Within 6 Months
Sep. 14, 2015
Revised Means of Complying with Icing Certification
The European Aviation Safety Agency is proposing to introduce a new acceptable means of compliance with the certification specifications related to supercooled large droplet (SLD) icing conditions which may be used by large turbine aircraft and engine manufacturers. To this end, this notice of proposed amendment enables the use of a means of compliance based on “comparative analysis.” Manufacturers could be given “credit from previously certified large aeroplane type designs having proved to safely operate in SLD icing conditions.” Adoption of this rule will bring EASA SLD requirements in harmony with those of FAR Part 25, adopted on Nov. 4, 2014.
September 2015 (tentative)
Position Reporting Proposal From ICAO
Member countries of the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended the adoption of a tracking standard that requires aircraft crews to report their positions at 15-minute intervals. Adoption by the 36-state ICAO Council is expected as early as this fall. Operators would be able to comply with the mandate using existing and planned technologies and procedures, ICAO said. The proposal is considered a first step toward implementation of a more comprehensive three-tiered approach to tracking normal, abnormal and distress conditions.
Sept. 25, 2015 NEW
European Drone Operational Rules to be Proposed
The European Commission has tasked EASA with developing a regulatory framework for drone operations. In an advance notice of proposed amendment, EASA says the project will encompass European rules for all drones in all weight classes. The amendments to Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008, which are under way, will reflect the above objective. This change will be part of the “aviation package” legislative proposal scheduled to be issued in November this year by the European Commission.
Oct. 13, 2015 NEW
New Containment and Training Rules for USTs
Owners and operators of certain underground fuel storage tanks (USTs) are subject to new Environmental Protection Agency rules covering secondary fuel spill containment and operator training. For USTs on airports, the requirements apply to hydrant fuel distribution systems in which aircraft are fueled under high pressure with large-diameter piping. The new rules are effective Oct. 13, 2015.
Oct. 22, 2015 NEW COMMENT DEADLINE
Dispatcher Training
The FAA reopened the docket, added more supporting documents and set a new comment deadline of Oct. 22, 2015 for a proposal that could affect business aircraft operations that employ FAA-certified dispatchers. The agency wants to fix what it sees as a flaw in dispatcher certification courses. It says there is a need to establish a “formal policy” related to the operation and oversight of FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses because the current lack of a policy “has led to a wide range of inconsistencies with respect to individual course approvals.” According to the agency, the proposed guidance, contained in a revision of FAA Order 8900.1, and a new AC, will “clarify the requirements currently found in FAR Part 65, Subpart C.” The proposal was originally published last October and the comment period closed on Dec. 22, 2014. To date, there are 44 FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses.
Nov. 17, 2015 NEW
Bird Strike Certification Revisions
The FAA is seeking comments on the need for, and the possible scope of, changes to the bird strike certification requirements for FAR Part 25 transport-category airplanes. The agency is not currently proposing specific regulatory action but is gathering comments from airplane manufacturers and other interested parties on six specific questions about this subject. Two of the questions are: Should the bird weight requirement be applied consistently across the airplane structure, windshields and airfoils, and should the bird weight requirement be increased to eight pounds (from four in some cases) for all certification testing or to some other value? Comments are due Nov. 17, 2015.
Dec. 1, 2015 and Jan. 1, 2017
European Union Tcas Version 7.1 Directive
Turbine aircraft that are approved to carry at least 19 passengers, certified before April 1 last year and equipped with Tcas II version 7.0 must be upgraded to the latest version of 7.1 traffic alert and collision avoidance system software by Dec. 1, 2015. ICAO does not require that version 7.1 software be installed for international flights as a retrofit until Jan. 1, 2017. All other applicable airplanes were required to have 7.1 Tcas II software installed by April 1 last year.
Dec. 31, 2015
Deadline to Meet Stage 3 Noise Levels
Four months remain to the Dec. 31, 2015 deadline after which jets up to a mtow of 75,000 pounds may no longer operate in the contiguous U.S. unless they meet Stage 3 noise levels. When the rule was published on July 2, 2013, the FAA said the mandate affected 457 U.S.-registered owners of 599 principally Stage 2 business jets, though several models can now be, or will be able to be, hushkitted or re-engined to meet Stage 3 before the deadline. The rule also applies to non-U.S.-registered aircraft.
Within 12 Months
March 4, 2016
Contract Maintenance Requirements
Certain Part 135 on-demand operators have until March 4, 2016, to comply with new requirements. Under the new rules, Part 135 on-demand operations flying aircraft with 10 or more seats (excluding pilot seats) are required to develop FAA-acceptable policies, procedures, methods and instructions when using contract maintenance. It also requires these operators to provide a list to the FAA of all people with whom they contract their maintenance.
June 8, 2016
Europe ADS-B out Mandate
The ADS-B out requirement in Europe is June 8, 2016, for new aircraft and June 7, 2020, for retrofit. The date for retrofits is about six months later than the U.S. ADS-B out mandate.
Aug. 25, 2016
European Safety Standards for Private Operators
Europe’s new rules for so-called “noncommercial operations with complex motor-powered aircraft” will affect all private operations with large business turbine airplanes and helicopters. Between now and Aug. 25, 2016, which is the final deadline for implementation, owners must develop safety management systems and take other required steps to bring their aircraft and operations to a level of compliance that is “up to the safety standards of commercial operators.”
Beyond 12 Months
Jan. 1, 2020
U.S. ADS-B out Mandate
ADS-B out equipment must be operational starting Jan.1, 2020, in aircraft that fly in the U.S. under IFR and where transponders are currently required–namely, class A, B and C airspace.
