Reading Time: < 1 minute The US Senate has agreed to boost security at airports in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks, according to a media report. Reuters reported a source as saying that agreement had been reached to amend an FAA bill with provisions that would bolster the vetting of airport employees with access to secure areas and approve […]

Reading Time: 2 minutes United Airlines has dropped plans to acquire 12 additional Newark International Airport (EWR) slot pairs and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has dropped its lawsuit seeking to prevent United from acquiring those slots. The moves come after FAA decided to ease regulated capacity constraints at EWR, effectively making conflicts over slots at the airport […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute A US FAA advisory panel has recommended that regulators set new rules allowing drones to fly over members of the public if the aircraft meet new standards. A report issued by the 27-member panel, which included representatives from the drone, aviation and technology industries, recommended that the FAA limit the risk of serious injury to […]

Reading Time: 4 minutes In conjunction with releasing the report, the FAA reiterated its work to reduce UAS hazards to manned flight through education and enforcement.  Between last August and the end of January 2016, nearly 600 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) were reported in the vicinity of airports and aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) latest UAS […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute Preparing for the day when 100LL avgas will be outlawed in America, the FAA has selected two unleaded fuels — one from Swift Fuels and one from Shell — for further testing. Flight trials and rig testing of the new fuel blends, selected as part of the Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI) to find an […]

Reading Time: 2 minutes The FAA has announced a web-based commercial drone registration process to register small drones from March 31. The web-based system is designed to significantly decrease the time spent by commercial drone operators to register their aircraft. The registration fee is $5, the same fee that recreational drone operators pay. “Registration is an important tool to […]

Reading Time: 3 minutes AOPA is reminding student pilots and their flight instructors that significant changes in the process of applying for and issuing student pilot certificates take effect on April 1 in conjunction with a new rule adopted by the FAA. For student pilots, this means that it will no longer be possible to obtain a combined medical […]

Reading Time: 2 minutes After a comprehensive risk analysis, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised the unmanned aircraft (UAS) “blanket” altitude authorization for Section 333 exemption holders and government aircraft operators to 400 feet. Previously, the agency had put in place a nationwide Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for such flights up to 200 feet. The new […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute It’s a time-honored aviation tradition that suddenly appears on the brink of elimination. New student pilot application requirements that take effect on April 1 will prevent new pilots from soloing on their 16th birthday. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is asking the FAA to remedy what it calls an “unfortunate consequence” of the new […]

Reading Time: < 1 minute The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $917,000 civil penalty against the Puerto Rico Ports Authority for alleged aircraft rescue and firefighting violations at three of its commercial airports. “Maintaining required aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities is critical to safe airport operations,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “Emergency response is one […]