|
New Instructional Aids And Info
100LL will remain available as part of FAA grant assurances at least through 2030. Any airport with Federal funds invested in it must comply with the new requirement.
Remember teaching communication with the FSS on 122.1R over a VOR station? FAA intends to decommission the whole radio network for lack of use. FAA says it will free up 936 frequencies.
ASI reports that as of mid-April, the GA accident rates, both non-fatal and fatal, were down by 21 percent over the same period in 2024. The number of fatalities dropped by 16 percent.
Numerous CFIs are still asking about the blank space on their renewed instructor certificate. CFI certificates no longer expire, but recent experience is required.
Rusty Pilot seminars, prime recruiting ground for new students, will be held May 3 in Essex County in Fairfield NJ (CDW), Cincinnati Lunken Field (LUK) and San Juan, Puerto Rico at (TJIG). On May 4 in Palmer AK and on May 10 in Aurora OR. The online webinar of this program will be on May 20 at 12 noon ET.
New flight school software from Hilo Aviation of Arizona promises to integrate scheduling, checkride planning, student tracking and maintenance. Another new flight school program from Flycore is focused on customer relationships.
Industry News for CFIs
FAA may allow aircraft owners to 'hide' their identity in ADS-B broadcasts. NPRM is out; comment period ends in five days. This will frustrate an airport's effort to charge a landing fee based on ADS-B data.
Former students sue United Aviate Academy for fraud and deceptive trade practices. One student alleges about 20 aircraft but 500 students competing for time.
Airline pilots can have beards with face masks? Maybe, according to a study by ERAU which showed no difference in oxygen saturation levels with or without beards. Study is as a PDF.
Ready for AirVenture 2025? EAA posts help wanted ads for the July 21-27 event; more than 750 temporary workers are expected.
Used aircraft market is slowing dramatically due to political uncertainty, including tariffs.
A six-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Majestic Princess in Fort Lauderdale will be a floating education platform for young CFIs, DPEs and flight school management, starting November 2. Sponsored by John and Martha King; least expensive cabins are $547 per person.
FAA And Other Government
Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is considering raising mandatory retirement age for controllers from the current 56, partly to ease the controller shortage. NATCA opposes; evidence shows errors increase beyond age 56.
Air Force last month removed - and then restored a few days later -an online tribute to female aviators, including the first female Thunderbird. DEI directives from the White House are blamed for the scrubbing.
The FAA's 47th annual GA Survey is out; asks owners and operators for activities, hours. Data is used as basis for accident rates, cost of compliance with ADs.
TCAS reports dropped by 30% in just three weeks in April at LAS, the result of stricter control of helicopters and more traffic advisories issued. Change mandated by FAA following the helicopter/airliner collision at DCA.
FAA has dropped its ill-conceived plan to deny incomplete medical applications; Agency had previously suspended the plan's activation. Instead, FAA will work with aviation groups to streamline the process.
Florida homeowners may be able to shoot down drones that get within 500 feet of their property, according to Florida Senate Bill 1422, although the FAA would likely arrest them. Since FAA owns the airspace, this bill pits the state against Federal law.
| 
