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Mountain Airports Could See Operations Limited The FAA is close to a decision on whether it will change the definition of “night” to reflect that local conditions can differ from the times published in the American Air Almanac. The change could limit operations at some airports where terrain causes darkness significantly earlier than the Almanac […]

Canada’s Snowbirds aerobatics team also was grounded last week, after a fatal midair in Saskatchewan, but they are already back in the air, after a preliminary investigation apparently found no evidence of mechanical failure. Some critics, however, are saying the Snowbirds should be grounded for good and their $10 million (Canadian) budget directed elsewhere, CBC […]

FAA Seeks Comments On T-34s The FAA is seeking input from pilots as it continues its investigation into a fatal accident of a Beech T-34A airplane on Dec. 7 in Texas. Two men died after a wing separated, and the entire fleet of Beech A45 and T-34 aircraft was grounded last week. The FAA now […]

During its study, the GAO visited 31 GA airports chosen for their variety of physical characteristics and types of operations. The report found that most of the airport managers interviewed had already established a number of security enhancements, using either airport revenue, or state or federal grant money. However, security advisories distributed by the TSA […]

One thing that the TSA seems to be doing right is building productive partnerships with the industry. AOPA‘s Airport Watch program, launched jointly with the TSA, was cited in the report, as well as programs of the National Business Aviation Association and the National Agricultural Aircraft Association. “This new GAO report confirms and adds validity […]

TSA, FAA Critiqued By Government Watchdog The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has not conducted a thorough assessment of the vulnerabilities of general aviation to determine how to better prepare against terrorist threats, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report, based on a yearlong study, found the […]

Now, what’s all this mean to you, the well-heeled adventurer type? Essentially, if you decide to invest $200,000 or more in the ultimate adventure ride, you accept the possibility that it might be your last thrill and there will be no legal recourse for those you left on the ground (theoretically). Even multi-billionaire Richard Branson, […]

The bill essentially sets the regulatory parameters on commercial space ventures for the FAA for the next eight years. Under the legislation, the FAA would primarily be interested in protecting the “uninvolved public” and the public interest. During the eight years, the FAA can only implement regulations designed to protect crew and passengers if there […]

Commercial Space Bill Passes… A stroke of the president’s pen will launch the era of commercial passenger space flight. The Senate, with only minutes remaining in the legislative session that adjourned Wednesday, passed the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act. Assuming President Bush signs it, the controversial legislation will not only allow paying passengers in space, […]

One question investigators are trying to answer is this: If G-13 had the required AMOC, why did the wing fail? This much is known, according to Braly: The wing on the most recent crash failed in an entirely different area of the aircraft structure than in both the Rydell, Ga., crash in 1999 and the […]