News and Updates – View the Virtual Drone Advisory Committee Meeting on Friday, June 19

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TheFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold a virtual Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting from noon to 3 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 19.

The agency will livestream the meeting on its social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The DAC will continue a public conversation about how to collaborate on important issues like Remote Identification, technical challenges, security, recreational operations and waivers. The committee is a broad-based, long-term federal advisory committee that provides the FAA with advice on key drone integration issues by helping to identify challenges and prioritize improvements.

If you have questions following the meeting, send an email to Tammy.L.Jones@FAA.gov and Marcia.Adams@FAA.gov.

News and Updates – FAA to Hold Virtual Public Workshops on Florida Metroplex

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold 12 Virtual Public Workshops from June 3 to June 12 on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the South-Central Florida Metroplex project, the agencys plan to modernize air traffic procedures for 21 airports in the southern half of the state.

Residents can view the schedule and register to attend a virtual workshop at Community Involvement South Central Florida. During the workshops, the FAA will give an overview of the Draft EA, and environmental and air traffic control experts will be available to answer questions. Additional information about the project, including previous public outreach activities, also is posted on the webpage.

On May 11, the agency posted the Draft EA and opened a 60-day public comment period which ends on July 10. The FAA expects to issue an environmental determination in September 2020, after it considers and reviews all substantive comments received during the comment period. The public can review the Draft EA and submit comments.

The satellite-based routes proposed for the South-Central Florida Metroplex project will enhance safety and efficiency across the region.

Theagency conducted the Draft EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969(NEPA), which requires the FAA to identify and publicly disclose the potential environmental impacts of the proposed procedures.

News and Updates – FAA Restricts Airspace for Upcoming Space Flight

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TheFederal Aviation Administration(FAA) hasissued multipleNotice to Airmen (NOTAMS)Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around Cape Canaveral, Fla., through Wednesday, May 27,2020.

The NOTAMS are in preparation forNASAs historic manned space flight to the International Space Station aboard theSpaceXCrew Dragon capsule.This the first launch of astronauts to Earth orbit on an American-built spacecraft from American soil since 2011.

The FAAs role is to ensure the safety of the airspaceby prohibitingallaircraft operations within 30 nautical miles of NASAs Kennedy Space Center during the reported timeframeunless theoperation isexempted. There are three types of NOTAMs: airspace,to close the airspace near the launch; flow, to provide route guidance to aviation operators; and security,to implement security measures for aircraft andUnmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS) in the area.

Aircraftoperations involving UAS, flight training, aerobatic, glider, seaplane,parachute, ultralight, hang gliding, balloon, agriculture/crop dusting andmoreare prohibited.

Pilots whodo notcomply with the requirements,special instructions or procedures in the NOTAM may be intercepted, detained by law enforcement, and subjected toany of the following additional actions:

  • Civil penalties and the suspension or revocation of airmen certificates; or
  • Criminal charges, including charges under Title 49 of the United States Code, Section 46307; or
  • TheU.S.Government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.

Pilots should always monitor TFRs andNOTAMs before they fly so that theyareawareofairspacerestrictions.

News and Updates – U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Appoints Industry Leaders to Women in Aviation Advisory Board

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Advisory Board members share a commitment and passion for encouraging women to access opportunities in aviation.

News and Updates – Service to America Award Shines Spotlight on FAA Employee

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The Federal Aviation Administrations David Gray is a finalist for a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal. The medals, also known as Sammies, are awarded to outstanding federal employees who serve the public good and are addressing many of the countrys greatest challenges.

Gray led the operational rollout of a technology called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The Partnership for Public Service recognized Gray for demonstrating superior leadership, management excellence and being instrumental in achieving the Department of Transportations commitment to efficient, effective and results-oriented government by leading a transformational program.

The FAAs greatest strength is its people, said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. David brings dedication and focus on safety to the job every day, and he is well deserving of this recognition.

ADS-B is part of the FAAs plan to transform air traffic control from a system of ground-based radars to a system that uses satellite technology. ADS-B improves safety, increases efficiency, and reduces the time it takes to locate lost aircraft, potentially saving lives. Air traffic controllers and pilots use the technology to provide shared situational awareness.

Transitioning to ADS-B services in the national airspace system has been such a huge undertaking that involved thousands of people both in the FAA and throughout the aviation industry. I feel very lucky, and proud to be a part of a flagship next generation program like ADS-B that can handle future demands more efficiently, said Gray.

The FAA informed the aviation community in 2010 that ADS-B technology would be required on all aircraft flying in certain controlled airspace as of Jan. 1, 2020. Gray inspired his team and managed the completion of the infrastructure on time and on budget. Gray and his team collaborated with the aviation industry specifically general aviation to get the community onboard and equipped by the deadline.

The Partnership for Public Service selected 27 finalists for the Sammies. The finalists also are eligible for the Service to America Medals Peoples Choice Award, which is voted on by members of the public on this site. The Peoples Choice winner will be announced in the summer. The Sammies winners will be announced on September 22.