WASHINGTON, D.C. — Air traffic control facilities are in such bad repair that the FAA told Congressional investigators that it estimates the backlog of maintenance costs is between $250 million and $350 million — yet the last two years the administration has requested less than $60 million annually for maintenance. A Congressional committee’s oversight and […]
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A sigh of relief – and a warning: House passes FAA reauthorization bill without user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Passage by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the FAA Reauthorization legislation — without user fees — brought some level of relief to the general aviation community, but also a warning that user fee opponents cannot let their guards down. Introducing the bill, Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) said projected growth of […]
Increased security in the works: Expect stricterr egulations later this year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After security measures were established for commercial aviation, general aviation has been waiting for the other shoe to drop to see what might be planned for personal and business flights. It’s dropping. The Department of Homeland Security is now talking with various aviation groups and elected officials to test the waters about […]
FAA moves to consolidate air traffic control facilities: But faces opposition from controllers, elected officials
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Should air traffic control facilities be consolidated? The FAA thinks so, but the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) says it is dangerous the way the FAA is doing it — and therein lies another struggle. NATCA says it is not opposed to consolidation “”where it makes sense.”” The FAA’s approach, declares […]
The numbers don’t add up: Airlines claim they pay 95% of ATC costs, but FAA numbers prove that’s false
The Air Transport Association (ATA), the trade association that represents the airlines, began running television advertisements in airports around the country, late in May. The ad deceptively attempts to mislead viewers into believing that commercial, passenger aircraft are backed up on runways because of congestion caused by small aircraft, that small aircraft somehow get preferential […]
Pilot error blamed in Lidel crash
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was pilot misjudgment, incomplete planning, and airmanship that caused the accident last October in which Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle and his flight instructor, Tyler Stanger, died when their Cirrus SR20 hit an apartment building in Manhattan. In a hearing to determine the cause of the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board […]
Should we trust the FAA? Its employees don’t
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Management of the FAA and its controllers have been at loggerheads for many months. Now a report in The Washington Post reveals groups of other employees, as well, have problems with management. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has been pointing out incident after incident where it says management’s actions are […]
Are we preaching to the choir? Some say general public needs to be included in debate about user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The current differences over user fees and air traffic control modernization is not an aviation issue, but an air commerce matter, a former FAA administrator declared at a forum sponsored here by the United States Chamber of Commerce. Alan McArtor, who was administrator from 1987 to 1989, said there is a need […]
Use fees get cold shoulder from lawmakers: Speculation already exists that reauthorization bill won’t be ready by deadline
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “”My intention is to give it a decent burial.”” With those words, Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) closed his opening comments at a House Subcommittee hearing into reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Oberstar’s comment referred to the administration’s, FAA’s, and airline industry’s efforts to establish user fees for general aviation. The House […]