WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2014 there were 2,294 national airspace violations. That would be an average of more than six every day. In most of these incidents the persons involved were licensed pilots. What do these abstract figures mean? Perhaps very little unless you were involved in one of the incidents. Or, unless you are […]
Capital Comments
The end of an era
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was the best of times and the worst of times. Charles Dickens said that in “A Tale of Two Cities.” But I’m saying it now for me. The worst of times is that at age 92, I must give up writing for General Aviation News the happenings in the nation’s capital and the […]
GA advocates return to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The mid-term election was a surprise to many people. Some it pleased. To others it caused discomfort. But to officials of general aviation advocacy groups who deal regularly with Congress, election results are neutral. The associations deal with both political parties over the years and there is no desire to make a comment that […]
No longer business as usual for ATC
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Business as usual in air traffic management won’t work, which is why the FAA Administrator is calling on the aviation industry to help in adapting and assuring the financing of new approaches. That was the message FAA Administrator Michael Huerta brought in a recent speech to the Aero Club of Washington. The […]
GA garnering more attention from Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation now seems to be getting more attention in Congress and from the FAA. This observation comes from the appearance of a Congressman and a deputy administrator of the FAA at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Homecoming Fly-In earlier this month. Michael Whitaker, FAA deputy administrator with the primary responsibility […]
Possible terrorist threats keep GA vigilant
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When conditions in the Middle East erupted and President Obama unleashed air power on the Islamic State, officials at many general aviation organizations here became jittery over ISIL threats to retaliate on American soil. If there is retaliation, would aircraft be used? Would the escalation of tensions raise the level of concern […]
Six movie companies given OK to fly drones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The drones are coming. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta revealed at a news conference Sept. 25 that six aerial and video companies have been granted permission to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the United States, with a seventh company in line for approval. The regulatory exemptions are the […]
Third-class medical reform caught in government maze
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It started two-and-a-half years ago and there is still no clear end in sight. It’s another example of apparent government slow — or no — action. In March 2012, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) petitioned the FAA to reduce the requirements for a third-class medical […]
License or certificate?
If you pilot an aircraft, you probably tell friends you have a pilot’s license. Right? Maybe. What you have now is a pilot’s CERTIFICATE. The FAA issues LICENSES for commercial space transportation. The FAA recently began using certificate most of the time for aviation to differentiate it from space work, as well as from licenses issued by foreign […]