Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate recently sent letters to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta reiterating congressional support for the preservation of 252 federal contract towers. Fifty-five senators signed a July 31 letter imploring Huerta to consider “all perspectives” in what appears to be an effort to streamline tower operations as the agency […]
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FAA bans GA ride sharing
In a legal interpretation released Aug. 13, the FAA’s Chief Counsel for Regulations ruled against “peer-to-peer general aviation flight sharing” Internet-based operations that allow private pilots to offer available space on flights they intend to take. According to a post at AVWeb, AirPooler asked the FAA for an interpretation of the regulations, to confirm that […]
New video highlights GA in SC
In honor of Aviation Week Aug. 17-23, the South Carolina Aviation Association and the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission released a seven-minute video “Life: Made Accessible With Aviation,” which you can see below. With more than 100 aerospace-related companies in South Carolina, aviation is a multi-billion-dollar industry and supports more than 70,000 jobs. Aviation and airports […]
British pilots storm to a double victory in Red Bull Air Race
ASCOT (United Kingdom) — Britain’s Paul Bonhomme and Nigel Lamb won first and second place at the Red Bull Air Race at the Ascot Racecourse on Sunday, Aug. 18. It was the 15th career victory for Bonhomme and also his second win of the season, helping him cut the world championship lead of Hannes Arch […]
Eclipse layoffs workers
Eclipse Aerospace began laying off workers Friday, Aug. 15, at its Albuquerque production facility, service center and headquarters in response to lagging demand for its twin-engined very light jet, according to a report from the Albquerque Journal. Company official Ed Lundeen is quoted in the article, noting the layoffs were “strictly a function of the […]
Eclipse CEO to speak at Atlanta Aero Club
Mason Holland, CEO & Chairman at Eclipse Aerospace, will be the featured guest speaker at the regular bi–monthly meeting of the Atlanta Aero Club Aug. 21. In 2009, Holland created Eclipse Aerospace, which manufactures the Eclipse 500, a high performance twin-engine light jet. He currently leads a team in the service, support and new production […]
Montana governor declares August ‘GA Appreciation Month’
Montana Governor Steve Bullock has proclaimed August 2014 “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Montana, general aviation accounts for more than $117 million in economic activity annually. “We applaud Governor Bullock for recognizing the importance of general aviation in the state of Montana,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation […]
VFR into IMC kills one
Aircraft: Beechcraft Musketeer. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Dayton, Va. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: Before departing, the non-instrument-rated pilot obtained a weather briefing and was advised several times that VFR flight was not recommended due to existing and forecasted instrument meteorological conditions along his intended route of flight. He declined to file a flight plan and took […]
GA groups lobby for expedited review of medical reform
Seven influential general aviation organizations are asking the Department of Transportation to expedite a review of the FAA’s proposed rulemaking on third-class medical reform. In an August 15 letter, the associations urged Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to complete its review of the FAA notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) within the next 30 days and open the […]