet of each other. Investigators said the controller was distracted by unrelated tasks while the supervisor focused on fixing a printer instead of monitoring traffic. No one was hurt but the report serves as a sharp reminder that even small distractions can lead to serious risks on the runway.

PilotTube

In this video, John McCardle travels to Bearhawk Aircraft in Fairview, Oklahoma to pick up Bird Dawg—the first Bearhawk 5 completed through the company’s factory-assist program. Equipped with a powerful 400-horsepower Lycoming 580, the aircraft is a true backcountry powerhouse built for short takeoffs and heavy loads. Viewers get an inside look at its performance and craftsmanship as Rob puts it through its paces. The big question: could Bird Dawg be the best-performing heavy bush plane in the world?

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