FAA Restricts Drones over Statue of Liberty, Other Landmarks

September 28 - FAA and Department of Interior Restrict Drone Operations Over Landmarks
FAA logo

News & Update

You are subscribed to News & Updates from the FAA Homepage. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

Statue of LibertyTwitter Social Media ButtonFacebook Social Media Button

FAA Restricts Drones over Statue of Liberty, Other Landmarks

At the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 99.7 – "Special Security Instructions" – to address concerns about unauthorized drone operations over 10 Department of the Interior (DOI) sites, including the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore.

 

The FAA and DOI have agreed to restrict drone flights up to 400 feet within the lateral boundaries of these sites:

 

  • Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York, NY
  • Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston, MA
  • Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA
  • Folsom Dam; Folsom, CA
  • Glen Canyon Dam; Lake Powell, AZ
  • Grand Coulee Dam; Grand Coulee, WA
  • Hoover Dam; Boulder City, NV
  • Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; St. Louis, MO
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Keystone, SD
  • Shasta Dam; Shasta Lake, CA

 

The restrictions will be effective October 5, 2017. There are only a few exceptions that permit drone flights within these restrictions, and they must be coordinated with the individual facility and/or the FAA.

 

To ensure the public is aware of these restricted locations, the FAA has created an interactive map online. The link to these restrictions is also included in the FAA's B4UFLY mobile app. The app will be updated within 60 days to reflect these airspace restrictions. Additional information, including frequently asked questions, is available on the FAA's UAS website.

 

Operators who violate the airspace restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.

 

This is the first time the agency has placed airspace restrictions for unmanned aircraft, or "drones," over DOI landmarks. The FAA has placed similar airspace restrictions over military bases that currently remain in place.

 

The FAA is considering additional requests from other federal agencies for restrictions using the FAA's § 99.7 authority as they are received.

Please do not reply to this message. See our Contact FAA page for contact information.


This email was sent to sajanram.shrestha@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration · 800 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20591 · 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322) GovDelivery logo

Secretary Elaine L. Chao Names Newest FAA Management Advisory Council Members

FAA logo

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Date: September 28, 2017

Contact: Gregory Martin

Phone: 202-267-3454

You are subscribed to News updates for the Federal Aviation Administration. A new Press Release is now available. We've included a copy of the release in this email.

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the appointment of seven new members to the Federal Aviation Administration's 13-member Management Advisory Council (MAC).  The MAC advises the FAA's senior management on policy, spending, long-range planning, and regulatory matters.

 

 

The MAC's newest members continue to represent a cross section of public and private sector transportation and business leaders.  They include:

 

  • Phillip Trenary, former CEO, Pinnacle Airlines
  • Brian Wynne, CEO, Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • William Ris, former Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, American Airlines
  • Donna McLean, former U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer
  • Jeffrey Shane, former U.S. Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Policy
  • Huntley Lawrence, Director, Aviation Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
  • Richard DeVos, President, Windquest Group and former CEO, Amway


"These new members bring extensive experience and over a century of combined expertise in the operation, business, and policy of aviation that will be invaluable to improving the FAA," said Secretary Chao.  "Each individual is a widely respected leader in their field and brings an established record of achievement that will help ensure our airspace remains one of the safest and most efficient in the world."

 

 

Today's MAC appointees join six remaining incumbent members:  Jeffrey A. Rosen, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation; Maj. Gen. (ret.) Rowayne Schatz, Associate Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, U.S. Air Force; Paul Rinaldi, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association; Steve Alterman, President, Cargo Airline Association; John E. "Jack" Potter, President, CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; and, Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO, SpaceX.

 

 

Secretary Chao thanked departing MAC members whose terms have expired for their service:  Jane Garvey, former FAA Administrator and Meridian Infrastructure/MITRE board member; Craig Fuller, President, the Fuller Co., and former President, AOPA; William Ayer, former Chairman, Alaska Air Group; Montie Brewer, former President and CEO, Air Canada; Lee Moak, former President, ALPA; Ray Conner, Vice Chairman, Boeing Co.; and, Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver, Colorado. 

 

 

"We are grateful for their contribution and know our aviation system is stronger because of their service," continued Secretary Chao.

 

 

Created by the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996, the MAC meets quarterly.  MAC members serve three-year terms in a voluntary capacity and retain their public and private sector positions. 

 

###

Please do not reply to this message. See our Contact FAA page for contact information.


This email was sent to sajanram.shrestha@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration · 800 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20591 · 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322) GovDelivery logo

FAA Supports St. Thomas commercial air service

September 28 – Air carrier flights resumed today at St. Thomas, supported by an FAA mobile air traffic control tower
FAA logo

News & Update

You are subscribed to News & Updates from the FAA Homepage. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

Hurricane MariaTwitter Social Media ButtonFacebook Social Media Button

FAA Supports St. Thomas commercial air service

This morning, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers handled the landing of the first commercial air carrier flight in weeks into the Cyril E. King International Airport in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (TIST). Working from a mobile air traffic tower the FAA moved to the island last weekend, the controllers are now managing a mix of commercial, military, relief and recovery flights to and from the storm-ravaged island.

 

The FAA continues to support similar operations on San Juan, Puerto Rico where the first commercial air carrier service began a week ago. The total number of flights in and out of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan (SJU) has increased dramatically over the past week, to more than 400 arrivals and departures yesterday.

 

U.S. commercial passenger air carriers flew 18 flights in and out of San Juan yesterday, including a mix of relief and revenue passenger service. Another three U.S. commercial cargo flights also flew to the island. The Official Airline Guide, which publishes planned airline schedules months in advance, shows that about 28 U.S. air carriers were scheduled to operate into San Juan on September 28, before the hurricanes hit the island.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been setting priorities for flight operations into and out of San Juan, based on their mission needs.

 

In addition to Luis Munoz Marin Airport in Puerto Rico, four other airports on the island are open with no restrictions:

 

Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla (BQN)

Mercedita Airport in Ponce (PSE)

Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba (RVR)

Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (also known as Isla Grande), in San Juan (SIG)

 

Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport in Mayaguez (MAZ) is closed.

 

Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix to expected to be open for commercial service soon.

All other airports on Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are open with restrictions and, at a minimum, are accepting military, emergency, and relief flights.

 

Please check with your airline to find out if it is flying to an airport in the affected area. 

Please do not reply to this message. See our Contact FAA page for contact information.


This email was sent to sajanram.shrestha@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration · 800 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20591 · 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322) GovDelivery logo

Federal Railroad Administration Buy America Waiver Request Notice

Transportation.Gov web banner

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Bookmark and Share

Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Buy America Waiver Request by Lake Electric Co., the Electrical Construction Contractor for the Charlotte, NC Locomotive and Railcar Maintenance Facility for Components of the Fire Alarm System.

For more information, please follow this link http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1067.


U.S. Department of Transportation | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington DC 20590 | 202-385-HELP (4357) GovDelivery logo

Prevent Loss of Control Events

September 28 -- FlySafe helps you safely re-enter the cockpit after inactivity
FAA logo

News & Update

You are subscribed to News & Updates from the FAA Homepage. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

fly safeTwitter Social Media ButtonFacebook Social Media Button

Prevent Loss of Control Events

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the general aviation (GA) community's national #FlySafe campaign is designed to educate GA pilots about the best practices to calculate and predict aircraft performance and to operate within established aircraft limitations.

 

Returning to the Cockpit

Has it been a while since you sat in the left seat? This month, we're not only going to encourage you to consider returning to the command position, we're also going to give you resources on how you can do it safely.

 

There are a few "must-do's" on your checklist before you consider taking flight again. The first is an assessment of your personal health and fitness. What could have disqualified you years ago, may now be acceptable with revised guidelines. For more information, please see the Aviation Medical Examiner Guide online.

 

Before you return to the cockpit, you'll need to log a few hours of flight time with an instructor who will take the time to help you re-learn those good habits that you once knew. Be sure to review any segments of flying where you feel a bit rusty, including stalls and steep turns.

 

Finally, you must get up to speed on all the changes that have taken place since you left the cockpit. Be sure to review any regulatory changes, especially those that focus on airspace use. Study up on the Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRA), Flight Restricted Zones (FRZ), and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).

 

TFRs can occur at any time, so before every flight, check the Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and the TFR list online, and call the Flight Service Station for updates.

 

The Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft Rule, implemented in 2004, allows pilots to operate aircraft that fall within certain reduced weight and speed parameters. Pilots are required to have a valid U.S. driver's license. If you have a private pilot certificate, you can legally fly a light-sport aircraft provided you are current, and the aircraft is in the same category in which you're qualified.

 

Safe Flying is a goal we all share. Please read the additional safety information below. Welcome back!!

 

What is Loss of Control (LOC)?
A LOC accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC can happen when the aircraft enters a flight regime that is outside its normal flight envelope and quickly develops into a stall or spin. It can introduce an element of surprise for the pilot.

 

Message from FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta:
The FAA and industry are working together to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents and save lives. You can help make a difference by joining our #Fly Safe campaign. Every month on FAA.gov, we provide pilots with Loss of Control solutions developed by a team of experts – some of which are already reducing risk. I hope you will join us in this effort and spread the word. Follow #FlySafe on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I know that we can reduce these accidents by working together as a community.

 

More about Loss of Control

Contributing factors may include:

  • Poor judgment or aeronautical decision making
  • Failure to recognize an aerodynamic stall or spin and execute corrective action
  • Intentional failure to comply with regulations
  • Failure to maintain airspeed
  • Failure to follow procedure
  • Pilot inexperience and proficiency
  • Use of prohibited or over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol

 

Did you know?

  • In 2016, 413 people died in 219 general aviation accidents.
  • Loss of Control was the number one cause of these accidents.
  • Loss of Control happens in all phases of flight. It can happen anywhere and at any time.
  • There is one fatal accident involving Loss of Control every four days.

 

Learn more:

AOPA has some excellent resources for the returning pilot. Check out Lapsed Pilots and Resuming the Journey for helpful tips.

 

The FAA has its own Safety Bulletin: Flying After a Period of Inactivity.

 

The FAASafety.gov website has Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars and more on key general aviation safety topics.

 

Check out GA Safety Enhancements fact sheets on the main FAA Safety Briefing website, including Flight Risk Assessment Tools.

 

The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program helps pilots build an educational curriculum suitable for their unique flight requirements.  It is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience.

 

The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) is comprised of government and industry experts who work together to use data to identify risk, pinpoint trends through root cause analysis, and develop safety strategies to reduce the risk of GA accidents. The GAJSC combines the expertise of many key decision makers in the FAA, several government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and stakeholder groups. Industry participants include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, National Business Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, and the aviation insurance industry. The National Transportation Safety Board and the European Aviation Safety Agency participate as observers.

Please do not reply to this message. See our Contact FAA page for contact information.


This email was sent to sajanram.shrestha@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration · 800 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20591 · 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322) GovDelivery logo