WASHINGTON, D.C. – While the FAA is currently accepting applications for entry-level air traffic controller positions, this is just a step toward lessening the current nationwide controller staffing crisis, according to officials with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. They say it will take years of “sustained hiring and successful training” to fully end the crisis. […]
FAA
Largest-ever coalition of GA groups tells Congress ‘No’ to ATC privatization
More than 100 general aviation organizations have united in opposition to H.R. 2997, legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that seeks to privatize the nation’s ATC system. The controversial proposal was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) as part of a continuing congressional debate over reauthorization of the FAA, before […]
FAA offers to refund drone hobbyists
Aviation International News is reporting that the FAA is complying with a recent appellate court ruling, offering to delete the registration information it collected from recreational drone users and return the $5 fee at their request. On July 3, the agency made available a “registration deletion and self-certification” form that registrants must complete and mail […]
FAA puts out help wanted sign
The FAA is accepting applications for entry-level air traffic controller positions starting through July 14, 2017. The agency is hoping to fill 1,400 jobs. Those interested should log onto the federal government’s official job site, USAJOBS.gov. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications and other eligibility requirements, agency officials noted. Applicants will be separated into two pools of […]
Tell Congress, then tell a friend
A little more than 44% of all airline flight delays between May 2016 and April 2017 were categorized as Air Carrier Delay. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics defines Air Carrier Delay as “within the airline’s control (e.g. maintenance or crew problems, aircraft cleaning, baggage loaded, fueling, etc.).” So it feels a tad misleading when Southwest […]
Latest FAA Safety Briefing answers questions about BasicMed
Still have questions about BasicMed? The July/August 2017 issue of FAA Safety Briefing explores several key facets of the new rule, which offers pilots an alternative to the FAA’s medical qualification process for third class medical certificates. Under BasicMed, a pilot will be required to complete a medical education course every two years, undergo a […]
General aviation survey underway
The 39th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway. The survey is the FAA’s primary source of information about the size and activity of the general aviation and on-demand Part 135 fleet. According to the FAA, data collected from the survey helps the agency: Anticipate and meet demand for National Airspace System […]
House, Senate introduce competing FAA bills
Transportation committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate introduced two competing bills a day apart to reauthorize the FAA. The House bill includes a plan to spin off ATC to a non-profit corporation controlled by the aviation industry, while the Senate bill does not. Not surprising, GA’s alphabet groups have come out in […]
Expect the unexpected
Expected the unexpected — that’s the latest message released by the FAA in its Fly Safe: Prevent Loss of Control Accidents campaign. The FlySafe campaign is designed to educate GA pilots about the best practices to calculate and predict aircraft performance and to operate within established aircraft limitations, FAA officials say. It focuses on Loss […]