DOT

FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson abruptly resigned from his post Wednesday evening, cutting short his five-year term by half. Dickson, who has held the position as FAA chief since his confirmation in August 2019, cited distance from his family as a basis for the decision.  “Over the past several years, my family has been a source […]

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, including electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The move by Congress is yet another sign that the industry is moving quickly from concept to reality. Passed Thursday, the bipartisan bill directs the Department of Transportation […]

The US Department of Transportation is making nearly $2 billion in federal grant funding available to help airports affected by COVID-19 under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program. The program is funded under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, and is available to more than 3,000 commercial […]

In order to protect pilots and passengers from items that could come loose and fly around the cockpit of a variety of Textron Aviation aircraft, the DOT recently issued SAFO 20016 focused on operators that have installed a center console manufactured by Saircorp. These consoles are fitted between the front seats of Cessna aircraft models […]

The FAA will award $1.187 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants, according to Department of Transportation Secretary, Elaine Chao. In a news release late last week, Chao said, “The total includes $731 million in Airport Improvement Program grants and an additional $455 million in Supplemental Discretionary grants. The money will be available for 100 […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced a new FAA rule in the Federal Register created to enhance the professional development of pilots operating at Part 121 and Part 135 commercial carriers. A DOT news release announcing the effort said, “All captains are now required to receive leadership and command training, as well as mentoring […]

For decades, pilots holding a first or second class medical were automatically disqualified from flying commercially if they were diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetic pilots are subject to losing consciousness and suffering seizures if their illness is not properly treated. To the FAA, the risk of a pilot passing out at the controls was always too […]