Source: FAA The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $4.4 million in drone research, education and training grants to seven universities. Research will focus on three areas: electromagnetic compatibility, detect and avoid classifications, and cybersecurity oversight. The universities receiving grants are University of North Dakota, University of Kansas, Drexel University, The Ohio State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Mississippi State University and Oregon State University. “This funding and our ongoing partnerships with these universities will allow the FAA to safely integrate the airspace that has a growing number of diverse aircraft users,” said FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen. The research initiatives and grant awardees include: Evaluate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Electromagnetic Compatibility This research will assess the risks, [...]

Source: Canadian Airports Council “Canada’s airports have become an increasingly important part of Canada’s supply chain and transportation network and are pleased that today’s federal budget has allocated $450 million towards supporting supply chain projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund. “However, it is unfortunate that the budget did not include additional measures to support airports as they are just beginning to tackle the $3 billion in new debt they accumulated during the pandemic-related government travel lockdowns. There is still a long way for them to go to recover what they have lost. “Airports play an essential role in ensuring regional connectivity, delivering essential cargo and enabling local tourism and trade.  If Canada wants to rebuild a competitive, resilient and [...]

Source: FAA The FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant program provides $20 million annually for five years within the newly established Airport Infrastructure Grant program Grants awarded under this program are at a 100 percent federal participation. No airport match is required. The Federal Aviation Administration has opened the application process for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to modernize air traffic control towers at many small town and municipal airports. The FAA will fund projects that sustain, construct, repair, improve, modernize, replace or relocate airport-owned towers and install communications equipment. "Residents of smaller and rural communities rely on aviation to get where they need to go. This funding will help ensure that air traffic is safe and reliable in communities across America," said U.S. [...]

Source: US Department of Transportation The U.S. Department of Transportation released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of January 2022 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, complaints received, and oversales. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. It also contains information on complaints involving passenger and baggage security screening received by the Transportation Security Administration, which for the first time is available in a more comprehensive format. The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer. In January, the COVID-19 pandemic (particularly the spike in COVID-19 cases linked to the Omicron [...]

Source: A4A Airlines for America’s (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio urged Health and Human Services Sec. Xavier Becerra and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in a letter to end the pre-departure testing requirements for international air travel and to end the federal mask mandate in light of data and science currently supported by today’s public health environment. Download [127.35 KB] 

Source: Sesar Within the scope of the EU - Latin America and Caribbean Aviation Partnership project (EU-LAC APP), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) organised the “Conference on Cybersecurity in Aviation – Taking stock!” at the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) in Chile (April 5 – 7, 2022). The purpose of the event was to strengthen the exchange and dialogue with partners in the region. Given the increasing importance of cybersecurity and the need to protect the aviation system against new threats, EASA gave an overview of the European approach towards Cybersecurity and exchanged experiences with representatives from CAA Brazil, CAA Argentina, Airbus and Leonardo. During the conference, areas of mutual interest and future cooperation on the management [...]

Source: FAA The FAA's Zero Tolerance policy against unruly passenger behavior and its public awareness campaign has decreased the rate of unruly incidents by nearly 60 percent. But as today’s announcement demonstrates, more work remains The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed the largest-ever fines ever against two passengers for alleged unruly behavior. The fines of $81,950 and $77,272, respectively, are part of the approximately $2 million the agency has proposed since Jan. 1, 2022. “If you are on an airplane, don’t be a jerk and don’t endanger the flight crews and fellow passengers. If you do, you will be fined by the FAA,” U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg told THE VIEW today when he announced the fines. The $81,950-fine involves [...]

Source: CANSO CANSO and ATCA are pleased to announce the 2022 Maverick Awards, to be presented at World ATM Congress. The Awards recognise outstanding achievement in innovation, collaboration, resilience, and sustainability in air traffic management (ATM). They showcase the brightest ideas for the future, recognise positive contributions to the environment and conservation, celebrate the cooperation between partners and stakeholders, and promote overall excellence in the aviation industry. The Awards also enable ATCA and CANSO to further their partnership in recognising and showcasing the great work individuals, teams, and organisations are doing across sectors, and acknowledging those who have made outstanding contributions. As ever there are four categories in this year’s competition: Collaboration Award – Recognises the importance of effective relationships and collaborations [...]

Source: ICAO ICAO and the International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) will scale-up their cooperation and information sharing to promote innovation through a new agreement concluded in Montreal. The agreement was signed on the occasion of a high-level meeting between the Secretary General, the President of the ICAO Council and Council members and IFAR Principals. Both parties acknowledged the need for the independent assessment of innovations to frame and protect the notion of general interest, within the context of a variety of transformative changes within the aviation industry. Focusing on the promotion of the innovative and sustainable development of international civil aviation globally, the Memorandum of Understanding calls for ICAO and IFAR to cooperate toward their respective safety, security, and [...]