WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA has reached a settlement agreement with SkyPan International of Chicago resolving enforcement cases that alleged the company operated unmanned aircraft (UAS) in congested airspace over New York City and Chicago, and violated airspace regulations and aircraft operating rules. Under the terms of the agreement, SkyPan will pay a $200,000 civil penalty. The company also […]
FAA
Report blasts FAA for not being prepared
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Department of Transportation Inspector General (IG) report outlines deficiencies in the FAA’s ability to adequately prepare for and respond to major disruptions to the air traffic system. The IG pointed to shortcomings in the agency’s contingency planning, controller training, technology, and system redundancy and resiliency. The report also highlights the related impacts […]
FAA issues final medical rule
The FAA issued Jan. 10, 2017, a final rule that allows general aviation pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements outlined in Congressional legislation. “The United States has the world’s most robust general aviation community, and we’re committed to continuing to make it safer and more […]
GA reacts to medical reform
Following the FAA’s announcement of the final rule for third class medical reform, GA’s advocacy groups responded, with the president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association saying this is the best thing to happen to GA in decades. Teams of AOPA experts are now examining the regulations, which at first look appear to closely mirror the […]
FAA Safety Briefing now online
The January/February 2017 issue of FAA Safety Briefing is now online. The issue focuses on aviation risk management and aeronautical decision making. Featured content follows the framework of the PAVE checklist, covering a pilot’s decision making process to mitigate risks in terms of the: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External Pressures. Check it out here.
54 recommendations made to FAA to improve TFR Notams
A committee composed of pilots, aviation and automation experts, officials who submit notams, and flight planning vendors has drafted 54 recommendations to the FAA to improve the dissemination and graphical display of temporary flight restrictions to make it easier for pilots to access and understand the information, according to a report on the Aircraft Owners […]
FAA issues final rule overhauling airworthiness standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA issued a final rule Dec. 16, 2016, that overhauls the airworthiness standards for general aviation airplanes. According to FAA officials, the new rule will reduce the time it takes to move safety-enhancing technologies for small airplanes into the marketplace and will also reduce costs for the aviation industry. “Aviation manufacturing is […]
New FAA video stresses holiday drone safety
If you get a drone as a holiday present, the FAA wants you to know how to fly it safely. That’s why the agency released a new video reminding everyone of the rules and regulations that safe drone pilots must follow. As the video shows, before you fly your drone outdoors, the first thing to […]
FAA evaluates drone detection systems around Denver
As part of an effort to evaluate technologies that can be used to safely detect unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) around airports, the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are conducting drone-detection research during the week of Nov. 16, 2016, in the vicinity of Denver International Airport. The work in Denver is one of six […]