WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pilots and aircraft owners at all levels of aviation are reluctant to invest in the necessary new equipment for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). One reason is that the FAA has not clearly defined what benefits will be achieved and when. A recent report from Calvin Scovel III, Inspector General […]
FAA
House passes sleep apnea bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed H.R. 3578 to ensure the FAA conducts an open rulemaking process before making changes to medical certification requirements for pilots with sleep disorders.
Over regulation, slow response time and inconsistencies hurt GA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Numerous government regulations, slow response times for decisions, and frequent inconsistencies by the FAA are harming small general aviation businesses. That’s the message the House Small Business Committee heard last week from a number of witnesses who own their own businesses, as well as officials from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) […]
Keeping the skies safe as UAV testing begins
By DAVE HOOK. I’m not against UAVs. What I am against is fencing off parts of the sky from the flyers who were here first in the interest of UAV testing. I’m also not for rolling the dice with the lives of fellow aviators and their passengers. A central challenge for integrating UAVs into the […]
FAA proposes fine for Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
LOS ANGELES – The FAA is proposing a $204,050 civil penalty against Sierra Academy of Aeronautics of Atwater, Calif., for allegedly operating nine Cessna 152 airplanes when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleges Sierra mechanics failed to inspect the planes’ seat locking pins according to the requirements of an […]
FAA reports on drones and NextGen
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has made some strides in moving towards modernization, but is behind schedule and not fully geared for some other important issues, a Congressional committee discovered Wednesday, Feb. 5, in a hearing designed to check on the FAA’s progress in the two years since reauthorization. Rep. Frank LeBiondo, chairman of the […]
FAA clears path for AOA installation in GA aircraft
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has simplified the design approval requirements for angle of attack (AOA) indicator in general aviation aircraft. Under the new policy, manufacturers must build AOA indicator systems according to standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ATSM) and apply for FAA approval for the design via a letter certifying […]
The FAA’s impact on small businesses
How do FAA policies affect small general aviation businesses? That was the focus of a hearing held Wednesday by the U.S. House Small Business Committee, chaired by Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo). Speaking up for the industry was John Uczekaj, president and CEO of Aspen Avionics, who testified on behalf of Aspen Avionics and the General […]
Hearing slated on FAA Reform Act progress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) will conduct a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to examine the progress the FAA has made in implementing provisions of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 in the last two years. The Reform Act was enacted on Feb. 14, 2012, and contains provisions intended […]