FAA

Airlines continue to send repair work abroad despite security and safety concerns

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill this week followed up on a series of Department of Transportation Inspector General reports that have exposed gaping loopholes in the security and oversight of foreign repair work on domestic, commercial aircraft.

McCaskill questioned the heads of the national and regional airline associations about the industry’s increasing outsourcing of airline maintenance, including to non-FAA certified repair facilities.    » read more »

Boxer and Snowe craft legislation on NTSB recommendations, greater FAA oversight for flight safety following Buffalo commuter plane crash

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) today announced the One Level of Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to restore confidence in America’s commercial aviation industry by addressing a number of the issues that came to light during the recent National Transportation Safety Board hearings on the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 outside of Buffalo, New York.    » read more »

Gillibrand Giving Voice to Buffalo Crash Families - Raising Their Questions to Top Aviation Officials; Senator To Get Answers From DOT, FAA, NTSB

June 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - At today's Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Aviation Safety & FAA Oversight, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will submit questions from the family members of victims in the Flight 3407 crash in Buffalo about fundamental failures in our aviation system.    » read more »

Schumer To Make New Push To Pass Legislation Making Bird Strike Reporting Mandatory - Only 20% Of Strikes Are Currently Reported

June 9, 2009 -- Today, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced he will make a renewed push to pass his legislation, The Wildlife Strike Act, S. 1162, requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make bird strike data mandatory in the wake of a new report that reveals that only 20% of bird strikes in New York are reported. Schumer will push to have his legislation included as part of the FAA Reauthorization Bill which has already passed the House and is now moving through the Senate.    » read more »

June 09,2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Air Medical Service Safety Improvement Act of 2009, which aims to improve safety for flight crews, flight nurses, and passengers aboard emergency air medical service helicopters.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 – Working to support rural Nebraska airports, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson today introduced the Small Airport Relief Act of 2009 which would ensure current federal funding levels for rural airports remain stable during the economic downturn. Without legislation, multiple Nebraska airports stand to lose a significant amount of funding if they fall below the threshold required to qualify for $1 million in federal assistance through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) in 2009.

The Senator wrote the Federal Aviation Administration about the same funding issue last week.    » read more »

Bill Will Close Revolving Door Between Airlines and the FAA

June 5, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – As part of their efforts to strengthen and improve aviation safety in America, U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today announced the Aviation Inspection Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to toughen airline safety rules and bring an end to the cozy relationship that has developed between airlines and some federal regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).    » read more »

Program Includes 'Just Culture' Provisions to Enhance Analysis of Root Causes of Events and Possible Mishaps Rather than Only Reported Incidents

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 4 -- American Airlines, in conjunction with the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), today announced the renewal by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for American's mechanics.

American and TWU have had a program in place for 11 years and with the FAA approved renewal of the program, ASAP will be extended for two more years. The TWU/American Airlines ASAP maintenance program is the longest running in U.S. commercial aviation.    » read more »

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 4 -- American Airlines today announced the reinstatement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for American's pilots.

American and the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the union representing all AA pilots, reached an agreement in March that was approved by the FAA and became effective on May 29, reinstating the pilots' program that had lapsed last fall after 14 years.

ASAP is a safety partnership organized by American, the union, and the FAA, designed to encourage employees to voluntarily report safety-related information. The reports help identify potential precursors to serious safety incidents.    » read more »

Intros Legislation To Mandate Safety Expert Be Included On FAA Advisory Board

June 4, 2009 --
Today, in an effort to ensure that safety is prioritized over all other industry concerns, US Senator Charles E. Schumer announced he will be introducing legislation to add a member to the Federal Aviation Administration Administrator’s Management Advisory Council (MAC) who represents that aviation safety sector.

The current Council consists of a Transportation Secretary designee, a Defense Secretary designee, and ten aviation industry representatives, none of whom come from the aviation safety sector. Examples of aviation safety organizations include the National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation or the Flight Safety Foundation.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), today introduced legislation designed to protect and improve important aviation programs in Alaska, including an exemption that would allow the Iditarod Air Force to accept cost deferments for flying in support of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Murkowski’s bill, the Alaska Omnibus Aviation Improvement Act (S.1170), was introduced in advance of Senate consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill during the 111th Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of an FAA reauthorization bill (H.R. 915) last month.

“I hope the Senate will consider these Alaska priorities as we debate the upcoming FAA reauthorization bill,” Murkowski said.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $3,736,695 to Maine for airport projects in the state.

"These Department of Transportation funds will address major infrastructure and safety issues at airports of all sizes in Maine," Senators Snowe and Collins said. "Maintaining runway safety and improving airport services will keep Mainers connected and safe."

The funds are distributed as follows:

§ $130,000 to the Town of Jackman- This grant will support the rehabilitation of an airport beacon and a phase of obstruction removal at Newton Field Airport in Jackman.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has released $4,778,461 in funding for airports across the state of Mississippi. Funding for the grants, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration, was provided through the Fiscal Year 2009 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

“These federal dollars will improve transportation infrastructure by providing greater efficiency, security, and safety at our local airports,” Sen. Wicker said. “In the process, this investment will help Mississippi remain economically competitive in the future.”

Funds have been awarded to the following airports:    » read more »

Funds for Improvement Projects at Newport and Quonset Airports Total $6.2 Million

April 16, 2009 -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced the award of $6.2 Million to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) for two important construction projects at the state’s general aviation airports. Monies for the airport stimulus package total $1.1 billion overall, with $53 million of that being allocated to the New England Region.

Funds awarded for reconstruction, marking and lighting of Taxiway A at Quonset Airport total $3.5 million. $2.7 million was awarded for work at Newport Airport, which entails reconstruction, marking and lighting of Runway 16-34. Both the Taxiway and Runway measure approximately 2,600 ft. x 75 ft.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that airports around the country will receive $258 million under the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” said Secretary LaHood.    » read more »