Also: New CAP Boss, Eclipse Fights Slow Economy, Skyport, MGL Upgrades, Lee Bottom Fly-In

 

The Department of Transportation Inspector General has issued a memo to the FAA Administrator pointing out weaknesses in the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) being deployed at 11 major airports around the country. The concept seems fairly simple. Private pilots would offer extra seats in their airplanes through the AirPooler app and website, and the passengers would help offset some of the expenses of making the trip. AirPooler would calculate the shared cost, bill the passenger, and collect a small transaction fee for offering the service. However, the FAA said that by posting specific flights and costs on its website, AirPooler was helping the pilot advertise a trip, which requires an air carrier certificate. Two Lockheed Orion P-3 airplanes based at McDill AFB in Tampa, Florida are the backbone of the hurricane hunters and they’re about to go in for a $35 million makeover. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!