News and Updates – FAA Accepting Applications for Workforce Development Grants

WASHINGTONThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more inclusive pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals.

The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants provide money to expand the pilot workforce and educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians. Applicants from academia and the aviation community can submit applications through www.grants.gov through March 22.

Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 for any single grant per fiscal year.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity for each grant provides detailed information on eligibility, deadlines, evaluation criteria and application procedures. To ensure fair and open competition for the grants, answers to public questions will be posted on the FAA website at www.faa.gov/go/awd. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the site to review answers to frequently asked questions, eligibility requirements and guidelines that may assist them to complete their grant application.

News and Updates – FAA Issues Commercial Space Reentry Site Operator License to Space Florida

After completing an assessment of potential environmental impacts, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Space Floridas application for a commercial space Reentry Site Operator License (RSOL) at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) in Titusville, Fla.

The FAA determined that no significant environmental impacts would result from operations at the site. The license, which was issued after the company met all safety and risk requirements, is valid for five years.

The Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are posted on the project web page. The RSOL is posted here.

Space Florida is expanding the capabilities of the SLF to allow commercial space operators to horizontally land reentry vehicles. It anticipates up to one reentry in 2021, and increasing to up to six reentries annually by 2025. Each commercial space operator applying to reenter at the SLF will develop a separate environmental document to support its specific vehicle requirements. These documents will be subject to FAA approval and will be tiered from the recently completed environmental assessment.

Information about the FAAs environmental review process forcommercial space transportationis posted atfaa.gov/space/environmental.

News and Updates – FAA Announces Final Rule to Facilitate the Reintroduction of Civil Supersonic Flight

New rule streamlines procedures to obtain FAA approval for supersonic flight testing in the U.S.

News and Updates – FAA and NASA Sign MOU to Strengthen Partnership in Commercial Space Activities

This partnership is vital to continue the growth, innovation and safety of commercial space operations.

News and Updates – FAA Adopts Stricter Unruly Passenger Policy

FAA Administrator Dickson signs order directing a stricter legal enforcement policy against unruly airline passengers.