When President Obama signed the extension of the FAA’s reauthorization July 15, GA’s focus was on the long-awaited medical reform. But what else was in the bill that affects GA?The bill, which extends the FAA’s reauthorization through Sept. 30, 2017, at current funding levels, had several provisions dealing with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) — also […]
FAA expected to meet medical reform deadline
What’s the latest on the third class medical reform? The bill gave the FAA 180 days to come up with new regulations and officials with both the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) believe the agency is on track to deliver in time. “The FAA is making every attempt to […]
Airport Courtesy Cars app enhanced
An app that helps pilots find airport courtesy cars is now supported by a website that lists more than 1,625 cars around the nation. Developed by long-time pilot Glenn Brasch, the AirportCourtesyCars.com lets all pilots access the information, no matter what kind of smartphone they have.After launching the app in late 2015, he quickly found […]
Third class medical reform reality
On July 15, general aviation changed forever. That’s when President Barack Obama signed into law an FAA authorization extension that includes third class medical reform. “Medical reforms are now the law, and that’s a big win for general aviation,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Mark Baker. “This is the most significant legislative […]
Long-time GAN columnist passes away
Long-time General Aviation News columnist Charles Spence passed away at home June 23 after a brief illness. He was 94. Spence, who wrote the Capital Comments column for General Aviation News for more than 18 years, retired from that post in December 2014 at the age of 92. A passionate general aviation advocate, Spence’s lifelong […]
Ribbon cutting held for Lakeland Aero Club
In what was called a “momentous occasion,” a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held during this year’s SUN ’n FUN to officially open the Lakeland Aero Club’s new hangar. “This is the largest high school flying club on the planet,” said SUN ’n FUN President John “Lites” Leenhouts. More importantly, the club is the “cement that holds […]
EAA partners with FAA, Dynon, for STC breakthrough
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) joined with Dynon Avionics at SUN ’n FUN to reveal they have established a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) process to install Dynon’s EFIS-D10A in certificated aircraft. This allows innovations developed for the amateur-built aircraft fleet to make their way into Cessna 150s, 152s, and 172s, as well asPiper PA-28 and […]
Paying for ATC at SUN ‘n FUN
In the weeks before SUN ’n FUN opened, fly-in officials found themselves scrambling after the FAA told them the estimate for air traffic control services at this year’s event would be a whopping $325,000. That’s a big difference from last year’s bill of $202,000. “We told them we can’t survive,” recalls SUN ’n FUN President […]
SUN ‘n FUN by the numbers
For the first time in SUN ’n FUN history, the fly-in opens not only debt free, but with more than $500,000 in the bank. That’s the latest report from SUN ’n FUN President John “Lites” Leenhouts, who added that the fly-in also has $175,000 that it is building into an endowment fund. “That means we […]