No matter what objection or challenge the United States taxpayers bring in response to Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) initiatives, FAA’s defense is always the same: changes are required for “safety and efficiency.” While that may be true in some instances,
Aviation & Airport
Development Law News
The Aviation & Airport blog published by Buchalter focuses on legal issues related to airport operations, aviation regulation, and environmental compliance. It covers topics such as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies, airport development and expansion, noise impact on communities, aeronautical activity definitions, and relevant legislation affecting airports and airspace. The blog also discusses court decisions impacting agency authority and environmental review requirements under laws like NEPA and CEQA. Additionally, it addresses emerging aviation technologies including drones, commercial space vehicles, and advanced air mobility, highlighting their regulatory and community impact.
Latest from Aviation & Airport - Page 2
Public Concern Grows Over Broad-Based CEQA Decision
Public concerns have been running amuck on the internet regarding the recent tentative decision by the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District in Make UC a Good Neighbor v. Regents of the University of California, et.al., Case…
“Stop the Chop” Goes Down in Defeat Under New York Governor’s Pen
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has brought an abrupt end to the aspirations of New York State Legislators, lead by Senator Brad Hoylman, to reduce the noise created by sightseeing helicopters overflying his District in Manhattan. On or about December…
Update – FAA Defies History by Approving the Closure of East Hampton Airport
Since the publication of the above-entitled article on April 28, 2022, events have occurred that raised further questions about the immediacy of the closure of East Hampton Municipal Airport on the South Shore of Long Island, New York, owned and…
The CEQ Tries to “Make a Silk Purse from a Sow’s Ear” by Revising NEPA Regulations
On May 20, 2022, the Council on Environmental Quality (“CEQ”) will implement revisions to current regulations governing the environmental analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321, et seq., (“NEPA”). Specifically, CEQ will revise 40 C.F.R. §…
FAA Defies History by Approving the Closure of East Hampton Airport
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), on April 15, 2022, approved the closure of East Hampton Airport, owned and operated by the Town of East Hampton, Long Island, New York. The airport is scheduled…
Is H.R. 6050 The Best That Congress Can Do?
It is likely that the public may be somewhat disappointed with Congress’ latest effort to ameliorate the impacts of airport noise on underlying populations. On November 18, 2021, Adam Smith, Member of the House of Representatives from Washington State, introduced…
Federal Agencies Go “Head to Head” Over Implementation of 5-G C-Band Implementation
In an unprecedented confrontation, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) have been facing off over the imminent implementation of 5-G C Band transmission sought by AT&T and Verizon for their telephones. The issue for FAA is…
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Puts the Brakes on Federal Government’s Use of the “Deliberative Process Privilege” to Avoid FOIA Disclosure
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has, in its December 10, 2021 Opinion, Judicial Watch, Inc. v. United States Department of Justice, No. 20-5304, now cut short the federal government’s flagrant overuse of the fifth…
Congress Continues to Search for Relief From Airport Noise Impacts
It appears that some members of Congress have not given up the fight to bring relief from airport noise impacts to their constituents. Since the beginning of August, 2021, at least eight (8) “Aviation Noise Bills” have been introduced in…