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News and Updates – FAA Posts Study, Plans Workshops for New Boston Procedure

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed new satellite-based approach procedure for Runway 4-Left at Boston Logan International Airport. The Draft EA indicates that the procedure would have no significant impact in any environmental category including aviation noise.

The proposed new procedure closely follows the path of the existing visual approach for Runway 4-Left. It will enhance safety and flight efficiency by providing vertical and lateral guidance to pilots and by enabling air traffic controllers to more precisely monitor arriving aircraft, especially in bad weather. When visibility is low, flights will be able to land on Runway 4-Left, helping to reduce delays that result in late-night arrivals at the airport. Currently, aircraft can land on the runway only in good weather.

A 60-day public comment period for the Draft EA begins today and ends on Nov. 20, 2020. The FAA will consider and review all substantive comments it receives during the comment period. The agency expects to issue a final environmental determination in 2021. The public can review the Draft EA and submit comments.

Electronic and paper copies of the Draft EA also are available at certain public libraries in the study area including Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, Milton and Quincy. Please contact your library to access the document.

The FAA will hold virtual public workshops on Oct. 23 and 28, 2020 to brief residents and answer their questions on the Draft EA and the proposed procedure. Environmental and air traffic control experts will be available to answer questions. Residents can view the schedule and register to attend a virtual workshop. Participants should register no later than 30 minutes before the workshops begin. The FAA also will livestream the workshops on Facebook and YouTube. Residents who are not online can access the workshops by calling 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099.

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 procedure.

Additional information about the project and the agencys community involvement program is available at Boston Community Involvement.

News and Updates – More Schools Join the Collegiate Training Initiative

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that 15 more schools have been selected to participate in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI).

The new schools are:

  • Austin Community College, Austin, Texas
  • Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing, New Jersey
  • Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, Washington
  • Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Martinsburg, West Virginia
  • Carroll Community College, Westminster, Maryland
  • Clark State Community College, Springfield, Ohio
  • Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
  • Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
  • Fullerton College, Fullerton California
  • Kansas State Polytechnic, Salina, Kansas
  • Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
  • Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  • Mitchell Technical College, Mitchell, South Dakota
  • Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Mount Gay, West Virginia
  • Yavapai College, Prescott, Arizona

The FAAs CTI program allows educational institutions to collaborate with the FAA to help students pursue their aviation career goals. The UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers involving UAS, commonly referred to as drones.

The new schools join 26 schools that have already been selected to participate in the program. These previously selected schools are listed below:

  • Blue Mountain Community College, Pendleton, Oregon
  • Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Oregon
  • Dakota College, Bottineau, North Dakota
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, Prescott, AZ, and Worldwide Campus
  • Green River College, Auburn, Washington
  • Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City, Florida
  • Hazard Community and Technical College, Hazard, Kentucky
  • Hinds Community College, Raymond, Mississippi
  • Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
  • Indiana State University, Terra Haute, Indiana
  • Mira Costa College, Carlsbad, California
  • Mountain Empire Community College, Big Stone Gap, Virginia
  • Mountwest Community and Technical College, Huntington, West Virginia
  • Niagara Community College, Sanborn, New York
  • North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Northeastern Technical College, Cheraw, South Carolina
  • Northland Community and Technical College, Thief River Falls, Minnesota
  • Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse, Michigan
  • Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Palomar College District, San Marcos, California
  • Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, California
  • Southwestern College, Chula Vista, California
  • Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, Florida
  • University of Maine at Augusta, Augusta, Maine
  • University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota
  • WSU Tech, Wichita, Kansas

The FAA launched the UAS-CTI program in April 2020. Participating institutions will engage with the FAA, each other, general industry, local governments, law enforcement, and regional economic development entities to address labor force needs. UAS-CTI school graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a successful career in a UAS-related field.

Post-secondary institutions with UAS curriculums seeking recognition as UAS-CTI partners may still apply for this distinction. Program guidelines are posted on our website.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254) required the FAA to establish a collegiate training initiative program relating to unmanned aircraft and to establish a process to designate consortia of public, two-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Small Unmanned Aircraft System Technology Training.

News and Updates – September 14-Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) Meeting

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Hear updates about matters pertaining to the commercial space transportation industry at a virtual public meeting.

News and Updates – FAA Grants to Support Aviation Maintenance Careers

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced the Aviation Maintenance Technical Workforce Development Grant Program to increase interest and recruit students for careers in aviation maintenance. The goal is to provide grants to academia and the aviation community to help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians, to inspire and recruit the next generation of aviation professionals.

Congress appropriated $5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to fund projects to address the projected shortages of aviation maintenance technical workers in the aviation industry. Eligible groups may apply for grants from $25,000 to $500,000 for any one grant in any one fiscal year. Potential applicants may visit the website for more information.

The FAA posted the announcement in the Federal Register today and will accept public comments until Sept. 23, 2020.

News and Updates – FAA Announces Grants for Aviation Careers

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today issued a Federal Register Notice announcing the Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program. The program will expand the pilot workforce and will help high school students receive training to become aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. The program also prepares teachers to train students for jobs in the aviation industry.

In Fiscal Year 2020, Congress appropriated $5 million to create and deliver a training curriculum to address the projected shortages of aircraft pilots. Eligible groups may apply for grants from $25,000 to $500,000. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the program website. The FAA will accept public comments on the Federal Register Notice until September 24, 2020.