Improving general aviation safety is a top priority for the FAA, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told industry leaders when he met with them Jan. 27 to jump start efforts for this year’s flying season. Huerta reported that the general aviation fatal accident rate has flattened over the past six years, noting there were 259 fatal […]
FAA
NextGen at Snoopy’s Airport
The FAA has posted several NextGen Performance Snapshots, including one about Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in California that agency officials thought our readers would find interesting. So, what do the names Woodstock, Lucy and Pigpen bring to mind? For pilots flying into STS, those are the waypoints that guide them along the NextGen approach to runway 32. The airport, named for […]
Bill introduced to protect pilots, controllers from proposed sleep apnea policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure the FAA conducts an open rulemaking process before enacting potential changes to the medical certification requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers in relation to sleep disorders. “As a pilot myself, I recognize that there is […]
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 […]
GA priorities get ‘robust funding’ in omnibus appropriations bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today thanked U.S. House and Senate negotiators for recommending robust funding of two key GA priorities — the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Service and the transition to an unleaded aviation fuel for piston aircraft — in the omnibus appropriations bill. The Appropriations Committee leaders agreed to fund the […]
10 new members named to FAA Management Advisory Council
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx today appointed 10 new members to the FAA Management Advisory Council (MAC), which advises the FAA on management, policy, spending and regulatory matters. The 10 new members are: Steve Alterman, president, Cargo Airline Association; Bill Ayer, former chairman, Alaska Air Group; Montie Brewer, former president and […]
FAA apologizes for delay on 3rd class medical petition
In a story posted on AOPA.org, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports that FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has formally responded to a request for an update on the status of the association’s third-class medical petition. In a Dec. 26 letter, Huerta apologized for the delay in taking action on the petition, saying it was important […]
Inhofe, Manchin urge full funding of FAA contract towers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) today sent a letter to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) and the SAC’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) urging them to fully fund the FAA’s Contract Tower Program. In the letter, the Senators wrote: “As […]
Latest edition of FAA Safety Briefing online
The January/February 2014 issue of FAA Safety Briefing explores the role technology plays in keeping general aviation safe and efficient. Articles discuss the many benefits of emerging technologies as well as the potential safety hazards of being too technologically focused. Feature articles in this issue include: “The (Lost) Art of Paying Attention” — a look […]