WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) are strongly urging the Federal Communications Commission to take action to prevent interference with GPS reception and threats to the future of a GPS-based air traffic system. The FCC has applications from LightSquared, a company that wants to build […]
Capital Comments
Will Congressional shoot out cause FAA shutdown?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Will the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives blink before midnight Friday so another temporary extension can be passed and prevent a closing of the FAA over lack of funding? That’s the question many in all phases of aviation are asking here as the deadline for the end of the 20th temporary […]
A long hot summer
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Long hot summer” in Washington is more than a description of the humid weather. This year it refers more to political struggles and how they are affecting general aviation. Opposing goals by the President and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives are causing all special interest groups — including aviation — to ratchet […]
Objections keep coming on Obama’s criticism of GA
“Obama is trying to demoralize the private plane industry and engage in class warfare.” That statement by U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb) sums up the atmosphere after the attack on business jets by the president at a press conference last week. Johanns is co-chair of the Senate Aviation Caucus. “It may be good politics at […]
Obama’s remarks irk GA groups
In a press conference Wednesday, June 28, President Obama lashed out at “corporate jets” three times in his opening remarks on wanting to increase revenue, citing tax policies on general aviation airplanes as one place to act. GA groups quickly lashed back. “The president has inexplicably chosen to vilify and mischaracterize business aviation — an […]
The fight to protect GPS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — If the communication company LightSquared goes ahead with its plan to install ground-based transmitters throughout the United States, it could mean catastrophic and potentially fatal issues for users of GPS. This was one concern expressed at a June 23 Congressional hearing into the conflict between LightSquared and users of GPS because of […]
Economic impact of general aviation cited as alliance marks its fourth anniversary
The Alliance for Aviation Across America marked the fourth anniversary since its founding by holding a telephone press conference Tuesday, June 14, citing the economic impact of general aviation and how groups are working more closely together to get across the value of general aviation to communities and the nation. Twenty-nine state governors have now […]
DOT move would allow anyone to follow flight plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The decision by the Department of Transportation to change the rules and let anyone in the world follow any general aviation aircraft on an instrument flight plan — departure point, route and destination — may be challenged in court by three of GA’s alphabet groups. The National Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners […]
What’s behind jump in controller errors?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Air traffic controller errors are on the increase, but whether there are really more incidents or better reporting is not determined, according to experts testifying at a recent hearing by a Senate aviation subcommittee. Operational errors increased a whopping 53% between 2009 and 2010, according to FAA statistics. But FAA Administrator Randy […]