Regulation
New York Moves to Ban ADS-B Landing Fees — Joining a Growing State Coalition
VNE Analytics StaffJun 16, 2026
VNE Analytics
Aviation News
Regulations, airspace, fuel markets, and anything else that moves the needle for GA pilots and aircraft owners. Factual. Timely. No noise.
Stay current
VNE Aviation News
Regulation changes, fuel cost trends, and safety notices — straight to your inbox. No noise, no spam.
Regulation
FAA Shifts Stance on Pilot Mental Health: Counseling Is Now Encouraged, Not a Liability
The FAA has issued a major aeromedical policy update directing aviation medical examiners to treat mental health counseling as encouraged rather than disqualifying. The change covers all 600,000+ certificated pilots and air traffic controllers, and includes new guidance for mental health providers on how to document care for AME appointments.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 15, 2026
Regulation
Pentagon Adds Cirrus to List of Chinese Military Companies
The U.S. Department of Defense has added Cirrus Design Corp. to its Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies, citing 80% ownership by AVIC — a Chinese state-controlled aerospace conglomerate that has owned Cirrus since 2011. Starting June 30, 2026, the Pentagon is barred from entering or renewing contracts with listed entities.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 14, 2026
Community
AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 NOTAM Is Live — Three Western Transition Points Reactivated
EAA has published the official FAA-approved AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 Notice for the 73rd annual fly-in, July 20–26 at KOSH. The key change: three ATC-assignable western transition points (Endeavor Bridge, Puckaway Lake, Green Lake) have been reactivated based on pilot feedback to reduce holding and congestion during peak traffic.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 13, 2026
Regulation
FAA Urges Halt to Falcon Field Landing Fees
The FAA has sent a formal letter urging Mesa, Arizona to pause Falcon Field Airport's landing fee program pending federal review, citing potential violations of grant assurances, the Surplus Property Act, and FAA Rates and Charges Policy. AOPA has also intervened, flagging safety concerns over using ADS-B data for billing. The outcome could set precedent for publicly funded airports nationwide.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 12, 2026
Safety
Cirrus Adds Annual Flight Review Course for SR Series Pilots
Cirrus Aircraft has launched a 2026 Annual Flight Review course through its Cirrus Approach portal, designed specifically for SR20, SR22, and SR22T pilots. The 4-hour, 3-lesson course satisfies the FAA biennial flight review requirement under 14 CFR 61.56 when paired with a CSIP or Cirrus Training Center flight, with a particular focus on stabilized approaches and go-arounds.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 11, 2026
Regulation
Industry Survey Reveals ADS-B In Knowledge Gap Among Airline Decision-Makers
A new Acron Aviation survey of 100 airline managers found that 51% have only 'general or limited' understanding of ADS-B In, and 34% cannot distinguish it from ADS-B Out — even as the ALERT Act mandating ADS-B In equipage by 2031 awaits Senate action. The gap matters for GA pilots too, as the bill's language may extend to general aviation aircraft.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 10, 2026
Safety
NTSB Shuts Down Public Docket System After AI Tools Reconstruct Cockpit Voice Recorder Audio
The NTSB temporarily suspended its entire public accident investigation docket system after individuals used AI audio reconstruction tools to approximate cockpit voice recorder audio from spectral imagery released during the UPS Flight 2976 investigation. The shutdown affects safety researchers and pilots who rely on the docket for accident pattern study.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 5, 2026
Regulation
FAA Part 141 Reform Draws 8,000 Comments — The Most Significant Flight Training Overhaul in Decades Is Taking Shape
The FAA's Part 141 modernization initiative has completed its public comment period with over 8,000 responses to a 471-page industry report proposing sweeping changes to flight school oversight, simulator credit, examining authority, and curriculum approval. Formal rulemaking is years away, but the direction is set.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 4, 2026
Community
FAA Opens $26 Million in Aviation Workforce Grants — Flight Schools and Nonprofits Have Until June 22
The FAA announced $26 million in workforce development grants targeting the pilot and aviation maintenance technician pipelines, with two grant categories open to flight schools, nonprofits, labor organizations, and state governments. The application deadline is June 22, 2026.
VNE Analytics StaffJun 3, 2026
Regulation
Whistleblower Reveals FAA Medical Review Backlog — 1,200 Pilots May Hold Invalid Certificates
A whistleblower disclosure by an FAA medical officer, formally escalated to Congress and the White House, alleges systemic understaffing in the FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine left roughly 1,200 airmen holding medical certificates they shouldn't have. The FAA has since added 26 medical officers, but the review rate against annual issuance volume raises questions about whether the fix is sufficient.
VNE Analytics StaffMay 30, 2026
Regulation
FAA Administrator Bedford: ADS-B Was Built for Safety, Not Billing
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told the Senate Commerce Subcommittee that ADS-B was designed as a safety tool, not a fee-collection mechanism, and the FAA will work to dissuade airports from using transponder data for billing. Federal legislation is advancing that would ban the practice at all federally funded airports nationwide.
VNE Analytics StaffMay 28, 2026
25 total stories