Short Takes Page 5

6/22 VC-25B Bridge Aircraft Arrives At Joint Base Andrews - HERE    6/22 Skydiver, 21, died after he was hit in the neck by plane wing because pilot didn’t know he was going to jump - HERE    6/19 World Cup Drone Violations Draw Federal Response - HERE    6/16 NetJets Petitions FAA For Longer Crew Duty Periods - HERE    6/15 B-52 Down in ‘Unsurvivable’ Crash at Edwards AFB (Updated) - HERE    6/15 Continental Aerospace Returns to U.S. Ownership in $535 Million Arcline Deal - HERE    6/15 LITEF Develops Resilient Receiver Against GPS Jamming, Spoofing - HERE    6/13 FBI seizes drones, cites pilots near SoFi Stadium during the World Cup - HERE    6/10 Cirrus Added to Chinese Military Firms List - HERE    6/9 NBAA Champions New FAA Mental Wellness Policy Supporting Counseling - HERE    6/9 Updated entry procedures in effect in Mexico - HERE    6/9 Court Narrows Joby-Archer eVTOL Lawsuit -HERE    6/06 Survey Points To ADS-B In Readiness Gap - HERE    6/3 Seized Stinson To Be Returned, Charges Dropped - HERE    6/03 FAA Awards $523 Million For Airport Infrastructure - HERE    6/1 Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Lifts Off in Electric Air Taxi - HERE    5/26 Cessna Strikes Paraglider Over Austrian Alps - HERE    5/25 DOT, FAA Launch ATC Modernization Tracker - HERE     5/20 MONICA RODRIQUEZ BLAMES AIRPORT for ACCIDENT DUE TO PILOT ERROR - HERE

Supporting Airports, Strengthening Communities”

Aviation Short Takes

Short Takes - Commetary

Pertinent Comments about current events

 

Aviation Short Takes is designed as a Comment & News area. The opinions and news about important aviation matters developing today can be read here. 

Do you have relevant comments concerning Airspace Design and/or Aviation Safety that you feel others can benefit from?  For instance, do you have a recommendation for us to link to?  Please let me know!  Use scauwg@earthlink.net and address your input to Ron Berinstein, webmaster. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Opinions and views expressed in the following commentary are those of the authors &/or publishers alone; and may or may not reflect SCAUWG.ORG.

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This page (Page 5) was added on 06/05/2026.  To view prior commentary, see "Short Takes Page 4." 

 

Let's Begin

 

06/24/2026  A good mental workout - From AOPA - "I hate generative AI. Students cheat with it, professionals make it write inane emails, and companies are raking in billions with the promise of replacing nearly all of us in the office. - Lest you think I’m a complete curmudgeon dinosaur, I marvel at new technology. I find jets, fly-by-wire, autoland, and autothrottles incredibly cool. However, I choose to fly an airplane without an electrical system. -  For the average home user, AI’s advertising pitch is focused on making our lives easier. I don’t remember asking for my life to be easier. I don’t need to have my groceries delivered this afternoon, or my toothpaste from Amazon via drone in an hour. It’s not like life is particularly difficult. We have an abundance of food choices without having to farm or hunt, our TVs have years’ worth of content, and everything from our toothbrushes to our cars is automated."  Continue Here.

06/24/2026   Drones Might Use Radio Calls for Separation at Non-Towered Airports - From AvBrief.com - "If Georgia Tech scientists are right you could eventually be mixing it up with autonomous drones that use a listen and avoid technique in the pattern at untowered airports. The researchers are figuring out how to make the drones make sense of position reports in the pattern and near the airport so they can stay out of the way of crewed aircraft. “This is how humans have operated safely for decades around these airports. So, if we start flying robots here, they should operate in the same way,” Sundhar Vinodh Sangeetha, a robotics Ph.D. student and first author of the study, told the university’s engineering journal. “We humans shouldn’t have to change the way we act because there’s a robot operating around us. That was a big motivation.”  Finish Reading Here.

Ed Bolen -NBAA President & CEO

06/20/2026   Q&A With NBAA Chief Ed Bolen - By John Persinos |- Aviation Tech Today - "This week, John Persinos interviewed Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).  -  NBAA is widely regarded as the leading voice for business aviation in the United States. Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., NBAA represents thousands of companies, aircraft operators, manufacturers, service providers, airports, universities, and government organizations that rely on business aviation. John’s questions are in bold.-  Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are moving from prototype to certification and early deployment. What do you see as the biggest hurdles to integrating eVTOL operations into the existing business aviation ecosystem over the next five years?

As eVTOL, advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) move from certification into commercial deployment, I believe the biggest challenge over the next five years will be maintaining America’s leading position as the global leader in aerospace through safe and timely integration, both on the ground and in the air.  -  On the ground, we need to continue developing the infrastructure to support AAM and eVTOLs. That includes developing vertiports, charging capabilities, maintenance facilities and the operational systems necessary to support this new category of aircraft.   Read More Here.

06/20/2026   Expert Interview: AI, AAM, eVTOL…and More - By John Persinos | - Aviation Tech Today - "A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Adams authored The Robot in the Simulator (2024), widely regarded as the first book focused on AI best practices in aviation training. He also served as Lead Editor on the President’s AAM Safety Brief, placing him at the center of the industry’s evolving conversation around advanced air mobility and operational safety.

Adams has held senior communications and editorial roles with major aerospace and technology organizations including CAE, Raytheon, and Singer-Link Flight Simulation. For several years, he was chair of the Pilot Training conference at the World Aviation Training Summit. The following is a transcript of his discussion with John Persinos, edited for concision. Questions are in bold."   Read it Here.

06/19/2026    A MOSAIC of Possibilities - From AvBrief.com - "When the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule was first proposed, the big excitement was about old folks like me being able to sidestep the increasingly onerous medical toll that our golden years exact and keep flying the planes we’re used to flying as Light Sport pilots. There was much ado about the stall speed requirements and which aircraft would be captured by it. - With a few exceptions, most lower-end certified designs managed the 59/61 knot dirty and clean minimums and I’m sure we’ll see thousands of folks in my demographic reasonably squeezing a few more years out of a lifetime passion with reasonable limits and access. - As the wrangling over a few knots and a few more types grabbed the headlines, there was a steady drumbeat in the background about the opportunities for new technologies and modern designs to be introduced by the rule. Those of us who’ve been around for awhile have heard that siren song before and what sometimes results is the evaporation of billions in investor capital with little or nothing to show for it. - Fortunately, some people read the fine print of the rule, which will be finalized for the certification of aircraft on July 24 at AirVenture, and realized that there was actually something to this notion of bringing new tech to market under this new set of rules. The pilot and mechanics’ standards were set at last year’s AirVenture."  Much more Here.

 

Back Country Flying - [Courtesy RAF]

 

06/19/2026    This Week in GA: Improving Access - From AvBrief.com -  "The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has kicked off the summer with its vow to continue “Expanding the Map,” something the organization has done extraordinarily well in its 23-plus years of defending and rehabilitating airfields and backcountry strips alike. - They’ve started with Taylor Flat Airstrip (TF9) near Dutch John, Utah, which has been officially reopened after 28 years of disuse. Thanks to a cooperative effort between the RAF and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP), TF9 welcomes pilots with remote camping deep in the Utah canyonlands, with close proximity to the Green River, just a quarter-mile stroll away. - You can read a little more Here.

 

 

 

06/19/2026   Military Was Jamming GPS Before Air Ambulance Hit Mountaintop - From AvBrief.com - "GPS jamming by the military has been cited in the crash of an air ambulance in New Mexico last month. In its preliminary report on the crash, which killed both pilots and two nurses on the King Air, the NTSB says the crew repeatedly lost GPS service as they tried to get to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport to pick up a patient. They finally requested an ILS approach to the field. After notifying ATC..."  Continue Here.

06/16/2026    America’s Largest Drone Delivery Service Just Got Larger - From FLYING - "Wing will serve more Walmart customers in California, Arizona, Utah, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. - Walmart—which owns the nation’s largest drone delivery service through a partnership with Alphabet’s Wing—this week announced plans to extend its operations in Texas and Georgia to seven new markets amid a push to serve 10 percent of the U.S. population by 2027. - The partners in January revealed ambitious plans to offer drone delivery out of 270 Walmart locations..."   Read More Here.

06/16/2026   Mullin Would Divert Airport Customs To Help ICE Operations - From AvBrief.com - " Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin says he’ll pull Customs and Border Protection agents from airports if he thinks they’re needed to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in the cities those airports serve. Appearing on CNN on Sunday, Mulling elaborated on earlier statements regarding the potential removal of Customs services at airports in so-called “sanctuary cities,” which include the largest airports in the country at New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago."  Details Here.

06/16/2026   FAA Proposes New Regulation to Enable Companies to Request Drone Flight Restrictions Near Fixed-Site, Critical Infrastructure Facilities - From Lexology - "

  • Comments due July 6, 2026. Under its proposed 14 C.F.R. Part 74, operators and proprietors of fixed-site (permanent, non-mobile), critical infrastructure (defined by statute and regulation) facilities could request the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict unmanned aircraft (drone) operations near such facilities.
  • FAA-Approved Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFR) would define airspace in which drone operations would be restricted, subject to narrow exceptions. UAFRs would not physically impede drone operations or empower facility operators and proprietors to interfere with drone operations through detection or mitigation measures, though those with lawful independent authority could do so.
  • Companies across a broad range of sectors could apply for UAFR. Potentially eligible facilities include: energy production, transmission, and distribution facilities; oil refineries; chemical facilities; transportation (rail, aviation, marine, and pipeline) facilities; commercial facilities that draw large crowds (e.g., for entertainment, shopping, lodging); and facilities in the communications, information technologies, critical manufacturing, emergency services, food and agriculture, healthcare and public health, nuclear, water, and wastewater.
  • Potential environmental impacts and public safety threats from drone attacks are central considerations "   Details Here.

06/16/2026   Pennsylvania Bill Would Create New Aviation Trust Fund - From AvWeb -  The AIR Act would raise aviation fuel taxes, add aircraft registration fees and dedicate a portion of state sales tax collections to aviation programs. - Under the bill, 0.425% of state sales and use tax collections would be deposited annually into the Aviation Trust Fund. Aviation gasoline taxes would increase to 24 cents per gallon beginning July 1, 2027, and jet fuel taxes would rise to 8 cents per gallon beginning Jan. 1, 2027. - Other funding sources would include private aviation facility licensing and inspection fees, aviation-related penalties, interest, state aircraft use reimbursements, airport rents, airport fees and proceeds from the sale of state-owned airport property."   Read More Here.

06/15/2026    B-52 Down in 'Unsurvivable' Crash at Edwards AFB (Updated) - AvBrief.com  -  VIDEO - TERRIBLE DISASTER at Edwards - B-52 Takeoff Crash at the Base - Story Here.

06/15/2026   Moses Lake AirPlant Opens As First U.S. Commercial Facility To Make Jet Fuel From CO2, Electricity - From Source One - VIDEO - "MOSES LAKE — A new Moses Lake facility is now producing commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel made from carbon dioxide, renewable electricity and water, marking what company officials say is a first for the United States. - Twelve officially opened AirPlant One on Wednesday, June 10, in Moses Lake. The company said the facility is the first commercial-scale plant in the country to produce E-Jet fuel, a power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuel made from CO2 and renewable electricity. The facility will also produce E-Naphtha, a chemical building block used in products such as plastics, packaging, solvents and synthetic fibers."  Finish Reading Here.

FLIGHT IN THE BAHAMAS (credit: Glenn Watson)

06/14/2026   The Bahamas Are Clearly a Pilot’s Paradise - From FLYING - "Discover the Caribbean nation for an unforgettable flying adventure. - The Bahamas are a world-renowned pilot destination for many reasons, including crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, and an unrivaled opportunity for tranquility. The island you choose to visit during a trip largely depends on the mixture of adventure and relaxation that you’re looking to enjoy. -  The Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands, with 16 recognized major ones. The farthest from the U.S., Inagua, is more than 500 miles southeast of Florida, which may be a fun option for pilots looking to make a long-haul flight or wanting to continue to additional Caribbean nations.  -

Many of the country’s exotic fly-in locations are much closer to home. Bimini is the nearest chain of islands from Florida and is only about 50 miles from its most eastern shore. There are countless other islands within a short flight, including those in the Abacos and Berry islands, both of which are within a few hours flight of the Sunshine State. -  The Bahamas sport 54 airports identified in their official guide that are distributed throughout the country. Like in the U.S., airports range from publicly owned facilities to private ones you can visit with prior permission. There are also private airports not accessible by anyone other than their owner, which is noted on sectional charts for easy reference. -  Bimini Islands - Bimini boasts three main islands, which are referenced by South, North, and East prefixes. There are less than 3,000 residents in total, and Bimini is a convenient destination for U.S. pilots that’s known for pelagic adventures, namely snorkeling, scuba diving, and sport fishing.  -  The richness of marine life around Bimini makes for several notable things to check out. You can swim with dolphins, stingrays, and even sharks. Visitors can learn more about..."  Explore the world that the Bahamas Presents by continuing Here.

06/10/2026   Ballon Pilots Complete Landmark Journey Across Atlantic & Make History - From Bangor Daily News - "The Atlantic Explorer hydrogen balloon has made history with a successful trans-Atlantic flight, landing safely in Luxembourg after a 70-hour journey from Presque Isle, Maine. Piloted by Bert Padelt, Alicia Hempleman-Adams and Peter Cuneo, it is the first hydrogen balloon to cross the Atlantic, and Hempleman-Adams is the first woman to achieve the feat in a gas balloon. Their accomplishment follows several years and multiple attempts, highlighting their perseverance and dedication to ballooning."  Story Here

06/10/2026   DOT Regulation Clarifies Rulemaking, Guidance and Enforcement Procedures, Increasing Transparency - From NBAA - "The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently published a final rule, “Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures,” which applies to all DOT agencies, including the FAA. - The final rule covers three main areas:

  • Rulemaking processes, restoring transparency and public input mechanisms
  • Guidance issuance, requiring explicit disclaimers that guidance is interpretive rather than regulatory, reinforcing protection against enforcement overreach
  • Enforcement procedures, restoring DOT-wide enforcement norms and creating a formal process to request DOT general counsel review of specific enforcement actions

Greg Reigel, a partner at Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP, and co-chair of NBAA’s Regulatory Issues Advisory Group, said the guidance portion of the regulation is likely to have the most visible impact on the aviation industry."  Read the data Here.

06/10/2026   InFO 26009, United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcanic Observatory Notification for Aviation (VONA), is published. -
This InFO provides information on a new notification system from State Volcanic Observatories (SVO) concerning volcanic ash alerts that are critical for aviation safety. - The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link, https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos -

06/10/2026   OPINION | J. KELLY ROBBINS: Small airports matter to agriculture - From Arkansas Democrat Gazette - "Arkansas is the nation's rice leader. We produce nearly half of all American rice and export more than $400 million worth of rice annually to markets across the globe. This is more than just a number. It represents thousands of family farms, millions of hours of skilled labor, and a critical piece of America's food security and export economy. - Although current economic conditions are deeply concerning, we know Arkansas' success depends on infrastructure that often goes unnoticed: the small airports and general aviation network that help keep our rice crops healthy, productive, and competitive. - Here's why: Arkansas rice is grown in a unique environment. Much of it is cultivated in flooded fields, a method essential for controlling weeds and managing the crop. Once those fields are flooded, traditional ground-based farm equipment can't..."   Read More Here.

06/09/2026   The FAA recently added the following to the AIP Program Guidance Letters (PGLs) page on the FAA website:

PGL 26-04, Incentive Payments for Early Completion of Certain Projects
See also the Optional Checklist for Incentive Payment for Early Completion.

Thank you, FAA Office of Airports Planning and Programming

06/09/2026   FDA Announced It Is Seeking Public Comment on Its Intent to Remove the 510(k) Clearance Requirement for Federally Regulated Drug Testing Programs - U.S. Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 06/09/2026 09:30 AM EDT - Current state and proposed changes are described. Public Comment Due by June 30, 2026.  See the notice Here.

06/09/2026   Updated entry procedures in effect in Mexico - From AOPA - "Say goodbye to the 180-day authorization - Just as pilots were getting used to the "Single Entry Authorization" procedures implemented in early 2024, the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) has introduced an update for foreign-registered aircraft. Effective May 13, the previous 180-day authorization was rolled back; AFAC now requires that every domestic and international flight receive prior authorization from its central office in Mexico City before it can operate. - Under the previous process, operators requested authorization from local AFAC offices at airports; as of May 13, flight plans can no longer be coordinated with airport command authorities until the central office in Mexico City provides its official approval, known as a "Vo.Bo." (Visto Bueno). - To obtain this approval, operators must submit a complete digital package that includes eight documents, including..."  Important Information if desiring to fly to Mexico - Read it Here.

06.09.2026   Dear Industry Colleague,

 FAA recently added the following to Airports Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the FAA website:

Thank you, FAA Office of Airports

06/09/2026  The FAA recently added the following to the Airport News and New Resources page on the FAA website:

Advisory Circulars

Airport Improvement Program

Airports Engineering

Buy American Program

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Part 139 Airport Certification and SMS

Passenger Facility Charge Program

Thank you! FAA Office of Airports

06/06/2026   LA County Aviation Commissioner Rudy Villarreal to resign soon. - That is the report SCAUWG.ORG received from a knowledgeable source.  Congratulations are offered as he was the successful candidate for Lakewood City Council District 2 in this past June 2nd election.   See:  https://ballotpedia.org/Rudy_Villarreal_(Lakewood_City_Council_District_2,_California,_candidate_2026) - Though we are happy to announce his victory, if in fact he does resign his commissioner seat, he will be missed as Commissioner Villarreal brought an important contribution of aviation professionalism to the commission.

06/05/2026   Governor Newsom announces expansion of the world’s largest civilian aerial firefighting fleet: deployment of fourth C-130 H airtanker and new helitack base - From Governor's Press Office - "The newest additions to California’s aerial firefighting fleet enter active service as hotter, drier season begins. - SACRAMENTO – Marking a significant advancement in California's wildfire preparedness, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the state’s fourth C-130 Hercules (C-130H) airtanker has entered active service. Alongside this deployment, the Governor celebrated the launch of California’s 11th Helitack base, which hosts the Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk helicopter. Both resources will be stationed at the Ramona Airport in San Diego County, strategically integrating them into California’s world-leading aerial fleet. - Get a LOT of Details Here.

06/05/2026   CAL FIRE Aircraft Bases (as of 06/01/2026)

Fire Fighting Recognition Guide - Click on Image

The Complete Guide is available by Clicking Here

06/03/2026   NBAA Signs Onto Industry Coalition Statement Opposing DHS Proposal to Curtail CBP Airport Operations - From NBAA - Dan Hubbard - "Washington, DC, May 29, 2026 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today joined a coalition of leading aviation and travel organizations –  representing  airports, airlines, hotels and other business and consumer stakeholders – in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to avoid actions that would significantly reduce Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at U.S. airport ports of entry.

The groups warned that disruptions at major international gateway airports would have nationwide consequences, negatively affecting travelers, businesses, supply chains and airport operations across the country.

“Any reduction in Customs and Border Protection operations at major U.S. gateway airports threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation’s air transportation system,” the coalition’s statement reads. “International aviation networks are highly interconnected, and operational changes at a small number of gateway airports will quickly ripple across the country, negatively impacting travelers, cargo shipments, supply chains and the communities that depend on those connections. Airports and airlines rely on stable, predictable federal inspection services to keep people and commerce moving safely and efficiently. We urge DHS to avoid actions that would create unnecessary operational and economic consequences for communities nationwide. As the United States prepares for growing international travel demand, DHS should avoid actions that would create unnecessary bottlenecks and economic consequences for communities across the country. Now is the time to strengthen America’s gateway infrastructure, not weaken it.”

Recent news coverage about potential changes to CBP services underscores the value of NBAA customs resources for members, including information about preclearance requirements, waivers and the latest news on customs processes and procedures.

Specifically, the association recently introduced the updated NBAA GA Airport Fact Sheet resource, an authoritative information clearinghouse designed to support international travel planning and customs compliance. This member-only resource has been enhanced so that it provides near-real-time information about CBP facilities that provide business aviation services.

The following is the full list of organizations that have signed on to the statement:

  • Airline Passenger Experience Association
  • Airlines for America
  • Airports Council International – North America
  • American Association of Airport Executives
  • American Hotel and Lodging Association
  • Association of Value Airlines
  • Cargo Airline Association
  • Global Business Travel Association
  • GREAT USA Coalition
  • International Air Transport Association
  • International Flight Services Association
  • National Business Aviation Association
  • National Retail Federation
  • Regional Airline Association
  • Travelers United
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • U.S. Travel Association"          

- Press Release from NBAA

06/03/2026   Angel Flight West Fundraiser Tops $1 Million - From AVweb - "The nonprofit said proceeds from the Endeavor Awards will support free medical transportation flights. - Angel Flight West said this week that its 12th annual Endeavor Awards raised more than $1 million in pledges and commitments for free, non-emergency medical transportation. According to the Los Angeles-based nonprofit, the funds will support flight and ground transportation coordination for patients who need care far from home across the western U.S."   Continue Here

06/02/2026   Some Airports Have Concerns About Electric Aircraft - From FLYING - "Government Accountability Office finds that most facilities are not quite ready for the new entrants. - At least one fixed-base operator (FBO) that is betting on electric air taxis believes the new aircraft will arrive several years after some manufacturers predict.- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Wednesday released a new report examining the infrastructure needs of future electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. Among the stakeholders GAO interviewed were two FBOs—Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation—that are pursuing a range of electrification projects at hubs nationwide, partnering with electric air taxi manufacturers such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Beta Technologies. - At least one fixed-base operator (FBO) that is betting on electric air taxis believes the new aircraft will arrive several years after some manufacturers predict. - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Wednesday released..." Continue Reading More Here.

06/01/2026   Authorities will take down drones at World Cup events amid wartime security measures - From LA Times - "With the U.S. at war with Iran, authorities released a series of security measures for the World Cup, including a no-drone zone at all venues nationwide, with officials saying they will take down any unauthorized flying objects. - The no-drone rules are similar to those used during the Super Bowl but this time they will be enforced at multiple venues over multiple days."  More Here.

06/01/2026   Delta Pilot Arrested 20 Minutes Before Departure - VIDEO - From 74 Gear - 2019 Incident - Being handcuffed in uniform and walking through the airport is not how he saw this day going."  A lot of INSIDE AIRLINE INFO - See it on YouTube Here.

05/31/2026    Feds Mull Pulling Customs From New York, LA, Chicago, and Other Airports in ‘Sanctuary Cities’ - From AvBrief.com - "A controversial plan that would effectively ban most international flights at the U.S.’s largest gateway airports seems to be gathering momentum in Washington amid fears it would cause utter chaos as more than five million soccer fans get ready to visit the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the World Cup. The Homeland Security Secretary has given several interviews in the last few days saying he’s thinking of removing Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called sanctuary cities where local authorities do not assist federal immigration investigations. Among those cities are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, all major international hubs and key entry points for World Cup tourists. - Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said no decision has been made but his department will be ready if it is. “We are currently—which we’re not initiating yet—but we’re currently drawing ‌up plans,” Mullin told Fox News. No government officials have given any rationale..."  Continue Reading Here.

05/31/2026   A better way to fix air traffic control - From Aviation Across America - "Former airline executive Robert Mann notes that a recent pro-privatization Washington Post editorial fails to address safety and staffing concerns raised over Canada’s privatized model"  - "“The dysfunction in U.S. air traffic control has an ultimate source” was right to press for faster modernization of air traffic control staffing, scheduling and technology. - One near-term fix to air traffic control is to reduce the unnecessary workload pushed onto controllers. Airlines already have tools to optimize day-of-flight trajectories, using modest en route speed adjustments to sequence and time arrivals well before final approach.

Canada’s privatized nonprofit model should not be treated as a cure-all; it does not make the system safer, solve staffing issues, or remove incentives. A 2024 white paper from Canadian pilots and controllers warned that chronic underinvestment had strained staffing, reduced redundancy and weakened the system’s long-term resilience. In testimony before Canada’s Parliament, the head of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association said that controllers were already short-staffed by 13 percent before covid-19 and that NAV Canada was spending more than 100 million Canadian dollars a year on overtime. Today, NAV Canada remains short about 200 controllers and staffing constraints have contributed to repeated delay events. The International Civil Aviation Organization’s safety-oversight audit data also show Canada scoring below the United States across all audited categories, particularly aircraft operations."  Continue Here.

05/29/2026   GAO Flags Electric Aircraft Hurdles - From AVweb - "Airports cited questions involving power supply, charger standards, future revenue and demand. -  A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released Wednesday detailed a series of issues facing electric aircraft deployment, including limited airport infrastructure, questions over future airport revenue and concerns from manufacturers over FAA staffing and certification standardization.

According to GAO, 47 U.S. airports had identified electric aircraft charging stations on airport layout plans as of December 2025, with 43 of those airports classified as nonhub or smaller facilities. GAO said 34 of the 47 airports were part of BETA Technologies’ charging network, which the company reported had 52 active airport charging stations and another 32 in progress. One airport told GAO the electrification portion alone for a planned vertiport would be in the $2 million range - The report also noted that airports are weighing how electric aircraft could affect revenue currently tied to..."    Continue Here.

GAO REPORT - CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT

05/25/2026   DOT, FAA Launch ATC Modernization Tracker - From AVweb - "Modern Skies site tracks FAA infrastructure work nationwide. -  The U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA have launched a new website showing air traffic control modernization projects under way across the country. The Modern Skies site will be updated monthly and is intended to track more than 10,000 projects tied to upgrades in communications, surveillance, automation, facilities, Alaska airspace and other systems. It includes a national project map, a progress tracker and a search tool that allows users to look up work by city, airport code, ZIP code, state or congressional district."  Continue

05/25/2026   Falcon Field Landing Fees Draw FAA Complaint, Federal Lawsuit - From AVweb.com - "Flight schools are asking the FAA and a federal court to halt Mesa’s landing fee program. -  Two flight schools based at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona, have filed a joint FAA Part 13 complaint challenging the city’s planned landing fee program, scheduled to begin collecting landing data for billing purposes Aug. 1. The complaint was filed by CAE Aviation Academy and Thrust Flight and asks the FAA to review whether the fee structure complies with federal airport obligations, grant assurances and safety requirements.

Schools Raise Training Concerns

Thrust Flight CEO Patrick Arnzen said that, in addition to the federal action, the schools are also pursuing a separate local lawsuit.

“We filed the FAA Part 13 complaint because this issue goes way beyond one airport or one fee,” Arnzen said. “Increased costs could eventually fall on the students and that matters. But an equal and potentially even bigger concern is what happens to training quality and long-term safety when airports start discouraging the repetition pilots need to become truly proficient.”   Read More Here.

05/24/2026   LA County Assessor Touts Effort to Capture Taxes from Unassessed Aircraft - From City News Service - "An effort launched in January identified nearly 1,000 previously unassessed aircraft, which represent a combined $3.5 billion in new assessments for the 2026 tax year, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang announced Monday. - Prang is responsible for valuing all taxable property, both real and personal, which includes commercial aircraft such as those operating at Los Angeles International Airport, as well as privately owned planes used for general aviation that are based or regularly operated in the county. - In recent years, it’s been a challenge to accurately identify taxable aircraft. Additionally, Federal Aviation Administration rules have made it more difficult for local government agencies to identify aircraft activity and ownership, according to Prang’s office."  Read More Here.     Webmaster's Note:  SCAUWG.ORG is aware of at least one aircraft owner whose data contradicts the assessor's data.  It is alleged that the of the Assessor's data gathering sources is ADS-B, and that method might be abused, an invasion of personal rights, and that the data results may possibly be misinterpreted.

Special to SCAUWG.ORG.  "My understanding is that LAC implemented a program late 2025 where ADSB data is purchased from a company that sources ADSB history/location.  LAC is using this tool county wide and expects to round up 2 billion in property tax." - M.H.

05/22/2026   WHAT IS "PAPA" - And What Does it Have to do with PROPERTY TAXES?

The ISSUE: CAN ADS-B used to determine an Airplane's hangared location?

WHAT DOES papa Stand for?

 PAPA generally stands for the Property Appraiser Public Access portal. It is used to look up property values and exemptions, which form the basis for your local tax collection. [1, 2, 3] However, "at the federal level, momentum is building around the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA). The bill would ban the use of ADS-B data for fee collection nationwide. It would also limit the use of ADS-B data to launch noncriminal investigations into pilots." - See Skyfarer Academy.com -   Implication- Can assessor use ADS-B data to assess property taxes an airplane owner owes, and just how fat back into the can that assessor gather personal information regarding the aviator?

Below is a breakdown of how it relates to tax collection:

  • Property Valuation: Your local Property Appraiser assesses your home's value and issues a TRIM Notice (Notice of Proposed Property Taxes).
  • Public Database: PAPA allows you to search these assessed values, square footage, and property taxes.
  • Collection Process: The data produced by the appraiser is sent to your local Tax Collector, who officially bills and collects your property taxes. [1, 2, 3]

To look up your local property assessments or pay your property tax bill, use the official Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser or check your specific local county's government site. [1]

 

DOES PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION TO THE OWNERSHIP OF AN AIRPLANE?

 Yes, property tax collection directly relates to the ownership of an airplane because aircraft are legally classified as tangible personal property. [1, 2]

Unlike real estate (real property), airplanes are considered "unsecured" personal property. If your state or county levies a personal property tax, owning an aircraft means you will receive an annual property tax bill based on its assessed value. [1, 2, 3]

How the tax collection process interacts with aircraft ownership involves several specific mechanisms:

  1. Determining Tax Jurisdiction (Situs)

Your property tax is not collected based on where you fly, but where the aircraft is regularly or habitually situated when not in flight (known as its "tax situs"). [1]

  • The Base Airport: Taxes are billed by the local county or city where your hangar or tie-down spot is located.
  • Tracking Ownership: Local tax assessors determine ownership and airplane locations by pulling data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registry, flight tracking logs, airport operator reports, and physical on-site airport audits. [1, 2, 3]
  1. Annual Valuation and Assessment

Aircraft are appraised annually by the county assessor to determine their current fair market value. [1, 2]

  • The Lien Date: Assessment is locked in on a specific date each year (for example, January 1st in California). If you legally own the plane on that exact date, you are responsible for the entire property tax bill for that upcoming year, even if you sell the aircraft the very next day.
  • Valuation Methods: Tax collectors calculate the plane’s value using the initial purchase price, aircraft bluebook valuation guides, and recent sales data of comparable aircraft. [1, 2]
  1. Exemption Loopholes to Note

Not every airplane owner pays standard property taxes. Depending on local laws, exemptions may apply:

  • Business Inventory: Airplanes owned and held in inventory strictly for sale by a licensed dealer are generally exempt.
  • Historical Significance: Many jurisdictions offer full property tax exemptions for aircraft of historical significance if they are properly maintained and displayed to the public.
  • Recreational vs. Commercial: Some states (like Texas) only tax aircraft used for business, completely exempting personal, recreational planes. [1, 2, 3]
  1. Double-Check Sales and Use Tax

Do not confuse annual property tax with the initial Sales and Use Tax. When you first purchase an airplane, you must pay a one-time sales tax (or use tax if bought out-of-state) based on the total purchase price. The annual property tax is a completely separate bill collected every year thereafter. [1, 2]

If you would like to look up specific tax rates or verify if your aircraft qualifies for an exemption, I can help you investigate further if you share:

  • The state and county where your airplane is hangared
  • The make, model, and age of the aircraft
  • Whether it is used for personal recreation or business

SO, THE QUESTION IS, BEARING IN MIND THAT FAA ADMINISTRATOR BEDFORD has expressed clarity regarding the use of ADS-B with regard to the collection of Landing Fees, Can ADS-B be used by County Tax assessors to determine the hangared locations of individual aircraft?

 

This page (Page 5) was added on 06/05/2026.  To view prior commentary, see "Short Takes Page 4."