Even after the Congress enacted legislation that enabled the FAA to fully fund air traffic services, the agency is asking the Experimental Aircraft Association to cover some of the costs for its AirVenture operations, including air traffic controllers’ travel, per diems, and overtime, which had traditionally been covered by the FAA. “This issue is significantly […]
FAA
FAA slowing drone use to fight wildfires
Fire fighters hoping to use drones to “map a fire’s size and speed, and identify hot spots,” are running up against FAA regulation. A New York Times story notes a drone is precluded, “from operating out of sight of a ground-based pilot. If distance or the smoke of a wildfire obscures a drone from observers on the ground, a piloted […]
FAA administrator: Sequestration not over yet…
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a hearing that while he is grateful for the law Congress passed to end air traffic controller furloughs and stave off contract tower defunding, it “does not end the sequester. We will not enjoy the benefits or the stability that the FAA reauthorization provides until we find a sensible […]
Apparently we do need this tower
The “Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013” (H.R. 1765) was introduced on Friday, April 26, by Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa). It was signed by President Obama on Wednesday, May 1. You see, Congress and the President can get things done…when they want to. The full title of the bill is “To provide the Secretary of Transportation with […]
Contract towers to stay open
On Friday, the FAA announced it will keep open the 149 contract towers the agency slated for closure on June 15. In a short, prepared statement, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that DOT “has determined that the recently enacted Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 will allow the FAA to transfer sufficient funds to end […]
AOPA points out FAA’s flawed process in decision to close towers
In a court filing Monday, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) called the FAA’s decision to close 149 contract control towers “arbitrary, capricious, and fundamentally flawed, leaving the safety and efficiency consequences largely unknown.” In an amicus curiae brief filed as part of a federal lawsuit against the FAA by municipalities where control towers […]
Flying green
The May/June 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on environmental advances in general aviation. Articles explore ways we can “fly green” through new technology and by following environmentally sound practices. Feature articles in this issue include: How to be a noise-friendly neighbor (p. 10) The future of electric aircraft (p. 18) And a look […]
Lawmakers keep pressure on FAA to keep towers open
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 42 U.S. Senators have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta calling on the agency to stop the planned closure of 149 contract towers. In the letter, the lawmakers highlight that the bill passed in the Senate on April 25 and signed into […]
An open letter to the FAA administrator: How can we help?
A third-class medical exemption for pilots operating four-seat, 180-hp (or less) aircraft in daytime, VFR conditions probably is not a high priority item for FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. Can you really blame him? But it is to me, and no doubt a great many current, and potential, recreational pilots. So…Michael — can I call you […]