The Senate began work on reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration with a hearing by the aviation subcommittee that signaled a push to speed operation of the NextGen air traffic control system, another battle over user fees, and greater FAA financing from the general fund. James May, president and CEO of the Air Transport Association, […]
Opinion
GAO report says FAA Trust Fund going broke
The aviation trust fund, which is used to help finance the FAA and provide help for airports, is in danger of going broke, according to a report from the Government Accounting Office (GAO) which could signal a stronger pitch for user fees. At the end of fiscal Year 2001, the uncommitted balance in the fund […]
Helicopter safety hearing could bring GA problems
Do states have a right to control operations of emergency medical helicopters or is this role exclusive to the Federal Aviation Administration? With states eager to place restrictions on airports and flight paths, a decision favoring them could end up causing numerous problems for general aviation. The question was the center of an April 22 […]
AOPA launches $1.5 million campaign to sell GA
Citing challenges facing general aviation, Craig Fuller, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, unveiled Monday a $1.5 million advertising and promotion campaign to gain public support to keep government from imposing devastating user fees, airport limitations, and other restrictions on air transportation that serves America. The program includes radio, television, on-line and print […]
New amphibians rely on historic designs
It was recently reported that an aging fleet of seaplanes is prompting several companies to come forward with new or renewed seaplane designs. Aircraft mentioned include Viking Air’s new-production Twin Otter, the reborn Grumman Goose by Antilles Seaplanes, and the new design Dornier Seastar amphibian. The Viking website (VikingAir.com) refers to the new-build Twin Otter […]
Taking the hassle out of flying
For many years I’ve maintained that the business executive who can afford a single or light twin airplane doesn’t get involved in flying for a couple of reasons. First is time. Many of these individuals started learning to fly or actually got their certificates as young people. As their businesses grew or they advanced in […]
To fly with Wilbur Wright
General Aviation News reader Ken Rapier, who runs the Tuskegee Airmen Young Eagles program in Chicago, sent a link to a fascinating film clip from Austrian archives. It shows Wilbur Wright demonstrating a Wright brothers aeroplane in Italy in 1909. The Wrights went to Europe because there was little interest in their invention in the […]
Industry groups lobby for boost in general fund contribution to FAA
A coalition of 17 industry and trade associations have sent a joint letter asking the House Transportation Committee to provide 25% of the FAA’s budget from the general tax fund. The letter states that General Fund money has long been used to bolster the FAA’s budget, noting that as recently as 2003, 25% of the […]
Shaking off the gloom
By DAN JOHNSON The darkest hours of 2008 were lightened considerably by the rock-solid start to the year witnessed at the 2009 U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, in January. Record crowds, numerous airplane orders, and the sellout of inventory by some exhibitors helped to shake off the gloom of the rotten economy. That […]