ASPIRE ’25 update

The next HFES conference will be held in Chicago, IL on October 13 – 17, 2025. We’re excited to share that preparations for the Aerospace Systems Technical Group (ASTG) track are well underway!

We are currently in the peer review phase for full papers, which plays a vital role in ensuring the scientific rigor and quality of the research that will be featured in the conference proceedings. In our next newsletter, we look forward to sharing the schedule of lectures and sessions curated by the Aerospace Systems TG.

Key Dates to Remember

Here’s a quick overview of the important milestones leading up to the conference:

• February 13th Abstract submission due
• April 3 – Peer review of abstracts due
• April 14 – Acceptance decision sent to authors
• May 5 – Full paper due
• May 28 – Peer review of full paper due
• June 17 – Camera-ready paper due
• July 1 – Session chair assignments
• October 13-17 – Conference in Chicago

Reviewer Tips: How to Access Your Previous Reviews

We’ve received a few questions about how reviewers can access their earlier feedback (e.g., for extended abstracts). Here’s how to find it:

1. Click on “details” for the submission (whether that’s from the to-do list links or from the review pop-up window)
2. Go to the “related” tab and select the link that ends in s1 (for stage 1, initial submission)
3. Click on the “reviews” tab
4. Click on the link “detailed version with comments“
5. The new pop-up window will show you both the scores you provided and the comments you shared as a reviewer

A heartfelt thank you to all authors and reviewers for your valuable contributions to advancing human factors research in aviation, space traffic management, and advanced air mobility. Your work is what makes ASPIRE such a vibrant and impactful part of the HFES community.

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Webinar – Dr. Chris Wickens, HUDs and HMDs and Attention: When AR meets AI

You missed our webinar by the one and only Dr. Chris Wickens? We got you covered! The recording is now available for you to capture all the magic of Dr. Wickens’ 40+ years of research in augmented reality.

In this talk, Dr. Chris Wickens presents the 3 main phases of his research on the attentional tunnelling when pilots use HUD in aviation.

Dr. Wickens shows that his findings are still applicable today with the latest generation of augmented reality devices. The great benefit of highlight relevant information in space (ex. moving targets) is offset by the attentional tunnelling when the AI algorithm misses an important threat

ATC Modernization Takes Flight Amid Safety Concerns and System Failures

By Srishti Rawal

America’s aging air traffic control (ATC) system is under intense scrutiny following recent disruptions, safety lapses, and staffing shortages that underscore the urgent need for reform. On April 28, a 90-second radar and radio blackout at the Philadelphia TRACON left Newark Liberty International Airport air traffic controllers unable to monitor or communicate with incoming flights. In a statement, the FAA attributed the event to “antiquated” telecommunication equipment. The incident forced multiple controllers onto trauma leave to recover from the stress and contributed to additional delays. United Airlines, operating more than 67% of the capacity at Newark, responded by reducing 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark, citing reliability concerns. A second 90-second outage occurred at Newark on May 9. The FAA responded that it is increasing staffing at the facility and is adding three new high-bandwidth connections to Philadelphia TRACON. The FAA also announced reducing flights at Newark airport.

This failure is just one example of a national system in decline. In our newsletter of October ‘24, we reported on an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that found that 51 of the 138 ATC systems are unsustainable, and many critical systems have no set timeline for replacement, even as demand for airspace access continues to grow.

$12.5 Billion Federal Funding Package Clears House Committee

In a major legislative step, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a $12.5 billion funding package to overhaul ATC systems and enhance workforce capacity. While the original proposal sought $15 billion, it was scaled back to align with Republican budget targets. However, the bill also eliminated green technology grants, including those supporting sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen innovation previously funded under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The ATC funding proposal received backing from over 50 industry organizations, emphasizing the need for resilient communications, modernized radar, and new ATC centers. These upgrades are critical for keeping pace with growing demands from commercial air travel, spaceflight, and UAV activity.

FAA and NATCA Finalize Incentives to Address Controller Shortage

Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a new workforce incentive plan aimed at reversing decades of staffing decline:

• $5,000–$10,000 bonuses for FAA Academy graduates and new hires
  
• 20% pay premium for experienced controllers who delay retirement
  
• Streamlined hiring with medical/security fast-tracking and expanded veteran entry paths
  
• A new Learning Center at the FAA Academy to improve trainee outcomes

These actions are part of a broader modernization push unveiled by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, including transitioning outdated Time Division Multiplexing networks to internet-based communications by 2028, retiring analog radios by 2027, and building six new state-of-the-art ATC centers, the first in more than 50 years.

Why This Matters for Aviation Stakeholders

This renewed national focus on ATC reform comes amid tragic reminders of what’s at stake. A series of fatal accidents earlier this year, alongside major technical failures and controller burnout, have highlighted a fragile system long overdue for investment.

The transition to a new system also raises human factors concerns as the plan to modernize ATC is expected to unravel over the next four years. Adam Lary highlighted the intricacies of this major overhaul from technological incompatibilities to organization constraints and staff training. We join our voice to wish for a responsible transition putting safety first.

In The News

By Philippe Doyon-Poulin

Aviation

• Boeing Sells Jeppesen, ForeFlight for $10.6B. Software investment firm Thoma Bravo has emerged as the winning bidder for a slew of Boeing assets being divested, including Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData and OzRunways, in a all-cash transaction valued at $10.6B. Industry players reported to have eyed Jeppesen included GE Aerospace, Honeywell International, RTX and TransDigm Group. The selloffs were triggered after the appointment of Boeing CEO and President Kelly Ortberg last August to take over and fix Boeing, which saw its debt pile spike in 2024. The digital asset sales punctuate Boeing’s return to its core aircraft roots. It bought Jeppesen in 2000, ForeFlight in 2019, AerData in 2014 and OzRunways in 2024.
• Embraer concluded its best quarter since 2016, with over $1.1B in revenue for the first three months of the year (23% increase compared to last year). The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer delivered 7 airliners (E1 and E2) and 23 executive jets (Phenom and Praetor). Although results of the first quarter were not affected by the U.S.-imposed tariffs, the company points out that tariffs will have a limited impact on their performance for the rest of the year.
• JetZero’s Blended-Wing Attracts Orders and Eyes Additional Funding. The California-based startup is developing the Z4 which would become the largest blended-wing aircraft with an impressive 185-foot wingspan, and a scheduled entry into service in 2031. In April, JetZero received an order of 100 units from United Airlines, with options for an additional 100 units. The company is also looking for billions in funding to build their first full-scale demonstrator and scale their operations. Their Series A funding brought $235 million from the Department of Defense, Northrop Grumman, Alaska Air Group and others. While Z4 is the civilian version, JetZero also has a military derivative KC-Z4 for long-range missions.
• Universal Avionics Connected FMS certified on Part 25 aircraft models. The technology allows bidirectional communication between pilots’ iPads and the aircraft’s FMS, creating an enhanced human-machine interface that improves situational awareness, according to the company. This means pilots can view and modify flight plans on their tablets on the ground and during flight.

Training

• In our last month’s newsletter Nicolas Quevedo wrote a featured article on the innovative training simulator by Loft Dynamics. This month, we learned that the French authority for civil aviation (DGAC) approved Loft Dynamics VR sim for type rating program.

Autonomy

• Anra Technologies is the first “U-space” ATM service provider to receive certification from EASA. “U-space” is the term used to describe the integration of uncrewed aircraft in the airspace. U-Space service provider, as Anra Technologies, provide the digital ATM services for safe operations of uncrewed vehicles.
• Bombardier Eyes Uncrewed Future for EcoJet Technologies. Bombardier is eyeing uncrewed possibilities, potentially in the military market, as it explores technologies it could derive from its EcoJet blended-wing project, according to company president and CEO Éric Martel. He suggested that military may be a first application, given the certification hurdles of uncrewed operations on the civil side.

Space

• Space agencies around the world keep working on Artemis lunar exploration campaign despite uncertainty at NASA. Speaking at the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025, leaders from the Europea, German and Canadian space agencies all said they were keeping their work going related to the Artemis program, while the US Congress deliberates on the NASA budget. This conference was also offered the opportunity to rethink international cooperation. ESA and the Indian space agency ISRO signed an agreement to increase their cooperation, citing the need to ensure interoperability of docking systems on spacecraft they are developing and astronaut training.