The International Aerospace Accrediting Commission (IAAC) under the leadership of Executive Director Thomas Kube has launched the commission's new website. The IAAC is already working with several flight training organizations as they navigate the newly launched accreditation standards.

According to Kube, "The IAAC will bring about higher levels of quality and consistent flight training education which will help people that are pursuing a career in the pilot space and beyond."

View the IAAC website here: www.iaac.aero

Vern Moyer, FSANA's first board chairman, from Tannersville, Pennsylvania, passed away on May 16, 2023, at the age of 85. Vern will be missed and his dedication to FSANA was always present and a priority.

Jim White, FSANA board chairman said, "Vern Moyer was a solid leader, businessman and good fellow. Having Vern as a friend and business associate was far better then finding a goldmine."

Robert Rockmaker, president & CEO of FSANA, said, "The aviation industry has lost a loyal and dedicated aviator and leader. Vern was the solid leading edge in all of his endeavors. He was always thoughtful when he shared his wisdom, navigation and guidance, and he cared about people."

Vern was there from FSANA's start in April 2009 when a group of flight schools were called together by Bob Rockmaker at Atlantic Aviation at the Philadelphia International Airport.

Vern was a pilot's pilot. He along with his wife Jean of 55 years built Moyer Aviation into a multi-faceted aviation company which included a Part 61 & 141 flight school, Part 135 charter and a Part 145 repair station.

Vern had over 25,000 flight hours and was a designated pilot examiner for many years. There are several thousand pilots in the sky due to Moyer Aviation. There were many times when seasoned airline and corporate pilots would send a message to the Mt. Pocono Airport Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). They would wish Vern a big hello and thank-you for his service and support to the industry.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 4, at Zion United Church of Christ, 14 North 8th Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, with viewing beginning at 1:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 3:30 p.m.

Link: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mcall/name/laverne-moyer-obituary?id=51992447

The International Aerospace Accrediting Commission (IAAC) has announced that nominations for Commissioner are now open to individuals representing flight training, aviation employment, and for the Public at Large position.

At present, there is one opening for a member of the aviation/aerospace industry representing employers, three positions are open representing IAAC Accredited Schools [or applicant schools], and one for the Public Member at Large, representing higher education or having a related regulatory background. Nominations are open until July 31, 2023, for staggered three-year terms beginning in September 2023. Letters of interest and cv/resumes should be submitted to the IAAC care of Accreditation@iaac.aero. Please place “Commission Nomination” in the subject line.

Please contact Tom Kube, executive director of the IAAC, with any questions. tkube@iaac.aero or 480-451-7205

The GAO recently released a report discussing the demand for commercial airline travel rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening the need for pilots and mechanics. They noted that while the number of pilots has grown in recent years, there may not be enough of them to meet airlines' needs in the future. There also may not be enough mechanics to maintain airplanes. They also highlighted that to make aviation careers more attractive, airlines and maintenance facilities offer these workers higher pay. Airlines are also creating flight schools to train more pilots.

The report looked at some of the workforce challenges facing commercial aviation and steps the industry is taking to address them.

See the full report by clicking here.

The FAA has recently issued an updated draft of FAA Order 8000.95B CHG1 for public review and comment.

This order establishes policy for integrated designee management across the Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM), Aircraft Certification Service (AIR), Flight Standards Service (FS), and Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV) as well as the use of the Designee Management System (DMS), which is a web-based tool designed to standardize the management of designees.

The intended audience is AVS designees, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managing specialists, and FAA personnel who may interact with designees or designee programs, including FAA management, operational, and administrative employees as appropriate. A secondary audience is persons seeking to become designees.

This policy directly affects how Designees (including DPEs) conduct their work and are managed and it is recommended if the aviation industry sees any concerns with the changes offered in this policy that they be suggested in public comment to this draft order.

The order can be found at:

The FAA continues to expand and improve the weather camera program utilized by many aviators around the country.

A new Visibility Estimation through Image Analytics (VEIA) algorithm has been approved by the FAA. It is expected to be available by the fall of 2023 for use in areas covered by the FAA’s Weather Camera Program. This tool will provide estimates based on an automated comparison of current conditions to clear-day images.

As the program expands and improves, it becomes more useful for pilots across more areas of the United States.

If you haven't already checked out the FAA weather camera program, you can find more information at https://weathercams.faa.gov/.

On February 2, 2023, Michael Puehler pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio to falsifying records and receiving an illegal gratuity by a public official. Beginning in at least October 2014 and continuing through at least April 2019, Puehler impeded, obstructed, and influenced the Department’s ability to properly assess individuals seeking renewal and reinstatement of their pilot certifications. Specifically, in September 2018, Puehler falsified an airman certificate and rating application for a flight instructor in exchange for payment while knowing the instructor did not satisfactorily complete any renewal requirements.

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

On April 26, 2023, SEVP released the latest version of the SEVIS by the Numbers report on ICE.gov/SEVP.

The report uses Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data from calendar year 2021 and calendar year 2022. The total number of SEVIS records for active F-1 and M-1 students was 1,362,157 in calendar year 2022. Other highlights and notable trends from the report include the following:

The total number of SEVIS records for active F-1 and M-1 students was 1,362,157 in calendar year 2022, an increase of 10.1 percent from calendar year 2021.

All four regions in the United States saw an increase in international student records from 2021 to 2022. California continued to host more international students than any other state.

The number of students from China and India made Asia the most popular continent of origin. Comparable to the drop from calendar year 2020 to 2021, China sent fewer students in 2022 compared to 2021, while India sent more students.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement releases SEVIS by the Numbers on an annual basis.