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.

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.

Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor aircraft in flight

Regulations and Government

NTSB's Graham: Scalable SMS a Must for Smaller Aircraft Ops

NTSB member Michael Graham stressed the importance that all small Part 135 operators adopt SMS, but said the program must be scalable.

ATC

ICAO Adopts Multi-constellation Standards for GNSS

The International Civil Aviation Organization considers the rollout of new dual-frequency multi-constellation standards a ‘major milestone’.

Accidents

NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Caused Fatal Citation Crash

According to the NTSB, pilot spacial disorientation caused the May 2021 fatal crash of a Cessna Citation 501 near Smyrna, Tennessee.

Regulations and Government

Commerce Committee Delays Vote on Washington Nom for FAA

Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell promised "we will have this debate" as the committee decided to delay a vote on the Washington nomination.

Regulations and Government

Senate Commerce OKs Notam Improvement Bill

A Senate panel passed a bill that would set a Sept. 30, 2024 deadline for notam system upgrades and call for a task force report on improvements.

Accidents

Fatal King Air Crash Occurred as Wx Rapidly Worsened

The pilot of the Beechcraft King Air 350 that crashed on climout from Little Rock airport received three low-level wind shear advisories before departure.

Weather radar map depicting accident location and weather at time of aircraft crash

Airlines

Ryanair Decries Continuing French ATC Strikes

Europe’s largest low-cost airline launched a petition calling for the European Commission to allow overflights when French controllers stage a strike.

Ryanair director of operations Neal McMahon (left) and CEO Eddie Wilson hold signs calling for customers to sign a petition to allow for French overflights while air traffic controllers in the country stage strikes.

Regulations and Government

Senate Commerce Eyes Aviation Workforce Initiatives

Senate Commerce Committee Eyes means to boost the aviation workforce as it crafts an FAA reauthorization bill.

Aerial view of U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Accidents

Communications Lost Soon after Ill-fated PC-12 Departed

An NTSB preliminary report says the crew of the Pilatus PC-12 that broke up in flight on February 24 made their last radio call 8 minutes after takeoff.

Flight track of the Guardian Flight air ambulance Pilatus PC-12 that broke up in flight near Stagecoach, Nevada, on February 24

Regulations and Government

FAA To Require 25-hour Cockpit Voice Recorders

Following a rebuke from NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy, the FAA moves to establish rulemaking committee for 25-hour CVR capacity.

Aircraft

Report Highlights Need for Crosswind Training in Globals

A UK AAIB report on a wingtip-strike incident involving a Global 6000 in gusty conditions highlights the need for more crosswind training in the type.

Redacted CCTV image of LX-NST wing contacting the ground

Regulations and Government

Canada TSB Urges Updates to Medical Examiner Guidelines

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is again recommending that Transport Canada improve the civil aviation medical examiners’ guidelines.

Airports

NATA Responds to AOPA Ramp Proposal

NATA looks to counter a legistlative proposal from AOPA and others calling for the establishment of GA ramps at public use airports.

Cirrus SR20 on ramp Hawthorne Airport (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)

Avionics

EASA Warns of Increase in GPS Signal Outages

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency is warning operators of an increase in jamming or spoofing of global navigation satellite systems, including GPS.

ATC

DOT IG Initiates Another Audit of FAA NextGen Program

The DOT Office of Inspector General has initiated another audit of the FAA's NextGen airspace modernization program.

Regulations and Government

Lawmakers Stress Support for Investing in General Aviation

House aviation subcommittee chair Garret Graves calls for improving general aviation investments while T&I chair Sam Graves seeks more advocacy.

ATC

Philippine Probe Rules Out Sabotage in New Year’s ATC Power Outage

An Philippine Senate investigation found no evidence of sabotage or a cybersecurity attack relating to Manila’s January 1 air traffic control power outage.

Stranded passengers during Manila ATC outage on Jan. 1, 2023

Regulations and Government

TSA Issues Cybersecurity Requirements for Aviation Industry

TSA-regulated aviation industry stakeholders will need to tighten their cybersecurity due to a new emergency amendment from the agency.

Regulations and Government

Aviation Groups Lash FAA's Proposed 5G AD

A broad-based coalition of aviation groups criticizes the FAA's proposed AD on 5G interference.

Regulations and Government

HAI Explores Rebranding To Reflect Evolving Priorities

The Helicopter Association International could soon be renamed to underline its commitment to new forms of vertical aviation.

Regulations and Government

House Aviation Panel Turns Focus Onto General Aviation

The House aviation subcommittee next is looking at general aviation issues as works toward a draft FAA bill.

Maintenance and Modifications

Yellowhead Chooses CAMP Health Management Tools

Yellowed Helicopters has selected Camp Systems for aircraft health management for its 48 aircraft.

Airlines

Airlines Fight New Flight Caps at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

A group of airlines and IATA are taking the Dutch government to court to prevent a limit on the number of flight movements at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Aircraft

AAIB Issues Safety Guidance in Wake of CL604 Flap Mishap

The UK AAIB is urging life limits for four relays and reassessment of the 600-series Challenger flap system following an uncommanded flap extension event.