FAA

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Westerman votes to improve aviation safety and infrastructure

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WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that will reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years and improve American aviation safety and infrastructure. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:

"The FAA Reauthorization will make timely and strategic investments to bolster aviation safety and infrastructure, support the aviation workforce, and drive economic growth. Arkansas is on track to be a leader in aviation, and this legislation is a significant step in getting us there. As a member of the Aviation subcommittee, I was proud to play a role in passing this historically bipartisan bill, and I look forward to the President signing it into law expeditiously."

BACKGROUND:

Westerman ensured the inclusion of provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that will:

  • Grow the state of Arkansas' aviation workforce by reauthorizing funding for the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) program, which will educate the next generation of aviation professionals.

  • Improve radio communications at the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport. 

  • Support the Unmanned Aircraft System Collegiate Training Initiative at the University of Arkansas to prepare students for careers in the emerging field of drone aviation.

  • Improve Arkansas' airport infrastructure by providing $23 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to the state of Arkansas for airport capital improvement projects. Arkansas has 76 airports that are eligible for AIP funding.

  • Ensure data privacy and safety of General Aviation (GA) aircraft, crew, and passengers by allowing GA aircraft to ask the FAA to block the plane's aircraft codes from the public.

  • Ensure the safety of manned aircraft is considered when the FAA proposed rules for Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to ensure the safety of pilots and passengers on manned aircraft.

Westerman serves as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Aviation.

Click here for more information on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

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Rep. Crawford Statement on Senate Passage of FAA Legislation

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Washington, D.C. — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after the Senate passed a reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“It’s clear to me that after many months of delays in the Senate, we finally have a Senate-passed FAA bill for one reason: the hard work of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Chairman Sam Graves, subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves, and the entire staff of the Aviation Subcommittee and the full committee have shepherded this bill every step of the way through over a year of hearings, markups, and negotiations between the chambers and with industry and labor leaders. Their dedication to this effort is unmatched. While I don’t agree with every change the Senate has made to the original House-passed bill, I believe this is a fair compromise and a victory for the flying public and the aviation industry. I look forward to supporting this bill next week,” said Rep. Crawford.

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The Supply Side: Drone delivery among retailers becomes more prevalent

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by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Once seen as a small possibility, drone delivery for online orders has become a reality for Walmart and some of its competitors. Drone deliveries are increasing with ongoing investments among big retailers following more leeway from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Walmart has tested drone deliveries with various partners for the past two years but more recently ramped up investments in the final-mile delivery method following the guidelines released by the FAA in January 2021.

Walmart announced in May 2022 that it was expanding its investment with DroneUp to 34 sites by the end of the year. The drone towers have become fixtures at local Walmart stores in Pea Ridge, Store 100 in Bentonville, and the Walmart Neighborhood Market store in Farmington.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/the-supply-side-drone-delivery-among-retailers-becomes-more-prevalent/

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FAA to give almost $10 million to Arkansas airports

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by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Nearly 20 Arkansas airports will receive $9.99 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of recently announced grants from the Airport Improvement Program.

The agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday (June 7) awarding $518 million in the second round of the 2022 Airport Improvement Program. The awards include 416 grants to U.S. airports for projects such as construction of new and improved airport facilities, repairs to runways and taxiways, maintenance of airfield features like lighting or signs and purchasing equipment needed to operate and maintain airports.

The first round of funding was announced this past December.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/faa-to-give-almost-10-million-to-arkansas-airports/

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Arkansas airports to receive $23 million in first round of funding from new infrastructure law

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by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday (Dec. 16) it will award $2.89 billion in fiscal 2022 to 3,075 U.S. airports as a result of the new infrastructure law. In Arkansas, $23.35 million will go to 65 commercial, county and municipal airports.

The law provides $15 billion over five years for airport-related projects under the existing Airport Improvement Grant and Passenger Facility Charge programs. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability, terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects.

In Arkansas, the largest amounts awarded in the first round of airport funding from the law will go to the three largest commercial airports in the state:

  • Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, $4.89 million

  • Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Highfill, $4.46 million

  • Fort Smith Regional Airport, $1.27 million.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/12/arkansas-airports-to-receive-23-million-in-first-round-of-funding-from-new-infrastructure-law/