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
Helicopter Pilot Arrested for Drunk Driving on Way to Work
A helicopter air ambulance pilot on his way to work was arrested for drunk driving after passing a sheriff's deputy's car.
Regulations and Government
U.S. Congress Heads into FAA Reauthorization Year
Lawmakers are optimistic that they will get an FAA reauthorization bill passed this year that will span five years and cover AAM, privacy, and workforce.
Aircraft
Airbus, Qatar Airways Settle A350 Surface Degradation Dispute
Following nearly two years of trading barbs, Airbus and Qatar Airways have reached an “amicable” settlement on their dispute over A350 surface degradation.
Regulations and Government
Teterboro Airport Gets FAA Nod on Noise Program
The FAA has approved a noise compatibility program for New York-area Teterboro Airport, with a few exceptions.
Environment
FAA Adds Continuous Descents at 11 More Airports
The optimized profile descents now available at 64 U.S. airports reduce aircraft fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Guides on Aircraft Registration Extension 'Nuances'
NBAA praised the extended aircraft registration and temporary certificate authorizations, but warned operators to remain aware of a couple of "nuances."
Accidents
Prelim Report Issued on Piper JetProp Fatal Crash
A newly released NTSB preliminary report offers few clues on why a Piper JetProp crashed on approach to the airport in Yoakum, Texas, on January 17.
Regulations and Government
Rep. Garret Graves Takes Helm of Aviation Subcommittee
Rep. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana) is moving from ranking member to chair of the House aviation subcommittee during an FAA reauthorization year.
ATC
FAA Clarifies Instrument Approach Categories
A revised FAA document offers expand guidance on what aircraft approach categories pilots should use for instrument procedures.
ATC
Revised North Atlantic Ops Manual Published
ICAO has revised its North Atlantic operations and airspace manual, and flight planner OpsGroup is helping pilots make sense of the changes via a summary.
Regulations and Government
Bizav Groups Praise SMS NPRM Comment Reprieve
The FAA has extended the deadline for comment on its NPRM for mandatory safety management systems to April.
Regulations and Government
U.S. House Passes Notam Improvement Measure
The U.S. House approved a measure to create a task force to probe necessary improvements in the notices to air missions (notam) system.
Regulations and Government
FAA Releases Part 135 Fatigue Recommendations
The report, which suggests alertness management programs, was submitted to the agency 18 months ago.
Airlines
Somalian Airspace To Become Class A, Restoring ATC Services
The installation of modern navigation aids ends a 30-year interruption of full air traffic control operations over Somalia and the surrounding region.
Accidents
NTSB Finds More Problems with Final Report on ET Max Crash
Ethiopian authorities say an electrical problem caused the Max 8’s left AOA sensor to fail, an assertion disputed by the NTSB.
Regulations and Government
CBAA Joins Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Task Group
The Canadian Business Aviation Association's participation in an industry-government advanced air mobility task group will help shape priorities for AAM.
Aircraft
Asean Carriers Prepare for Post-pandemic Rebound
2023 is already seeing airlines in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations restore service, expand fleets, and enhance air connectivity in the region.
Accidents
Boeing To Face Criminal Charges Related to Max Crashes
A Texas federal judge has ruled that Boeing must appear in court on January 26 for arraignment on criminal charges over two fatal 737 Max accidents.
Airports
Brazilian Air Force Go-to Guy Goes to Airports Council
Ex-Brazilian Air Force brigadier Ary Rodrigues Bertolino has joined the civilian ranks at Airports Council International Latin America and the Caribbean.
Airlines
Aviation Industry Applauds Delay of EU Biometric Border Checks
The EU has postponed the implementation of the Entry Exit System—the smart border system for non-EU nationals entering the bloc—beyond May.
Regulations and Government
FAA Chief: 5G Brings 'Sharp Focus' on Need To Look Beyond Industry
FAA acting Administrator Billy Nolen said 5G underscored that aviation is inextricably linked to other sectors and can no longer act as a closed society.
Airlines
Lufthansa Offers To Buy Stake in Italy’s ITA Airways
Lufthansa has eyed participation in ITA and its predecessor Alitalia for years, and now appears to stand as the only interested party in the flag carrier.
Regulations and Government
NATA To Seek Comment Extension on SMS Proposal
While industry is embracing the release of the proposal expanding SMS to Part 135, air tours, and manufacture, it is weighing effects on small operators.
Regulations and Government
Schumer Calls For Action on FAA Nomination
After the notam system failure, Schumer is calling for movement on the Washington nomination for FAA administrator as opposition ratchets up.
Regulations and Government
Cleveland Explores Shuttering Burke Lakefront Airport
Cleveland has begun economic and land use studies to determine the impact of closing the 76-year-old Burke Lakefront Airport.
Regulations and Government
Congress OKs Voluntary Age Limit for Large 91K, 135 Ops
Under a recently-passed measure, Part 91K and 135 operators now have the option of establishing a 70-year-old age ceiling for pilots.
Charter & Fractional
ACA Holding Another Action Day To Combat Illegal Charter
Marking the fourth anniversary of Emiliano Sala's death in an illegally chartered flight crash, the ACA will hold its second-annual Fly Legal Day.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: How To Protect Owner Privacy in Bizav
Privacy for business aircraft users is important, but far from guaranteed.
Airlines
FAA Attributes Failure of Notam IT System to Human Error
IT personnel failed to follow procedure while working on the computer system that generates Notams, according to the FAA.
Airlines
FAA Blames Damaged Database File for Notam System Outage
Investigations into the latest air transport system meltdown in the U.S. begin as traffic flows return to normal after a software glitch grounds flights.
