News

Test flights are set to start this summer of a Diamond DA42 that will be modified to fly in a “pilot optional” configuration. Aurora Flight Sciences, of Manassas, Va., is creating the Optionally Piloted Vehicle prototype, called the Centaur, for a variety of scientific and military applications. The Centaur will have roughly the same payload […]

A federal court has ruled that the FAA must release aircraft registration information previously kept secret in a special program if it receives a Freedom of Information request. For about 10 years, private aircraft operators have been able to have their N numbers “blocked” from outside scrutiny under the National Business Aviation Association’s Blocked Aircraft […]

The Civil Air Patrol launched nine aircraft in Hawaii Saturday to warn coastal residents of an impending tsunami. The wave was formed by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile and resulted in tsunami warnings for much of the Pacific Ocean from Russia to Australia. The quake hit about 3:34 a.m. Chile time […]

Developer Jeff Edwards has scheduled a March 17 meeting to discuss his unsolicited plan to turn Oceano County Airport, near San Luis Obispo, Calif., into a non-airport property. Meanwhile, Bill Robeson, a city planner who works with the city’s Airport Land Use Commission, told SanLuisObispo.com that when it comes to closing the airport, “none of […]

The TSA says it will review Joseph Stack’s Feb. 18 crash of his Piper Dakota into an Austin IRS office building and apply its findings to its future anti-terrorism decision-making, USA Today reported Friday. “It may simply be a confirmation that, for very small planes, you’re not going to see a lot of casualties. Or […]

From user fees to local airport closures, your direct personal input can affect the political decisions that impact you as a pilot — AVweb has collected links and information to help you drive your message home. First, obviously you’ll need to know who your government representatives are. If you don’t, find your zip code’s “plus-four” […]

New aviation user fees aren’t in the Obama administration’s budget, but they still may be packaged elsewhere, AOPA’s Lorraine Howerton told AVweb Thursday. Howerton is AOPA’s vice president of legislative affairs, and while she said AOPA’s efforts had created some breathing room, the country’s fiscal woes may become a serious influence on future funding decisions. […]

NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman told the Senate Thursday that measures are needed to ensure pilots are better trained and better rested before they fly. “If we are serious about aviation safety, we must establish a system that minimizes pilot fatigue and ensures that flight crews report to work rested and fit for duty,” Hersman said […]

The Transportation Security Administration is expected to stand up to Congressional “fear mongering” on GA security issues in coming months according to the president of the National Air Transport Association. Jim Coyne told AVweb on Tuesday some personnel changes within the TSA are helping it get a better handle on the complexities of GA. “I […]

A Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Social Security Administration acted improperly when it turned over a pilot’s medical records to the FAA. To receive medical benefits, Stanmore Cooper disclosed his condition (HIV-positive) to Social Security officials, but, for years, did not disclose it while renewing his certificate. Cooper later claimed he feared […]