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 […]
FAA
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. […]
Fiscal problems lead to conflict, confusion and uncertainty
WASHINGTON, D.C. — March is a windy month. That is expected to be especially true this March in the nation’s capital, with much activity, conflict and confusion as lawmakers try to sort out the nation’s fiscal problems. All this activity brings to the forefront several issues that general aviation groups have been wrestling with for […]
Sequestration’s effects on general aviation
Any sequestration that goes into effect won’t be felt entirely until April 1 because furlough notices must be given one month in advance. Will sequestration last that long? Or longer? Few even hazard guesses at this time, but if it does, what will be the effect on general aviation? The Budget Control Act of 2011 […]
Republicans say claims of sequestration effects on aviation not backed up by facts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Announcements by members of the president’s administration about sequestration’s effect on the FAA and aviation are not backed up by facts, says Congressional Republican members of committees in both the Senate and House. “Before jumping to conclusions that furloughs must be implemented, the administration and the agency need to sharpen their pencils […]
FAA planning for $600 million in spending cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To prepare for the possibility of a budget sequestration on March 1, the FAA is making plans to reduce its expenditures by approximately $600 million for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013. In a statement released Friday, FAA officials said: “Among the changes we are considering are furloughing the vast majority of […]