On The Fly…

The FAA has again delayed, until Aug. 31, 2005, implementation of a rule that would stop air carriers from simply closing off seats in aircraft to allow them to comply with a less-expensive maintenance regime. To meet the nine-or-fewer regs, some operators placard or barricade the extra seats on larger aircraft. The new rule would require removal of the seats (STC required) or compliance with the 10-and-above rules…

Reno/Tahoe International Airport is getting a new ILS to (hopefully) ensure there are no further failures like the one that closed the airport last Thanksgiving. The new system will be installed in June and in the meantime an extra package of Band-Aids has been applied to the existing gear…

Two North Carolina Christian groups are sending a helicopter, airplane and pilots to help tsunami victims. JAARS and Samaritan’s Purse will also take as many supplies as possible to help out with the relief effort…

Washington, D.C., and its environs will be closed to most GA traffic for eight hours on Inauguration Day Jan. 20. The federal government considers it a national security event and all VFR traffic is banned. IFR flights to Dulles and Baltimore-Washington will be allowed but it’s expected the available parking will fill up quickly and subsequent flights will be diverted, too.