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
Libya Flight Restrictions Lifted
Effective last month, the FAA lifted its long-time prohibition against most flight operations to and from Libya, as well as overflight restrictions.
Regulations and Government
Congress Pulls an End Run on Age-60 Rule
The Senate voted late last night to extend the retirement age for Part 121 airline pilots to 65, sending the measure to President Bush to sign into law.
Regulations and Government
FAA extends deadline for Part 135 seating compliance
The FAA has extended the implementation deadline for the Handbook Bulletin for Airworthiness, 04-06D to August 31.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Commends FAA Decision on SMO
A decision by the FAA that the landing-fee structure at California’s Santa Monica Airport (SMO) unjustly discriminates against certain types of aircraft ha
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: February 2005
• The 108th Congress became history at the end of last year and its pending legislation died on the vine.
Regulations and Government
FAA seeks comment on Cape Town Treaty rules
The FAA is inviting comments on final changes to U.S.
Safety
NTSB Warning: Ice on Wings Doesn’t Fly
As a result of its ongoing investigation into the November 28 fatal takeoff accident of a Challenger 604 in Montrose, Colo., the NTSB has issued a special
Regulations and Government
Europe Extends ACAS II Exemptions to March 2006
Eurocontrol is offering equipment exemptions until March 31 next year for operators flying to Europe without ACAS II (TCAS with Change 7).
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: March 2006
• One of the annual Washington rituals calls for the President to send Congress an administration budget proposal for the next fiscal year.
Regulations and Government
EASA drafts proposal for expanded role
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has introduced a proposal to extend the scope of its regulatory activities to include “air operation, aircrew li
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: December 2007
• At press time, appropriations for the 12 government agencies were still in the holding pattern.
Regulations and Government
Bell 206 JetRanger reaches milestone 40th anniversary
Earlier this year, Bell Helicopter celebrated the 40th anniversary of its popular single-turbine light helicopter, the JetRanger.
Regulations and Government
European OEMs partner to study environmentally friendly helos
Archrivals AgustaWestland and Eurocopter will join forces on a major environmental research program that will include integration technology demonstrators
Regulations and Government
CHC Orders S-92s and AW139s
CHC Helicopter has ordered 12 Sikorsky S-92s and 13 AgustaWestland AW139s.
Regulations and Government
U.S. opts not to require 406 ELTs
Most pilots by now have heard about the plan to end satellite monitoring of emergency locator transmitter (ELT) distress signals broadcast over 121.5- and
Regulations and Government
FAA initiates overhaul of current notam system
There is general agreement that the FAA’s Notice to Airmen (notam) system is a conduit for often confusing information of marginal value and hopelessly wed
Regulations and Government
Comments due this month on border rule
After denying requests for an extension of the comment period on proposed new rules involving U.S.
Security
Anti-missile defense systems have legislators’ attention
Man-carried portable air defense systems (Manpads), also known as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, in the hands of terrorists have a lot of people ve
Regulations and Government
FAA Reauthorization Bill Still No Closer
Congress last month once again extended the FAA’s current authorization and aviation taxes until December 14, making it increasingly unlikely that the ques
Airports
State aviation directors’ creative solutions feted
State aviation directors across the country face myriad airport problems, including some that directly affect users, the future of airports and airport ope
Regulations and Government
Bonus depreciation spurs bizjet sales
At the NBAA Convention last month, credit for a recent increase in used aircraft sales was frequently given to the bonus depreciation benefit that is part
ATC
Contract-tower issue stalls FAA reauthorization
Although Congress passed a continuing resolution in late September that was to keep the FAA operating until October 31, the political firefight over contra
Regulations and Government
FAA adding EVAS to its entire fleet
For years, the marketers of the Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS) have been asking the FAA to require the product.
Regulations and Government
FAA Seeks Input on Existing Regs
The FAA last month issued a notice of proposed rulemaking requesting comments to identify regulations currently in effect that should be amended, removed o
Regulations and Government
FAA Wants Your Input on Existing Regs
The FAA today issued a notice of proposed rulemaking
Regulations and Government
Washington Report: ICAO Program Aims To Reduce Emissions
The International Civil Aviation Organization agreed at its fall meeting in Montreal to create a new group of senior government officials to recommend an a
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer: November 2007
• By a vote of 404 to 14, the House of Representatives passed a stopgap funding bill that would keep government agencies running until November 16.
Regulations and Government
Bizav bests airlines on RVSM compliance
The surprisingly high number of business aircraft that now comply with reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM)–and the number of service centers that a
