Welcome to our monthly Aviation News Brief, where we cover the latest aviation news of the last few weeks. Here’s what’s been happening in the world of aviation.
FAA Reaches New Contract Agreement with Aviation Safety Union
The FAA announced a new contract with the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), a union representing 11,000 employees focused on flight safety and aircraft certification. The agreement, reached in late September, includes a $5,000 bonus for unionized employees and allows for a flexible schedule of two in-office days per week. Both parties emphasized their shared commitment to safety and the vital role the PASS workforce plays in upholding high standards in the aviation industry.
Read more about the details of this agreement and its impact on FAA employees.
Aviation Groups Urge Congress to Remove Caps on Veterans' Flight Training Benefits
A coalition of 13 aviation trade organizations has petitioned House Republican and Democratic leaders to remove caps on veterans' aviation education benefits in proposed legislation. The current House Bill H.R. 7323 imposes a lifetime cap of $115,749 on post-9/11 GI Bill flight benefits, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The coalition argues this cap would force veterans to either forgo flight training or incur significant personal debt due to the high costs of specialized flight programs, calling the restrictions "unfair and discriminatory."
Read more about how these changes could impact veterans and the aviation industry.
Pilots Can Now Obtain Seaplane Rating at Wyoming's Lake DeSmet
Pilots seeking a single-engine seaplane (SES) rating can now do so at Lake DeSmet, Wyoming, thanks to the efforts of J.T. Grainger, field director of the Seaplane Pilots Association, and Steve Guetter, president of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association. Their collaboration with county officials ensures permanent access for local aircraft and app-based access for non-local pilots. The initiative also emphasizes critical measures to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Learn more about this new opportunity and how it could expand statewide.
Tyndall Air Force Base Relocates F-35 Fleet During Category 4 Hurricane Helene
As Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, Tyndall Air Force Base had already relocated its F-35 fleet to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The storm brought heavy rainfall and destructive winds to north Florida and Georgia. Tyndall, which is still rebuilding after the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael in 2018, took early action to protect its aircraft. Moody Air Force Base in Georgia also evacuated its HH-60 helicopters and A-10 jets to ensure their safety.
Learn more about how military bases responded to Hurricane Helene.
That’s a wrap on this month’s news! Check back in with us in November for more aviation news.
