News
Welcome to our News Room. Here you will find out what's going on in Virginia aviation.
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UAS Collegiate Training Initiative
The FAA's 2018 Reauthorization required the FAA to establish a collegiate training initiative program relating to UAS. It also called for a process to designate an association of public, two-year…
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AirVenture Cancelled
The world's largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts – AirVenture – has been cancelled for 2020 due to the global pandemic known as COVID-19. Leaders of the event said the…
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New Online Guide For Pilots Flying in Different States
Many pilots have been grounded and are unsure of how to navigate the latest requirements on general aviation flying while under mandatory stay-at-home orders in several states and territories. To…
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NASA’s Mars Helicopter is named Ingenuity
An 11th grade student named Vaneeza Rupani from Tuscaloosa High School in Northport, Alabama has named NASA's new Mars helicopter Ingenuity. Her entry in the agency's "Name the Rover" contest for…
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NASA Community College Program to Host Two Virtual Info Sessions
The NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program will hold two virtual information sessions for college students for the current recruitment period ending May 13. Students will get a closer look…
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Cost Overrun on Air Force One Replacement Project
"Engineering inefficiencies" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the first cost overrun on the project to replace Air Force One, according to a senior-level official at Boeing. The company…
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Meet the National GA Award winners and earn WINGs credit
A webcast will take place on May 4 to introduce the three 2020 National General Aviation Award honorees. The award winners will share their top safety tips and viewers can earn WINGs credit. During…
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FAA Standardized Training Program for Part 135 Operators
The Federal Aviation Administration has completed an effort that will enable on-demand (charter) operators to further enhance safety through standardized training offered by Part 142 training…
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Emission Reduction Efforts Suspended
Efforts to reduce aircraft engine emissions have been put on hold as major aircraft manufacturers, such as Airbus, have "more pressing problems to solve" -- problems generated by the COVID-19…
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Renewing Your Medical During the Pandemic
Much of our everyday lives have been disrupted due to COVID-19. Schedules are different and time has little meaning. Then one day you wake up and realize your FAA medical is either due, coming due…
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JetBlue Mandates Face Covering for Passengers
All JetBlue Airways passengers will be required to wear a face covering starting May 4. This is the strictest policy to date in the United States. It follows the New York-based airline's…
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FAA Adjusts Control Tower Hours at Two Virginia Airports
Last week the FAA announced plans to temporarily reduce air traffic control tower hours at approximately 100 airports who have seen a significant reduction in flights, especially during the evening…
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AOPA survey to help improve the WINGS program
The FAA's Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS) is designed to help reduce the number of general aviation accidents by improving pilots' skills and knowledge. The FAA has formed a working group with GA…
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Travel Tips For Flying During This Time
While many people are sheltering in place, there are others that must travel despite the pandemic. If you must travel, please do it safely. Before traveling be sure to check with TSA and your…
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FAA Issues UAS Waiver Within 24 Hours
An oil and gas company was granted a waiver by the FAA in under 24 hours to fly a drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), according to DroneDJ. The global pandemic COVID-19 has led the FAA to…
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Biplanes Fly Over Health Care Centers
Last week members of the Commemorative Air Force's Capital Wing organized a five plane "Covid Flight" flyover of Stafford Hospital, Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania…
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NATA Leads Part 135 COVID-19 Task Force Formed to Address Safety Concerns
As part of a COVID-19 task force, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is assisting Part 135 operators to develop best practices by facilitating discussions covering flight crew safety…
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Maintenance Courses Available Online
Avotek is a company that develops aviation maintenance training systems and publishes a line of textbooks that complement its training systems. They now offer 20 online courses for Aviation…
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Aviation Maintainers Still In Demand
While airline travel is down about 90 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft maintenance technicians remain in high demand, according to Trey Bryson, senior vice president of operations for…
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Private Jet Travel Seeing Tremendous Growth
While the nation's biggest and most profitable airline (Delta) just posted its first quarterly loss in five years – and other U.S. air carriers are expected to follow suit, private aviation…
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New Part 107 Waiver Report – Operations Granted by FAA
On August 29, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented Part 107 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, also known as the small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) rule. It created…
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FAA to accelerate VFR chart publications
The FAA plans to put visual navigation and planning charts on a 56-day publication cycle early next year, a much shorter time frame than the 168 days to two years cycle the chart updates are now…
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Air Traffic Control Tower Operating Hour Reductions Expected
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically cut the number of flights in the U.S. In response to this change, beginning early next week the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is…
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Weight and Balance Changes
Inspector guidance on approval of aircraft weight and balance (W&B) control programs for aircraft operated under Parts 91, 91K, 121, 125, and 135 is being extensively revised by the FAA. The…
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Project Airbridge Transports Urgently Needed Medical Supplies
The Supply Chain Task Force continues to execute a strategy maximizing the availability of critical protective and lifesaving resources through FEMA in response to COVID-19. Project Air Bridge was…