Commercial aviation is so safe thanks to decades of innovation, learning and new technologies, from TCAS and GPWS to ADS-B. Which aviation technologies and milestones do you think have been the most significant?
Commercial aviation is so safe thanks to decades of innovation, learning and new technologies, from TCAS and GPWS to ADS-B. Which aviation technologies and milestones do you think have been the most significant?
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-768x378.jpg)
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14 Responses
Navigation display, LEDs headaches with radial intersection fixes or hold entried.
The development of the jet engine and the adoption of kerosene-based jet fuel revolutionized aviation, providing the necessary power for longer, faster flights. Advances such as fly-by-wire flight controls, autopilot systems and comprehensive air traffic control systems improved aviation safety and efficiency.
Has to be the invention of the jet engine. There have been many enhancements to safety, avionics, almost anything else, but the jet engine has been the one game changer that has endured. Millions of pax and crew should say thank you Frank Whittle. If you’ve no idea who he is, look him up. Or you could subscribe to the German jet engine, it’s still a JET.
The airfoil?
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
Autopilot, TCAS, Jet Engines, Flight Directors, ILS , carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers, literally everything that goes into controlling a plane.
Flight Data Recorders as they allow us to see what’s gone wrong and help drive safety improvements.
GPWS and EGPWS
Saved lots of lives
TCAS and black boxes
And the 787
I have flown many hours in a variety of aircraft and safety has been uppermost in the pilots brief.
ILS has put aviation into the next gen. It’s vital for all airports to have ILS!!!
I would say a few breakthroughs for commercial technology. Fly-by-wire, Air Traffic Managment (ATM), Digital Displays, Avionics, Satellite communications and even GPS (Global Positioning System). Out of them, I would go for fly-by-wire as it makes the aircraft safer which the world being in a health & safety obsession is a big plus.
CRM. Cockpit Resource management
After several fatal crashes in late 80s the significant factor was bombastic captains not using the resources of the full team. After Papa India at Staines the world took a flying leap into the unknown and permitted first officers to speak up and be heard. It saved more lives over the next few decades than any purely technological breakthrough and still does.
And many crashed recently have a failure to implement CRM effectively as a causal factor. The most significantly category of fatal crash is still far and away LOC loss of control, and in these you can see often a breakdown in crew performance.
Captain John Leahy FRAeS