WASHINGTON, D.C. — Politics in Washington, normally baffling, is even more so now that the Super Committee has failed to reach an agreement on funding with a highly contested election approaching and the nation facing a massive $15 trillion debt.
Controllers endorse Obama
November 27, 2011 by 2 Comments
The National Air Traffic Controls Association has endorsed President Obama and Vice President Biden for second terms.
Rockefeller angry over FAA bill delays
November 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Unless Congress passes an FAA reauthorization bill soon it will be some time before a long-term bill is passed by any Congress. That warning was given by Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller IV speaking to the Washington Aero Club.
The Super Committee and GA
November 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite a united front by aviation groups and strong support from many in Congress, general aviation’s struggle over fuel taxes and a proposed $100 per flight user fee for business flights is reaching a higher pitch as the federal government intensifies its attempts to reduce the federal deficit.
The Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction — nicknamed the “Super Committee” — created several months ago when Congress attempted to reduce trillions of dollars of federal debt, must make its recommendations by Nov. 23. Chances that an agreement will be reached by the 12 committee members, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, are seen by many as slim to none.
FAA launches laser incident website
October 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The FAA is taking more action to cut down on the growing problem of lasers being pointed at aircraft by establishing a new website to make it easier to report laser incidents and to obtain information on the subject.
Coalition debunks claims by LightSquared on GPS issue
October 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Continuing efforts by LightSquared to push for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for the spectrum to use in developing a nationwide broadband telecommunication network are resulting in repeated misstatements and rewriting of history, according to the Coalition to Save Our GPS.
Interference of the spectrum LightSquared wants to use, unless resolved, would affect the accuracy and safety of GPS in military, trucking, farming, aviation and dozens of different activities.
Working together
October 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When William Piper Sr. was active in bringing aviation to many people in different walks of life, the interests, groups, companies, and politicians were fragmented. He commented to me that it took 50 years before the public realized there should be beltway routes around cities rather than force all traffic to go through town. He added it may take that long before we learn to work together in aviation.
Perhaps — just perhaps — we have reached a beginning of that point. Nowhere is this more evident than on the user fee issue. Even airlines are singing from the same hymnal about the proposed $100 per takeoff fee.
Controller error report tells only a partial story
October 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Air traffic controller errors on and around airports have increased sharply in recent years, but data gathered by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) doesn’t tell the complete story.
NextGen: Over budget and behind schedule
October 10, 2011 by 2 Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cost overruns, time delays, and management mistakes are all causing the NextGen program to be at risk.
Mayors cite airport value to help block President’s $100 fee
September 29, 2011 by 2 Comments
Two of the 77 mayors who signed a letter to President Obama urging abandonment of his proposal for a $100 fee on every general aviation flight held a telephone news conference to further call attention to the devistating results the fee would cause communities across the nation. They say the idea of raising taxes on a vital industry and its activity during high unemployment and a sagging economy is counter-productive.
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