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.
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.
Charter & Fractional
FAA Floats SMS Reqs for Aircraft OEMs, Part 135 Ops
An FAA notice of proposed rulemaking would mandate safety management systems at aircraft manufacturers and Part 135 charter operators.
Regulations and Government
Graves, Larsen Take Reins of House T&I Committee
Reps. Sam Graves and Rick Larsen bring deep aviation policy backgrounds to their leadership roles on the T&I Committee during an FAA reauthorization year.
Regulations and Government
Slot Reservations Required for Superbowl LVII
With hundreds of private jets expected to descend on Arizona for the big game in February, a slot reservation system is now in effect for the area.
Airlines
EU Countries Join Moves to Re-start Covid Measures for China
European countries agree to a coordinated response to the Covid crisis in China.
Regulations and Government
Lack of Fuel Supply Halts Air Traffic In Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea’s Air Niugini ceases domestic flights after sole fuel supplier Puma Energy loses access to U.S. currency.
Regulations and Government
FCC Proposes Radio Licenses for UAS Operators
FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on mandatory radio licenses and potential spectrum interference for UAS operations.
Regulations and Government
Russian MRO Set to Make Parts for Western-built Aircraft
No international mechanism exists to prohibit the manufacture of Boeing and Airbus parts by Russia’s A-Technics.
Regulations and Government
White House Reups Washington Nom for FAA Administrator
The Biden Administration renewed its nomination of Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington after the Senate did not act on it last year.
Accidents
French BEA Concurs with NTSB on Gaps in ET Max Crash Report
France’s BEA joins call for Ethiopian authorities to amend final report on the March 2019 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Accidents
NTSB Cites Major Gaps in Ethiopian Final Report on Max Crash
Final report into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 fails to sufficiently consider flight crew performance, according to U.S. authorities.
Aircraft
New FAA Policy Could Delay Aircraft Transactions
U.S. aircraft owners could be forced onto foreign registrations by a new FAA privacy policy.
Regulations and Government
FAA Clears One-shot Covid Vaccine
The FAA has approved the one-shot Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine for pilots, air traffic controllers, and others subject to FAA medical clearance.
Environment
IRS Issues SAF Blender's Tax Credit Guidance
Following the establishment of a sustainable aviation fuel blender's tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the IRS has issued guidance.
Accidents
AINsight: Adaptations, Groupthink Down Twin Otter
Canada TSB drills down into group dynamics to find root cause of fuel starvation that led to a crash of a de Havilland Twin Otter.
Regulations and Government
Congress Funding Bill Addresses Certification, AAM
The $1.7 trillion government funding bill unveiled yesterday contains numerous provisions addressing key industry priorities, aviation advocates said.
Aircraft
Appropriations Deal Eases Boeing's Max Cert Burden
An amendment to the U.S. Congress's Appropriations Bill does away with a requirement for a crew alerting system upgrade for the Max 7 and Max 10 airliners.
Environment
4Air Launches Aircraft Emissions Reg Compliance Program
4Air has launched a regulatory monitoring and compliance program to help operators keep up with changing and growing aircraft emissions schemes.
