On this week’s AvTalk, Ian flies solo with Jason under the weather. This week’s show is on the shorter side, with 100% less repartee, but we hope you’ll enjoy it nonetheless. Washington withdraws as FAA nominee Phillip Washington, the current CEO of Denver Airport has withdrawn his nomination to be the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Washington’s nomination was opposed mainly by Republicans in the Senate, but some Democrats had expressed skepticism of his qualifications as well. NTSB issues Challenger 300 preliminary report The NTSB issued its preliminary report on the Challenger 300 inflight upset that occurred earlier this month. One passenger was fatally injured on the flight. ITA Airways post full year loss, Lufthansa confident a deal can be reached ITA Airways lost nearly €500 million in 2022, but that may be good news for Lufthansa as they try to reach an agreement for a stake in the airline by the end of April. BRA and ZeroAvia partner in Skellefteå Hydrogen powered aircraft will need supporting infrastructure and that’s what BRA, ZeroAvia and Skellefteå’s airport and municipal energy supplier are going to work together to figure out. AirBaltic adds summer wet leases With engine repair work on the P&W GTFs that power the airline’s A220-300s slow going, AirBaltic will wet lease an additional four aircraft for the summer season. But it will also be leasing out more than a dozen of its own aircraft. Big Twin makes first flight The first 777-300ER converted freighter made its first flight late last week in Tel Aviv. Archer and United plan Chicago eVTOL airport transfers 10 minutes to get from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to the Chicago Vertiport on the near west side, if it becomes a reality. 20th anniversary of the great Meigs Field carve up In a painful moment for aviation enthusiasts and flight simulator fans, 31 March marks the 20th anniversary of the forced closure of Meigs Field in Chicago. The lakefront airport’s runway was carved up in the middle of the night on orders of Chicago’s then-mayor Richard M. Daley. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this episode.