WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pilots will get better notices to airmen (NOTAMs) and more equitable treatment from the FAA during any enforcement actions against them as a result of passage of a bill introduced by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), which was... Continue Reading →
NTSB studies how to improve general aviation safety
Posted on June 27th, 2012 by Charles Spence
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... Continue Reading →
GA gets attention in FAA administrator hearing
Posted on June 21st, 2012 by Janice Wood
The FAA “completely understands the importance of general aviation,” Michael Huerta told a Senate committee Thursday, June 21, in his hearing for nomination to be FAA administrator. He has been acting administrator since the resignation of Randy Babbitt after his... Continue Reading →
Lawmakers work to quash air tour amendment
Posted on June 14th, 2012 by Charles Spence
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. Continue Reading →
Controllers say realignment OK if they are part of plan
Posted on June 3rd, 2012 by Charles Spence
WASHINGTON, D.C — Congress is taking a look at the FAA’s plans and efforts to consolidate air traffic control facilities and the controllers’ union says it supports the changes, but only if safety, efficiency, and service are improved. Continue Reading →
FAA study: GA airports a national asset
Posted on May 31st, 2012 by Charles Spence
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... Continue Reading →
Whistleblowers highlight safety issues
Posted on May 20th, 2012 by Charles Spence
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... Continue Reading →
Sharing our airspace with drones
Posted on May 2nd, 2012 by Charles Spence
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Have you seen any drones flying around you recently? More are in the sky than you might realize. Information about where they are and where they might be was recently released by the FAA responding to a... Continue Reading →
An ally in the fight for general aviation
Posted on April 22nd, 2012 by Charles Spence
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Since 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America has been spreading the word about general aviation to elected officials, the media and, to some degree, the general public. It is proving to be a strong part of... Continue Reading →
Could NextGen ground GA?
Posted on April 10th, 2012 by Charles Spence
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When good developments are made, most people are delighted and few consider the secondary effects. These, however, are often significant. Take the unintended consequences of NextGen. Continue Reading →
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