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 […]
FAA
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 […]
Challenges ahead for NextGen
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA is entering its midterm implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and, while advances have been made, there remain many issues and challenges. That is pointed out in a new report put together by the Government Accountability Office at the request of leaders of the House Committee on […]
FAA changes Special Issurance medical certification
A major change has been made to the medical certification process for several common diagnoses that previously required a special issuance and a review process by the FAA prior to issuing a medical certificate. According to a report at EAA.org, under the new policy applicants with arthritis, asthma, glaucoma, chronic hepatitis C, hypertension, hypothyroidism, migraine […]
Aviation groups urge White House to exempt controllers from furloughs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the FAA begins furloughing air traffic controllers, 11 aviation organizations have asked the White House to assure the FAA it will have enough money to prevent further furloughing of controllers. In a letter to Denis McDonough, White House Chief of Staff, the aviation leaders said without action, it will be challenging […]
Pilots file suit to stop controller furloughs
Pilots and an airline group have filed a lawsuit to stop the federal government from cutting work hours for air traffic controllers, saying the furloughs will lead to travel delays of up to an hour across the country. A report in the Los Angeles Times notes that the lawsuit asks the U.S. Court of Appeals […]