Helicopter Association International

FAA Administrator: Sequestration Not Over Yet

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:59:00 GMT

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a hearing that while he is grateful for the law Congress passed to end air traffic controller furloughs and stave off contract tower defunding, it "does not end the sequester. We will not enjoy the benefits or the stability that the FAA reauthorization provides until we find a sensible long-term solution."

IRS Will Suspend FET Assessments Until Guidance Developed

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:21:00 GMT

Helicopter Association International reports that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has determined that tax assessments as a result of federal excise tax audits will be suspended while the agency works on additional guidance.

Interior Releases New Fracking Rule

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:02:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of the Interior on May 16 released a revised proposal to regulate the controversial oil and gas development process of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," when it occurs on public lands.

Digital Copies of Contract Required Documentation

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:52:00 GMT

The rapid development of technology in the cockpit has provided many opportunities to automate and digitize much of the hard copy documentation once carried on board an aircraft. Electronic copies of contract required items are allowed for the 2013 fire season on all national Type I and Type II Helicopter contracts.

BLM Poised to Release Fracking Rules

News Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:06:00 GMT

Speculation is mounting that the Bureau of Land Management is likely to release its reworked rules for hydraulic fracturing on federal lands by the end of the week. The Obama administration also appears poised to announce approval of at least one new plant to export liquefied natural gas.

Look at Obamacare Moving Forward

News Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:53:00 GMT

A group of individuals and business owners from six states filed suit May 9 against the federal government over the health reform law’s employer coverage requirement and penalties.

Contract Towers Safe until September

News Staff — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:17:00 GMT

The 149 contracted air traffic control towers will stay open through September and the FAA is even shifting $21 million around to help reduce NextGen delays and "partially restore the support of infrastructure in the national airspace system."

Obama Administration to Issue New Fracking Rules

News Staff — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:59:00 GMT

The Obama administration is set to unveil major new regulations on hydraulic fracturing, the controversial method of extracting oil and gas, possibly as soon as May 14.

UK Prime Minister Promises Aggressive Tax Plan

News Staff — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:21:00 GMT

United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron said he will push fellow G-8 countries to create a transparent tax system to reduce tax evasion at the G-8 summit next month.

DOT Nominee Expected to Sail to Easy Confirmation

News Staff — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:24:00 GMT

Charlotte Mayor and potential Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx were on Capitol Hill May 9, making the rounds to meet with Senate Commerce Committee members.

White House: No Negotiation on Debt Ceiling

News Staff — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:16:00 GMT

On May 9, Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters that President Obama "simply is not going to negotiate on the debt limit. It's the responsibility of Congress to authorize payment of debts."

U.S. Unemployment Applications Hit Five-Year Low

News Staff — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:28:00 GMT

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits fell by 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, a five-year low. Layoffs have returned to pre-recession levels, a trend that could lead to more hiring.

GAO: TWIC Program Needs More Work

News Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:46:00 GMT

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has issued a report criticizing the pilot test of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential card-reading program and recommends that Congress step in to slow things down.

Capping Health Insurance Tax Exemption Could Raise Billions

News Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:06:00 GMT

Capping the tax exemption for employer-sponsored health coverage could raise hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, according to new analysis by the Urban Institute.

Budget Deficit in Decline

News Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:19:00 GMT

The Congressional Budget Office reported May 7 that the U.S. budget deficit is declining this year compared with 2012, according to The Hill.

Interior Department Releases Details of Sandy Relief

News Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:41:00 GMT

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced on May 7 that her department is releasing $475.25 million in emergency Hurricane Sandy disaster relief appropriations to 234 projects to repair and rebuild assets damaged by the storm.

FAA: No Overnight Tower Closures

News Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:41:00 GMT

The FAA will not eliminate midnight shifts at FAA towers this year as the agency had warned could happen due to the sequester, according to an email from an agency official.

Report Critical of FAA Repair Station Oversight

News Staff — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:37:00 GMT

A DOT Inspector General report requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee's Aviation panel was released May 6 saying he FAA has "room for improvement" on oversight of aircraft repair stations.

Contract Tower Suits Continue in Court

News Staff — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:01:00 GMT

Regarding the contract control tower issue, there is still movement in the courts from more than a dozen municipalities, the American Association of Airport Executives, and other entities who have sued the FAA and Administrator Michael Huerta.

Slow March to Economic Recovery Continues

News Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:40:00 GMT

The U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in April, while unemployment dropped to 7.5 percent, the Labor Department reported May 3.

Fracking Bans and Carbon Taxes

News Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:38:00 GMT

A New York state appeals court on May 2 upheld the right of municipalities to ban hydraulic fracturing, irrespective of state law. Meanwhile, the conservative Marshall Institute released a study May 3 titled "A skeptical look at the carbon tax."

Contract Towers to Remain Open

News Staff — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:35:00 GMT

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has assured lawmakers that the Obama Administration will prevent the closure of 149 small airport towers and end furloughs of air traffic controllers.

President Signs Bill Ending Controller Furloughs

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:58:00 GMT

POLITICO - President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed into law a bill that allows the FAA to shift money from the Airport Improvement Program to avoid furloughing air traffic controllers. At the same time, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are gathering signatures for a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta that seeks to pin the administration down on whether it intends to keep funding flowing to the 149 contract towers currently slated for closure on June 15.

Feds Issue Helmet Safety Guideline Reminder

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:40:00 GMT

With the fire season approaching and interagency aviation operations gearing up, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) this week issued an accident prevention bulletin reminding helicopter flight crews to ensure their helmets meet interagency guidelines and, more importantly, offer adequate protection.

U.S. Has More Gas and Oil Than Initially Thought

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:33:00 GMT

The United States has double the amount of oil and three times the amount of natural gas than previously thought, stored deep under the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, according to new data the Obama administration released Tuesday.

U.S. Pays Down Debt for the First Time Since 2007

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:32:00 GMT

For the first time in six years, the federal government will pay down a portion of the national debt. The Treasury Department said it expected to retire roughly $35 billion in bonds and other debts from April until the end of June. The news likely gives Washington more time before encountering the debt ceiling.

Chained CPI Plan Drawing Opposition

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:31:00 GMT

Eight conservative advocacy groups and think tanks are taking a stand against chained CPI. In a letter to Congress dated May 1, the groups argue that altering how the federal government calculates entitlement benefits would be a tax hike if it stands alone.

Charlotte Mayor Nominated to Secy. of Transportation Post

News Staff — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:49:00 GMT

President Barack Obama on Monday nominated Mayor Anthony Foxx of Charlotte, N.C., to be the next Secretary of Transportation. Current Secretary Ray LaHood had previously announced his intention to step down.

“HAI extends its congratulations to Mayor Foxx on his nomination and looks forward to learning more about his transportation priorities — especially regarding aviation — at his upcoming confirmation hearing,” said HAI President Matt Zuccaro.

Senate Majority Leader Praises Selection of Foxx as Nominee

News Staff — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:48:00 GMT

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R-Nev.) praised Transportation Secretary-designate Anthony Foxx in a statement on Tuesday, saying he hopes the confirmation will be speedy, given his impeccable credentials. "I am confident that Mayor Foxx will continue Secretary Ray LaHood's legacy of making smart investments that make our roads, rails and airways safer for all Americans and their families," Reid said.

Obama to Sign Anti-Furlough Bill

News Staff — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:39:00 GMT

President Barack Obama said April 30 that Congress's fix of the FAA furloughs is just a short-term solution to the country's aviation woes, but said he will not veto the bill even though he continues to ask for a full sequester replacement. Meanwhile the Department of Transportation has yet to say whether it will use its newly granted money-transferring powers to rescue contract control towers currently scheduled for closure.

Debt Ceiling Coming Later Than Expected

News Staff — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:57:00 GMT

Due to increases in tax revenue, decreases in federal spending, and potential revenue from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it now appears that the federal government will not reach its debt ceiling until September or October 2013.

EPA's Use of Aerial Surveillance

News Staff — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:26:00 GMT

The acting administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on April 24 that the agency does not use its aerial surveillance to spy on farmers, but rather to aid enforcement of its regulations on their land.

TSA Delays New Knife Policy Implementation

News Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:48:00 GMT

Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole has delayed the April 25 implementation of a new policy that would allow passengers to bring small pocket knives and other previously banned items on airplanes.

EPA Concern over Keystone XL Environmental Analysis

News Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:40:00 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency has raised concerns over the State Department's environmental analysis of the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline, further complicating the years-long decision-making process on the controversial project.

About Those Middle Class Tax Increases

News Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:12:00 GMT

President Obama in his latest budget request appears to have shown a new willingness to hike taxes on the middle class and a major tax and budget fight is set to unfold on Capitol Hill over the next few months.

Furloughs Continue to Snarl Air Traffic

News Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:41:00 GMT

In a statement released April 22, the FAA said "controllers will space planes farther apart so they can manage traffic with current staff, which will lead to delays at airports," warning that "travelers can expect to see a wide range of delays that will change throughout the day depending on staffing and weather issues."

Air Traffic Controller Furloughs Affecting Air Travel

News Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:45:00 GMT

In the United States, air traffic controller furloughs under sequestration hit over the weekend and the airline industry and its pilots are predicting the aviation system will be severely impacted beginning this week.

State and Commerce Issue Rule on Export Control Initiative

News Staff — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:01:00 GMT

On April 16, the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce simultaneously published final rules to take effect in 180 days representing the first phase of the Presidential Export Control Initiative.

Offshore Drilling Gets Report Card from Oil Spill Commission

News Staff — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:06:00 GMT

According to former members of the National Commission on the 2010 Gulf of Mexico BP Oil Spill, offshore drilling safety has improved, but congressional gridlock still poses a threat.

New Inspector General Report Discusses FAA Rule Delays

News Staff — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:25:00 GMT

A new report from the U.S. Department of Transportation's inspector general on April 16 delivered a black eye to the FAA for missing new rule deadlines and a troubling increase in close calls for airplanes on the ground, even as it acknowledged air travel was in its safest-ever period.

Keystone XL Continues to Attract Controversy

News Staff — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:58:00 GMT

The Democratic Party could suffer if President Barack Obama approves the Keystone XL (KXL) oil pipeline, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune warned on April 16.

Treasury Secretary Urges Debt Limit Increase

News Staff — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:04:00 GMT

Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Jacob Lew told members of the House of Representatives Budget Committee April 16 that absent another debt-limit increase by May 18, "extraordinary measures" may prove insufficient to prevent the nation from defaulting on its obligations.

Business Community Tax Reform Wishlist

News Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:06:00 GMT

The business community is weighing in with lawmakers in Washington on the subject of tax reform, noting that the current tax code is complicated, anti-competitive, anti-growth, and there is uncertainty with temporary provisions year after year as Congress continues to kick the proverbial can down the road.

President's Budget: CPI's Impact on Middle Class Retirees

News Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:02:00 GMT

As previously reported on HAI's RotorNews, President Obama proposed linking entitlement spending to "chained CPI" in his fiscal 2014 budget, and many in Washington believe that if chained CPI ends up happening as part of a budget deal, the people who would suffer the most could be working people or those in the middle class who do not have private pensions, huge savings accounts, or many assets to sustain them in retirement.

"Obamacare" Exchange Costs Rise

News Staff — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:55:00 GMT

The cost to subsidize insurance on Obamacare exchanges shot up substantially this year, thanks in large part to the Supreme Court.

FAA Delays UAV Rule

News Staff — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:46:00 GMT

The Federal Aviation Administration has bumped back its timeline for a much-anticipated rule on integrating unmanned aerial vehicles into the U.S. national airspace system.

Comments Sought on Wildfire Information Collection

News Staff — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:01:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on whether it should extend its information collection with regards to its USDA Annual Wildfire Summary Reports.

Obama Budget Addresses Entitlements & Healthcare

News Staff — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:25:00 GMT

President Obama's budget contains $400 billion in health-entitlement savings. It suggests saving about $130 billion by restructuring the cost-of-living adjustments for beneficiaries of Social Security as well as significant new funding to implement the health reform law.

Obama Budget & Energy, Environmental Issues

News Staff — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:49:00 GMT

President Obama's overall budget of $11.7 billion for the U.S. Department of the Interior includes an overhaul of the oil and gas management program. Those changes fall into three categories: advancing royalty reforms, encouraging diligent development of oil and gas leases, and improving revenue collection processes.

The FAA Bottom Line in Proposed Obama Budget

News Staff — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:01:00 GMT

For the FAA, the budget contains a modest increase - $16.4 billion versus the $15.8 billion enacted last year, though the major accounts within the FAA largely seem to maintain the status quo.