Pilots taking medication for mild to moderate depression now may be considered for a special issuance of a medical certificate. In a change to take effect April 5, pilots who take one of four antidepressant medications will be allowed to fly if they have been satisfactorily treated on the medication for at least 12 months. […]
Second TSA nominee withdraws
Three days after appearing before a Senate Committee regarding his nomination to lead the Transportation Security Administration, Maj. Gen. Robert Harding withdrew his name from consideration, citing questions about his background as a defense contractor. Harding was the second nominee for the position to withdraw because of concerns that background questions would not be good […]
Senate and House to try after recess to reconcile FAA reauthorization
When the Senate finally passed an FAA reauthorization bill, it appeared there would finally be an end to the string of extensions that have been needed to keep the FAA afloat. But, alas, it was not to be. The 12th three-month extension passed both houses of Congress just before they broke for the Easter recess […]
Senate passes FAA reauthorization
To the surprise of some and the pleasure of many, the Senate passed a reauthorization bill for the FAA Monday evening, March 22. With the House having passed its reauthorization bill last year, the two can go directly to conference for reconciliation and give the FAA a stable base after 11 three-month temporary extensions. The […]
TSA nominee sails through confirmation hearing
Major General Robert A. Harding (ret.) recently appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for a confirmation hearing to be administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He sailed through with high praise. Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller (D-WVa), committee chairman, declared a highly qualified, […]
FAA reauthorization extended yet again
When the Senate decided to put the FAA long-term reauthorization on the floor for discussion this week after it finally passed out of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, it was hoped by many that this would be the time to give the agency some stability, but it was not to be. Since Sept. 30, […]
Senate starts FAA reauthorization debate
After two years and 11 temporary extensions, the Senate has begun debating reauthorization of the FAA, calling for improvements in the air traffic management system. The bill, cosponsored by committee chairman Sens. John (Jay) Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), reauthorizes FAA’s four major accounts for two years, through fiscal year […]
Security takes center stage
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Many pilots and aircraft owners breathed a huge sigh of relief when President Obama’s budget for 2011 did not contain user fees, but none of the groups working Washington have let their guards down. Not only do user fees remain an issue, but security has raised its ugly head in the wake […]
Former AOPA President John Baker dies
John Baker, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association after long-time head “Doc” Hartranft, died Thursday morning in Angier, N.C,. where he lived with his wife Kathy. Baker was president of AOPA from 1977 to 1991, just the second person to fill that position. Before taking over the top leadership post at AOPA, he […]