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. This year, through Oct. 20, pilots reported 2,795 laser events. That is an increase from less […]
Coalition debunks claims by LightSquared on GPS issue
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 […]
Working together
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 […]
Controller error report tells only a partial story
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. Mistakes by controllers handling arrival and departures have nearly double in the past three years. Runway incursions at airports with control towers increased more […]
NextGen: Over budget and behind schedule
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cost overruns, time delays, and management mistakes are all causing the NextGen program to be at risk. That, in brief, was what members of Congress heard from witnesses at a recent hearing of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Two government watchdogs particularly were critical of the […]
Mayors cite airport value to help block President’s $100 fee
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 […]
LightSquared lobbying tops $800,000
LightSquared’s lobbying has increased in leaps and bounds this year as questions arose over conflicts between frequencies for the company’s planned expansion of a 4G wireless broadband and satellite cell phone network and GPS. The conflict could affect aviation safety and military action as the much stronger 4G network could interfere with GPS frequencies, opponents […]
Fighting user fees brings GA and airlines together
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Confusion in Congress and differences between it and the White House are causing general aviation and the airlines to come into agreement on at least one subject: The President’s proposal to place a $100 fee on every non-recreational flight, in addition to regular fuel and other taxes. General aviation associations were quick […]
Congress and BARR
Congress has been active in the Block Aviation Registration Request (BARR) program. The FAA recently cancelled the BARR program, permitting anyone to obtain current details of all flight plans and follow flights from takeoff to landing. Officials with AOPA and NBAA say this violates privacy, can be dangerous, and allows business competitors knowledge of a […]