The FAA announced it will award $100 million to 12 airports across the country to help prevent runway incursions. According to the agency, the Runway Incursion Mitigation Program grant money will be part of its annual distributions and fund projects such as reconfiguring taxiways that may be confusing, installing airfield lighting, and constructing new taxiways …
FAA
FAA Says Don’t Mute TAWS Alerts
The FAA sent a notice to pilots warning them not to disable terrain avoidance and warning systems (TAWS) aural alerts as the tool can be a critical safety feature in avoiding controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. The FAA’s warning came as part of an Information for Operators (InFO)—a notice designed to help operators meet certain …
The Origins of “Mayday”
May 1st, also known as May Day, has several connotations. In some cultures, it is celebrated as the traditional beginning of spring marked by placing baskets of flowers on doorsteps. For pilots, uttering the phrase “MAYDAY” means they’re in trouble—but have you ever wondered why? MAYDAY and PAN-PAN—also used when we’re in trouble—are both derived …
New Rules Coming for Alaska Air Tours?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a letter urging the FAA to develop and implement new airspace regulations for Ketchikan, Alaska, a popular air tour area. The proposed framework of regulations would be, according to the NTSB release, “…specific to Ketchikan to require more conservative flight visibility minimums and enhanced weather training for air …
Need Parts for Your Vintage Aircraft?
A new FAA program should reduce the difficulty of finding spare parts needed to keep vintage aircraft flying, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). The Vintage Aircraft Replacement and Modification Article, or VARMA program, allows maintenance personnel to validate that “low-risk,” off-the-shelf replacement parts are suitable for use in type-certificated aircraft without requiring a …