General aviation is a homegrown American industry that is responsible for 1.2 million jobs and pumps more than $150 billion into our nation’s economy. But it’s also an industry that’s being held back by an antiquated regulatory system that is painfully unresponsive and out of touch, according to U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), who is also a […]
FAA
Safety focus of international conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Each year representatives from the FAA and other nations gather for an international aviation safety conference. This year the meeting will be held in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of the nation’s capital. The importance of the meetings is expressed by the FAA in its statement on this year’s meeting: “In a rapidly […]
FAA to expedite limited commercial UAS operations
ORLANDO, Fla. — During a speech at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Unmanned Systems 2014, FAA Manager of UAS Integration Jim Williams reported that the FAA is working with several industries to expedite some limited commercial operations of UAS before UAS rules are finalized. “We applaud the FAA for working collaboratively with the industry and […]
NTSB recommends FAA, National Weather Service improve weather forecasts to pilots
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board said May 7 that the National Weather Service and the FAA should provide improved forecast services to pilots. NTSB officials pointed to nine areas for the two agencies to provide better information. The recommendations were based on the NTSB’s accident investigations involving aircraft encountering weather conditions, such […]
Alaska UAS test site begins research flights
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The University of Alaska’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test site is the second of six to become operational. The FAA has granted the University of Alaska Fairbanks a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) authorizing flights by an Aeryon Scout small UAS for animal surveys at its Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex […]
Latest issue of FAA Safety Briefing online
Now online, the May/June 2014 issue of FAA Safety Briefing is all about Airworthiness Certification and Standards. The issue looks at the hidden dangers of layering supplemental type certificates (STC), who to go to when your plane has an issue, and how to take care of an aging aircraft. In addition, you can learn more […]
FAA and GA community launch weather safety campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA and general aviation groups will launch an eight-month national safety campaign titled, “Got Weather? #GotWx,” to help general aviation pilots prepare for potential weather challenges they may encounter during the 2014 flying season. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and GA leaders will kick-off the Got Weather? campaign this Sunday, May 4, […]
Questions surround NextGen
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA reported earlier this month that it had completed nationwide equipment installation for the NextGen aircraft tracking system. The announcement — like others in the past and probably those in the future — raises more questions than it provides answers, particularly for general aviation. The nationwide installation of the Automatic Dependent […]
FAA launches GA pilot data collection study
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA has launched a one-year project to demonstrate the capabilities of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program for the general aviation community. Voluntary data will be collected from GA pilots within 40 nautical miles of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The FAA and industry are working together through […]