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.
Regulations and Government
Docket reopens on FAR Parts 135/125 rewrite
The public comment period on a proposed rewrite of FAR Parts 125 and 135 has been reopened until November 13, at the request of the aviation rulemaking com
Regulations and Government
State security background checks go nowhere
The New Jersey State Assembly deferred action on proposed legislation that would require security background checks of flight students.
Regulations and Government
NATA questions maintenance rule compliance date
Failure of the FAA to publish an advisory circular may prompt the National Air Transportation Association to request an extension of the October 6 implemen
Regulations and Government
Essential Air Service subsidies face dramatic cut
The Republican-led House appropriations subcommittee on transportation, treasury and independent agencies last month approved a new transportation spending
Charter & Fractional
Understanding the new Subpart K frax rules
As fractional ownership programs grew in size, complexity and number, considerable controversy within the aviation community arose as to their appropriate
Regulations and Government
Devil's in the details of FAA reauthorization bills
House and Senate staff members continued working last month to resolve differences in the two separate versions of FAA reauthorization legislation passed b
Regulations and Government
Virtual Flight Systems eases medical mysteries
If you get the feeling you’re just a number when it comes to getting your medical, you may be interested to know that the FAA issues 453,000 airman medical
ATC
Controllers blast FAA over staffing shortage
A shortage of controllers at Chicago Center and an uptick in air traffic in that sector are a prescription for disaster that the FAA has so far ignored at
Regulations and Government
TSA's GA airport security plan due out this month
General aviation organizations have been working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this summer to develop security recommendations for
Regulations and Government
DOT creates new security and hazmat office
The Transportation Department has created a new FAA office for internal security and hazardous materials, and 24-year FAA veteran Lynne Osmus has been name
Regulations and Government
Authors Promote Privatized, Fee-for-service ATC
George Donohue and Russell Shaver launched a book and speaking tour for “Terminal Chaos: Why U.S.
Regulations and Government
Illegal charter hotline funded by FAA
The FAA has provided grant money to fund a hotline for charter operators to report “suspected illegal commercial activity,” according to the National Air T
Regulations and Government
FAA extends medicals for pilots under 40
The FAA issued a final rule that specifies the extended duration of first- and third-class medicals for pilots under age 40.
Regulations and Government
Bizjets exempted from fuel tank rule
The FAA issued a final rule that requires all new commercial airliners to have systems that significantly reduce the risk of center fuel tank fires and tho
Safety
New fuel tank rules will make everyone safer
It has been 12 years since Trans World Airlines experienced the loss of a 747 that had departed JFK airport bound for Paris.
Regulations and Government
NPRM would extend TSA program
The Transportation Security Administration’s previously announced plans to require all operators of aircraft with an mtow of more than 12,500 pounds to adh
Regulations and Government
Part 23 Requirements Under Review
The FAA is working on a review of Part 23 certification regulations, with the goal of “improving the certification process and requirements and also contin
Regulations and Government
FAA Official Joins Ranks at AIA
Daniel Elwell, FAA assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment, has joined the Aerospace Industries Association as v-p of civil a
Regulations and Government
Congress delays decision on FAA funding again
With the days before Congress’ summer vacation rapidly dwindling, the FAA funding conundrum continued last month.
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: August 2008
• Congress took an eight-day break to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Regulations and Government
House bill seeks to repair rift between FAA, Natca
A bill introduced in the House of Representatives in late June provides a mechanism for resolving the longstanding contract dispute between the FAA and the
Regulations and Government
As DRVSM deadline nears, compliance pressure grows
In spite of the near panic the subject of DRVSM creates in some flight departments, it may come as a surprise that the FAA lists only three things an opera
Regulations and Government
Getting started: The road to RVSM approval
The following is a list of steps operators will need to complete to gain RVSM approval.
Safety
U.S., EU join forces on air safety
The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed a bilateral agreement that will strengthen air safety while reducing regulatory burdens
ATC
Washington Report: Stars constellation shines but shrinks
Although the FAA has finally commissioned its first standard terminal automation replacement system (Stars), the agency has drastically reduced the number
ATC
Washington Report: NTSB wants backup conflict alerts
Citing last summer’s midair collision between a DHL International Airways Boeing 757 and a Bashkirian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 over southern Germany, the NT
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: July 2003
Tax-cut legislation proposed by President Bush was passed by Congress at the end of May and was subsequently signed into law by the President.
Regulations and Government
Speculators blamed for high fuel prices
There is no short-term fix for the high price of oil, concluded panelists at the Air Service Energy Summit, held on July 10 in Washington, D.C.
Regulations and Government
Campaign seeks to limit oil speculation
In a curious illustration of how current events make strange bedfellows, the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has joined Aircraft Owners and Pilo
Regulations and Government
Congress set to align FAA reauthorization bills
Both the House and the Senate passed their own versions of an FAA reauthorization bill last month, so differences between the two measures–and the threat o
