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GAO: NextGen over budget and behind schedule

February 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After causing the FAA to limp along on 23 temporary funding extensions, Congress finally passed a four-year authorization last month. A question now facing FAA watchers is: Will this steadier funding mean a smoothing of the turbulence the agency has seen in developing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)?

A report released Feb. 16 by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that of 30 major NextGen programs studied, costs for 11 have increased from initial estimates by a total of $4.2 billion and 15 programs experienced delays ranging from two months to more than 14 years. Of the 15 programs experiencing schedule delays, 10 also had cost increases. The WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) program, which the FAA estimates will be completed in 2013, is the one experiencing the 14-year delay.

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General aviation shipments, billings flat in 2011

February 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The general aviation aircraft market worldwide was mixed in 2011 with a slight decline of shipments, but an increase is billings. The expected resurgence did not take place. Manufacturers shipped 1,865 planes, a decline of 3.5% from 2010, while billings increased 0.4% to $19.1 billion.

Not included in the data released Feb. 22 by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) are figures from Hawker Beechcraft’s fourth-quarter, which will be released about March 31. These figures will change the year’s total, but not to any great extent.

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Death knell for LightSquared?

February 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After long and detailed — and often contentious — efforts to work out a safe way for LightSquared to build a network of about 40,000 land-based towers in the U.S. for high-speed wireless transmissions without interfering with GPS, the battle seems to be nearing a satisfactory conclusion for general aviation and others using GPS.

The Federal Communication System is expected to rescind a conditional waiver issued to LightSquared last year after it was informed on Feb. 14 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that there is no practical way to prevent interference of GPS frequencies from the planned LightSquared network. Industry observers note this could be a death knell for LightSquared’s plan.

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100 mayors denounce Obama’s attacks on GA

February 16, 2012 by 42 Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation is a vital part of our economy and national infrastructure, and we are concerned about the repercussions of your statements about it. That, in essence was what the mayors of 100 communities in 48 states recently sent in a letter to President Obama. [Read more...]

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Next step for Pilot’s Bill of Rights

February 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pilot’s Bill of Rights is moving along through Congress after Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) recently introduced a companion bill to one introduced last year in the Senate by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), which now has more than 60 co-sponsors.

The two bills are meant to improve the relationship between general aviation pilots, the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

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Congress passes four-year FAA bill

February 7, 2012 by 3 Comments

After 23 short-term extensions, both chambers of Congress passed the four-year funding bill for the FAA. It now goes to the President, who is expected to sign it. This gives the FAA long-term planning after more than four years of delays.

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Senate and House committees approve FAA funding

February 1, 2012 by 1 Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaders in the Senate and House Tuesday reached agreement on long-term FAA legislation providing a four-year funding authorization, ending a series of 23 short-term extensions.

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Senate passes FAA extension; schedules hearing on long-term authorization

January 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Passage by the Senate of the 23rd extension of funding for the FAA keeps programs going until Feb. 17. The House had passed its short extension Jan. 24. Both Houses will now get busy on a full-term authorization.

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FAA extension proposed to clear way for long-term bill

January 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives will consider a bill to add another short extension of FAA programs to provide time to continue negotiations for a long-term extension. This extension will be very short, only until Feb. 17. The bill was introduced Monday, Jan. 23.

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In the spotlight: NTSB holds hearing on air races and airshows

January 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Airshows and air races are safe in the United States, but can be made even safer. That was the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board after a nearly day-long meeting Jan. 10, which was scheduled following the accident at the Reno Air Races last September that killed 11, including pilot Jimmy Leeward, and injured 70 others.

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