WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s a quip here that asks: Why don’t government workers look out of the windows in the morning? The answer is: If they did that they wouldn’t have anything to do in the afternoon. Things are not that bad in all offices, but two examples at the FAA lend credence to that […]
Capital Comments
FAA names six sites for UAS research
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has selected the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. The sites will conduct tests and research into operational requirements for integrating UAS, more commonly called drones, into the national airspace. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the first site is […]
NTSB issues 5 general aviation safety alerts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five general aviation safety alerts were issued by the National Transportation Board the week before Christmas, citing the government agency’s focus on reducing GA accidents. “Knowing these accidents, which sometimes include entire families, can be prevented is why ‘general aviation safety’ is on our most wanted list of transportation safety improvements,” NTSB […]
Congressman calls for early start on FAA reauthorization
WASHINGHTON, D.C. — Now is the time to begin laying the groundwork for reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said during a speech before the International Aviation Club Dec. 11. Although reauthorization isn’t due until September 2015, the aviation system must evolve and modernize, he said, and there are many questions […]
Subcommittee starts looking at ways to prepare for aviation’s future
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An aviation subcommittee in the House of Representatives started early to examine how best to structure the FAA to meet upcoming challenges. During a hearing held Thursday, Dec. 12, the subcommittee members heard suggestions from officials with various aviation organizations. New technologies, new worldwide aviation growth, new businesses and increased populations will […]
A ‘baaad’ rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This could be the beginning of something big: The FAA has followed recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and announced a program to check the weight of pilots in order to produce safer flight. The announced reason is that overweight people have a tendency to be more liable to suffer sleep […]
Drone ‘road map’ unveiled
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has released its 72-page “road map” for determining how to permit unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) — more commonly known as drones — to share the skies with other aircraft by 2015, but early indications show many problems to overcome before the air has a mixture of vehicles. The plan will […]
FAA and industry must come together, Huerta says
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The aviation industry and the government must come together and answer the question of what kind of aviation system is wanted and how it can be financed, FAA Administrator Michel Huerta told the Washington Aero Club. The industry has many segments with different interests and each is pushing its own agenda, he […]
GA looks to debt ceiling date
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oct.. 17 is rapidly approaching and even the experts with crystal balls can’t predict what the government will do. Unless Congress moves before then and passes some sort of funding bills, general aviation could suffer more than the few problems the partial government shutdown is now causing. Day-to-day flying under the current […]