In a decision of October 21, 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) defied its own regulations, federal law, and logic in determining that the City of Santa Monica had properly expended airport revenues in the demolition of 3,500 feet of
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 5
DOT Inspector General Finds “Challenges” in Achievement of FAA’s Safety Mission
The Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) relies on the mantra “safety is our business, our only business” where, for example, justifying changes in aircraft flight paths over heavily populated residential communities. But is that reality? Not according to the Office of…
The National Transportation Safety Board Report Mutes Criticism of the 737 Max Aircraft Design
In its report of September 27, 2019 the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”), although acknowledging the need for Boeing to “fine tune” its technology to prevent the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (“MCAS”) from automatically repeating and sending a plane into…
California Courts Close Loopholes in Definition of “Project” Under CEQA
During the week of August 19, 2019, both the Appellate and Supreme Courts of California issued decisive opinions clarifying the parameters of agency action subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 21000,…
Supreme Court Lightens Property Owners’ Procedural Burdens in “Taking” Cases
On June 21, 2019, the Supreme Court, in a decision by Chief Justice John Roberts, chose to overrule a lower Appellate Court and almost a century of precedent which purportedly required property owners whose property is “taken” by state or…
Pilots Take Boeing and FAA to the Woodshed in Testimony on the 737 Max Tragedies
In a June 19, 2019 hearing of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation, representatives of pilots’ organizations directly involved in, and affected by, the structural issues identified in the Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft, that caused the tragic…
The Aviation Industry Has Grand Ambitions for Urban Air Mobility – In the Not Too Distant Future
The concept of “on call” transportation has now moved from the Earth to the sky. As demonstrated recently at a meeting of the players in Washington, D.C., the future of aerial transportation is transitioning toward “flying cars,” i.e., electric Vertical…
FAA Administrator Explains Agency’s Hands Off Approach to Safety Certification
In a March 27, 2019 appearance before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, Daniel K. Elwell, Acting Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) sought to clarify the FAA’s role in the certification of the safety of aircraft systems.…
State Water Control Board Requires Airports to Perform Additional Ground Water Testing
Thirty-one airports throughout the State of California, including Los Angeles International Airport and San Bernardino International Airport, have been made the subject of new investigative orders pursuant to California Water Code § 13267. These airports, with training/fire response facilities will…
Congress Gives the Aviation Industry the Keys to the Hen House
In recent months, since the tragic crashes of two Boeing 737-Max aircraft in disparate areas of the globe, both the public and the press have expressed surprise at the finding that the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) was delegating to the…