NATA Worries Over FAA Suspening Action On Most New Certification Applications

The National Air Transportation Association is expressing concern that FAA is suspending action on most new certification applications, reports The Weekly of Business Aviation (subscribers only). The agency recently announced the suspension to field offices, NATA says, adding the move is in response to budgetary constraints.

Politico reports that Sen. Claire McCaskell (D-Neb.) will write a check of nearly $90,000 to the U.S. Treasury to cover at least 89 flights she took on a private aircraft she co-owns with her husband and other investors.  “Sen. McCaskill has been very careful flying on taxpayer dollars. She has averaged a fraction of the cost of chartered air travel in Missouri compared to” former Missouri GOP Sens. Kit Bond and Jim Talent, McCaskill spokeswoman Maria Speiser told the publication.

Jetwhine's Scott Spangler has created a database that looks at pilot population data back to 1964. "Updating it for 2010 revealed a new high point in pilot certification: 96,473 active flight instructor certificates," he writes.

The Wall Street Journal has created a slideshow on the world of private jets in conjunction with the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress in Hong Kong.  And the MyFlightCoach blog reports on Actual IMC for Private Pilots.

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