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Talking Points for Select Regulatory Updates May 2026

May 18, 2026 | Florida Aviation Network |

Revised: 260516

This is a monthly list of select regulatory and safety items of interest to General Aviation users, especially FAASTeam Volunteers in the Orlando District. Sources are in the public domain. This is not a forum to debate reg’s or policy, nor discuss specific accidents or enforcements.

Common, Open sources including, but not limited to…(See end of this report for numerous additional Internet links):

Green hilight = Story intended for the upcoming edition; remove hilighting after editing.

Selected Regulatory and Other Updates:

1. DeSantis signs ADS-B bill into law; takes effect 1 July. Florida governor Ron Desantis has signed into law a bill that will prohibit the use of ADS-B out signals for the generation of landing fees for most GA aircraft. Airport authorities may use other means to raise funds, but ADS-B-derived fees are off limits, as they should have been all along. The new law is a hard-fought victory for the GA community and will go into effect on 1 July. FMI: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/aviation-law/desantis-signs-florida-ads-b-fee-bill/ 

2. FAA introduces Glen Travis as the new Orlando TRACON (F11) Safety Rep.

There’s a new face in the Orlando TRACON, and his name is Glen Travis. Glen will serve as the ATC Safety Rep for the TRACON. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2008 with a degree in Air Traffic Management. He began his FAA career at Pensacola ATCT (PNS), where he worked for two years before transferring to Pensacola Approach Control (P31). In 2015, Glen transferred to Orlando Approach Control (F11), where he continues to work today.

Throughout his career, Glen has been passionate about improving communication and efficiency between pilots and controllers. He strongly believes that education and collaboration are key to safer and more efficient operations within the National Airspace System. Through pilot outreach emails, presentations, and Pilot / Controller Forums, Glen hopes to continue building positive relationships with the aviation community while helping pilots better understand the complexities of Central Florida airspace. Welcome Aboard, Glen!

3. DOT announces $835M for ATC facility upgrades.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Friday it will put $835.8 million toward air traffic control facility projects, including more than $750 million to replace eight air traffic control towers and TRACONs and $85.8 million for upgrades at 41 Federal Contract Towers. Tamiami Airport (TMB) is the only Florida facility in this group. According to the DOT, the replacement projects were selected by the FAA based on safety and efficiency needs within the National Airspace System, as aging facilities face issues including HVAC failures, roof leaks and pest problems. “This administration is laser focused on ushering in the Golden Age of Transportation and investing in our aging air traffic control towers is critical to that mission,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. FMI: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/dot-announces-835-million-atc-upgrades/

4. FAA adds certified Part 135 operators to Safe Air Charter website. This is a very favorable evolution in a topic that for many years has been a special emphasis item with the NTSB and in the FAASTeam National Performance Plan (NPP). FMI: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-safe-air-charter-part-135-operator/

5. NTSB expands accident dashboard with Findings data; retires separate GA version. The National Transportation Safety Board has added accident findings data to its U.S. Civil Aviation Accident Dashboard, giving users more direct access to the agency’s conclusions on factors involved in civil aviation accidents. The dashboard allows users to sort accident information by year, aircraft category, phase of flight, defining event and findings. The NTSB said the update also ends use of the separate General Aviation Accident Dashboard, which was launched in 2023. The retired GA dashboard’s functions have now been moved into the Civil Aviation Accident Dashboard, which covers U.S. civil aviation accidents beyond GA and includes additional data views. The updated dashboard is available through the Statistical Reviews section of the NTSB website. FMI: https://avweb.com/flight-safety/accidents-ntsb/ntsb-expands-accident-dashboard-findings/

6. House bill pushes Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) into federal biofuels policy. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567 on Thursday, sending a broad farm bill package to the Senate with provisions related to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the bill would broaden existing biofuel policy to include SAF produced from renewable agricultural feedstocks. The measure was introduced earlier this year by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and passed the House 224-200. Under the SAF-related language, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be tasked with identifying ways to support development of the fuel through agricultural feedstock crops and public-private partnerships. NATSO, which represents travel centers and truck stops, previously asked the House Agriculture Committee to remove the SAF-specific strategy language or expand it to include other low-carbon renewable fuels. FMI: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/house-bill-saf-into-fed-biofuel-policy/

7. GAO urges FAA to set timeline on pilot training initiatives. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is recommending the FAA establish and publicly release timelines for two pilot training initiatives required under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. In a report released Thursday, GAO said the FAA has made internal progress on the Enhanced Qualification Program (EQP) and on a new national office for overseeing designated pilot examiners, but has not issued the EQP requirements or the first required DPE report to Congress. GAO said the initiatives could help support the regional pilot pipeline, despite recent gains following post-pandemic hiring waves. According to the report, one airline told GAO it withdrew regional service from 29 airports in 2022, many of which served small communities. Pilot supply has since improved, with FAA pilot certifications increasing about 10 percent from 2017 through 2024, but GAO said retirements may continue to affect future supply. The Department of Transportation concurred with GAO’s recommendations. FMI: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/gao-urges-faa-timeline-pilot-training/

8. Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) to be re-name to Donald J. Trump Int’l Airport (KDJT). In a follow-up to a story we previously reported, and as reported now by multiple outlets in the Palm Beach area, the Palm Beach Int’l Airport will change its name and identifier to Donald J. Trump International Airport (KDJT) effective 9 July. FMI: https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-pbia-donald-j-trump-international-airport-djt/71319022 and https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/faa-rules-that-palm-beach-international-airport-code-will-change-to-djt-on-july-9

9. NTSB study shows increase in drug detection among fatal accident pilots.

The National Transportation Safety Board has published an updated study on drug presence among fatally injured pilots, showing increases in both overall drug detection and the presence of drugs the agency classified as potentially impairing. The report, 2018–2022 Update to Drug Use Trends in Aviation, examined toxicology results from 930 pilots killed in U.S. civil aviation accidents from 2018 to 2022. According to the NTSB, 52.8% of those pilots tested positive for at least one drug of any type, including medications such as cardiovascular drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs and nonsedating over-the-counter medications. The study separately found that 28.6% tested positive for drugs classified as potentially impairing, a category that includes some prescription and over-the-counter medications, controlled substances and illicit drugs. The most commonly detected potentially impairing drug remained diphenhydramine, a sedating antihistamine used in many allergy and nighttime cold medications. The NTSB also reported that illicit drug detection rose to 7.4%, with the increase primarily tied to delta-9-THC, the primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Drug presence was lower among Part 135 pilots than among general aviation pilots, lower among pilots with an active medical certificate than those without one, and lower among pilots holding airline transport or commercial certificates than among private, sport or student pilots, or those with no certificate. FMI: https://avweb.com/flight-safety/ntsb-shows-rise-drug-detection-fatal-crash/

10. Upcoming TSA monthly FTSP (Flight Training Security Program) webinars for CFIs. The Transportation Security Administration has initiated a series of monthly webinars for the Flight Instructor community, to provide an overview of any policy updates or FTSP Portal changes and to answer audience questions. It is not required to attend these webinars; think of them as a customer service function from the FTSP staff at TSA. These webinars are free, but pre-registration is required. The webinar schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, June 9 at 1300 EDT → Click Here

Remember, IAW 49 CFR 1552.3, all current CFI’s are required to register with the TSA and create an account with that agency.

11. GAJSC Safety Promotion Outreach Topics of the Month (NPP63; formerly NPP14) for FY-2026.

The new list of Topics of the Month (TOM’s; NPP63) and Airworthiness Topics of the Quarter (TOQ’s; NPP60) from the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC) for FY-2026 have been released. Reps can download this media off the FAASTeam National Collaborative Center (NFRCC) Sharepoint site at FAASafety.gov. Volunteers who mail me a USB flash drive with at least 1 GB of capacity can obtain the full catalog of media, including NPP60 and NPP63, for the current year. Previous years are available, depending on memory capacity. Here are the topics of the month (TOM’s) for FY-26; I can provide a slightly more detailed description with your download (and available on request!). The GAJSC has a free subscription service to its e-newsletter; check out The TOM / TOQ media for FY-2026 are posted in the FAASTeam Sharepoint site; editor will make these available to other Reps with prior coordination.

Oct 2025: Human Performance.
Nov 2025: CFIT.
Dec 2025: Winter Ops.
Jan 2026: Risk Management.
Feb 2026: Multi-Engine Transition.
Mar 2026: Human Factors and WINGS.
Apr: 2026: Angle of Attack Awareness.
May 2026: Owner-Operator and Mechanic Relations.
Jun 2026: Hindsight Bias.
Jul 2026: Tailwheel Endorsement.
Aug 2026: Pre-and In-Flight Wx Resources
Sep 2026: Advanced Air Mobility.

12. GAJSC GA Maint. Safety Outreach Topics of the Quarter (NPP60; formerly NPP41) for FY-2026. Along with the Topics of the Month shown above, national FAASTeam also publishes a series of Airworthiness Topics of the Quarter. For FY-26, the selected topics are as follows:

  1. First Quarter (Oct – Dec): Wiring.
  2. Second Quarter (Jan – Mar): Airworthiness.
  3. Third Quarter (Apr – Jun): Field Approvals.
  4. Fourth Quarter (Jul – Sep): Helicopter Mx Accidents.

The same structure surrounds these topics as for Topics of the Month. In other words, resources are available; just add speaker and venue! Note: all FY-23 thru FY-25 topics available. Contact the Orlando FSDO FPMs for more info!

13. Airmen Certification Standards (ACS) and Practical Test Standards (PTS) updates. Make sure you go to your next Practical Test armed with the latest ACS or PTS as appropriate!!! The FAA is gradually replacing all PTS with the new and improved ACS; only a few PTS have not yet been converted. All current ACS’s can be found at this website: http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/ . An ACS Companion Guide for Pilots is available to help explain ACS and integrate ACS into one’s training plans: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/acs_companion_guide_pilots.pdf .

No new ACSs or PTSs to report this month.

Airmen Testing Community Advisory website: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing . The national ACS Focus Team encourages and invites all users of the ACS to please let them know if you see any possible problems or issues with the ACS, or questions not covered already in the Airman Certification Standards FAQ link on the webpage above. You do not have to go through anyone or any organization to reach the ACS Focus Team – just send an email to: 9-AVS-ACS-Focus-Team@FAA.gov The ACS Focus Team welcomes your feedback. PTS. PTS’s are still very much around! The link to Practical Test Standards (PTS) is at the end of this report in the FAA resources section. Although many PTS are still in use, they are not being substantially updated, and ACS will eventually replace all PTS pubs.

14. FAA Safety Briefing magazine to publish quarterly beginning in July. National FAASTeam released the following announcement, pictured below… FMI: You can view the magazines past and present on-line at https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-safety-briefing-magazine or via www.faasafety.gov. Contact me if you wish to receive the full e-mail, and I will forward it to you.

Attention FAASTeam Lead Reps: If you have not been receiving these magazines lately, but expected to, contact your FPM. Also, please let the FPMs know if your needs change.

15. And now, Regulatory trivia.

Question: Can a Sport CFI (aka a “Subpart K” CFI) conduct a flight review for a CFI applicant seeking a conventional “Subpart H” CFI certification? 

Answer: Yes. This question is bound to come up many more times in the years ahead, and the agency has issued a policy statement in response to a public inquiry. A flight review can be conducted in any aircraft for which the pilot is rated, and as long as the pilot and CFI are rated in the same class of aircraft, the flight review may proceed. Another way to accomplish the flight review is to achieve any Phase of WINGS; the CFI is only required for the flight training portion; the Knowledge portion can be done via courses, seminars, or webinars.

FMI: Check out 14 CFR 61.56, and 61.413(f), which can be found in drs.faa.gov, the Dynamic Regulatory System. The Agency response comes from AFS-810 ICW AFS-610.

16. Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) Calendar (NPP05). FY-26 RSAT calendar is developing, and will fill up quickly in the next several months. Here’s our latest info on upcoming RSAT’s within the Orlando District.

The public is invited to attend any of these meetings. FAASTeam Lead Reps: Please coordinate with ATC and help get the word out via SPANS message, and incentivize attendance with WINGS Knowledge credit. RSAT meetings combined with a Pilot – Controller Forum are an excellent draw. Airports highlighted in green and bearing a -V suffix are virtual events (Zoom or equivalent), not in-person meetings unless stated. Please note the airports within your area. Please work well ahead of the schedule: Submit the associated SPANS message 3 weeks prior to any RSAT meeting in your area of responsibility. Set up any virtual event as a webinar in SPANS and obtain the meeting link from ATC. Contact the ATM for the respective airport or contact the FPM at the Orlando FSDO for more info relating to the RSAT’s at the airports in your area. RSAT info can and does change!!! Data courtesy of FPM Javier Calderin, Orlando FSDO.

17. Florida Airshows and Aviation Events calendar. Here is the latest compilation of known shows and events coming up within Florida (besides events you can find in faasafety.gov). Cancellations will be shown in strike-through font. As always, be vigilant for associated TFR’s with any airshow, rocket launch, racing event, wildfires or VIP visits (see Review of Current TFR’s below). Please check the official show websites for more info. Boldface means the event is within the Orlando FSDO. ICAS source: https://www.airshows.aero/Page/ASCalendar ; 

Also, AIN Online is a worldwide source. Another overall source for Florida: https://floridareview.co.uk/florida-events/florida-air-shows 

2026:

   Vero Beach Air Show (KVRB), 16 – 17 May

   Hyundai Air and Sea Show (Miami Beach), 24 – 25 May

   Melbourne Air Show (KMLB), 6 – 7 Jun

   Tallahassee Balloon Festival (North Florida Fair), 13 Jun

   Plane Time 33 (Florida Aviation Network live-stream): 20 Jun

   Pensacola Beach Air Show (P’cola Beach), 18 – 19 Jul

   Plane Time 34 (Florida Aviation Network live-stream): 15 Aug

   Plane Time 35 (Florida Aviation Network live-stream): 17 Oct

   Air Dot Show Orlando (KSFB), 17 – 18 Oct

   NAS Jacksonville Air Show (KNIP), 17 – 18 Oct

   Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show (KNPA), 6 – 7 Nov

   Florida Int’l Air Show (KPGD), 7 – 8 Nov

   Vintage Weekend Ocean Reef Air Show (Key Largo), 4 – 5 Dec

   Plane Time 36 (Florida Aviation Network live-stream): 19 Dec

18. Current GA aeronautical charts & pubs for central Florida. Make sure your chart database is current. Here are the current and future Dates of Latest Editions (DOLE’s) for the 56-day aeronautical pubs. Most pubs are on a 56-day cycle, and digital pubs follow suit:

2026: 14 May, 9 Jul, 3 Sep, 29 Oct, 24 Dec. 

These dates cover the following pubs and their digital equivalents on your EFB:

IFR Low Alt En-route Charts (e.g., L-23);

IAP’s – US Terminal Procedures Publication (e.g., SE-3);

Chart Supplement (formerly the A/FD) [Man, I sure miss those back-cover indices!] 

Jacksonville and Miami VFR Sectionals;

Tampa / Orlando and Miami Terminal Area Charts.

FMI: Check out the following website for current chart editions: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/doles/

Also: Check out the following official website as a navigation training resource: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/

for a link to all chart symbology used for all FAA aeronautical charts and pubs.

19. Review of current Florida TFR’s. The ones shown in the screen shots below were valid just within Florida at the time of final editing, but can and do change or expire, and this newsletter is not to be construed as an official source. Also check “USA” NOTAM FDC 0/0367 to be sure of details; see note “a” below. Note the long-term TFRs over Mar-A-Lago and another one, FDC 5/2858 over Alligator Alcatraz. Always check NOTAM’s each time before you fly! FAA’s official TFR NOTAM website is http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp . Also, check out their interactive TFR map page at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=map . Other resources are available as well, including via www.1800wxbrief.com , www.AOPA.org/go-fly/tfrs and on many flight planning apps. In flight, contact with ATC including VFR flight following, or contacting Flight Service could be helpful. For planning info regarding other Special Use Airspace, visit www.SUA.FAA.gov.

  1. Nationwide: “USA” NOTAM FDC 0/0367 covers flights near “qualified stadiums” (defined in the NOTAM) during certain sporting events. Going to the Bahamas or across the ADIZ? Check this one out: “USA” NOTAM FDC 2/8783, covers operations across the ADIZ.
  2. UAS Operators: Check out the following:
    1. FDC 3/9568, covering UAS ops near naval submarine bases (Kitsap, WA and Kings Bay, GA). This NOTAM replaces FDC 1/8373.
    2. FDC 3/0104, covering UAS ops near DOE energy facilities and DOD mobile assets, including convoys and ships. This NOTAM replaces FDC 1/8374.
    3. FDC 3/2496, addressing UAS restrictions near “National Defense Airspace”. This NOTAM replaces FDC 1/0488.
    4. FDC 3/6405, addressing UAS ops over the territorial and navigable waters of the US.
    5. FDC 3/4452, addressing UAS ops in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center.
  3. Don’t forget to always check other FDC NOTAM’s for “USA” on the above web page, in addition to FL or wherever else you may be going. Set the “Center” filter to “USA”, then hit “Go” next to that box, and you’ll see the desired search results. Most of these NOTAM’s are effective nation-wide.
  4. Finally, if filing IFR, remember to check FDC NOTAM’s for the instrument approaches at your destination. Like TFR’s, these NOTAM’s are regulatory, too, so you have to adhere to their applicable portions. The easiest way to obtain this info is via commercial flight planning software / approved sites when filing and obtaining a standard wx brief.

20. GA awards update (NPP02). See also the lead story above. The Orlando district has produced many national honorees, including Obie Young, Walt Schamel, Vicki Sherman, the late Rock Rockcastle, and three national winners between 2017 and 2023: Mark Ducorsky (2017 Rep of the Year), the late Ron Timmermans (2021 CFI of the Year, NAFI Flight Instructors’ Hall of Fame 2022) and Bob Raskey (2023 CFI of the Year). FMI: www.generalaviationawards.com The most recent GA Award calendar from the website is shown below, and it generally remains perennially stable (government shutdowns notwithstanding!):

21. Contacting Bob Jex. Bob Jex, editor of this newsletter, can be e-mailed at bob.jex@yahoo.com. Please update your contact info and use this address as the primary. The earthlink.net email is secondary; for the time being, both addresses work.

As always, fly safe!

Archived Links to select official pubs and sites of interest:

Each story above contains a reference link when available. Looking for a particular web resource not listed? Ask me and I’ll look for it. Once I find it, I’ll list it here! E-mail requests to bob.jex@yahoo.com. New listings in yellow for first month or so.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); see elsewhere within this newsletter

Federal Register (Exit pipe for all federal regulations)
https://www.federalregister.gov/

Another broad-based, multi-agency regulatory updates website: www.regulations.gov 

MOSAIC Rule (not all-encompassing; many sources are available):

“New” CFI Rule (Effective 1 Dec 2024):

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/01/2024-22018/removal-of-expiration-date-on-a-flight-instructor-certificate-additional-qualification-requirements#:~:text=The%20final%20rule%20also%20adds,is%20discussed%20in%20section%20III.

Also, AOPA offers a FAQ adjunct to assist the transition to the new CFI rule: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/cfis/flight-instructor-resources/faa-ruling-on-removal-of-the-expiration-date-on-cfi-certificates 

Aviation Funding Stability Act (HR 5451)

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5451

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/index.html

GAJSC – General Aviation Joint Safety Committee

https://www.gajsc.org/docs/

NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) 

Space Operations

General public interest websites: 

www.space.com 

www.nasa.gov 

https://spaceflightnow.com/

Worldwide launch schedule: https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ Space Station (ISS) flyover schedule: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/

General Aviation Awards Info, Nomination Procedures, List of National Winners, etc.

www.generalaviationawards.com (or .org)

State of Florida (FDOT and State Gov’t)

Local Airports (Landing Fee candidates): Public Meeting Info at County / City level

Information on upcoming meetings and meeting minutes are posted online at the websites for each political subdivision. In addition to the respective local Airport Advisory Committees at each airport, this is where the public can attend and speak at meetings affecting a given airport. The airports listed below are considering adopting landing fees.

KDED: DeLand City Commission; first and third Mondays (https://www.deland.org/512/City-Meetings) 

KORL: Orlando City Council; second Mondays or additional Mondays as published online (https://www.orlando.gov/Events/City-Council-Meeting) .

KFIN: Flagler County Board of County Commissioners; first and third Mondays (https://www.flaglercounty.gov/departments/administration/upcoming-bocc-agendas) 

KISM: Kissimmee City Commission; first and third Tuesdays (https://www.kissimmee.gov/My-Government/City-Meetings), 

KOMN: Ormond Beach City Commission; first and third Wednesdays (https://www.ormondbeach.org/122/Agendas-Minutes-Meeting-Recordings)

Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA; S.2175) (To prevent ADS-B data exploitation)

Congressional tracker: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2175

Sun-n-Fun select web links:

Aviation Community Service

WINGS Industry Network: https://www.wingsindustry.com/ 

WINGS Sweepstakes info and entry forms: https://www.mywingsinitiative.org/ 

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Seaplane Operations

Helicopter Safety

  • US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST): https://ushst.org/ This is an excellent repository of a series of safety video series called 56 Seconds to Live, which is of value to all pilot communities.

National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI): https://www.nafinet.org

Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE): http://ww2.safepilots.org

National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA): https://www.nftaus.org/ 

Flight School Association of North America (FSANA): https://fsana.com/ 

Aeronautical Knowledge Training (ORL FAASTeam Library)

Open source Aviation Accident Reports:

  • FAA Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS)

https://www.asias.faa.gov/apex/f?p=100:1:::::: ; In the “What’s New” section on the left side, FAA-derived preliminary (last 10 days in which a reportable event was received) accident and incident reports are available by clicking on “Accident and Incident Preliminary Reports”. A grid is presented with info sorted by aircraft manufacturer.

UAS Reporting (non-FAA)

Islands of the Bahamas / Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

AOPA: https://www.aopa.org/travel/international-travel/bahamas

What else do you want to see listed here??? Let me know and I’ll look it up!

Prepared by:
Robert Jex, Ops FPM Emeritus
(M) (772) 713-1169 (text, no voice mail)
Bob.jex@yahoo.com

Obie S. Young, Lt Col CAP
Florida Aviation Network Producer
National Aviation Safety Foundation President
(407) 719-6335

Reg Updates/F/Obie P/FAN Web/Monthly Reg Updates – Jex/260516

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