WASHINGTON, D.C. — Numerous government regulations, slow response times for decisions, and frequent inconsistencies by the FAA are harming small general aviation businesses. That’s the message the House Small Business Committee heard last week from a number of witnesses who own their own businesses, as well as officials from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) […]
FAA reports on drones and NextGen
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has made some strides in moving towards modernization, but is behind schedule and not fully geared for some other important issues, a Congressional committee discovered Wednesday, Feb. 5, in a hearing designed to check on the FAA’s progress in the two years since reauthorization. Rep. Frank LeBiondo, chairman of the […]
Henry O loses battle with cancer
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Henry Ogrodzinski, widely known general aviation advocate who for the past 18 years was president and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials, died at his home here on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 22. He was 65 and had battled cancer for two years. Henry O, as he was commonly […]
Other nations ahead of U.S. in use of drones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States lags far behind other nations in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly called drones, but FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told a Congressional Committee, Wednesday, Jan 15, that agency will meet its goal of Dec. 30, 2015, for safe integration of drones in the national airspace system. Japan now […]
Busy time ahead for GA’s alphabet groups
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the election year begins, Congress and the President are ratcheting up actions to gain an upper hand, which is putting issues affecting general aviation in both critical positions and on the back burner. This means a busy year for GA’s alphabet organizations, with both opportunities and potential problems. Ed Bolen, president […]
The best of times, the worst of times…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness.” So said Charles Dickens in “The Tale of Two Cities.” Little did he know he was writing about general aviation in 2013 — and possibly the year 2014. […]
Waiting for FAA action
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s a quip here that asks: Why don’t government workers look out of the windows in the morning? The answer is: If they did that they wouldn’t have anything to do in the afternoon. Things are not that bad in all offices, but two examples at the FAA lend credence to that […]
FAA names six sites for UAS research
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has selected the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. The sites will conduct tests and research into operational requirements for integrating UAS, more commonly called drones, into the national airspace. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the first site is […]
NTSB issues 5 general aviation safety alerts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five general aviation safety alerts were issued by the National Transportation Board the week before Christmas, citing the government agency’s focus on reducing GA accidents. “Knowing these accidents, which sometimes include entire families, can be prevented is why ‘general aviation safety’ is on our most wanted list of transportation safety improvements,” NTSB […]