Or is 18th temporary extension imminent? WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has been operating on temporary extensions of authority and financing since 2007 when the Republicans last controlled the House of Representatives. Although both the Senate and House passed reauthorization bills each year, the two sides of Capitol Hill could not agree on issues, leading […]
Senate starts action on FAA reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Passage of the reauthorization bill for the FAA cannot be delayed any further, Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday, calling its passage “essential” after 17 temporary extensions. He brought the bill up as the first item on the Senate’s agenda in the 212th session of Congress. Reid, Senate Majority Leader, three other […]
Rockefeller re-introduces FAA bill on NextGen and safety
Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced legislation Friday to improve air safety and set time tables for NextGen (Next Generation Air Transportation System). The bill sets many requirements on the FAA, as well as establishes deadlines for the adoption of NextGen navigation and surveillance technology. For example, it would require development of these procedures at […]
FAA Reauthorization top priority for new Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reauthorization of the FAA is one of the main concerns for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives, according to its new chairman, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.). The FAA has been operating on a series of short-term extensions since 2007. The last full authorization for the agency was passed […]
Is GA a menace?
WASHINGTON, D.C.—“Private Plane, Public Menace” is the title of a feature article written by Jeffrey Goldberg for The Atlantic magazine. How did an article with such a title appear in such a prestigious magazine? As the magazine is published here in Washington, I decided to try to determine why. After two and a half days […]
Call for no user fees in budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although he is no longer chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) is still active in seeking elimination of user fees for general aviation. He is circulating a letter urging President Obama not to include general aviation user fees in the budget for Fiscal year 2112. Costello remains a […]
Sell the sizzle, not the steak
Washington, D.C. — We learn from history that we learn nothing from history. But having been born just 19 years after the Wright brothers made the first controlled flight, personal experience might help in the current attempts to gain greater acceptance for aviation. (Note the word “general” is not included.) In the 1960s when William […]
The best of times, the worst of times
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Charles Dickens wrote “A Tale of Two Cities,” he might have forecast general aviation in the year 2011 with the comment, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Next year has the potential for being a productive growth period, but the challenges to be met might […]
IG: NextGen needs more efficient RNP procedures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) needs to implement more efficient performance-based navigation procedures, clarify third-party rules, and assure that Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures can be used at congested airports. That was the gist of findings in a study by the Inspector General’s office of the Department of Transportation. The […]