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
New Aircraft Registry Slow To Gain Favor with Bizav
Since its Web site opened for aircraft registrations on March 1, the new International Registry of Mobile Assets, more commonly referred to as the Cape Tow
Regulations and Government
ICAO Approves Pilots Over Age 60
The International Civil Aviation Organization adopted a “standard” to increase the upper age limit for airline pilots to 65, effective November 23.
Regulations and Government
Hazardous Materials Transportation Rule Revised
The DOT yesterday issued a final rule amending the requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials by aircraft.
Regulations and Government
Fuel Tank NPRM Comment Deadline Extended
The comment deadlines for a November 23 notice of proposed rulemaking to incorporate technology to reduce flammability exposure in transport aircraft fuel
Regulations and Government
Associations Request Extension To Drug, Alcohol Rule
Eight aviation trade groups, including the National Air Transportation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Regional Airline
Accidents
Recent Icing Events Prompt New AD for Caravans
Further icing accidents and incidents involving the Cessna Caravan, flight manual revisions that contain erroneous data and recent flight tests prompted th
Regulations and Government
General Aviation Counterattacks Airline Tax Plan
Leaders of three general aviation organizations went on the offensive yesterday in response to an Air Transport Association plan that would place a tax (re
Regulations and Government
ICAO Appointments Strengthen U.S. Representation
Several leadership changes, including two U.S.
Regulations and Government
Controller’s Union Now Calls for Federal Mediation
Nearly three months after the union representing air traffic controllers rejected the FAA’s request for federal mediation to help reach a labor agreement,
Charter & Fractional
FAA Reissues New Policy for Adding Charter Airplanes
While the FAA did rescind Notice N8000.336 regarding addition of airplanes to Part 135 certificates, on December 18 it reissued the notice in a new form wi
Regulations and Government
FAA expected to update two issues
Industry groups, including NBAA, were working with the FAA late last year to get it to ease requirements on two issues that carried a January deadline.
Regulations and Government
FAA mum on age 60 rule changes
The aviation rulemaking committee (ARC) advising the FAA about whether airline pilots should be able to fly after reaching the agency’s mandatory retiremen
Regulations and Government
Advisory Is Not Child’s Play
New Advisory Circular AC 120-87A updates guidance on the use of child restraint seats (CRS) on aircraft.
Regulations and Government
Helo Repair Firms and Owner Indicted
Garlick Helicopters and Double R Flying Service in Montana and their owner, Ronald Garlick, have been indicted on federal fraud charges in connection with
Aircraft
Mustang approved for full-scale production
Cessna received the FAA production certificate for its new Citation Mustang very light jet on November 22, two-and-a-half months after type certification o
Regulations and Government
Switzerland joins EASA
Switzerland officially joined the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on December 1.
Regulations and Government
Engine Notice Garners Just Three Comments
General Electric, Rolls-Royce and Transport Canada generally support, with some suggested clarifications, the FAA’s recent proposal to amend the type certi
Regulations and Government
New offshore register close to opening
The Isle of Man–a British Crown dependency located in the Irish Sea between the UK and Ireland–is on track to have its new aircraft register up and running
Regulations and Government
Approach limits raised in Canada
Transport Canada increased the minimum visibility required before beginning an approach from the previous 1,200 feet to 1,600 feet, effective December 1.
Regulations and Government
Air-taxi OpSpec delayed again
Release of a new air-taxi operations specification (OpSpec A008) to replace interim Notice 8400.83, published last June, has been delayed again–from the en
Accidents
ExcelAire pilots return home; Brazil bizav still feels the heat
Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, the pilot and copilot of the ExcelAire Legacy 600 involved in a midair with a Boeing 737 operated by Brazil’s Gol on Septem
Regulations and Government
Operators Concerned about MU-2 Training Rule
Although the FAA allowed only 30 days for comments on the proposed Special FAR mandating Mitsubishi MU-2 pilot training, 72 comments were submitted to the
Regulations and Government
NTSB Member Wants Part 91/135 Included
An NTSB safety recommendation issued last week that calls for airline pilots to cross-check heading references ends with a notation from Safety Board membe
Regulations and Government
EPA Amendments Clarify FBO Responsibilities
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued long-awaited final amendments to oil and fuel spill prevention, control and countermeasure (SPCC) rules.
Regulations and Government
UK Defers Action on Foreign-registered Aircraft
Britain’s Department for Transport (DfT) has decided not to act unilaterally to impose new restrictions on UK-based aircraft that are registered overseas.
Regulations and Government
The aircraft certification process
You are sitting in a diner, sipping your fourth cup of coffee, solving aviation’s problems with an old friend, when the idea comes to you in a caffeinated
Regulations and Government
Control issues: 25 years after the Patco strike
In the late 1970s, Continental Airlines president Frank Lorenzo used a court of law to confront his pilots with an existing, although seldom used, negotiat
Regulations and Government
GAO: NTSB Must Get Academy in the Black
In response to a congressional inquiry, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined that the NTSB Training Center near Washington Dulles Inte
