FAA funding for 2006 was recently approved by Congress. The $13.8 billion approved is $276 million higher than this year’s allocation and more than $1.1 billion higher than President Bush’s request. It includes $25 million to hire and train 595 new air traffic controllers.
News
Finding the right lender
How can you find the best lender to finance your new airplane? First, understand the marketplace, advises David Madden, who is a pilot and executive vice president of Aircraft Banking.Com. There are many ways to buy an airplane: with cash, going down to your local bank, using a broker or going to a finance company. […]
Blakey wants mediator to assist NATCA negotiations
FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey has called for federal mediation to help reach a voluntary contract agreement with the air traffic controllers union. The FAA’s request comes after four-and-a-half months of negotiations. Officials at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) say the request is a “publicity stunt.” The FAA’s contract proposal maintains the base-pay […]
Another TFR, this time for VP
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) around Vice President Richard Cheney’s new house could end up being permanent – at least until the next election. Cheney recently bought an 18th century house named Mount Misery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. On Nov. 22, a TFR with a one-nautical-mile radius and a ceiling of 1,500 feet was established […]
GA shipments up 25%
The good news continues for the GA industry. In the first nine months of this year, shipments rose 25.7% to 2,432, while industry-wide billings for new airplanes rose to $10.4 billion, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Shipments of piston-powered airplanes manufactured worldwide increased to 1,685 units in the first three quarters of […]
New Orleans FBO opens
Million Air New Orleans recently became the first FBO at Lakefront Airport to officially reopen its doors in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Louisiana/Mississippi coast in late August. The FBO set up 2,100 square feet of modular office space, installed new skidded fuel tanks and purchased new fuel trucks. The airport received […]
Texas Fly-In pilots assist Randolph AFB air show
Home-built airplanes by members of The Texas Fly-In were among the aircraft displays that attracted more than 250,000 visitors to the 75th anniversary Air Show at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio in November.Homebuilts on display or flying included Rob Chase’s RANS S-7, Mark Frederick’s C-45, Neil Longwill’s Lancair, and Stan Shannon’s RV-9A. The EAA airplanes […]
SJ30-2 receives certification
The SJ30-2 bizjet recently received type certification, following a 20-year development program. The type certificate approves the new twin-engine light business jet for day, night, VFR, IFR, single-pilot and “full performance envelope” operations. Remaining approvals, such as certification for flight into known icing and operation of cabin interior systems, will be completed before deliveries are […]
A century as record keepers
The National Aeronautic Association celebrated its 100th birthday this year. Formed in 1905 as the Aero Club of America, it has been this country’s official representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the world aviation record keepers, ever since. The oldest aviation organization in the United States, the NAA’s work encompasses all areas of flight, from […]