Several major rulemaking actions are scheduled to be adopted this year that will affect general and business aviation operations in the U.S. and abroad. For example, the European Aviation Safety Agency is expected to enact its 2016 proposal of extensive changes to small airplane certification regulations (EASA CS-23). While intended to be in harmony with the FAA’s new rewrite of FAR Part 23, there are some differences.
 
International navigation procedural and equipment changes are also slated to go into effect this year. In fact, as of January 1, large jets used in commercial operations in Russia (including those not built or registered there, but operating on a certificate issued by the Russian Federation),have had to be equipped with a Glonass navigation system, although initially the country does not intend to prohibit use of other GPS constellations in its airspace. To operate in Australian airspace, IFR-rated pilots and aircraft must comply with ICAO-standard ADS-B equipment and operational requirements by February 2.
 
Starting April 24, U.S. FAR Part 135 helicopters need to be equipped with an operable radio altimeter. This mandate is contained in a major upgrade of requirements applicable to air taxi and air ambulance operators enacted in 2014. Also in April, the FAA is scheduled to phase in the final elements to its redesign of airspace and ATC procedures in Southern California., which will affect instrument arrivals and departures for 21 airports in the area.