Sept. 26, 2014
Helicopter Ambulance Departure Rules Simplified
A recently published final rule of widespread revisions to Part 91 and Part 135 helicopter ambulance operations (effective April 22, 2015) does not provide a means for ambulance flights with IFR clearances to depart from airports not served with current weather observation reports. This direct final rule permits the pilots of a helicopter ambulance to assess the weather at a departure point where current weather observations are not available and allow the takeoff if the pilot sees that the ceiling and visibility are greater than published minimums for that location. The rule change allows helicopter ambulance flights to enter the National Airspace System under IFR when reported visibilities and ceilings are below VFR. Comments are due September 26.
Oct. 8, 2014
Simulator Device Maneuver Standards To Change
A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) seeks to amend qualification standards for some flight simulation training devices (FSTDs), specifically those capable of reproducing extended flight envelope and adverse weather training. The agency believes the industry needs new technical standards for evaluating an FSTD for full stall and stick-pusher maneuvers, upset recognition and recovery maneuvers, maneuvers conducted in airborne icing conditions, takeoff and landing maneuvers in gusting crosswinds and bounced landing recovery maneuvers. The standards are also expected to address various FAA aviation rulemaking committee and NTSB recommendations. Comments on the NPRM are due October 8.
Oct. 16, 2014
Salt Lake City Class B
Airspace Being Revised
The Salt Lake City, Utah Class B airspace is being modified. The description of Area C and Area O is being amended by raising the floor of a small portion of the Class B airspace between the surface and the Hill Air Force Base (AFB) Class D airspace. This action raises the Class B airspace floor in the northeast corner of Area C to 7,500 feet msl from 6,000 feet msl and redefines the new boundary segment using the power lines underlying the area. This action enhances the safety and flow of VFR aircraft transitioning north and south through the Salt Lake Valley over Interstate 15, the FAA said. The modification is effective October 16.
Oct. 17, 2014
EASA Moves To Permit Night/IMC Commercial SEIFR Ops
The EASA issued a long-awaited notice of proposed amendment (NPA) that would allow single-engine turboprops to fly commercial operations at night and in IMC throughout Europe. A few member states already allow some of their operators to conduct turboprop commercial single-engine IFR (SEIFR) flights under an exemption from EU-OPS rules, creating an “uneven playing field,” the EASA said. The NPA seeks to remedy this imbalance by allowing commercial SEIFR turboprop operations throughout Europe via “cost-efficient rules that mitigate the risks linked to an engine failure to a level comparable with similar operations with twin-turbine airplanes.” The EASA said the move would also harmonize its regulations with those of other major foreign aviation authorities, such as the FAA. Only the Cessna Caravan, Daher-Socata TBM 700/850 and Pilatus PC-12 turboprops currently meet this requirement, the EASA said. Comments are due by October 17.
Nov. 25, 2014
Charter Ops Included in European Rules
All non-European Union-registered commercial operators, including U.S. Part 135 charters, have until November 25 to apply for a third-country operator (TCO) authorization, a new EU air safety requirement to fly to, from or within the EU. The TCO authorization requirement also applies to EU overseas territories such as Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, St. Maarten, and Turks and Caicos. Each operator must complete an online application form on the EASA website, and then upload copies of its air operator certificate, operations specifications, certificate of incorporation or similar documentation, along with the airworthiness certificates of aircraft that will be flown into EU airspace. The EASA will confirm the operator’s eligibility for the TCO authorization, and then provide log-in credentials to a dedicated TCO website, which will be the primary method of communication between the operator and the EASA during the approval process.
Feb. 5, 2015
North Atlantic Datalink Equipment Mandated
Last December the FAA published a notam detailing plans for the rollout of Phase 2 of the North Atlantic datalink mandate. The notam was published in the Dec. 12, 2013 edition of Notices to Airmen, Domestic/International, Part 3, Section 2 (International Oceanic Airspace Notices). Implementation is scheduled to begin with Phase 2A on Feb. 5, 2015, at which time flights within the North Atlantic Tracks (NAT) between FL350 and FL390 must be equipped with Fans 1/A controller-pilot datalink communications and ADS-C systems. The program expands to these altitudes in the entire ICAO NAT region on Dec. 7, 2017 with Phase 2B, and to all flights in this region above FL290 on Jan. 30, 2020 with Phase 2C. During these stages, any aircraft not equipped with Fans 1/A (or equivalent) systems may request to climb or descend through NAT DataLink Mandate (DLM) airspace.
Apr. 1, 2015
UK Business Aircraft Passengers Subject to Tax Increase
Business aircraft passengers flying out of UK airports are facing rate increases of the air passenger duty (APD) tax of between 50 and 58 percent. Beginning April 1, 2015, the new rate of £426 ($690) will apply to aircraft weighing more than 20 metric tons (44,091 pounds) and with fewer than 19 seats on flights of more than 2,000 miles. For flights shorter than 2,000 miles, the rate will be £78 ($126). However, under wider changes that have seen the number of APD rate bands reduced to just two, charges for flights longer than 6,000 miles will be lower. The British Business and General Aviation Association has requested consultation with UK tax officials in a bid to secure further amendments to the changes before they take effect.
