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TSA Takes Over, Transient Operations Resume The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced on Thursday it will assume responsibility for ground-security requirements and procedures at the three general aviation airports located within the Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone. The TSA issued an interim final rule that allows transient operations at the three airports — College Park, […]

Meanwhile, a group of space entrepreneurs announced on Tuesday they are organizing a new Personal Spaceflight Federation to promote growth and safety in their new industry. The federation will work with the FAA as it develops industry standards for passenger safety and crew training. “In 2004, there were only 15 worldwide commercial space launches,” said […]

Although voluntary standards are likely to prove safer than government regulation, Kelly said, it’s inevitable that there will be accidents and fatalities. “I do not share the view of many in industry that the first fatal accident will spell the end of personal spaceflight. Such a thing has never happened in all of history … […]

Congress Explores FAA’s Role In Space How will space tourists be assured of safety, without strict federal rules that could stifle the industry’s growth? Consensus industry standards are the answer, according to Michael S. Kelly, chairman of the FAA’s Reusable Launch Vehicles Working Group. Kelly testified yesterday afternoon before the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee. The […]

Another meeting is also in the works — NBAA says it has requested a meeting with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to discuss the concerns of state officials who have called for reductions in flights at Teterboro Airport (TEB). Last Tuesday morning, a Challenger CL-600 aborted its takeoff roll on Runway […]

“Best Practices” To Be Focus FAA officials have asked leaders from the bizav community to attend a meeting on Feb. 18 in Washington, D.C., to address safety issues. A recent rash of GA accidents involving charter flights and bizjets has raised questions in the mainstream media about the safety of the sector, but the FAA […]

While funding to maintain the current aviation system is scarce, the system of the future is getting strong support. The proposed budget triples funding for the Joint Planning and Development Office, whose mandate is to transform the nation’s air transportation system to meet the needs of the year 2025. The Transportation Department says the next-generation […]

The budget plan drew a swift response from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which was looking for proof that the FAA will deliver on its promises. The FAA said in December it will hire 1,249 air traffic controllers in fiscal year 2006 — but the budget proposal showed a request to fund only […]

Alphabet Groups Hope Congress Will Mitigate Cuts The Bush administration on Monday released its $13.8 billion FAA budget proposal for the next fiscal year, down 1.27 percent from last year. Cuts affecting general aviation include $600 million lost by the Airport Improvement Program. “The small GA airports that can afford it the least would be […]

Walls calculated that he’d have eight gallons of fuel, or about 40 minutes of flying time, left when he landed in Ireland. He slipped into his survival suit, set the airplane up for best fuel economy and settled in for the flight. He also told Irish authorities that rather than go to his original destination, […]