News and Updates – U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $477M in Infrastructure Grants to 264 Airports in 44 States

Projects will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities.

News and Updates – FAA Establishes Restrictions on Drone Operations over Additional Military Facilities

The Federal Aviation Administration announced today new airspace restrictions effective July 11, 2019 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) attempting to fly over national security sensitive locations.

The FAA has been cooperating with federal partners to address concerns about malicious drone operations by using the agencys existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 99.7 (14 CFR 99.7), Special Security Instructions, to establish UAS specific flight restrictions over select, national security sensitive locations.

The FAAs Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), FDC 8/3277, defines these special security instructions.The FAA published a NOTAM, FDC 9/3332, which alerts UAS operators and others in the aviation community of this change and points to FDC 8/3277.

The additional 12 restricted locations requested by the U.S. Department of Defense are identified below.

  • Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Adams, PA
  • Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, MO
  • Pine Bluff Arsenal in White Hall, AR
  • Tooele Army Depot in Tooele, UT
  • Hawthorne Army Depot in Hawthorne, NV
  • Pueblo Chemical Depot in Pueblo, CO
  • Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, IA
  • Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, NY
  • Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, KY
  • Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA
  • Rivanna Station in Charlottesville, VA
  • Maui Space Surveillance Site in Maui, HI

UAS operators, in particular, are urged to review the special security instructions prescribed by FDC 8/3277 and the important supporting information provided by the FAAs UAS Data Delivery System (UDDS) website.The UDDS website provides easy access to the text of FDC 8/3277 and other UAS-specific security NOTAMs; a current list of the airspace to which these special security instructions have been applied, supported by an interactive map and downloadable geospatial data; and other crucial details.A link to these restrictions is also included in the FAAs B4UFLY mobile app.

The new UAS flight restrictions highlighted above and by FDC 9/3332 are pending until they become effective on 07/11/2019. UAS operators should keep in mind that access to the airspace identified by FDC 8/3277 and UDDS is strictly controlled.Operators who violate these flight restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.

The FAA is continuing to consider additional requests by eligible Federal security agencies for UAS-specific flight restrictions using the agencys 14 CFR 99.7 authority as they are received. The FAA will announce any future changes, including additional locations, as appropriate.

For further, broader information regarding flying drones in the National Airspace System, including frequently asked questions, please refer to the FAAs UAS website.

News and Updates – Travel Safely on July 4th

As we celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, lets keep safety front and center.

While preparing your luggage for a flight, remember that fireworks are hazardous and are not allowed on aircraft. Fireworks are not allowed in carry-on baggage nor packed luggage. There are also other items that are used every day that are considered hazardous when brought on airplanes. For a Safe Start, Check the Chart!

Flying a drone?
While youre enjoying your drone during the holiday, know that it is not a great idea to capture firework activity with your drone.

There’s anew law(PDF)that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes.

Here are general guidelines for people flying drones:

  • Dont fly your drone in or near fireworks
  • Dont fly over people
  • Dont fly near airports

To learn more about what you can and cant do with your drone go to faa.gov/uas or download the B4UFLY app for free in the Apple and Google Play store.

About those laser pointers
Its baffling but people actually point lasers at aircraft. That activity creates a serious safety risk to the pilot. It is illegal to shine lasers at aircraft and in many instances people can face federal charges. Save yourself the legal trouble and lose the laser. If you witness someone aiming a laser at an aircraft, youre encouraged to report the incident.

Enjoy the July 4th holiday weekend!

News and Updates – FAA Issues Reminder on GA ADS-B Rebate Rules

WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to remind general aviation operators taking advantage of the agencys Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) rebate program that rebate reservations must be made within 90 days of the installation of the appropriate equipment.

If the 90 days passes without a reservation being made, the rebate expires and will be made available to others.

The FAA last month issued the last of 20,000 $500 rebate reservations offered to general aviation aircraft owners. Since then, returned or expired reservations are made available each Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information on the FAAs ADS-B rebate program for general aviation, visit: https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/rebate/.

For more information on ADS-B, visit: https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/.

News and Updates – U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $495M in Airport Infrastructure Grants

The 358 grants will fund infrastructure projects at 327 airports around the country.