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.
Avionics
Proposed AD Expands Limits on Helo Radio Altimeters
The FAA is proposing stricter limits on helicopters with a radio altimeter operating in the presence of possible 5G C-band radio frequency interference.
Aircraft
Demand for Business Jets of Sanctioned Russians Remains High
Demand for Russian business jets remains high despite sanctions.
Regulations and Government
NATA, NBAA Urge More Flexible, Scalable SMS Rules
NBAA and NATA are concerned that the current SMS proposal may be too rigid for a large swath of operators and are asking for more time and flexibility.
Aircraft
Boeing Reports Nearly Half of Chinese Max Fleet in Service
Eleven Chinese airlines have returned 43 Boeing Max jets to service as of April 10, accounting for 45 percent of the fleet.
Airports
Colorado Airport's Remote Tower on Life Support
A remote tower project at Northern Colorado Regional Airport is in limbo after the FAA changed the process to certify the equipment.
Airports
UK Aviation Groups Seek Strategic Airfield Policy
Aviation leaders say there needs to be a strategic policy for small airport infrastructure in the UK.
Aircraft
Airbus To Build Second Assembly Line at Chinese A320 Site
An agreement to expand Airbus’s production capacity in China came during an official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing.
Regulations and Government
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Plans To Ban Business Aircraft in 2025
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is proposing a ban on business aircraft starting in 2025 as part of a wider strategy to reduce noise and CO2 emissions.
Regulations and Government
NBAA, GAMA Seek Restoration of Bizav En Route CPDLC
The use of en route datalink benefits safety, and business aviation operators should have full access to these services, according to NBAA and GAMA.
Engines
Bird Ingestion Test Rule Stems from ‘Miracle on Hudson’
FAA bird ingestion certification test requirements were updated to ensure turbofan engines can ingest the largest medium flocking bird without a failing.
Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines' Pilot Roster Under Fire
Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Aviation will form a subcommittee to probe the issuance of pilot licenses.
Airlines
Eurocontrol Warns Flight Movements Could Stagnate after 2025
The number of flights in European airspace will recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2025 but growth might slow or even stop.
Airlines
Air Transport Development in Africa Hinges on Collaboration
As African airlines lose a projected $213 million this year, efforts to liberalize go unfulfilled.
Accidents
NTSB Questions Wind Report in Runway Excursion Accident
According to the NTSB, a Hawker 800XP that overran the runway in Aspen, Colorado, tried to take off in a tailwind that exceeded the airplane's limitation.
Aircraft
UAE’s Falcon Aviation Adds San Marino AOC
Falcon Aviation Services will add four aircraft under a second air operator certificate from San Marino's Civil Aviation Authority.
Regulations and Government
Hearing Urges U.S. Government To Unlock AAM
The House aviation subcommittee addressed the challenges faced in bringing new aircraft into service in the context of the 2023 FAA Reauthorization Bill.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Warns of FAA Enforcement for PRD Noncompliance
The FAA this month released a notice providing guidance for inspections and enforcement for compliance with pilot records database requirements.
Regulations and Government
Nav Canada Adding Aviation Weather Information Resource
A new aviation weather resource from Nav Canada aims to merge operational and meteorological information.
Environment
GAO: Govt Should Monitor SAF Grand Challenge Progress
The GAO says government departments should develop performance measures for reaching sustainable aviation fuel goals.
ATC
Philippine Senate Calls for Legislative Changes after ATC Outage
Legislators have adopted findings and recommendations stemming from a committee probe into Manila’s January 1 air traffic control (ATC) power outage.
Regulations and Government
CBAA To Offer Alternate Way to Meet New Fatigue Rules
New pilot fatigue risk management system regulations do not work for unscheduled commercial operations, according to the Canadian bizav group.
Regulations and Government
Lawmakers Aim To Make Aviation Programs Eligible for 529 Plans
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill to make commercial pilot and aircraft maintenance schools eligible for 529 plans.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
AIAC Refutes Government Report on Canada’s Luxury Tax
The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada claims a government report underestimates the negative effects the new luxury tax will have on aviation.
Regulations and Government
Bizav Advocates Call on Operators To Ready for New EU Entry Requirements
The EU is transitioning this year to electronic passenger entry requirements, and bizav groups caution that operators should begin to prepare for them.
FBOs
Vero Beach FBO To Add U.S. Customs Facility
Corporate Air, an FBO at Florida's Vero Beach Regional Airport, will break ground on a dedicated U.S. Customs facility.
Regulations and Government
Phil Washington Withdraws from FAA Administrator Consideration
Phil Washington, whose nomination as FAA administrator faced a barrage of Republican opposition, withdrew his name for consideration for the post.
Aircraft
Boeing 737 Max AD Sheds Light on Factory Errors
Improper torquing of fasteners by Boeing factory mechanics in Max jets’ engine anti-ice exhaust ducts results in FAA airworthiness directive.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Roundtable Advocates for AAM in FAA Reauthorization
NBAA's Advanced Air Mobility Roundtable marks legislative progress and continuing goals for 2023.
Regulations and Government
EASA Staff Flies Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor
EASA and FAA staff have flown the Leonardo AW609 civil tiltrotor in run-up to formal type inspection test flights.
