Dec. 2, 2014
Dispatcher Training
In a move that could affect business aircraft operations that employ FAA-certified dispatchers, the FAA is proposing a new policy to fix what it sees as a flaw in dispatcher certification courses. The agency says there is a need to establish 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.” Comments are due by December 22. To date, there are 44 FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses.
Jan. 1, 2015
Aircraft Maintenance Remains Off New OSHA Exemption List
OSHA issued a final rule, effective Jan. 1, 2015, updating the appendix of industries partially exempt from reporting and recording requirements because they have relatively low occupational injury and illness rates. Aviation-related industries remain non-exempt. The final rule also revises requirements for reporting work-related fatality, injury and illness information. The current regulation requires employers to report work-related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations of three or more employees within eight hours of the event. The new regulation requires employers to report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, as well as amputations and losses of an eye, to OSHA within 24 hours of the event.
Jan. 5, 2015
Airplane and Engine Icing Certification Rules Updated
Airworthiness standards applicable to FAR Part 25 transport-category turbine airplanes certified for flight in icing and the icing airworthiness standards applicable to the turbine engines that power these airplanes have been upgraded, effective Jan. 5, 2015, to address the most severe icing conditions. Specifically, the new requirements apply to large jets and turboprops most affected by supercooled large drops, mixed phase and ice crystal icing, and freezing drizzle and freezing rain. The amendments are based on an NPRM published in June 2010 and subsequent changes as a result of the comments from 31 individuals, trade groups and manufacturers. The FAA says that in addition to the certification cost incurred by manufacturers, the new amendments will cost operators on average $189 in additional annual fuel costs per aircraft.
Jan. 6, 2015
Simulator Proposal Comment Deadline Extended
The comment deadline has been extended 90 days, to Jan. 6, 2015, on a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 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 FAA said changes are necessary to fully implement training requirements that were adopted and published on Nov. 12, 2013. The proposal also addresses several recommendations from the NTSB and the FAA’s aviation rulemaking committee. The FAA says new technical standards are necessary 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.
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.
Feb. 6, 2015
Lithium Battery Transportation Requirements Stiffened
To prevent lithium battery fires and explosions, the FAA is modifying the requirements governing their carriage as cargo. This final rule revises hazard communication and packaging procedures and harmonizes Hazardous Materials Regulations with applicable provisions of the United Nations, ICAO and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods organization. The new rules have a compliance deadline of Feb. 6, 2015.
April 22, 2015
Corrections to New Helicopter Operating Rules
On February 21, 2014, the FAA published a final rule titled “Helicopter Air Ambulance, Commercial Helicopter, and Part 91 Helicopter Operations” (effective date April 22, 2015). In that final rule, the agency addressed helicopter ambulance operations and all commercial helicopter operations conducted under Part 135. The FAA also established new weather minimums for helicopters operating under Part 91 in Class G airspace. It has corrected Part 91.155 and removed duplicative flight visibility requirements for operations in Class G airspace. Also, the FAA fixed Part 135.609 to delineate VFR and IFR operations. Finally, the agency corrected Part 135.621(b) by clarifying the intended list of topics that must be included in the certificate holder’s FAA-approved medical personnel training program.
