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
FAA authorization remains in holding pattern
As the holidays approached, the likelihood of any action on the FAA budget dimmed considerably when lawmakers carved a provision to increase the mandatory
Regulations and Government
Industry opposes manifest rule changes
General aviation groups got in under the wire last month in commenting on proposed new rules for general aviation aircraft traversing U.S.
Regulations and Government
NATA requests review of ETOPS proposal
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has asked the FAA to delay for at least six months the February 2008 compliance deadline for proposed ne
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: November 2004
• With many eyes focused on the Presidential election date, both houses of Congress worked diligently on such agenda items as tax cuts, disaster relief, co
Regulations and Government
FAA not impressed with BUR's Part 161 study
In a letter to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority dated May 18 (but released only last month), the FAA concluded that the authority’s proposed
Regulations and Government
Albuquerque OKs bonds, tax breaks for Eclipse
The City Council of Albuquerque, N.M., has approved a $45 million industrial revenue bond package to help Eclipse Aviation deliver on its Eclipse 500 very
ATC
ATC Attrition Can Be Blunted
The FAA will be able to cope with the loss of almost half of its air traffic controller workforce over the next nine years if it can keep better track of a
ATC
Are Controllers Paid Too Much?
Meanwhile, the General Accounting Office (GAO) added its voice to that of DOT inspector general Kenneth Mead, who has repeatedly warned that the FAA cannot
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: July 2004
Wondering if the 108th Congress has been busy? By early last month, the Senate saw 2,505 bills introduced and the House of Representatives, 4,520.
Regulations and Government
ICAO mulls multi-crew pilot license proposal
Sixty years ago, with the outcome of the World War II still nearly 12 months in the future, 52 nations met in Chicago to agree on a format for the worldwid
Charter & Fractional
FAA postpones deadline for seat rule compliance
The FAA has postponed until November 29 the compliance deadline for a controversial flight standards handbook bulletin that addresses aircraft configuratio
Regulations and Government
Libya Flight Restrictions Lifted
Effective last month, the FAA lifted its long-time prohibition against most flight operations to and from Libya, as well as overflight restrictions.
Regulations and Government
Congress Pulls an End Run on Age-60 Rule
The Senate voted late last night to extend the retirement age for Part 121 airline pilots to 65, sending the measure to President Bush to sign into law.
Regulations and Government
FAA extends deadline for Part 135 seating compliance
The FAA has extended the implementation deadline for the Handbook Bulletin for Airworthiness, 04-06D to August 31.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Commends FAA Decision on SMO
A decision by the FAA that the landing-fee structure at California’s Santa Monica Airport (SMO) unjustly discriminates against certain types of aircraft ha
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: February 2005
• The 108th Congress became history at the end of last year and its pending legislation died on the vine.
Regulations and Government
FAA seeks comment on Cape Town Treaty rules
The FAA is inviting comments on final changes to U.S.
Safety
NTSB Warning: Ice on Wings Doesn’t Fly
As a result of its ongoing investigation into the November 28 fatal takeoff accident of a Challenger 604 in Montrose, Colo., the NTSB has issued a special
Regulations and Government
Europe Extends ACAS II Exemptions to March 2006
Eurocontrol is offering equipment exemptions until March 31 next year for operators flying to Europe without ACAS II (TCAS with Change 7).
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: March 2006
• One of the annual Washington rituals calls for the President to send Congress an administration budget proposal for the next fiscal year.
Regulations and Government
EASA drafts proposal for expanded role
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has introduced a proposal to extend the scope of its regulatory activities to include “air operation, aircrew li
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: December 2007
• At press time, appropriations for the 12 government agencies were still in the holding pattern.
Regulations and Government
Bell 206 JetRanger reaches milestone 40th anniversary
Earlier this year, Bell Helicopter celebrated the 40th anniversary of its popular single-turbine light helicopter, the JetRanger.
Regulations and Government
European OEMs partner to study environmentally friendly helos
Archrivals AgustaWestland and Eurocopter will join forces on a major environmental research program that will include integration technology demonstrators
Regulations and Government
CHC Orders S-92s and AW139s
CHC Helicopter has ordered 12 Sikorsky S-92s and 13 AgustaWestland AW139s.
Regulations and Government
U.S. opts not to require 406 ELTs
Most pilots by now have heard about the plan to end satellite monitoring of emergency locator transmitter (ELT) distress signals broadcast over 121.5- and
Regulations and Government
FAA initiates overhaul of current notam system
There is general agreement that the FAA’s Notice to Airmen (notam) system is a conduit for often confusing information of marginal value and hopelessly wed
Regulations and Government
Comments due this month on border rule
After denying requests for an extension of the comment period on proposed new rules involving U.S.
Security
Anti-missile defense systems have legislators’ attention
Man-carried portable air defense systems (Manpads), also known as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, in the hands of terrorists have a lot of people ve
