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.
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
Regulations and Government
Aerospace Worker Shortage Addressed
In one of its last acts before the 109th Congress ended last month, the Senate approved a House-passed bill that creates a federal Interagency Aerospace Re
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: January 2007
• Congress took a three-week break on November 16 to allow lawmakers to ponder the results of the election.
Regulations and Government
AOPA Sues N.Y. Over Background Check Law
AOPA and seven New York flight schools filed a lawsuit in federal court, challenging the constitutionality of the state law requiring criminal background c
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
Repair Station Quality Rules Proposed
Nine months later than planned, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for repair stations that would revise the system of ratings and requi
Regulations and Government
Age 60 Panel Issues a Split Decision
In what many observers predicted, the FAA/Industry Age 60 Aviation Rulemaking Committee was unable to reach consensus on whether to raise the mandatory ret
Regulations and Government
Approach Limits Raised in Canada
Responding to recommendations from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board after at least two low-visibility landing accidents, Transport Canada increased the
Airports
Will ’Voluntary’ Efforts by TEB Users Be Enough?
Six weeks after the Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group, a cooperative effort between airport users and neighboring residents, reached agreement on se
Regulations and Government
NATA Warns about Fuel Pump Requirement
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) warned its members of a new requirement imposed by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
