Occupational and Aviation Medicine Unit, University of Otago

17/05/2026

The National Transportation Safety Board has published an updated study (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SRR2601.pdf) on drug presence among fatally injured pilots, showing increases in both overall drug detection and the presence of drugs the agency classified as potentially impairing.
https://avweb.com/flight-safety/ntsb-shows-rise-drug-detection-fatal-crash/

More than half of pilots tested had at least one drug detected, while potentially impairing drugs were found in 28.6%.

10/05/2026

https://www.travelandleisure.com/flight-crew-subtle-signs-11961815

Flight attendants reveal how they communicate emergencies midair, what cabin signals as dings mean, and when passengers should—and shouldn’t—be concerned.

06/04/2026

Evacuating an airplane takes too long, researchers are warning

02/02/2026

https://airguide.info/faa-urges-expanded-spatial-disorientation-training-for-all-pilots/

FAA Urges Expanded Spatial Disorientation Training for All Pilots

01/02/2026

https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2026/01/29/ups-pilots-union-legislation

Lawmakers have introduced a bill to ensure commercial pilots follow the same rules for flight time and rest, whether they fly passengers or cargo.

25/01/2026

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/you-ll-be-safer-knowing-these-essential-airplane-facts/ss-AA1nvWxT?cvpid=618fb37440374ccdbf235f287e685167

Flying has become a normal part of our everyday lives in the last few decades, even though it's estimated that only 11% of the global population has ever been on an airplane. But whether you’re a seasoned traveler or stepping onto a plane for the first time, knowing some fascinating airplane facts...

22/01/2026

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/what-it-was-like-concorde-pilot

Those who took the controls of Concorde say it was like no other airplane. Here they reveal the secrets of flying the world’s fastest commercial passenger aircraft at more than twice the speed of sound.

21/01/2026

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state/tennessee/wilson-county/paramedic-took-control-of-helicopter-during-pilots-medical-emergency

Flight paramedic forced to take control of Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter when pilot became unresponsive. Nurse Allan Williams died in the Wilson County crash.

11/01/2026

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/bottle-to-throttle-sober-pilots-flying-alcohol

While it’s rare for commercial pilots to attempt to fly under the influence, a string of recent incidents has hit headlines. What do the rules say? Depends where you are in the world.

05/01/2026

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/12/30/these-four-aeroplane-failures-might-be-more-common-than-you-think/

But are they as scary as they sound?