Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The FAA’s Inspector General (IG) has criticized&nbsp;how the agency administered $525 million in airport development expenses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a report published on February 21, the IG released the findings of its audit of funds&nbsp;distributed through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program showing that the FAA did not review grant applications more than 20 percent of the time.
According to the IG, the FAA also did not always require sponsors to submit timely annual financial reports or effectively communicate improved oversight leading to oversight gaps, making it difficult to gauge whether the funds were spent responsibly. More than 55 percent of contracts reviewed revealed that sponsors did not meet requirements for completing cost or price analyses or that Buy American waivers met all requirements before approval. Therefore, the agency could not be certain that project costs were reasonable or met the Buy American requirements.
The IG estimated the deficiencies led to $106 million in funds that could have been better spent and recommended that the FAA improve its grant and contract oversight. The FAA agreed with the findings and said it would implement measures needed to meet the IG’s recommendations no later than Jan. 31, 2025.

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.

IG Criticizes FAA's Covid Relief Airport Improvement Funding

FAA did not follow proper procedures when allocating $106 million in airport improvement funding

The FAA has accepted criticism by the Inspector General that it did not review airport improvement grant applications more than 20 percent of the time 

IG Criticizes FAA's Airport Improvement Funding

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

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.

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent 

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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.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

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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.

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