News and Updates – FAA Milestone: 400 Licensed Commercial Space Launches and Counting

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Todays Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo flight from Spaceport America in New Mexico marks the 400th launch that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has licensed. This achievement is made possible by the U.S. commercial space industrys ingenuity and the FAAs commitment to public safety.

FAA licensing is a critical step in protecting public safety during commercial spaceoperations. AnFAA licenseis required to conduct any commercial space launch or reentry, the operation of any launch or reentry site by U.S. citizens anywhere in the world, or by any individual or entity within the United States.

The FAA works with operators to make sure they are meeting the requirements to conduct launches. This includes having FAA safety inspectors monitor all phases of licensed activities. The agency also works with the industry to safely and efficiently integrate commercial space operations in the National Airspace System.

There have been no fatalities, serious injuries or significant property damage to members of the public during any FAA-licensed launch. The FAA is committed to maintaining this safety record as the pace of commercial space operations quickens.

400 licensed commerical space launches and counting infographic

The number of FAA-licensed commercial space launches has dramatically accelerated from only one in 2011 to a record 39 in 2020. The growth is expected to continue as the industry looks towards space tourism in the coming years.

The first licensed launch occurred in New Mexico, when a Space Services Starfire launched from White Sands Missile Range in 1989.

The subsequent launches included suborbital and orbital flights and missions that delivered payloads to the Earths orbit and moon as well as interplanetary space. The missions had diverse goals such as carrying supplies and crew to the International Space Station, advancing scientific and medical research, and testing space capsules and rocket systems. They also involved deploying satellites for commercial use and for supporting the national interests of the United States.

The launches occurred in seven U.S. states, four foreign countries and the international waters of the Pacific Ocean. They were launched from traditional land-based sites, ocean platforms and while airborne using carrier aircraft.

News and Updates – FAA Issues Environmental Decision for Burbank Terminal Project

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its final environmental decision on the proposed replacement passenger terminal project for Bob Hope Hollywood Burbank Airport. The decision enables the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority to move the project forward.

The FAAs Final Environmental Impact Statement found the project would have either no impacts or no significant impacts on more than a dozen environmental categories that the FAA analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Airport Authority proposes to build a new 355,000-square-foot, 14-gate passenger terminal in the northeast section of the airport. It would replace the existing, 14-gate passenger terminal in the southeast section of the airport built in 1929, which does not meet current FAA safety standards because of its proximity to the taxiways and runways.

The existing passenger terminal would be demolished and parallel Taxiways A and C would be extended full length to the ends of Runways 15-33 and 8-26, respectively. The project also would include building a 45,900-square-foot aircraft apron, public parking structure, airline cargo building, passenger terminal access road, aircraft rescue and firefighting station, central utility plant, and other infrastructure. A number of structures and facilities would be removed or demolished.

As part of its environmental review of the project, the FAA held two virtual public workshops and a public hearing in September 2020, followed by a 67-day public comment period. The agency evaluated and responded to more than 1,500 comments from 317 commenters. The comments and the FAAs responses to those comments are available in Appendix M of the final EIS. A Q&A about the project is available on the project website.

The proposed project does not involve changes to any airspace procedures.The FAAs proposed amendments to two existing Bob Hope Hollywood Burbank Airport departure procedures are an independent project that is undergoinga separate federal environmental review.

News and Updates – FAA Statement on Wearing Masks in Airports and on Planes

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The CDC, TSA, and DOT remind the traveling public about mask requirements.

News and Updates – Fly Safe Focus: Pilot and Mechanic Roles and Responsibilities

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WASHINGTONThis months Fly Safe campaign topic looks at the importance of understanding pilot, owner and mechanic roles and responsibilities when servicing an aircraft.

Although pilots and aircraft owners rely on mechanics to maintain and inspect their aircraft, the owner or operator is ultimately responsible for airworthiness. Pilots and owners should be proactive in their approach to maintenance, understand airworthiness responsibilities, and know the value of proper maintenance documentation and effective communication with their mechanics and repair shops.

Read more on this important topic on the FAA blog, Cleared for Takeoff.

The FAA launched the #FlySafe national safety campaign in partnership with general aviation groups to help educate general aviation pilots and mechanics about safety topics. Topics are shared monthly with a goal of incorporating safety into every flight.

News and Updates – FAA Awards $898.9 Million in Airport Improvement Grants

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Grants promote safety, efficiency, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, and security at the nation’s airports.