Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee overwhelmingly approved the transportation, housing, and urban development (THUD) fiscal year (FY) 2026 <a href="https://bit.ly/3UteUQX">funding bill</a> yesterday, recommending $22.42 billion for the FAA. Passed by a 27 to 1 vote, the THUD bill would provide about $1 billion less than the $23.3 billion included in the House funding package but would still mark a $1.4 billion jump over current-year funding.
In addition, the Senate version includes $13.8 billion for FAA operations—versus the $13.75 billion House recommendation—representing a $335 million increase over FY2025. The facilities and equipment (F&amp;E) recommendation was down $1 billion from the House at $4 billion. However, this still represents an $800 million boost from FY2025.
Airport Improvement Program funding would remain stable at $4 billion from the aviation trust fund, but would receive another $320 million general fund contribution, and research, engineering, and development would receive $290 million. Senate appropriators note that AIP and F&amp;E are collectively set to receive an additional $5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021.
Also, similar to the House, the Senate bill states that the committee “does not support” any effort to privatize the air traffic control system. Among the many other provisions is language encouraging the FAA to expand the safety management system rules to other organizations, including MROs, and “encourages the DOT and the FAA to support efforts that sustain this leadership through workforce investment, certification improvements, and expansion of a trade policy that has supported U.S. dominance.”
The bill further addresses inspector training, hiring, workforce support, medical certification improvements, adoption of safety-enhancing equipment, and creation of a hypersonic testing corridor. Like the House, the bill supports hiring 2,500 controllers in FY2026.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Senate Panel OKs $1.4B FAA Boost, Rejects Privatization

Bill calls for trade policies to support manufacturers

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $22.42 billion FY 2026 FAA budget with directives on privatization, SMS, trade balance, and hypersonics.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Approval gives the French manufacturer access to the U.S. flight school market

Elixir’s Two-seat Trainer Gains FAA Part 23 Certification

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

White House nominated former Delta Air Lines pilot Jefferey Anderson to ICAO rep role

Trump Nominee for ICAO Draws ALPA Fire

House bill to provide a $23.3 billion budget for FAA in 2026

House Panel Approves Budget Jump for FAA in 2026

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

20 aviation authorities have produced reference materials about advanced air mobility

Asia-Pacific Regulators Issue eVTOL Air Taxi and Drone Guidance 

New means of compliance intended to support operations of new aircraft in Europe

EASA Issues Innovative Air Mobility Rules Covering eVTOL Aircraft

David G. Mayer

FAA has improved on privacy issues

AINsight: Bizjet Owner Privacy Challenges and Solutions

Senate confirmed Bedford in 53-43 vote

Bedford Steps into FAA Administrator Role

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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