The bill that keeps the government running includes a big win for general aviation by providing $3.5 million in reimbursement funding to three airports affected by presidential temporary flight restrictions.
Source: aopaTrump signs spending bill including presidential TFR relief
Law enforcement air support is typically expensive and summoned (if it’s available at all) after first responders on the ground reach the scene. A California community is dispatching drones to flip that script, with encouraging results.
Source: aopaThese police drones are first on the scene
It’s alive! Or at least it might be, should Chicagoans elect mayoral candidate Willie Wilson in the city’s upcoming 2019 election. Reopening one of the most iconic general aviation airports in the country, formerly known as Meigs Field, is on the businessman’s 10-point agenda.
Source: aopaCould Meigs Field make a comeback?
With the law enforcement community concerned that a rogue drone could contain explosives or other nasty surprises, the FAA has updated the registration rule for small drones requiring those numbers to be visible on the outside of every unmanned aircraft.
Source: aopaPilots, mark your drones
They say that even a broken clock is correct twice a day. Unfortunately, that’s not quite good enough to make the FAA happy when it comes to aircraft used for instrument flight.
Source: aopaAircraft Maintenance: Aircraft clock repairs
The 35-day partial government shutdown affected thousands of federal workers across the United States, but none likely bore the brunt of its impact more than the aviation industry. Seventeen thousand FAA employees were furloughed while more than 14,000 air traffic controllers went without pay. The disruption has led lawmakers to introduce new legislation aimed at ensuring the FAA remains operational in the event of another government shutdown.
Source: aopaCongress considers shielding FAA from shutdowns
From trainers to twins, Diamond Aircraft expects to build a lot of airplanes in the near future—if it can hire and train enough “young talent” to get the job done.
Source: aopaDiamond Aircraft sees young talent spurring growth
Japan’s Yoshihide Muroya made the most of his first opportunity to collect 2019 Red Bull Air Race World Championship points, edging out defending champion Martin Šonka of the Czech Republic by 0.003 seconds in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. American Michael Goulian took third place.
Source: aopaMuroya wins Red Bull opener by inches
Student pilots learning navigation have enough on their minds without having to worry about magnetic north going on a walkabout. But that’s just what the magnetic north pole is doing, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Source: aopaTraining Tip: Chasing north
Honor the late R. A. “Bob” Hoover and celebrate those in the aviation industry who are carrying on his legacy during the 2019 AOPA R. A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy Reception at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s historic terminal in Washington, D.C., on March 20.
Source: aopaYou’re invited: Honor aviation’s best at the Bob Hoover Trophy reception