A defense funding bill now on its way to the White House for President Trump’s signature includes a provision that would reinstate mandatory registration for recreational small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) weighing less than 55 pounds. Passed by the Senate on Nov. 16, 2017, the National Defense Authorization Act includes language that would overturn a […]
FAA
FAA seeks public input on drone design standards
For the first time, the FAA is seeking public comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for an unmanned aircraft system, more popularly known as a “drone.” The Federal Register notice asks for comments on proposed design standards needed for the FlightScan Corporation Camcopter S-100 to fly safely in U.S. airspace. The ultimate goal of this, and […]
Drone restores Puerto Rico cell service
The FAA has approved the first unmanned aircraft operation of its kind to help restore cellular service in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The Flying COW (Cell on Wings) drone, developed by AT&T, functions like a cell tower in the sky, restoring voice, data and internet service. It flies up to 200 […]
Deadline looms for General Aviation Award nominations
The deadline for submitting names of CFIs, FAA Safety Team Representatives, and Aviation Maintenance Technicians for the General Aviation Awards Program is Nov. 30, 2017. The awards are a cooperative effort between the FAA and more than a dozen aviation organizations to recognize aviation professionals for their exemplary service and contributions to the general aviation community. […]
FAA chief: Collaboration key to maintaining U.S. leadership in aviation
As his term at the FAA comes to an end early next year, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told members of the Aero Club in Washington, D.C., the “only way forward” is to foster more “constructive relationships” in the aviation community. “The result is the safest, largest, most complex, and most efficient air transportation system the […]
NBAA files final brief over SMO closing
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has filed its final brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the legality of the settlement agreement reached earlier this year between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, California, over the future of Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO.) The Nov. […]
FAA proposes $3.7 million fine against NavWorx
The FAA has proposed a civil penalty of $3.685 million against NavWorx of Rowlett, Texas, for allegedly producing and selling ADS-B navigation units that did not meet FAA requirements and for allegedly misleading customers about those products. “The FAA has strict requirements for navigation units to ensure the reliability of the information they provide both […]
2017 may be GA’s safest year yet
At the recent FAA General Aviation (GA) Summit, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told participants that 2017 will be “our safest year yet.” During the summit, which included representatives from six GA associations, Huerta praised the general aviation industry for helping to make safety improvements in general aviation. “We first started this group to address the […]
NavWorx ceases operations
NavWorx has ceased operations after the FAA determined that a GPS module in the ADS600-B did not meet requirements. “The ADS600-B Gen 2.0 product utilizes a GPS module from a third-party vendor,” officials said on the NavWorx site. “Although the vendor represented their GPS module met 14 CFR 91.227, the FAA recently determined the GPS […]