Harris Corp. has been awarded a 15-year, $291 million contract to provide the communications network that will serve as the cornerstone of NextGen — the FAA’s initiative to transform the U.S. air traffic control system.
PRA newest FAASTeam industry member
August 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The FAA and Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA) signed a letter of understanding, on August 21, which created a high-level relationship between the two organizations. The agreement establishes official contacts between the FAA and PRA as well as documents national media resources, development of safety training and exchange of safety materials between the two organizations.
FAA extends comment period for proposed Part 145 rewrite
August 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Last Friday, the FAA extended the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking that is a proposed rewrite of Part 145. The original deadline for the comment period was set for Aug. 20, but has now been extended until Nov. 19.
Why should general aviation pilots care? Officials at the Aircraft Electronics Association, note the proposal makes wholesale changes to the avionics industry with potentially damaging and costly repercussions.
New layer of paperwork consequence of Pilot’s Bill of Rights
August 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A consequence of the passage last week of the Pilot Bill of Rights is a new layer of paperwork regarding both pilot certification and FAA medicals, according to officials with the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). The new law includes a requirement that applicants receive and sign, and records be kept, of notification that the new law is being complied with.
New report: Sequestration will ground aviation
August 14, 2012 by 7 Comments
A study released by the Aerospace Industries Association and Econsult Corp. estimates that budget cuts to FAA operations as a result of sequestration could cost up to 132,000 aviation jobs, sap $80 billion a year from the nation’s gross domestic product, and strip almost 2 billion pounds of freight capacity out of an air cargo system that is already buckling at the seams.
“If sequestration is not stopped, it will be by far the most devastating budget cut to the FAA in its 54 years,” said former Secretary of Transportation and Congressman Norman Mineta. “The FAA is a critical safety organization that regulates our national air transportation system. Putting it at risk is folly beyond comparison.”
TFRs for Republican and Democratic conventions
August 7, 2012 by 1 Comment
The FAA has released flight advisories outlining the TFRs that will be in place for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, in Tampa, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C. An official NOTAM will be published just prior to the conventions, providing more details on the TFRs, including dates and times for Transportation Security Administration screening procedures at gateway airports, according to a report at NBAA.org.
Alphabet groups call on FAA to fund avgas replacement efforts
August 6, 2012 by 1 Comment
A coalition of general aviation associations recently called on the FAA to support additional funding for research into a feasible drop-in replacement for leaded aviation fuel, according to a report at NBAA.org. An Aug. 1 letter asks for “adequate funding” of $5.5 million for an avgas program.
Pilot’s Bill of Rights signed into law
August 5, 2012 by 5 Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Pilot’s Bill of Rights has been officially signed into law.
Making general aviation even safer
July 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
OSHKOSH — “What we see at Oshkosh is the foundation of what makes the U.S. great — passion, innovation and freedom,” FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta told an AirVenture crowd today. “But with freedom comes responsibility.”
This was the first visit to AirVenture for Huerta, who grew up just down the street from historic Flabob Airport in Southern California. He began his remarks by noting that a focus of the FAA is to decrease the number of fatal accidents — and it’s working, he said. [Read more...]
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