FAA and Regs

General aviation advocates cheered the demise of a controversial ATC privatization proposal as the latest version of the FAA reauthorization bill was shelved late Thursday. The decision by House of Representatives leaders to set aside the hotly debated spinoff plan allows GA to focus on other priorities that were rolled into the bill, including medical […]

The other day, I was floating along in the Cub listening to the radio chatter when it occurred to me that I hadn’t heard a native English speaker for several minutes. I listened for several more and determined that, sure enough, there were no native English speakers on the frequency. Judging by the accents, there […]

House Republicans have shelved the controversial reauthorization bill that would have, among other things, created a privatized air traffic control system. The Hill was reporting late Thursday that instead of pursuing the full reauthorization bill, the House will instead concentrate on passing a short-term extension of the current authorization, which expires on March 31. House […]

If it seems that airline seats are getting narrower, while the average size of passengers gets wider, Airbus has an idea that could reverse that trend — replace at least some of those seat rows with benches. Airbus has filed a patent (PDF) for bench seats, which could accommodate not only larger-than-average passengers but also […]

A former Alaska Airlines captain has pleaded not guilty to flying while under the influence of alcohol after appearing in a federal court in Los Angeles last week. David Arntson, 60, is alleged to have flown two legs between California and Oregon in 2014 while well over the blood alcohol limits for driving and flying. […]

The controversial FAA reauthorization bill that would create a private air traffic control organization will not be introduced in the full House this week as originally scheduled, according to Politico. Quoting unnamed sources, the Washington political publication says it was told by a “leadership aide” that the House Transportation Committee, which approved an amended version […]

If you own a drone that weighs more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, and you fly it outdoors, you are required to register it in the FAA’s registry by this Friday. “Besides being required by law, registration provides an excellent opportunity to educate yourself if you are new to aviation, and it […]

The controversial FAA reauthorization bill that would privatize air traffic control services made it out of a House committee Thursday in a 32-26 vote that almost followed partisan lines but there will be much more debate and it’s still not clear what’s on the Senate’s collective mind. Bill 4441, the Aircraft Innovation Reform and Reauthorization […]

The controversial FAA reauthorization bill that includes privatizing the air traffic control system will begin its journey through what is expected to be a tough legislative process Wednesday with a hearing. Four witnesses, including representatives of Airlines 4 America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Reason Foundation and NBAA President Ed Bolen will testify. […]

A bill that would cap flight-training benefits for veterans at $20,235 should be scrapped, seven GA advocacy groups told Congress in a letter (PDF) issued today. “This legislation would effectively put flying careers out of reach for many vets,” said Jim Coon, AOPA spokesman for government affairs. “There are great jobs in aviation, and our […]