The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has resumed accepting applications to the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) program, as called for under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. Contract towers are air traffic control towers that are staffed by employees of private companies rather than by FAA employees. Like most federal investments, the agency is required to […]
National News
Alsim AL172 Receives FAA AATD Approval
Alsim has announced that the FAA has approved the Alsim AL172 simulator as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). The AL172 is an exact replica of a Cessna 172SP Skyhawk NAV III aircraft equipped with the Garmin G1000® NXi avionics suite. Since its launch in late 2017, the AL172 has been delivered and certified to […]
For Dennis Roberts, Aviation Insights Key to Navigating the FutureÂ
By Kim J Stevens When Dennis Roberts retired from the FAA in September as Regional Administrator for the Western Pacific Region, many doubted that he could just walk away from aviation, especially since it had been such an integral part of his life. With more than 42 years of aviation experience, the last 14+ being […]
AA Honor Guard ensures dignified, respectful transfer of the fallen
American Airlines (AA) Customer Care Manager Linda Kozma remembers it was a cold and rainy day, business as usual at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). As she walked the concourse, she noticed a military human remains transfer from the gate. Nothing atypical — small somber crew, flag draped — but nothing she had seen before. […]
Why are more guns showing up at airports?
By Jeff Price Why have gun seizures at US airports gone up by 357% over the past ten years? In 2008, TSA 926 seized guns at screening checkpoints. Last year they seized 4,239 and the rate continues to increase. If you haven’t heard, you can’t carry a gun in the cabin of a US airline. […]
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $779 Million in Funding for Airport Infrastructure
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced last week the intent to award $779 million in supplemental funding for infrastructure grants to 127 airports in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. “This supplemental funding allows us to invest in important infrastructure needs at the nation’s airports, especially those serving smaller and rural communities,” said U.S. […]
NBAA Welcomes House GA Caucus Launch in the 116th Congress, Urges Members to Contact Congress
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) applauded the launch of the U.S. House of Representatives General Aviation (GA) Caucus, and provided an online tool for NBAA members to call upon their elected federal representatives to join the House caucus. Congressional caucuses are informal groups of lawmakers united in a common interest. Founded in 2009, the […]
Flying Musicians Association’s 2019 Solo Scholarship Winners Announced
The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) recently announced its 2019 FMA Solo scholarship recipients – Amaya Burns from Indiana, Scott Lutte from Texas, and Navya Pottumutu from Victoria, British Columbia. Outstanding nominees from all across the United States and Canada continue to impress the selection committee and John Zapp, co-founder and President of FMA, said, “Every […]
FAA Provides Statement on UAS Detection Systems at Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated in a release that the agency understands airport safety and security concerns raised by the malicious or errant use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The agency shares these concerns. In order to support the safe integration of UAS detection systems into the airport environment, the FAA has provided important […]
Longtime EAA ‘Young Eagles’ Selected for the 2019 Daher Internship
Daher’s internship initiative, which provides first-hand aviation industry experience to two U.S. college or university students each year who have participated in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles (YE) program, has selected Benjamin Van Handel and Jordan Paulson as the internship’s 2019 recipients. Both Van Handel and Paulson are from Wisconsin, home to EAA – […]




