The “Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013” (H.R. 1765) was introduced on Friday, April 26, by Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa). It was signed by President Obama on Wednesday, May 1.
You see, Congress and the President can get things done…when they want to.
Contract towers to stay open
May 13, 2013 by 1 Comment
On Friday, the FAA announced it will keep open the 149 contract towers the agency slated for closure on June 15.
AOPA points out FAA’s flawed process in decision to close towers
May 7, 2013 by 4 Comments
In a court filing Monday, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) called the FAA’s decision to close 149 contract control towers “arbitrary, capricious, and fundamentally flawed, leaving the safety and efficiency consequences largely unknown.”
Flying green
May 6, 2013 by 3 Comments
The May/June 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on environmental advances in general aviation. Articles explore ways we can “fly green” through new technology and by following environmentally sound practices.
Feature articles in this issue include:
Lawmakers keep pressure on FAA to keep towers open
May 5, 2013 by 1 Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 42 U.S. Senators have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta calling on the agency to stop the planned closure of 149 contract towers.
An open letter to the FAA administrator: How can we help?
May 2, 2013 by 98 Comments
A third-class medical exemption for pilots operating four-seat, 180-hp (or less) aircraft in daytime, VFR conditions probably is not a high priority item for FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. Can you really blame him?
But it is to me, and no doubt a great many current, and potential, recreational pilots. So…Michael — can I call you Michael? — how can we help?
Challenges ahead for NextGen
May 2, 2013 by 3 Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA is entering its midterm implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and, while advances have been made, there remain many issues and challenges.
That is pointed out in a new report put together by the Government Accountability Office at the request of leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. [Read more...]
FAA changes Special Issurance medical certification
April 23, 2013 by 5 Comments
A major change has been made to the medical certification process for several common diagnoses that previously required a special issuance and a review process by the FAA prior to issuing a medical certificate. According to a report at EAA.org, under the new policy applicants with arthritis, asthma, glaucoma, chronic hepatitis C, hypertension, hypothyroidism, migraine and chronic headache, pre-diabetes, and renal cancer can receive their medical certificates directly from their AME.
Aviation groups urge White House to exempt controllers from furloughs
April 22, 2013 by 3 Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the FAA begins furloughing air traffic controllers, 11 aviation organizations have asked the White House to assure the FAA it will have enough money to prevent further furloughing of controllers.
Pilots file suit to stop controller furloughs
April 22, 2013 by 2 Comments
Pilots and an airline group have filed a lawsuit to stop the federal government from cutting work hours for air traffic controllers, saying the furloughs will lead to travel delays of up to an hour across the country. A report in the Los Angeles Times notes that the lawsuit asks the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to prevent job furloughs called for under sequestration. The report quotes Nicholas E. Calio, president and chief executive of Airlines for America, as saying: “The FAA plan is irresponsible and unnecessary.”
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