FAA Archived Press Releases

January 8, 2021

FAA Proposes $422,500 Civil Penalty Against Sky Lease I for Alleged Avionics Equipment Violations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration proposes a $422,500 civil penalty against Sky Lease I, Inc., of Miami, Fla., for allegedly operating two Boeing 747 airplanes on dozens of flights without required avionics equipment. Between June 21, 2020 and
January 6, 2021

SFA_Supersonic_Final_Rule

In consideration of the continuing development of a new generation of supersonic aircraft, FAA is modernizing the procedure for requesting a special flight authorization to operate in excess of Mach 1 over land in the United States. The renewed interest in development of supersonic airplanes caused FAA to review its application procedures that allow for flight tests of these aircraft. This final rule modifies the criteria for applying for these authorizations and moves the material from an appendix to a regulation to make it easier to find and understand.

January 6, 2021

FAA Announces Final Rule to Facilitate the Reintroduction of Civil Supersonic Flight

WASHINGTON, DC — Today the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule to facilitate the safe development of civil supersonic aircraft. The rule streamlines and clarifies procedures to obtain FAA approval for supersonic flight testing in the
January 5, 2021

New Members Appointed to the Drone Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced new appointments to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Drone Advisory Committee or DAC. “The Drone Advisory Committee is key to helping the FAA keep pace with innovation while protecting
December 31, 2020

Record Year for FAA Commercial Space Activity

WASHINGTON — A record number of launches, new streamlined launch and reentry licensing regulations, and a historic licensed crewed mission are some of the noteworthy commercial space transportation achievements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2020. The FAA will build on these
December 31, 2020

FAA Announces New Airport Grant Program

WASHINGTON – The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA) (H.R. 133), signed into law by the President on December 27, 2020, includes $2 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports and eligible concessions at those airports to
December 29, 2020

FAA Issues Restrictions on UAS Operations at DOD Facilities

UAS operations restricted at Rock Island Arsenal and Biometric Technology Center.
December 28, 2020

RemoteID Executive Summary

The Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Final Rule is the next incremental step towards further integration of Unmanned Aircraft (UA) in the National Airspace System. In its most basic form, remote identification can be described as a “digital license plate” for UA. Remote ID is necessary to address aviation safety and security issues regarding UA operations in the National Airspace System, and is an essential building block toward safely allowing more complex UA operations.

December 28, 2020

DOT Issues Two New Drone Rules to Advance Safety and Innovation in the U.S.

Rules require Remote ID of drones and allow small drone operators to fly over people and at night under some conditions.
December 28, 2020

U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Two Much-Anticipated Drone Rules to Advance Safety and Innovation in the United States

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced final rules for Unmanned Aircraft (UA), commonly known as drones. The new rules will require Remote Identification (Remote ID) of drones and allow operators of small drones to fly over