“Chinese athletes will begin to win their share of [Olympic] golds and Americans will begin to question our status on the planet”, said Charles Freeman, an expert in China Studies at The Center for Strategic Studies (CSIS). He spoke at a discussion on US-China Space Cooperation.

Freeman also said that with the Beijing Olympics beginning this week, many are wondering how relations with with the US will change. He went on to say that he expects immense public anxiety in America during the Olympics due to the event’s symbolic nature of China’s rise to a global power that threatens US dominance.

Dorothy Reimold, Acting Assistant Administrator for International Aviation at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the United States needs to continue working closely with Chinese aviation officials to improve efficiency and capacity, especially with increased trade between the two nations. However, she also said that because 80 percent of Chinese air space is controlled by the military, the FAA also must consult with them. Reimold also said that progress in these two areas would be key for addressing growing environmental concerns in the region.

A hearing on “The Outlook for Summer Air Travel: Addressing Congestion and Delay” was held before the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee. The hearing focused on problems in the National Airspace System and the steps that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airlines are taking to address the issues. (more…)

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on “Aviation and the Environment: Emissions” today. Dr. David Fahey, research physicist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the three aspects of aviation operations that affect climate change are the burning of fossil fuels, the altitude at which aviation emissions are made, and the fact aviation increases cloudiness on or near flight tracks. He said aviation leads to warming of the climate, and that any assessment of aviation needs to have a scenario for what the future of aviation is. He suggested strengthening commitment to aviation science and regulation organizations, and sharing resources and efforts between them. (more…)

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) says at a press conference to discuss Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s (D-NJ) new aviation safety bill that America will “have a crisis in the skies” if safety concerns are not met, and says that “if the president wants to go toe-to-toe with us on that, I say fine, let’s do it.” (0:27)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

At a press conference to discuss his new aviation safety bill, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) says that he opposes President Bush’s nomination of Robert Sturgell to the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration because of the “lack of effective leadership at the FAA.” (0:24)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a new bill called the Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to improve airline safety, and was joined by supporters Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Patrick Forrey, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and Transportation Trades Department President Ed Wytkind joined the senators to voice their support. The bill was described as an effort to improve runway safety and reduce risk of collision during take-off and landing, as well as ensure that airport first-responders are prepared to handle an emergency situation.
(more…)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) voices her opinion that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lied to the Office of Special Council looking into air-safety violations. (0:32)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Air Transport Association Vice President of Operations and Safety Basil Barimo notes how air-safety regulations should be examined but, due to their success, not necessarily changed. (0:37)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Professional Aviation Safety Specialists President Tom Brantley discusses how the Customer Service Initiative (CSI) has been misused. (0:20)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Nicholas Sabatini talks about his group’s safety compliance success. (0:38)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download