Adrian is Auckland bureau chief for Aviation Week, based in New Zealand. He covers commercial aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Adrian was previously based in Aviation Week’s Washington office for nine years, writing for a range of the group’s publications and covering many aspects of the commercial aviation industry. He has won Australasian and international awards for his aviation writing.
Prior to joining Aviation Week in 2002, Adrian covered aviation industry and policy issues for two other publishing companies in Washington. He has also worked for newspapers in Texas and New Zealand, covering a wide range of topics. Adrian graduated from Auckland University with a degree in history and English in 1992.
FAA is preparing to select companies to provide low-cost runway surveillance systems for an extensive test program that could lead to a nationwide deployment. The agency will soon select one or more systems to evaluate at six airport for a trial that will last anywhere from “several months to a year,” an FAA spokesman said. The agency wants to determine which system will satisfy minimum operational and safety requirements, and whether it will be feasible to continue with a procurement.
American pilot retirements look to be at relatively low levels in October, but the year-to-date total is already the highest ever, according to the Allied Pilots Association. Through Sept. 25, there were 430 pilot retirements, breaking the previous single-year record. APA said 34 of these pilots were at retirement age, leaving 396 early retirements.
Acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell says a six-month authorization extension granted by Congress last week may not be ideal, but it does give the agency a little more breathing room. Last week, both the House and Senate approved a bill extending FAA’s operating authority and aviation taxes through March 6. The six-month extension is “shorter than I would have liked,” Sturgell said in a recent message to employees. He had earlier pushed for a 12-month extension (DAILY, Sept. 22).
