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#91
National & International Politics / Re: The Fox in the Henhouse
Last post by patric - February 09, 2025, 04:40:39 PMQuote from: Red Arrow on February 07, 2025, 03:58:53 PMIn reality, even lemmings aren't that stupid.
"Most of the unawarded money is sitting in state Department of Transportation bank accounts ready to be spent," Gallentine said in a statement. States are under no obligation to stop these projects based solely on this announcement, he said. "We call on state DOTs and program administrators to continue executing this program until new guidance is finalized."
"There's no legal basis" for stopping plans that have already been approved and funded, said Andrew Wishnia, former deputy assistant secretary for climate policy at the DOT who helped author the NEVI program.
Tesla will continue expanding its network regardless of federal money — and likely still benefit from its competitors receiving fewer funds.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-wants-to-halt-the-buildout-of-ev-charging-stations-experts-say-its-not-so-simple
Elon Musk's Tesla will receive one of the largest government contracts in 2025 to produce armored vehicles.
The filing includes a massive contract for hundreds of millions of dollars to the Department of Government Efficiency czar's automobile company for "Armored Tesla (production units)." The contract is worth more than $100 million and has a cap of $500 million, according to the filing.
By comparison, a contract for armored sedans was capped at $100 million, and contracts for armored BMW and armored electric vehicles were capped at $50 million. The office handling the award was the Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicle Division, and it was targeted for Q4.
Tesla has been the subject of an investigation by the National Labor Relations Board, as well as the subject of a lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and hundreds of complaints by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, according to The New York Times.
In his position as the leader of DOGE, Musk's house-cleaning has affected each one of these agencies.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191477/tesla-elon-musk-government-contract
#92
National & International Politics / Re: The Fox in the Henhouse
Last post by Red Arrow - February 07, 2025, 03:58:53 PMQuote from: patric on February 07, 2025, 11:29:03 AM
Some states, including Rhode Island, Missouri, Alabama and Oklahoma, had already publicly confirmed that they were pausing their EV charger programs before the memo was released.
In reality, even lemmings aren't that stupid.
#93
National & International Politics / The Fox in the Henhouse
Last post by patric - February 07, 2025, 11:29:03 AMIn a memo released Thursday, the Federal Highway Administration ordered states to halt the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which President Donald Trump cited as an example of the "Green New Deal." So far, states are now split, with some putting their program on pause and at least one planning to continue to fulfill existing contracts.
The program, which Congress approved under the bipartisan infrastructure law, was intended to help fill gaps in the nation's EV charging network and boost consumer confidence to buy electric vehicles. The law also provided another $2.5 billion for chargers in communities and neighborhoods.
The letter informs state transportation directors — who are in charge of administering the program — that any plans approved by the Biden administration are now suspended until the Transportation Department provides new guidelines in the spring. "Effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program," the letter reads. "I don't believe FHWA has the authority to do this," said Loren McDonald, the firm's chief analyst and an expert on the charging program, in an email.
The president has continued to target electric vehicles, even while he maintains a close alliance with Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. Tesla has been a key recipient of charging grants, and it has the largest fast-charger network in the country. But Musk has previously said that cuts to EV benefits, such as the $7,500 EV tax credit, will be more painful for the company's rival automakers than Tesla, even if his company might suffer in the short term.
Some states, including Rhode Island, Missouri, Alabama and Oklahoma, had already publicly confirmed that they were pausing their EV charger programs before the memo was released.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/06/trump-ev-charging-halt-transportation-department/
The program, which Congress approved under the bipartisan infrastructure law, was intended to help fill gaps in the nation's EV charging network and boost consumer confidence to buy electric vehicles. The law also provided another $2.5 billion for chargers in communities and neighborhoods.
The letter informs state transportation directors — who are in charge of administering the program — that any plans approved by the Biden administration are now suspended until the Transportation Department provides new guidelines in the spring. "Effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program," the letter reads. "I don't believe FHWA has the authority to do this," said Loren McDonald, the firm's chief analyst and an expert on the charging program, in an email.
The president has continued to target electric vehicles, even while he maintains a close alliance with Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. Tesla has been a key recipient of charging grants, and it has the largest fast-charger network in the country. But Musk has previously said that cuts to EV benefits, such as the $7,500 EV tax credit, will be more painful for the company's rival automakers than Tesla, even if his company might suffer in the short term.
Some states, including Rhode Island, Missouri, Alabama and Oklahoma, had already publicly confirmed that they were pausing their EV charger programs before the memo was released.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/06/trump-ev-charging-halt-transportation-department/
#94
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by Red Arrow - February 07, 2025, 12:20:41 AMQuote from: dbacksfan 2.0 on February 06, 2025, 10:42:50 PMRed, so if I'm reading correctly from your comment and and some searching on that regulation, it means that to report ADS-B it must use the aircrafts actual altimeter and be certified accurate to within 125' based on using 29.92 ins. mercury, or sea level and certified for that particular altitude system in the aircraft. Am I at least in the park and it's not Yellowstone?
Not quite. The altitude source can be an encoding altimeter (with electronics to communicate with the transponder) or it can be another device called a blind encoder (also with electronics to communicate with the transponder). A blind encoder is connected to the aircraft static pressure system, same as the altimeter, but the pilot cannot see or adjust it. In either case, it must be tested every other (2) year for accuracy. Large aircraft may have some other device as part of a Flight Management System but those are beyond my knowledge base.
#95
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by dbacksfan 2.0 - February 06, 2025, 10:42:50 PMRed, so if I'm reading correctly from your comment and and some searching on that regulation, it means that to report ADS-B it must use the aircrafts actual altimeter and be certified accurate to within 125' based on using 29.92 ins. mercury, or sea level and certified for that particular altitude system in the aircraft. Am I at least in the park and it's not Yellowstone?
#96
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by Red Arrow - February 06, 2025, 10:20:23 PM§ 91.217 Data correspondence between automatically reported pressure altitude data and the pilot's altitude reference.
(a) No person may operate any automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment associated with a radar beacon transponder—
(1) When deactivation of that equipment is directed by ATC;
(2) Unless, as installed, that equipment was tested and calibrated to transmit altitude data corresponding within 125 feet (on a 95 percent probability basis) of the indicated or calibrated datum of the altimeter normally used to maintain flight altitude, with that altimeter referenced to 29.92 inches of mercury for altitudes from sea level to the maximum operating altitude of the aircraft; or
(3) Unless the altimeters and digitizers in that equipment meet the standards of TSO-C10b and TSO-C88, respectively.
(b) No person may operate any automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment associated with a radar beacon transponder or with ADS-B Out equipment unless the pressure altitude reported for ADS-B Out and Mode C/S is derived from the same source for aircraft equipped with both a transponder and ADS-B Out.
[Doc. No. 18334, 54 FR 34304, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-314, 75 FR 30193, May 28, 2010]
(a) No person may operate any automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment associated with a radar beacon transponder—
(1) When deactivation of that equipment is directed by ATC;
(2) Unless, as installed, that equipment was tested and calibrated to transmit altitude data corresponding within 125 feet (on a 95 percent probability basis) of the indicated or calibrated datum of the altimeter normally used to maintain flight altitude, with that altimeter referenced to 29.92 inches of mercury for altitudes from sea level to the maximum operating altitude of the aircraft; or
(3) Unless the altimeters and digitizers in that equipment meet the standards of TSO-C10b and TSO-C88, respectively.
(b) No person may operate any automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment associated with a radar beacon transponder or with ADS-B Out equipment unless the pressure altitude reported for ADS-B Out and Mode C/S is derived from the same source for aircraft equipped with both a transponder and ADS-B Out.
[Doc. No. 18334, 54 FR 34304, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-314, 75 FR 30193, May 28, 2010]
#97
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by dbacksfan 2.0 - February 06, 2025, 09:21:14 PMQuote from: whoatown on February 01, 2025, 11:19:18 PMhttps://defensescoop.com/2025/01/30/army-helicopter-black-hawk-fatal-crash-potomac-not-using-ai-sources-say/
Would be implemented with defense contractor lockheed martin.
So according to the article, 3 years ago Lockheed Martin did a couple of experimental flights with MX versions of a UH-60. Seems that people made a huge stretch from a couple of very controlled experimental flights to they've been conducting flights up and down the Potomac in extremely congested airspace.
#98
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by dbacksfan 2.0 - February 06, 2025, 08:57:33 PMInteresting, this was pushed forward by a Navy pilot, Arizona Senator John McCain. So this was tucked into a bigger defense spending bill that was signed into law, HR 5515.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text
https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/communications-navigation-surveillance-cns/ads-b/faa-permits-ads-b-off-military-sensitive-flights/
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text
QuoteThe FAA's action follows congressional direction included in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which prevents the Department of Transportation from requiring the installation of ADS-B equipment on Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft, including fighters, bombers or other special mission aircraft. In the legislation, Congress also mandated the continued provision of air traffic services and continued access for DoD aircraft not equipped with ADS-B.
"We appreciate the special needs of the U.S. military and their support aircraft in conducting sensitive operations that require additional privacy and security considerations," said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president for regulatory and international affairs. "It's important for NBAA members to know that aircraft affected by this interim final rule will retain an alternate transponder capability, ensuring that aircraft safety systems, such as TCAS, will continue to function properly," Carr continued.
https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/communications-navigation-surveillance-cns/ads-b/faa-permits-ads-b-off-military-sensitive-flights/
#99
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by patric - February 06, 2025, 03:19:20 PMWASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) - A key safety system was turned off on a U.S. Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines (AAL.O) regional jet last week near Washington Reagan Airport, killing 67.Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz told reporters the Black Hawk helicopter had turned off its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), which is permitted for military aircraft.
"This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off," Cruz said after a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
In the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than 20 years, the aircraft collided last week, with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. The helicopter was flying about 100 feet over the maximum allowed for that route, the NTSB said earlier.
ADS-B is an advanced surveillance technology to track aircraft location. Cruz noted the helicopter had a transponder so it would appear on radar but ADS-B is significantly more accurate.
Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee, questioned why the FAA since 2018 has allowed military flights to fly with their installed ADS-B equipment off.
Cruz also said he had asked the FAA to conduct a review of helicopter routes near other congested airports.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/key-safety-system-off-army-helicopter-that-collided-with-american-airlines-jet-2025-02-06/
"This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off," Cruz said after a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
In the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than 20 years, the aircraft collided last week, with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. The helicopter was flying about 100 feet over the maximum allowed for that route, the NTSB said earlier.
ADS-B is an advanced surveillance technology to track aircraft location. Cruz noted the helicopter had a transponder so it would appear on radar but ADS-B is significantly more accurate.
Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee, questioned why the FAA since 2018 has allowed military flights to fly with their installed ADS-B equipment off.
Cruz also said he had asked the FAA to conduct a review of helicopter routes near other congested airports.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/key-safety-system-off-army-helicopter-that-collided-with-american-airlines-jet-2025-02-06/
#100
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by Hoss - February 06, 2025, 02:43:39 PMIt's funny. Last week people were were experts on how tariffs work; now they're experts on air safety. 🤷