The new year is here and with it the effects of Congressional wrangling over the so-called fiscal cliff. Maybe the political leadership have found some temporary resolve, but eventually cuts appear inevitable. Some aviation groups have gloomily predicted as much as $80 billion in GDP losses if the FAA takes an estimated $1 billion haircut […]
FAA
Aerospace medicine focus of new FAA Safety Briefing
The January/February 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on aerospace medicine. Articles cover key issues that affect medical certification for pilots, discuss the pilot’s role in this process, and explain the FAA’s responsibilities. Feature articles in this medically-themed issue include: Understanding what your medical can (and can’t) do for you (pg 14); How to […]
Make way for the drones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — You will be sharing the airspace with unmanned aerial vehicles more and more in the coming year and ahead. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) — more commonly called drones — have been operating in various parts of the nation since 1990. Since then, the FAA has authorized limited use for missions in the […]
Huerta approved as FAA administrator
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington aviation groups were quick to announce their approvals for the Senate confirmation of Michael F. Huerta as FAA administrator. He was named acting administrator following the resignation of Randy Babbitt on Dec. 6, 2011. He was deputy administrator under Babbitt. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association was first out with congratulations. Pete […]
What should GA expect in 2013?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — What can general aviation expect in the coming year? That question has aviation-focused personnel in Washington wondering. Uncertainty is not limited to aviation. The grim financial situation of near $17 trillion debt and political debates on what to do about it bring uncertainty to a point where “but what if” is tempering […]
NextGen months behind schedule, fiscal cliff could push it even farther
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is months behind schedule and FAA management faces many challenges before the massive project completes its movement from the planning stages to implementation. Meanwhile, industry representatives are concerned that the effort might not deliver all the desired benefits since the FAA has focused on limited […]
NATCA warns against sequestration
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation will feel the heavy impact of the mandated 8.2% sequestration funding cut for the FAA if Congress doesn’t act to avert the across-the-board cuts. A report from National Air Traffic Control Association (NATCA) says the cut would cause furloughing between 2,000 and 2,200 air traffic controllers. This is about 12% […]
NextGen technology launched in western Colorado
DENVER – The FAA and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have activated new NextGen technology that will help pilots address inclement weather around Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) in western Colorado. The technology, known as Wide Area Multilateration (WAM), improves safety and efficiency by allowing air traffic controllers to track aircraft in mountainous areas that […]
Rules under one master
A government-industry rulemaking committee responsible for making recommendations to address the lack of consistency in regulatory interpretations has issued its final report to the FAA. In late April, the FAA established the Consistency of Regulatory Interpretation (CRI) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), as directed by Congress, to review an October 2010 report by the Government Accountability […]