Regulations and Government
News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.
Safety
OEMs: FAA needs more certification engineers
Despite the addition of money for aircraft certification to the FAA budget for Fiscal Year 2006, original equipment manufacturers complained to a congressi
Aircraft
Canada’s Safety Board Wants Caravan Limits
If Transport Canada decides to accept a recommendation from that country’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB), Canadian-registered Cessna Caravans would be
Aircraft
Feds Charge Air Ambulance Operator
Roy Horridge, owner of grounded Houston-based Air Ambulance by B&C Flight Management, and William Sexton, a former mechanic and officer with the firm,
Regulations and Government
Congress revisiting Part 121 age-60 retirement rule
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has passed a bill that would raise the age limit for airline pilots to 65 when the pilot is servi
Aircraft
Current Bizjets excluded in NPRM
Transport aircraft manufacturers, including business jet OEMs, will be required to develp operational limitations for all future Part 25 designs, under a p
Aircraft
TSA warning aimed at Bizjet operations
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) late last month issued an advisory urging private jet owners and general aviation airports to review secur
Rotorcraft
Notar Helos under NTSB Microscope
The NTSB has asked the FAA to require MD Helicopters to conduct tests to “enable the full analysis” of all critical loads for tension-torsion (T-T) straps
Regulations and Government
Budget troubles ahead for aviation trust fund
As debate over FAA financing continues to roil, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an analysis of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund in whi
Regulations and Government
Nav Canada fees bring few changes for bizav users
Rich Gage, president of the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA), told AIN that the new fee structure Nav Canada announced last month will
Regulations and Government
News Note: The DOT has eased regulations for operations by U.S.-registered aircraft owned by a company not considered
As of April 27, a new DOT Part 375 rule provides that certain types of operation by U.S.-registered foreign civil business aircraft (such as carrying the c
Regulations and Government
FAA logjam slows approval of COTS cabin components
If it’s “off the shelf” it’s off the list.
Safety
FAA issues revised autopilot standards
Reacting to a pair of landmark NTSB recommendations addressing potential safety vulnerabilities in autopilots, the FAA this month is amending airworthiness
Charter & Fractional
Operational Control Workshops Scheduled
Starting with a session on June 7 in Anchorage, Alaska, the FAA has scheduled more briefings on its proposed guidance policy on air carrier operational con
Regulations and Government
Don’t Fall into the Five-second Trap
In a proposed Airworthiness Directive, the FAA says certain Honeywell mode-S transponders erroneously go into standby mode if the crew takes longer than fi
Aircraft
Airbus ACJs Join Elite 180-Minute Club
Airbus airline and corporate jet versions of the A319 and A320, as well as the A321, recently received FAA approval for 180-minute extended-range commercia
Aircraft
Some Tires Need More Than a Kick
Reports of tread separations and bulges on Goodyear Aviation nosewheel tires on Gulfstreams and Global Expresses have resulted in a proposed Airworthiness
Charter & Fractional
Air-taxi Operator’s Certificate Revoked
The FAA last month revoked the Part 135 air carrier operating certificate of American Air Network (AAN) of Chesterfield, Mo.
Regulations and Government
Short Final for SIC Type-rating Deadline
Unless the FAA makes a last-minute change to the timetable, pilots have until June 6 to comply with a new second-in-command (SIC) type-rating rule.
Regulations and Government
Unrest Persists over Rest Rules
The FAA recently received several requests for interpretation of FAR 135.263(d) and 135.267(b), (d) and (e).
Regulations and Government
No change to personal-use rules
Business aviation dodged two bullets last month when Congress struck two provisions from the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 that would hav
Aircraft
Alerts Issued on Premier I Drain Holes
An FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin issued May 17 says fuel drain holes in the main landing gear bay auxiliary bulkhead might be missing on s
Accidents
NTSB’s final reports delayed by agency’s limited resources
An aircraft accident happens, on average, three or more times a day in the U.S.
Regulations and Government
New HIRF testing rules a step closer
The FAA last month closed a three-month comment period on a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would amend long-standing HIRF (high-intensity radiat
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: July 2006
– Congress took a 10-day break over the Memorial Day holiday and on its return faced a number of issues that had been left in the holding pattern.
Regulations and Government
FAA no closer on financing plans
In testimony before the Senate appropriations subcommittee on transportation early last month, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey continued to play her cards
Regulations and Government
Norman Mineta departure saddens bizav
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, a long-time advocate for general aviation and the lone Democrat in President Bush’s Cabinet, shocked and saddened t
Regulations and Government
Airlines Cheating Uncle Sam on Security Fees?
The Homeland Security Inspector General reported last month that the airlines are underpaying the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) an estimated
Regulations and Government
Canadian Pilot Groups Appeal New Fees
Later this month the Canadian Transportation Agency is expected to rule on an appeal by the Canadian Pilots Association and the Helicopter Association of C
ATC
ATC Consolidation May Need BRAC-like Help
With the FAA planning to consolidate major ATC facilities and its regional offices, Rep.
Regulations and Government
FAA Proposal Adds Teeth to Rule
Rules governing the construction of objects that could be an obstruction to safe aircraft operations might get a little more bite.
