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
European agency studies changes to frax regulation
On behalf of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), two separate task forces are tackling the vexed issue of regulating fractional ownership operat
Accidents
C208 Accidents Lead to NTSB Concern
The NTSB is recommending that pilots of Cessna 208 Caravans approved for flight into known icing conditions be required to undergo annual training for grou
ATC
Eurocontrol reduces its ATC charges
Operators will see en route ATC charges for most of Europe reduced by an average of 7 percent starting this month.
Regulations and Government
Most Support SIC Pilot Type Rating
Most of more than 35 respondents supported the FAA’s notice of proposed rulemaking–as is or with a few changes–to permit pilots serving as second-in-comman
Regulations and Government
Congress Tightens FAA Budget
The $388 billion omnibus spending bill Congress passed late last year cut the FAA’s budget for Fiscal Year 2005 to $13.6 billion, $219 million less than in
Regulations and Government
Medevac Opponent's Employee Gets a Helicopter Ride
The New Jersey State Police would like to permanently relocate one of the state’s medevac helicopter units to Somerset Airport (SMQ), near the middle of th
Regulations and Government
House Panel Backs Aerospace Training
The House Education and Workforce Committee endorsed a proposal calling for the Labor Department to establish a government program for aerospace workforce
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: May 2005
• Before Congress took a couple of weeks off beginning on March 20, there were 687 bills introduced in the Senate and 1,454 in the House of Representa
Safety
UK wants to change ‘polished frost’ rule
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is recommending that the FAA change its regulations to make it illegal for aircraft to take off with so-
Regulations and Government
Special routes for ‘quiet’ aircraft over Grand Canyon?
The FAA has issued a final rule establishing a class of “quiet technology” aircraft to fly commercial tours over Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP).
Regulations and Government
ERA pushes back hardon pax compensation regs
Regional airlines in Europe last month lodged a formal protest alleging that civil servants had misrepresented legislation about passenger compensation for
Regulations and Government
Pama Urges Day to Wright Brothers' Mechanic
The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) is asking the entire aviation community to call their Congressional representatives and ask for th
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: December 2005
• In view of the enormous funds allocated for hurricane relief ($62 billion to date with more to come) and a mounting budget deficit, President Bush and le
Regulations and Government
NBAA rallies troops for fight against user fees
The nation’s major airlines have declared war on business aviation and, as the weapon to win that war, they intend to push for ATC user fees to be levied u
Safety
AOPA asks FAA to retain some NDBs
In response to an FAA proposal to eliminate 479 “redundant” NDB approaches as a cost-saving measure, AOPA has given the agency a list of 57 NDB approaches
Regulations and Government
Pilot Busted for Drug Smuggling
AIN has confirmed that Franklin Rodriguez, the U.S.
Charter & Fractional
FAA Scrutinizing Charter Brokers
What is the role of an aircraft charter broker, do current regulations support this role and who has operational control on brokered flights? The FAA and D
Regulations and Government
Passport: Don’t Leave Home Without It
Flight crews and their passengers will be affected by a proposal from the Departments of State and Homeland Security to require a U.S.
ATC
Canada Says No Fee Increases in Near Term
Nav Canada, the company that runs Canada’s ATC system, reports that because of favorable financial results in its most recent quarter and the preliminary o
Regulations and Government
Stone resigns from top post at security agency
Retired Navy Rear Admiral David Stone, who earned high praise from general aviation groups as head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is
ATC
NBAA Clarifies RVSM Climb and Decent Speeds
An operational alert NBAA published last month requires some clarification.
Regulations and Government
ARC prepares Part 135 revisions for FAA review
The Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) helping the FAA revise the Part 125/135 rulebook has essentially completed its work, but it is continuing to fine-t
Regulations and Government
Pilot Takes Left Seat at NASA
Michael Griffin reported to work late last month as the 11th administrator of NASA.
Regulations and Government
Manifest Transmission Rules Refined
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) last month issued its final rule on the electronic filing of commercial aircraft passenger and crew manif
Regulations and Government
House mulls cabin air-quality regs
Regulation may be in the air for the cabins of commercial aircraft, though it is unclear which is more infectious: airborne particles or hysterical legisla
Regulations and Government
Europe ready to expand EASA’s regulatory role
The European Commission (EC) is moving quickly to extend the responsibilities of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to cover pilot licensing, aircr
Regulations and Government
Brazil’s senate approves civil aviation authority
Nearly six years after the creation of a civilian-run aviation agency was first proposed, the Brazilian Senate has approved a new civil aviation authority,
Safety
Tank Flammability Rules Proposed
Bizliner operators would be required to incorporate technology to meet reduced levels of flammability exposure in fuel tanks, under FAA proposed rulemaking
Regulations and Government
Comment period extended for ADIZ
As opposition continued to mount against a plan to make the Washington, D.C., air defense identification zone (ADIZ) permanent, Transportation Secretary No
