The FAA has issued first notices of flight restrictions for the two political conventions and flights to, from or through the areas — Tampa, Florida, and Charlotte, N.C. — will be affected, with pilots needing to be alert not only for the announced early Temporary Flight Restrictions, but also for any last-minute changes or additions that may come about.
Contract towers equal in safety, less in cost
July 19, 2012 by 1 Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 250 air traffic control towers operated under contract to the FAA handle 28% of all operations, but cost only 14% of the budget, according to statements before an aviation subcommittee whose members expressed concerns about possible severe cuts in operations if the President’s threatened automatic budget sequester goes into effect in January.
Changes to flight training in the works
July 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pilots and future pilots might find new and different approaches to studying and testing for certificates and ratings if recommendations from a panel are adopted by the FAA.
NTSB studies how to improve general aviation safety
June 27, 2012 by 1 Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In spite of improvements to commercial and corporate aviation safety records, the general aviation accident rate has been stubbornly resistant to safety initiatives, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said as she opened a two-day gathering to evaluate the current state of GA safety and consider if something should be done to improve it.
Deborah A.P. Hersman also told the gathering that general aviation pilots are “not learning from the mistakes of others,” noting general aviation accounts for 51% of flight time, but 97% of aviation fatalities.
Lawmakers work to quash air tour amendment
June 14, 2012 by 1 Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House General Aviation Caucus has joined aviation’s alphabet groups in an attempt to derail an amendment in a bill that would give the National Park Service authority to regulate air tour flights over national parks.
FAA study: GA airports a national asset
May 31, 2012 by 1 Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 50 years ago I wrote a magazine article titled “Airports are for people who DON’T fly.” The FAA’s recently released 18-month study of GA airports has information documenting that claim, which people who don’t fly should know.
Whistleblowers highlight safety issues
May 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has the highest per employee whistleblower count in government. This startling statistic was sent to the President and Congress in a letter from the Office of Special Counsel, the agency responsible for protecting government employees who report problems where they work.
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