WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 18th extension for FAA funding of programs expired at midnight Tuesday, May 31, but a committee aide told General Aviation News the programs were extended for one more month. This is the 19th extension. Being just one month in duration might signal both Houses of the Congress are close to agreements […]
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Backup plan for FAA reauthorization introduced
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan committee in the House introduced a bill to again provide a short-term extension for the FAA if agreement cannot be reached for a long-term reauthorization before the present funding program expires May 31. If needed, this would be the 19th short-term extension and carry the FAA through to June 30. […]
Do you know your state’s aircraft tax legislation?
Aircraft owners should be alert to state taxes, the National Business Aviation Association recently warned its members in a webinar. Webinar presenters Phil Crowther, an attorney, and consultant Nel Stubbs discussed the types of taxes that pilots and business aviation operators might find themselves hit with, including sales tax, use tax, personal property tax, aircraft […]
Bin Laden’s death heightens security; renews focus on new pilot licenses
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The potential threat of retaliation for the execution of Osama Bin Laden is bringing heightened security efforts throughout the United States — and this includes aviation. This focus on security brought the subject of pilot licenses to the forefront at a May 10 Senate hearing, with elected officials especially worried about the […]
Top Democrat fights FAA bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill to reauthorize the FAA has passed the House of Representatives, but the ranking Democrat on the aviation subcommittee continues to fight against it. This time, Congressman Jerry Costello has called on the National Transportation Safety Board for help. Costello wrote to NTSB officials, asking them for an opinion on a […]
What’s behind media frenzy over controller errors?
What brought about the heavy media coverage of the errors by air traffic controllers? Print and electronic media made this their lead articles for days. Members of Congress demanded answers from the FAA and Department of Transportation. The top manager of air traffic at the FAA “resigned” and at least two controllers have been discharged. […]
Safety, jobs ammo in budget wars
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Don’t look now, but Chicken Little is flapping around Washington shouting “The sky is falling. The sky is falling.” Or maybe it is the politicians running around shouting “safety” and “jobs” in every comment about the budget disagreement. Whatever position is taken on the budget, safety and jobs are used to justify […]
General aviation fatalities continue downward
General aviation continued its downward trend of accidents and fatalities in 2010 while flying more hours than in 2009, according to statistics released by the National Transportation Safety Board. The 447 fatalities last year compared to 469 in 2009 and were almost half the number of 864 that occurred in 1992. Hours flown in 2010 […]
House passes FAA reauthorization despite Presidential Veto
Despite the threat of a veto by President Obama, the House of Representatives Friday, April 1, passed a reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration after 17 short-term extensions and it now goes to conference with a bill passed by the Senate in February. The measure was approved in the House by a vote of […]