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.
ATC
FAA orders 11 surveillance units from Sensis
The FAA placed production orders for 11 of Sensis’ airport surface detection equipment systems, Model X (ASDE-X).
Regulations and Government
Part 139 extends to small airports
A new final rule issued by the FAA last month will subject airports hosting scheduled flights in aircraft designed to hold between 10 and 30 passenger seat
Regulations and Government
FAA Wants To Hear From You
The FAA has mailed out invitations to participate in its 2006 General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey.
Airports
Comments due on noise plans for LIT and TOL
The FAA is reviewing proposed noise-compatibility programs submitted for Little Rock National Airport/Adams Field (LIT), Ark., and Toledo Express Airport (
Regulations and Government
AIP ruling is a boon for Iowa airports
The Iowa DOT’s office of aviation reports that the federal funding program approved by Congress and signed by President Bush last month bodes well for the
Regulations and Government
Omnibus is not omnipotent
The $328 billion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress to fund most federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2004 (until September 30) failed t
Regulations and Government
NTSB urges tighter repair station certification
Following its investigation of the Jan.
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer March 2004
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in late January announced that the federal deficit is expected to climb to $477 billion this year, up fro
Regulations and Government
Meeting at DCA hangar places TSA in hot seat
Can and should Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) be opened to general aviation and charter aircraft? That was the principal topic during an u
Regulations and Government
NTSB lashes out at FAA on maintenance scrutiny
The NTSB issued a scathing indictment of the FAA’s oversight of contract maintenance providers, essentially validating a DOT inspector general’s report tha
Regulations and Government
Bizav bonus-depreciation extension hits turbulence
Although the accelerated-depreciation bonus has been credited with a pickup in orders for new business jets, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Safety
NTSB reports increase in aviation accidents
No fatal accident involving Part 121 or 135 scheduled carriers occurred in 2002, versus three last year in which 24 people died, according to NTSB data.
Regulations and Government
Print name on aircraft registration form
Starting on June 1, the FAA will no longer accept aircraft registration applications (AC Form 8050-1) that do not contain the printed or typed name of the
Regulations and Government
FEDS asked to act on DCA access by August 1
“Secure Access,” a program that would add more requirements to the Transportation Security Administration Access Certificate (TSAAC) program currently bein
Regulations and Government
Jets To Be Certified under Commuter Rule
Because the Grob SPn Utility jet and the Embraer Phenom 300 weigh more than 12,500 pounds but less than 19,000 pounds, their respective manufacturers are r
Regulations and Government
ETOPS proposal flawed, say bizav trade groups
Lack of critical single-engine speed and distance data from manufacturers makes the FAA’s proposal to establish extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) thr
Charter & Fractional
Fired pilots, flight options fail to reach settlement
A scheduled mediation session failed to settle a lawsuit in which former Raytheon Travel Air pilots allege they were fired because of their union-organizin
Regulations and Government
Slots required for business aircraft at Luton
Effective March 25 all general aviation aircraft are required to have slots for landings and takeoffs at London Luton Airport.
Regulations and Government
ADs, SAIBs To Be Available Only by E-mail
The FAA will transition to e-mail distribution of ADs and special airworthiness information bulletins (SAIBs) and eliminate mailed paper versions.
Regulations and Government
User fees likely to meet resistance in Congress
As Congress began hearings last month on the Bush Administration’s plan to fund the FAA, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey attempted to do what one lawmaker
Regulations and Government
FAA issues final regulations governing private spaceflight
For many years, companies such as Space Expeditions, Space Adventures and even some airlines have been seriously talking about lofting paying passengers in
Regulations and Government
Cape Town forum updates operators
Anyone who has purchased an aircraft or airplane engine knows the process is complicated, especially when you consider the mountain of paperwork through wh
Regulations and Government
FCC Unlikely To Lift In-flight Cellphone Ban
Lingering uncertainty about whether cellphone calls placed by airline passengers would cause interference with the cell system on the ground has prompted t
Regulations and Government
Northeast Airspace Redesign Moves Forward
In a program that started more than 10 years ago, the FAA is now in the final stages of its northeast airspace redesign project, which involves “a wholesal
Regulations and Government
Comments Due on Air-taxi Disclosure Proposal
Today is the deadline for comments on a DOT advance notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) seeking input on a 2006 NTSB recommendation calling for air taxis
ATC
North American neighbors take different tacks toward ADS-B
Nav Canada last month awarded its national ADS-B program to Syracuse, N.Y.-based Sensis, and installation of the first system ground stations is now under
Regulations and Government
Washington Report: Congress tries end run on age 60
Although the FAA has finally acquiesced to allowing commercial pilots to fly past their 60th birthday, a group of legislators has introduced a bill that wo
Regulations and Government
Congressional Observer
Earmark or pork amendments were banned as the 110th Congress passed its Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res.20) to fund the nine 2007 appropriations bills that
