WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill introduced in Congress May 6 requiring the FAA to set a date for implementing changes in Part 23 is only a part of major changes for certification of aircraft and aircraft products. For the past 18 months, 180 people have been working on an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to arrive […]
Challenges ahead for NextGen
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 […]
The impact of controller furloughs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There is a growing concern here that furloughing of air traffic controllers by the FAA is a political move by the Obama administration to put the spotlight on sequestration and get Congress to take action to eliminate it. Members of Congress and most aviation groups, however, don’t seem to be buying that. […]
Aviation groups urge White House to exempt controllers from furloughs
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. In a letter to Denis McDonough, White House Chief of Staff, the aviation leaders said without action, it will be challenging […]
Allies in the fight for GA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although many in Washington have the mistaken idea that everything of importance takes place here, that is far from the case. More and more in recent years, general aviation interests are recognizing that although much affecting flight is based on actions — or lack of actions — by Congress and the FAA, […]
Senate committee questions tower closings
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of 30 senators have sponsored a bill to prevent the FAA from closing any air traffic control tower in fiscal years 2013 or 2014, while the chairman of the Senate committee concerned with aviation warns all the progress made by the FAA is at risk because of sequestration. Senators […]
GA advocates speak out against user fees in President’s budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As expected, President Obama’s budget released Wednesday, April 10, contained the perennial request for a $100 per flight user fee, a request immediately rejected by general aviation groups. Even before the budget had been released, a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives had delivered a resounding, bipartisan message to Obama in […]
Getting GA’s message to lawmakers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When lobbyists want Congressional help on issues, they usually seek out members with interests in that issue in a caucus. The informal, bipartisan groups are found in both the House and Senate. But until recently, there were no general aviation caucuses. Now there are active groups in both Houses. At present, the […]
Why get upset about towers closing?
Starting April 7, the FAA will close 149 contract air traffic control towers to help reduce expenditures as required by sequestration. General aviation uses thousands of airports that do not have towers, so why are GA advocates getting upset over the closing of these towers? That’s a question many pilots are asking. Answer: The closings […]