<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The MOSAIC rule and the demand for Sonex Aircraft, rising jet fuel prices impacting airlines, JetBlue evaluating a merger, Essential Air Service, the Enhanced AT-CTI Initiative, and United Airlines’ Relax Row in economy class. Also, SpaceX Starlink for GA pilots, a Southwest flight experience, and a conversation with the NTSB.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aviation News</strong></h2> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianfoley1/2026/03/28/faas-mosaic-rule-to-help-general-aviation-claims-first-business-casualty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>FAA’s MOSAIC Rule To Help General Aviation Contributes To Sonex Failure</strong></a></h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The FAA’s MOSAIC rule (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) expands what can be certificated as light-sport aircraft using consensus standards. It broadens sport pilot privileges to give access to more aircraft types.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The general aviation industry expected MOSAIC to create new opportunities for pilots and aircraft manufacturers. But unintended consequences may have arisen from removing limitations on light sport aircraft and making heavier aircraft available as entry-level airplanes. A drop in demand has contributed to Sonex Aircraft&#8217;s closure.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Video: <a href="https://www.sonexaircraft.com/sonex-closure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Sonex is Closing: A Message from Mark Schaible</strong></a></p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/wl9H0N_r8kE?si=P_sAI7Wl_2vOJKo0 </div> </figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/us-airlines-face-fuel-driven-financial-shakeout-2026-03-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>US airlines face fuel-driven financial shakeout</strong></a></h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Global oil prices are up. Brent crude is roughly 50% higher than a year ago. Jet fuel is up around 90% compared to a year ago. Since fuel typically accounts for 20% or more of an airline’s total costs, we can expect higher fares, fuel surcharges, and capacity cuts. Profits could take a hit if airlines can’t pass higher costs on to consumers fast enough.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://viewfromthewing.com/jetblue-explores-selling-itself-advisors-are-looking-at-united-southwest-and-alaska-as-buyers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>JetBlue Explores Selling Itself — Advisors Are Looking At United, Southwest And Alaska As Buyers</strong></a></h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">JetBlue is reportedly evaluating selling itself to a competitor, such as United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Southwest Airlines. Any such deal could raise antitrust issues, and there is pressure to reach one soon, before the current political climate changes.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/03/25/aroostook/aroostook-government/presque-isle-council-recommends-jetblue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Presque Isle council recommends JetBlue to keep serving airport</strong></a></h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">After talking with JetBlue and American Airlines at a joint meeting with the airport advisory board, the Presque Isle City Council voted 5-2 to recommend JetBlue to continue serving the city’s airport for the next four years. The Council’s recommendation next goes to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a final decision on the Essential Air Service award, which may take several months.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">See the DOT <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-community-rural-air-service/essential-air-service" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essential Air Service</a> page.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.wmtw.com/article/university-of-maine-at-augusta-may-start-training-air-traffic-controllers/70870643" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>University of Maine at Augusta may start training air traffic controllers</strong></a></h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The FAA’s <a href="https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/air-traffic-collegiate-training-initiatives-cti" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI)</a> is a non-funded partnership between the FAA and approved institutions. The Enhanced AT-CTI Initiative was created to allow qualified institutions to provide students with equivalent FAA Academy air traffic control training. Program graduates are placed directly into a facility, with FAA oversight. They can immediately begin localized training at an air traffic facility. These graduates still must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) and meet medical and security requirements.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://onemileatatime.com/news/united-relax-row/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>United Relax Row: 777 &#38; 787 Economy Seats That Transform Into A “Couch”</strong></a></h3> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">United Airlines is introducing the Relax Row in economy on long-haul flights. Passengers can reserve a row of three seats, which can become a “lie-flat mattress-like space” for families with small children or passengers who want more space. Launching in 2027, the Relax Row will be available on more than 200 Boeing 787s. By 2030, the service will be available on Boeing 777s. Air New Zealand has licensed its Skycouch to United Airlines.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">See:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://crankyflier.com/2011/09/13/air-new-zealand-wins-the-award-for-best-single-achievement-in-the-passengers-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air New Zealand Wins the Award for Best Single Achievement in the Passenger’s Experience</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/united-airlines-relax-row-will-enable-economy-passengers-to-lie-flat-long-haul-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Airlines Relax Row will enable economy passengers to lie flat, long haul</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/air-new-zealand-upgrades-economy-skycouch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air New Zealand Upgrades Family-Friendly “Economy Skycouch”</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mentioned</strong></h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">SpaceX Starlink and GA:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/400-starlink-internet-for-ga-pilots-safety-costs-and-future-tech-with-sportys-bret-koebbe-ga-news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">400 Starlink Internet for GA Pilots: Safety, Costs, and Future Tech with Sporty’s Bret Koebbe + GA News</a></li> <li><a href="https://aviationnewstalk.com/starlink-internet-for-small-planes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starlink Internet for Small Planes and General Aviation</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportys.com/blog/starlink-update-new-in-motion-speed-limits-and-what-it-means-for-pilots-/?srsltid=AfmBOoq7_YZirPJ_9ivIalZvdgyempkgMwAtYVftFC5xqrLznLlei6nv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starlink Update: New In-Motion Speed Limits (and What It Means for Pilots)</a></li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.savvyaviation.com/savvy-aviation-founder-mike-busch-receives-aopas-richard-g-mcspadden-general-aviation-safety-award/#tbofallacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savvy Aviation Founder Mike Busch Receives AOPA’s Richard G. McSpadden General Aviation Safety Award</a></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hosts this Episode</strong></h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://thirtythousandfeet.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Flight</a>, our<a href="https://thejourneyisthereward.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Main(e) Man Micah</a>,<a href="https://jetwhine.com"> </a>and <a href="https://aviationnewstalk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Trescott</a>.</p>