WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation will grow over the next 20 years, but at a rate of only 1/2 of 1% a year, according to the FAA. The agency also forecasts the total number of aircraft used in general aviation to increase from 220,670 in 2012 to 246,375 in 2033, an increase of only 25,705, […]
FAA
Close to home: The impact of tower closures
If you are a pilot, nothing gets your attention faster than when the FAA proposes closing local control towers. As part of FAA budget cuts due to the sequester, agency officials notified 173 contract air traffic control towers across the country that they will be shut down on April 7. Airport officials have until March […]
Is the control tower at your airport up for closure?
Go to SaveContractTowersNow.com and click on Affected Towers and Communities to download a PDF that lists all the airports slated for closure. The website also has information on how to contact your elected representatives and tips on what to say to get the message across that closing the towers is a bad idea.
Some question FAA’s selection of sequestration cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sequestration hasn’t caused the sky to fall in Washington, but there are indications some efforts are being made to pull it down to meet the dire threats of disasters that have been put forth. The FAA notified employees of intended furloughs of up to 11 work days beginning about April 7. Contract […]
Air Safety Institute recognizes five controllers
Five air traffic controllers have been awarded “Flight Assist Commendations” by the Air Safety Institute of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) for service they rendered to pilots who were facing troubles aloft in 2012. Each of the controllers was recognized for guiding pilots to safety who were struggling with airborne situations such as […]
Tower closures and furloughs: Are they necessary?
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The FAA intends to send furlough notices to its employees, meaning in early April fewer controllers will be on the job unless Congress acts before that to make some changes to sequestration. The National Air Traffic Controller Association says it has been notified of this, adding that closing towers is “even worse.” With the […]
Pearson Field airspace issue resolved
Airspace operations at Pearson Field (VUO) and Portland International Airport (PDX) will remain unchanged, thanks to the efforts of Washington and Oregon elected officials, local pilot groups and the FAA. Pearson Field, located in Vancouver, Wash., six miles from PDX, is one of the oldest continually operating airports in the United States. On Sept. 20, […]
FAA administrator tells Congress how agency is preparing for sequestration
WASHINGTON, D.C. — FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told a Congressional subcommittee Wednesday, Feb. 27, the agency has put in a hiring freeze, cut travel and is preparing for furloughs of employees as sequestration appears certain to become effective March 1. Cuts in spending under sequestration take the FAA back to its level of spending in […]
Fantasy of Flight to host Splash-In
For the fifth year in a row, Fantasy of Flight will once again host the Splash-In of the 39th annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo, held in nearby Lakeland, Fla., April 9-14. The Splash-In site at Lake Agnes, adjacent to Fantasy of Flight, will be operational Wednesday, April 10, through Friday, April 12. […]