​A fledgling California airline says it is canceling flights until further notice because of a shortage of pilots. California Pacific Airlines began service to and from its base in Carlsbad, California, in November with four 50-seat ERJ145s and was plagued with delays and cancellations shortly after it launched. In one case, a plane was damaged when it was hit by a backhoe on a ramp in Pierre, South Dakota, but other cancellations were blamed on mechanical issues. In late December the airline announced it was canceling all flights until it could get more pilots hired and trained.
The airline’s reservation website shows no availability through the end of February. Airline officials told the NBC San Diego affiliate that the company hoped to resume service in February. Those who have booked flights in January will get refunds. The airline lists its destinations as Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno and San Jose with one-way fares starting at about $100. From AV Web.

The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Nuiqsut Airport, Nuiqsut, AK; Oooguruk Island Heliport, Nuiqsut, AK; Pioneer Heliport, Nuiqsut, AK; Perryville Airport, Perryville, AK; Pilot Point Airport, Pilot Point, AK; and Point Lay Airport, Point Lay, AK.

​This action adds language to the legal descriptions of these airports that reads ‘‘excluding that airspace that extends beyond 12 miles from the shoreline.’’ Also, this action removes the airport name from the airspace designation for Oooguruk Island Heliport and Pioneer Heliport, to conform with recent change to FAA Order 7400.2L, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. 

 FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) Personnel Summary Staff at Work

Some essential services include air traffic control (including contract towers) as well as TSA and Customs operations. The collection of aviation taxes will also continue and the FAA’s aircraft registration activities will operate normally, however, activities including the issuance of airmen certificates and facility security inspections will stop. 

In addition to the shuttering of the Department of Transportation, other departments affected by the partial government shutdown include Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Homeland Security, Financial Services-General Government, Interior-Environment, and State. 

• Life and Safety excepted positions : (Air Traffic Organization – 23,856;
Office of Aviation Safety – 216;
Office of Security and Hazardous 24,208 Materials – 61; and Other – 75)
• Staff necessary to the discharge the President's constitutional duties and powers: 62
• Positions funded by multi-year appropriations, indefinite appropriations, or contract authority:  786 
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) – 566;
Research Engineering & Development – 218;
Aviation Insurance – 2
• Positions funded by franchise funds 1,511
• Positions supporting lawful continuation of other functions (e.g., support for Life and Safety positions): 571 Total Positions at Work 27,138


Summary of Suspended Activities
• Development of new air traffic control specialists not certified to work a position;
• Issuance of airmen certificates;
• Approval of exemptions for unmanned aerial systems operations;
• Aviation rulemaking;
• Random drug testing of the non-Controller workforce;
• Facility security inspections, evaluations, audits and inspections;
• Routine personnel security background investigations and PIV card services;
• Continuity of Operations Planning;
• Development, operational testing, and evaluation of NextGen technologies;
• Development of NextGen safety standards;
• Air traffic performance analysis;
• Capital planning for FAA facilities and equipment;
• Investment planning and financial analysis;
• Dispute resolution;
• Audit and evaluation;
• Financial operations, controls, reporting and accountability;
• Most budgeting functions (except those necessary to provide necessary services to support excepted functions);
• Law enforcement assistance support; 
• Most administrative support functions not required for support of life and safety “excepted” positions; and • Congressional liaison services.

Publication:  NATA -Department of Transportation December 2018 

The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Nuiqsut Airport; Oooguruk Island Heliport; Pioneer Heliport; Perryville Airport; Pilot Point Airport; and Point Lay Airport.

​This action adds language to the legal descriptions of these airports that reads ‘‘excluding that airspace that extends beyond 12 miles from the shoreline.’’ Also, this action removes the airport name from the airspace designation for Oooguruk Island Heliport and Pioneer Heliport, to conform with recent change to FAA Order 7400.2L, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters.