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

While Congress has remained quiet on the ultimate fate of comprehensive FAA legislation, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee continues to push the centerpiece of its bill—air traffic control privatization—including promoting a <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/private-jet-setters-against-better-air-travel-1518652486" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal editorial</a> that calls the concept of a separate ATC organization a good idea.

 


This morning, the committee sent an email distributing the February 14 WSJ editorial that takes aim at the “lobbyists for the paupers known as the corporate jet lobby.” The editorial called NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen a ringleader running a “misinformation campaign,” and also cited the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in the effort.

 


The piece disputes arguments of ATC privatization opponents that the airlines would ultimately end up running the system, saying the proposal would permit only limited airline seats on the board that would run an independent ATC system, and other groups would have seats. It also rehashes arguments of proponents that general aviation is exempt from user fees and dismissed as a “canard” concerns about small community access. “If business jets try to tank the bill no matter the details, then Republicans ought to subject them to fees, same as commercial flights,” the WSJ suggests, arguments long made by the airline community that has tried to shift its cost burdens to other users of the system.

 


Bolen responded that the editorial is inaccurate and fails to recognize the much broader opposition to the proposal—including 200 general aviation groups, along with mayors of every state and business leaders.

 


“In attacking NBAA, the editorial recycles inaccurate airline talking points that have proven to be false and obscures the fact that airlines themselves are responsible for most flight delays,” Bolen said. “Instead of engaging in a productive discussion on our ATC system, the airlines and their allies continue to spread false information and disparage general aviation.”

 


Bolen added that the editorial provides further need to contact Capitol Hill to maintain opposition to the plan.

 


As for the editorial’s arguments, Bolen noted point-by-point rebuttal of the editorial posted on the <a href="https://www.atcnotforsale.com/wsj-wrong/" target="_blank">"ATC Not For Sale" website</a>. The website disagreed with the WSJ contention about an ATC board, noting that airline interests would ultimately have access to eight of 13 board seats under the proposal. It also noted that the WSJ editorial had maintained that Airport Improvement Programs (AIP) funds would continue to protect small airports, but countered that AIP funds would be depleted under the ATC proposal.

 


Also, the ATC privatization opponents disputed the WSJ contention that private expertise could help make the system more efficient. The ATC Not For Sale rebuttal, instead, maintained that airline scheduling practices, not ﻿ATC systems, are the cause of airline delays.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

WSJ Editorial Takes Aim at ATC Privatization Opponents

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is continued to push its ATC proposal, distributing the WSJ editorial.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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.

KDCA and KEWR receive SMR-4 installations, while IDIQ AT&T covers coms

FAA Installs Surface Radars at Key Airports and Awards $74.3M to AT&T

Hanneke Weitering

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

Milestone covers the software that talks to air traffic control

Merlin Clears a Certification Hurdle for AI in the Cockpit

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News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Honeywell-led consortium to consider advanced air mobility integration

Verti-Go Initiative to Lead European Airspace Update

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Wisk Tests 1:3 Supervisor Ratio for Autonomous Flight

Amy Wilder

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.

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