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News and Updates – Drone Safety Week is Here!

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Calling all drone enthusiasts!

Join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for virtual events during its second annual National Drone Safety Awareness Week from Nov. 1622, 2020. Learn about the latest drone technology and how the FAA is working to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System. Throughout the week, you also will hear from drone pilots and recreational flyers about their passion and commitment to drone safety, and stakeholders will highlight important drone safety educational topics.

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson will kick off the week by participating in a live virtual event with middle- and high-school students from Baltimore, Md., who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through the Global Air Drone Academy, a virtual drone club where they learn about careers and flying safely. The event will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. EST Monday. You can view the livestreamed video on FAA social media platforms Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Throughout the week you can learn about the latest drone technology and how the FAA is working to safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System. You also will hear from drone operators about their passion and commitment to drone safety, and stakeholders will highlight important drone safety educational topics.

  • Monday: LEARN What do you need to know before you fly?
  • Tuesday: IMPROVE How can you improve your flying skills?
  • Wednesday: PASSION TO PROFESSION How to go from recreational flyer to commercial drone pilot.
  • Thursday: START A PROGRAM Learn about starting a public safety program.
  • Friday: IN THE CLASSROOM How can you use drones in STEM education?
  • Saturday and Sunday: HAVING FUN Why do you fly?

This year, the FAA will offer activities just for students, including a Virtual Art Gallery where they can share their artistic talents and submit drone-inspired drawings. Lesson plans and other resources for teachers, parents and caregivers are posted on FAA.gov to help young people learn about drones, aviation and science.

Please share your drone related safety stories on your social media platforms using the following hashtags#DroneWeek, and follow the FAA at @FAADroneZone.

News and Updates – Federal Guidance to Fly Healthy This Holiday Season

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Starting to travel again? Flyhealthy.gov provides guidance to help you fly healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

News and Updates – Federal Funds Available for Converting Airports from Military to Civil and Joint-use Airports

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The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) will accept applications from airport sponsors through Dec. 17, 2020, under the Fiscal Year 2021Military Airport Program (MAP). The MAP provides funding to help develop former military airports or designated joint-use military airfields for civilian use.

The programhelps increase civilian aviation capacity by financing projects such as building or repairing parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility systems, access roads, cargo buildings, and other airfield projects at former military airports.

The MAP is funded by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Congress has historically appropriated approximately $10 million for this program. However, the FAA is operating under a Continuing Resolution so the amount is unknown.

A maximum of 15 airports may participate in the program at any one time, including up to three general aviation (GA) airports. Airports selected to participate in the MAP may receive federal financial assistance for one to five years.Currently, there are four airports in the program and three slots are available for GA airports.

Since 1991, the FAA has funded approximately $753 million for a MAP projects. Many of these projects are not normally eligible for AIP funding, but projects for MAP-designated airports have unique eligibility rules to convert the airports to civilian or joint use.

Current MAPdesignees and new applicants can contact the FAAsAirports District Officefor assistance.

News and Updates – U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Successful Completion of Drone Pilot Program and New Program Called BEYOND

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New drone initiative called BEYOND will further advance the safe integration of drones into our national space.

News and Updates – FAA Issues Record of Decision on Florida Metroplex

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact-Record of Decision for the South-Central Florida Metroplex, which is the agencys plan to modernize air traffic procedures for 21 airports in the southern half of the state. The agency posted the document and the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Florida Metroplex Environmental website.

The decision enables the FAA to move forward with new satellite-based procedures that will enhance safety and efficiency. The FAA plans to implement the new procedures in mid-2021.

The project includes new arrival and departure procedures for Miami, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa and St. Pete/Clearwater international airports and 15 smaller airports.

The FAA conducted extensive outreach to the public before issuing its final decision on the project. The agency held 29 public workshops and 2 public comment periods totaling 120 days in 2019 and 2020. The agency also evaluated and responded to 3,239 comments in the Final EA.

The agency conducted the 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.

The environmental documents areavailable at 117 public libraries in the study area. Residents who are not online may contact their local libraries to access the document.