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.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G700 Caught in Crosshairs of Max Fallout
Gulfstream G700 certification could be delayed by three to six months due to a new, additional requirement imposed by the FAA.
Regulations and Government
NFL Draft Draws Vegas Notam
With heavy traffic expected this weekend in Las Vegas for the NFL draft, a prior permission required program for transient GA aircraft has been instituted.
Environment
Industry Coalition Urges Action on SAF Tax Legislation
A broad-based coalition consisting of nearly 80 aviation stakeholders is urging Congress to enact a blender's tax to spur SAF investment.
Aircraft
Russia Ditches MC-21-300 To Focus on Indigenous Version
Sanctions imposed by the West have forced Russian industry to scrap plans for the Pratt & Whitney-powered MC-21-300.
Environment
NASA To Install Batteries in e-Aircraft Demonstrator
NASA’s electric experimental aircraft, the X-57 “Maxwell,” is nearing the end of ground tests and being prepared for the installation of batteries.
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Outlines Key Deadlines in Part 147 AMT School Rule
The FAA has included several key deadlines as part of an interim final rule overhauling aviation maintenance technician school regulations.
Regulations and Government
FAA To Provide Online Updates of Aeromedical Apps
The FAA created a new feature on its MedXpress system that enables medical certificate applicants to check on status throughout review process.
Regulations and Government
Eve and Zanite Plan To Complete Merger, IPO Next Month
Eve Urban Air Mobility and Zanite Acquisition expect to complete their merger on May 9 and then float shares in the new Eve Holding entity on the NYSE.
Environment
Biden Doubles Down on SAF Support
President Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable aviation and sustainable aviation fuel in remarks yesterday at an Iowa biofuel plant.
Airlines
European Commission Blacklists 21 Russian Airlines
Aeroflot, S7, UTair are among 21 airlines added to the EU’s Air Safety List.
Regulations and Government
Dandelion-derived Rubber Promising for Aircraft Tires
Goodyear is joining a U.S. Department of Defense-led project to test a dandelion species as a natural rubber source for aircraft tires.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: FAA Letters, Part 2
There is no time for pilots to delay action if they receive a letter from the FAA asking for additional medical intervention. Act immediately!
Airlines
For Now, Covid Remains a Bigger Drag on Air Transport than War
IATA says the fall-out from Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been relatively limited, with the exception of rising fuel prices and risks to leasing assets.
Charter & Fractional
Russian Bizav on Verge of Collapse as Sanctions Bite
Ukraine-war related sanctions has led to the almost complete collapse of the Russian business aviation industry.
Accidents
Av Groups Respond To Canada's Flight Recorder Proposal
The proposed amendment would require the installation of lightweight flight data recorders on nearly all Canadian-registered general and business aircraft.
Accidents
Cockpit Voice Recorder from China Eastern 737 Sent to U.S.
U.S. accident investigator NTSB confirms it has received the CVR from China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 for downloading.
Regulations and Government
DOT IG Critical of FAA's Counter-UAS Measure Oversight
The U.S. DOT’s inspector general office found that the FAA is lacking resources in its oversight of counter-UAS measures.
Aircraft
AerCap Works to Mitigate Losses Stemming from Ukraine War
Almost 5 percent of AerCap’s fleet remains in Russian hands.
Environment
EASA To Permit Bizjet Ops To Carry Less Extra Fuel
Some turbine aircraft operators in Europe will be able to reduce the amount of contingency fuel required, with the aim to reduce aircraft carbon emissions.
Regulations and Government
Ex-FAA Employee Sentenced for Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
Kevin Strong, a former FAA transportation specialist, was recently sentenced for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Aircraft
UK Indefinitely Detains Two Russian-owned Private Jets
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that a Global 6500 and a Citation Latitude owned by Eugene Shvidler have now been seized by the UK government.
Regulations and Government
Senate Passes Advanced Air Mobility Act
The Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act took a step closer to adoption with Senate passage.
Airlines
EC Transport Head Calls Out Turkey on Increase in Russia Flights
Calls for aviation solidarity among European countries during the Ukraine crisis are going unheeded by Turkey, says EC’s transport director.
Regulations and Government
EASA Slams the Door on Russian Aerospace
EASA has stripped Russian aircraft, MROs, and airlines of type and operating certificates.
ATC
HAI Pans FAA Report on BVLOS Uncrewed Aircraft Ops
HAI is opposing recommendations in an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee final report on uncrewed aircraft systems operating beyond the line of sight.
Environment
GAO: FAA Needs To Better Address Public’s Noise Concern
Despite advances in technology leading to quieter airplanes, the FAA needs to do more to address community concerns about aircraft noise, said the GAO.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Canada Revises Proposed Aircraft Luxury Tax
Canada has stepped back from its previous position that could have seen virtually all private aircraft purchased taxed as luxury “personal” aircraft.
Regulations and Government
General Aviation Orgs Mark Passing of Rep. Don Young
Young, a long-time member of the House General Aviation Caucus, was the chamber's oldest and longest serving lawmaker when he died March 18.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Isle of Man Register Ditches Russian Private Aircraft
Responding to sanctions against Russian individuals and companies over the invasion of Ukraine, the Isle of Man has deregistered multiple private aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
SocialFlight Launches Aviation Safety Videos
SocialFlight is now providing no-cost, on-demand video education for pilots, A&P/IAs, and other FAA-certified aviation maintenance technicians.
