INFO Warehouse Page 8

7/15 GE Announces New Dual-Mode Hypersonic Ramjet Test Article - HERE    7/15 SpaceX failure grounds Falcon 9 rockets. When will launches resume at Cape Canaveral? - HERE    7/15 Southwest Airlines And Archer Aviation Partner On Electric Air Taxi Service In California - HERE     ICAO Launches Probe Of U.S. Aviation Safety Infrastructure - HERE    7/13 City of Watsonville discusses a three-year lease for Joby Aviation College - HERE     7/13 Joby Stretches The Legs Of Its Hydrogen-Electric Variant To 523 Miles - HERE    7/9 Boeing Plea Deal Brings Defense Contract Scrutiny - HERE    Firefighters use aircraft to battle wildfire outside airport in California - HERE    7/4 American Airlines Eyes Hydrogen-Powered CRJ700s - HERE    7/1 DOJ Tells Boeing It Will Be Charged With Fraud, Crash Victims Respond - HERE     6/30 Lyondell Temporarily Withdraws Unleaded Fuel ASTM Test Specification - Clarification: Lyonell continues to pursue their unleaded fuel testing in the PAFI program, this only relates to their ASTM pursuit where they will review and resubmit. -HERE    6/28 GKN Aerospace to expand California plant -HERE    6/21 Van Nuys Airport tenants lead the way in sustainable aviation - HERE    6/19 Archer Aviation signs landmark deal to operate eVTOL air taxis out of airports around the US - HERE

Here is our Website's Shelf Space - Page 8

A Vast Amount of Data on this Page

Important Safety Messages can be found here!  Featured and Important Stories from SCAUWG.ORG that remain valuable sources of pertinent content can now be accessed here!

Our INFO Warehouse is designed to be a living reference area where certain previously published HOTNEWS articles and previously published aviation data can be memorialized and referred to, so that the message conveyed can continue to benefit site users.

Do you have comments/suggestions/submissions/opposing positions for this page?  They are   welcomed.  Just drop a message for us at SCAUWG@Earthlink.net

 

New Posts begin after Preface

Preface:           

VECTORS FOR SAFETY LOGOVectors for Safety - a wonderful source for Aviation News, Professional Commentary and Accident Analysis is published monthly by Gene Benson and is now a permanent "Top of the Page" feature of our INFO WAREHOUSE.

To View the July '24 Vectors for Safety CLICK HERE

 

        Selected CHARTING NOTICES              FAA Safety Alerts and Charting Notice List Here.

01/10/2023  - Non-Public Airports Charted on VFR Aeronautical Charts - Effective November 3, 2022 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aeronautical charts will remove all references to emergency use at private airports. The words “emergency or” shall be deleted from VFR aeronautical chart legends in reference to private airports. Beyond the December 29, 2022 effective date private airports with landmark value will be determined using the criteria below.
-Airport operational status
-Airspace determination
-Length and surface of runway(s)
-Owner’s charting preference
-Satellite imagery
-National Airspace System Resource (NASR) remarks specific to the airport
-Airport significance relative to surrounding chart features
For aeronautical data or charting inquiries visit the Aeronautical Information Portal at https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/controllers/PublicSecurity/nfdcLogin.

02/22/2023  - Airport Diagrams - Addition of Lighting and Navigational Aids - Starting with the October 5, 2023 publication cycle, AIS will begin phasing in the addition of lighting and NAVAID information beginning with airports already being revised for information currently published on an airport diagram. As each airport diagram receives the lighting and NAVAID information, the airport’s corresponding Chart Supplement sketch will be removed from the Chart Supplement airport entry. The described aeronautical information previously shown on the sketch will be now available on the diagram instead in greater detail.  More info HERE.

03/09/2023 - Foreign Data on Enroute IFR Aeronautical Charts - This notice advises of aeronautical content changes in foreign areas on Enroute IFR Charts anticipated with the June 15, 2023 (or later) effective date. See the notice Here.

07/19/2023 - Changes to Wind Turbine Farms on the VFR Sectional Chart - Effective on or about August 10, 2023, the FAA’s Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Visual Charting Team will begin implementing charting enhancements to Sectional Aeronautical Charts, VFR Terminal Area Charts, and Helicopter Route Charts to more clearly depict the location of wind turbine farms. This change will also be published in the Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide at bit.ly/FAAChartGuide.

The VFR charting changes will:

  1. Replace the current dashed line border with a zipper border (aviation blue) for easier identification of the boundaries of the wind turbine farm.
  2. Add 45-degree (diagonal) cross-hatching lines within all wind turbine farms for increased conspicuity.
  3. Revise the masked elevation box to include a white background and include the mean sea level (MSL) elevation figure of the highest obstruction (wind turbine rotating blade tip at the 12 o’clock position) within the wind turbine farm. The letters UC are added to depict a wind turbine farm Under Construction.       -  MORE  HERE       

        Added to the Chart Sup!

12/06/2023 - The Arrival Alert Notice (AAN) will become part of the FAA Chart Supplement beginning with the January 25, 2024 effective date publications. These Arrival Alert Notices are graphics visually depicting the approach to a particular airport with a history of misalignment risk, and language describing the misalignment risk. When an AAN exists for an airport, it will be indicated in the Airport/Facility Directory section at the end of the AIRPORT REMARKS field for the specific airport. The AAN graphic will appear in the Special Notices section.    See a further explanation and examples of the new plan HERE.

Aeronautical Charting Meeting  (Charting Group)

  • The Aeronautical Charting Meeting (ACM) is a public meeting held two times every year. The purpose of the ACM is three-fold:
    • Identify issues concerning safety and usefulness of aeronautical charts and flight information products/services.
    • Discuss and evaluate proposals concerning aeronautical charts and flight information publications, digital aeronautical products, database coding, instrument flight procedures, and instrument flight procedure development, policy, and design.
    • Provide an opportunity for government and interested participants to brief and/or discuss new navigation concepts, terminal instrument procedures (TERPS) policy/criteria changes, and charting specifications and methodologies.

    The Aeronautical Charting Meeting is divided into two groups — the Instrument Procedures Group (IPG) and the Charting Group (CG) See Order 7910.5.

    The CG portion of the ACM includes briefings and discussions on recommendations regarding aeronautical charts and flight information products/services. Please visit the ACM Instrument Procedures Group Web Site for information regarding Instrument Procedure issues.

    The meeting is a facilitated discussion of new and outstanding topics. The status of an open issue will be reported from meeting to meeting until a resolution is reached, at which point the issue will be closed.

    • From: 9-AMC-AVS-ACM-Info (FAA)
      Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 8:09 AM
      Cc: 9-AMC-AVS-ACM-Info (FAA) <9-AMC-AVS-ACM-Info@faa.gov>
      Subject: Aeronautical Charting Meeting 24-01 Meeting Details

      Aeronautical Charting Group (CG) and Instrument Procedures Group (IPG) Participants:

      Agendas and new recommendation documents will be posted prior to the meeting on the Aeronautical Charting Meeting Charting Group and Instrument Procedures Group web pages located at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/acf/ and https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs400/afs420/acfipg/. The agendas are attached to this email as well.

      The dates and times (all times are Eastern) for the meeting will be:

      • Monday, 22 April, 1000 - 1700: IPG
      • Tuesday, 23 April, 1000 - 1700: IPG
      • Wednesday, 24 April, 1000 - 1700: CG
      • Thursday, 25 April, 1000 - 1700: CG

      The virtual meeting rooms will be open roughly 30 minutes before the beginning of the meeting each day and that will be reflected in the Zoom meeting info, but the actual meeting times will be as noted above.

      The details for registering for the virtual Zoom meetings are below. To have a comprehensive attendance roster, we require registration for this Zoom meeting. You must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app to join. You will not be able to join using the web client. Once you register, you’ll receive an email with details for joining the meeting. You can register at any time; you don’t have to wait for the day of the meeting. The meeting information will be the same for all four days. Once you’ve registered and received the login information, you’ll use it again for the following days.

      When you register, your registration approval page will include a drop-down labeled “Add to calendar” which will allow you to add the meeting to your Google, Outlook, or Yahoo calendar.

       Zoom meeting information for Aeronautical Charting Meeting 24-01, 22-25 April 2024

      Register in advance for this meeting:  https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-GupjMvHATHGbI9UO0Tslz8x4o9Jg8

      Aeronautical Charting Meeting (ACM) — Charting Group

      October 2023 Mtg.:

      MANUALS You May Need:

MANUALS You May Need:

 

        NEWEST AERONAUTICAL CHART USRS GUIDE

The Chart Users' Guide is updated when there is new chart symbology or when there are changes in the depiction of information and/or symbols on the charts. It will be published in accordance with the 56-day AIRAC schedule.

Effective Date: 05/16/2024

INTRODUCTION

This Chart Users' Guide is an introduction to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) aeronautical charts and publications. It is useful to new pilots as a learning aid, and to experienced pilots as a quick reference guide

 

        AVIATION MX HUMAN FACTORS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

The Aviation MX Human Factors Quarterly is no longer published but was written by maintenance human factors professionals dedicated to identifying and optimizing the factors that affect human performance in maintenance and inspection and is still relevant.

2021

  • September (PDF), Volume 9, Issue 3
  • June (PDF), Volume 9, Issue 2
  • March (PDF), Volume 9, Issue 1

For a COMPLETE LIST of  MX HUMAN FACTORS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS 2021-2013 and ARTICLES on TOPICS that Include, Past Issues of the MX Fatigue FOCUS NEWSLETTERS,  GENERAL FATIQUE, MAINTENANCE FATIQUE, & FATIQUE RISK MANAGEMENT -  CLICK HERE.

 

        FATIQUE RISK MANAGEMENT

Publications and Articles - View publications and articles about human fatigue, shift work, maintenance personnel fatigue, and fatigue risk management.

      General Fatigue and Maintenance Fatigue Papers   Collection of Important Information from FAA.GOV.  CLICK HERE

Also, see FAASAFETY.GOV Human Factors Training Courses:  ALC-731

 

        IFP Announcements and Reports

The ILS Procedures and Components List (below) is a full list of ILS procedures and related components within the NAS. This list includes all Category I, II, III approaches as well as Special Authorization Category I and II. The sortable list can be downloaded and is updated with the normal instrument procedure charting cycle. The information contained in the ILS Procedures and Components List is extracted from Aeronautical Information Services databases. It should not be used for navigation or flight planning. Information on GPS/WAAS approaches.

The table below provides announcements and reports related to new Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) development in the National Airspace System (NAS).  ILS Procedures and Components List Eff:Nov 30 2023 (MS Excel)

 

        Proposed Instrument Flight Procedures - Care to Comment?

 

This Page [latest] was added on 03/30/24  -  See Pages  IW 1-7 for Previous Posts  -  Thank You! 

Let's Begin: 

07/13/2024   City of Watsonville discusses a three-year lease for Joby Aviation College - From KION - "WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KIONTV) -- The Watsonville City Council will discuss approving a three year aeronautical commercial lease Tuesday for Joby Aviation College on 170 Aviation Way. The city said that the three-year plan would take effect July 15, 2024 through July 14, 2027. - The Watsonville Municipal Airport confirmed Monday that Joby Aviation College would be Joby's first aviation college and it would elevate the airport to be one of the few training for vertical aircraft. This would be the airport's fourth flight school. - If approved, Joby Aviation College would occupy 6,709 square feet of office, hangar and storage space at $5,416 per month, and another 3,840 square feet of dedicated ramp space for approximately $385, according to the City of Watsonville. The rent will adjust each year in July in accordance with the consumer price index. - The city's Airport Enterprise Fund would collect the lease revenue, which the city believes "will be on-going positive financial impacts as part of the airport’s economic goals and objectives."

07/13/2024   Joby Stretches The Legs Of Its Hydrogen-Electric Variant To 523 Miles - From AVweb - "Joby announced earlier this week it has successfully completed a 523-mile flight of its hydrogen-electric concept aircraft. The flight occurred on June 24 over Marina, California, and included vertical takeoff and landing capability. - The hydrogen-electric variant of Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed as a complement to the fully electric version, which has much shorter range and is envisioned as an urban transport." Read More Here.

07/13/2024   On July 10, 2024, the Drug Abatement Division published a new Advisory Circular, AC 120-126, which provides guidelines for establishing, implementing, and maintaining a drug and alcohol testing program in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 120 and Title 49 of the CFR (49 CFR) part 40. A link to the AC will be available on our ‘FAA Guidance’ webpage and ‘How to Start a Program’ webpage for future reference. - Please remember to visit the FAA’s website at www.faa.gov/go/drugabatement often for updated resources, new or updated guidance, and other useful materials.  

07/10/2024   The June 2024 edition of the Airman Testing Community Advisory (ATCA) is now available on faa.gov at the following link: http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/

07/10/2024   Narrowing the gap between U.S., European eVTOL certification regulations - From Vertical Magazine - "Revised type certification requirements released by U.S. and European aviation regulators provide welcome news for eVTOL developers looking to type certify in both regions. - eVTOL firms looking to certify in the U.S. and Europe might have been pleased to see the release of documents detailing the harmonization progress of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) eVTOL certification.  -  “Archer is encouraged to see the FAA and EASA draw closer to harmonization of eVTOL certification standards … and believes that achieving full harmonization would be a tremendous benefit to the flying public, as well as the eVTOL industry,” said Billy Nolen, Archer’s chief regulatory affairs officer. - Those at Beta Technologies noted that..."   Continue Here.

07/08/2024   UAVIONIX ENABLES GROUND SURVEILLANCE FOR RUNWAY SAFETY - From AOPA - "uAvionix, an aviation technology company known for its ADS-B transponders and related equipment, said it delivered its surface situational awareness systems to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and Indianapolis International Airport. Air traffic controllers are to begin using the safety systems on June 30. Read More about This Here.

07/08/2024    FAA SAFETY BRIEFING - The July/August 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine explores the critical role flight instructors play in keeping the National Airspace System safe and preparing the next generation of pilots. - Feature articles focus on instructional best practices as well as the many tools and educational resources that can help sharpen your teaching skills. - Download the Issue Here.

07/08/2024   Just Say 'NO" - VIDEO - FAA -  The most decisive word often missing from a pilot’s vocabulary is “no.” Pilots are decision-makers who are go-oriented and focused on completing the task at hand. When “no” is the correct answer, it is the only answer. - View the JUST SAY NO Video Here.

07/08/2024   TAA New Board of Directors Elected -  The following Directors were elected for 2024/2025.: Congratulations and success to all!

  • Peter Broen
  • Fred Bongard
  • Roy Schwarz
  • Rick Bohner
  • Chris Harshman
  • Anne Minder
  • Barry Jay

07/08/2024   Keeping an Eye on the Storm -A wild hurricane season could be ahead this year.- From FLYING - "Hurricane season is here.- The Atlantic hurricane season officially began June 1 and runs through November 30. While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has not released its official forecast for 2024 as of this writing, in an average Atlantic hurricane season the U.S. experiences 14 named storms, seven of which are hurricanes and three are major hurricanes."  Read the story Here.

07/06/2024   Mountain Flying - VIDEO - From AOPA Archives - "This AOPA Air Safety Institute video defines the challenges of mountain flying and how to minimize risks."

07/06/2024   Alternator failure - From AOPA - While keeping an eye on aircraft voltage is never a bad idea, electrical failure (on a clear day) should not provoke undue concern. Continue

07/06/2024   BACKCOUNTRY CAUTION ADVISED - Growing crowds, aeronautical challenges - From AOPA - "The AOPA Air Safety Institute cautioned pilots and organizers of backcountry events to be prepared for wind shifts, traffic management challenges, and high density altitude at larger events as interest in off-airport operations continues to grow."  Full Story Here.

07/06/2024   TRAINING AND SAFETY TIP: CHECK IT OUT - From AOPA - "I was recently at my small local airport when two transient airplanes flew in. The pilots stayed for a couple of hours, didn’t purchase fuel, and remained within sight of their aircraft the entire time. - What’s the harm in taking a few extra minutes to ensure there are no obvious and visible items of concern? Tires, brakes, fuel tanks, and flight controls can be checked quickly. Even if the aircraft flew well en route and nothing was squawk-worthy when landing, there’s always the possibility of subtle problems that are just beginning to develop and not yet obvious in flight. "  Full Story Here.

07/06/2024   Business Aviation Insider: Technology Issue  -  VERY IMPRESSIVE From NBAA -  "The July/August 2024 Technology Issue of NBAA’s Business Aviation Insider magazine is now available, including a feature article on the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence software and potential uses for AI in the business aviation sector. This issue also takes a deep dive into how the roles of aviation maintenance technicians may change with the rise of advanced air mobility aircraft. Also, don’t miss our expert guidance for operators looking to improve onboard connectivity. Selected Article Links Follow:

Will the AI Revolution Include Business Aviation? - HERE

AAM Is Poised to Change Aviation Maintenance

Experts: FMS-Guided Visual Approach Technology Enhances Safety

Resources: Technology

Affected Operators Should Act Now on Expanded SMS Mandate

Flight Crews: Prep for Extremely Busy South Florida Airspace

Flight Crews: Update on MEL Clarifications for Trips to Europe

07/04/2024   InFO 24008 Alleged Improper Maintenance of Aircraft Engines and Propellers, is now published. - This InFO provides information to aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of issues found during routine surveillance of Puerto Rico Industrial Non-destructive Testing (PRINDT) and Arlet Aviation, LLC. - The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link, - https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/

07/04/2024   Lawmakers Look To Boost FAA Funding - From AIN - "Airport grants would increase to $4 billion in line with the FAA reauthorization bill" - "The FAA is staged to receive a $1.576 billion boost under a Fiscal Year 2025 funding bill approved by the House transportation, housing, and urban development (THUD) subcommittee last week. Approved by voice vote, with some on the Democrat side stating opposition to lack of Amtrak funding and other non-FAA-related items, the bill would provide $21.657 billion for FY2025, which starts October 1." More Here.

07/04/2024   SAFO 24004, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Transmitter Anomalies, is now published. - Aircraft equipped with uAvionix tailBeacon or skyBeacon ADS-B 978 MHZ Universal Access Transmitters (UAT) that are improperly paired with Mode S transponders have been found to emit erroneous and unreliable ADS-B performance parameters. The performance parameters are defined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 91 § 91.227. - The SAFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link, - https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos/

07/04/2024   FAA Greenlights New Las Vegas Area Airport - "Plans to break ground on a new Las Vegas airport are progressing following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) recent approval of the project. Las Vegas Executive Airport will be located some 30 miles west of Harry Reid International Airport and will accommodate single-engine, multi-engine and rotorcraft operations. Clark County Commissioners unanimously approved runway construction for the project, which is set to begin in the coming months. - Officials involved with the development told local news outlet KVVU Las Vegas that the new site will capitalize on events like F1 and others that exceed the capacity for transient aircraft and private jets. Continue Here.

07/04/2024   JASON SHAPPERT Presents: "Creative Teaching Techniques for Young Learners" - VIDEO - WINGS CREDIT - "In the realm of aviation education, flight instructors are continuously learning and evolving to effectively teach the next generation of pilots. Jason Schappert, the founder of MzeroA, offers valuable insights into creative teaching techniques tailored for young learners. His focus is on adjusting teaching methods, marketing approaches, and overall instructional approaches to cater to the younger generation of aviators. - Schappert underscores the significance of adapting teaching strategies to suit the learning preferences and styles of young learners."  Watch The VIDEO Here.

07/03/2024   Experts: FMS-Guided Visual Approach Technology Enhances Safety - From NBAA - "Even the biggest and busiest business aviation airports have visual approaches that require some type of circling turn from a fix to the runway’s final track. While it may not seem like this kind of maneuver would cause serious issues for highly trained pilots, flight operations quality assurance data proves it all too often can. - “A frequent destination is Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM) in Southern California, and we go there frequently at night,” explained..."  Continue Here.

07/01/2024   AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE: GOOD CYLINDERS GONE BAD - From AOPA - "Replacing cylinders on an aircraft engine is a significant investment, one that can easily go south if you and your mechanic don’t pay attention to the details."  Continue Here.

07/01/2024   Biden-Harris Administration Airport Improvement Grant - $8.2 million to Hollywood Burbank Airport in California: This grant funds the third phase of construction for a new terminal building. This phase consists of construction of the foundation and waterproofing to meet design standards.

07/01/2024    Business Aviation Safety Still Has Room To Grow - From AIN Online - "To reduce the frequency of preventable incidents in business aviation, operators must implement safety management systems, fully commit to following appropriate procedures and end an increasing complacency in the industry, said experts at the National Air Transportation Association's Air Charter Summit in Oklahoma City. "There is still such a pervasive check-the-box culture, though we're making all the right motions with SMS right now," said Stephan Burgess, emergency operations center manager with crisis management company Fireside Partners. "Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons..."  Continue Here.

07/01/2024   City Cleared To Begin Phasing Out Banning Municipal Airport - FROM AVweb 5/27 - "An amendment attached to the recently passed FAA Reauthorization Act releases the city of Banning, California, from its obligation to keep its city-owned airport in operation, opening the door to begin phasing the airport out. The non-tower facility, roughly 10 miles west of Palm Springs International Airport, has a 5,000-foot runway. According to the most recent AirNav data (calculated as of year-end 2023), it is home to 22 single-engine aircraft, two multi-engine aircraft and one helicopter. It averages 105 operations per week—75% of which are transient. - The city has been trying to close the airport since 2017, following its..."  More Here.

06/30/2024   History: The Story Of Los Angeles' Cerritos Air Disaster -  From Simple Flying -  "On August 31, 1986, a tragic midair collision occurred over Cerritos, California, involving a Piper PA-28-181 and an Aeromexico DC-9-32. The Piper entered the Los Angeles Terminal Control Area (TCA) without authorization and collided with the descending Aeromexico flight, killing all 67 people on both aircraft and 15 people on the ground. - The subsequent investigation highlighted the limitations of the "see and avoid" concept in preventing midair collisions. As a result, significant changes were made, including the expedited development and implementation of the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and a redesign of the national airspace system to better separate VFR and IFR aircraft. These measures have drastically reduced the incidence of midair collisions involving commercial aircraft."

Webmaster: This accident inspired the creation of SCAUWG under the aegis of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Pat Carey destined to become SCAUWG chairman specifically cites this accident as his inspiration for his commitment to LA Airspace Safety. SCAUWG, now an independent group continues to try and innovate airspace safety. Pat actually was in the air that day and overview the accident scene, one that he swears will never be forgotten.  READ the FULL ARTICLE HERE.

06/28/2024   Into the Future - Flying skills, particularly instrument skills, decay if they are unused, and the essential resource to prevent that degradation is time spent exercising those skills. But finding that precious time can be challenging. Technology can play an important role in keeping pilots’ skills sharp, allowing them to practice skills like flight planning and briefing anywhere and anytime. To learn how to leverage technology to build proficiency in today’s busy world, read “Into the Future” at https://medium.com/faa/into-the-future-37f219d10415 in the May/Jun 2024 issue of the FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire IFR flying issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

06/28/2024   Striving for Zero Serious Close Calls on the Nation’s Runways During One of the Busiest Summers in Years - As part of the comprehensive effort to end serious close calls, the FAA is working with airports across the nation to reduce the risk of vehicle and pedestrian deviations on the airfield as travel picks up this summer. The agency sent airport directors refreshed training materials on vehicle/pedestrian deviations, including this video (youtube.com/watch?v=6-_fWCpMdM4). The video emphasizes the need to improve procedures on the airfield and enhance situational awareness of critical airport changes, construction, safety-area boundaries, airport-specific hotspots, and to use clear and concise communication with the control tower or other aircraft and surface vehicles.

Here are some additional initiatives that help protect the traveling public:?

  • The FAA has installed Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) or Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) at 44 of the nation’s busiest commercial airports, and installed Approach Runway Verification (ARV) in 13 control towers with more locations on the way.
  • The FAA will install the Surface Awareness Initiative system at Austin-Bergstrom, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Dallas Love Field airports this summer and at scores of other airports by the end of 2025. Runway Incursion Devices will be installed at five airports for evaluation before the end of this year and be deployed to 74 airports in 2025.
  • The FAA holds regular runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country, and issues arrival alert notices?for pilots and controllers.
  • The FAA is accelerating air traffic controller hiring and enhancing controller safety training with modernized tower simulators.?

Learn more at https://www.faa.gov/closecalls.

06/28/2024   FAA Says Warranties Up To Manufacturers - From AVweb - "The FAA is staying out of the controversy over warranty issues concerning the use of GAMI’s G100UL. Cirrus Aircraft and Lycoming have both said they don’t consider G100UL an approved fuel and confirmed its use could affect warranty claims." Read it Here.

06/28/2024   FAA Can Track More Space Vehicles During Launch and Reentry - The FAA can now track the vehicles of three additional space companies in near-real time during their launch and reentry operations for safety and airspace efficiency. Virgin Galactic, Sierra Space and Firefly will transmit vehicle telemetry data - such as position, altitude, and speed – to the FAA via the Space Data Integrator (SDI) tool. SDI data increases situational awareness, helps to reduce airspace closures, and contributes to safety for all airspace users. The three companies join SpaceX in sending SDI data to the FAA.

06/28/2024   Congress Extends Commercial Human Spaceflight Learning Period - Congress extended the commercial human spaceflight learning period until Jan. 1, 2025. This means the FAA remains prohibited from issuing regulations for occupant safety. The FAA is managing a rulemaking committee examining possible future regulations and is working with stakeholders to develop voluntary consensus standards. In addition, the agency updated its recommended practices. Learn more about the FAA oversight of commercial human spaceflight.

06/28/2024   Airport Improvement Program Grant Awarded: $3.8 million to John Wayne Airport - Orange County in California: This grant funds the purchase of a new escalator in Terminal A and new escalator in Terminal B.

06/28/2024   FAA Space Report - FAA - One-Stop Shop for FAA Commercial Space Documents - Effective June 30 all of the regulatory based documents of the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation will be available in an online one-stop shop. It will serve as an archive for historical information and will be updated contemporaneously with current documents. The initiative is to improve communication with the industry as the FAA continues to enable safe space transportation. Watch a tutorial video for more information.

Effective June 30 all of the regulatory based documents of the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation will be available in an online one-stop shop. It will serve as an archive for historical information and will be updated contemporaneously with current documents. The initiative is to improve communication with the industry as the FAA continues to enable safe space transportation. Watch a tutorial video for more information.

06/25/2024   New NBAA Resource Aims to Clarify Part 135 Takeoff Obstacle Clearance Requirements - From NBAA - "“Airport Runway Obstacle Analysis & FAA InFo 23009 Compliance: A Guide for Part 135 Operators” details how business aviation flight departments can implement third-party airport runway obstacle analysis software and gain approval under OpSpec [operational specification] A009 and incorporate that guidance into daily operations, company manuals, standard operating procedures and training events."  Get the Story and the Guide Here.

06/25/2024   AINsight: Beware of Erroneous Takeoff Parameters - From AIN - "Fat fingers and lack of situational awareness during takeoff can ruin your day - Several studies have identified the use of erroneous takeoff parameters as a safety issue. All pilots are vulnerable because the problem is not specific to any one aircraft type, region, or operator. Using erroneous takeoff parameters can result in early rotation causing a tail strike, collision with obstacles in the departure path, loss of control after takeoff, or a runway overrun.- Several recent incidents and accidents have involved intersection takeoffs, where pilots either take off from the wrong intersection or make errors while calculating takeoff performance parameters."  Full Article Here

06/25/2024   The Importance of Embracing Proficiency Culture - From FLYING - Instructors and pilots must train often to avoid mistakes -  and stay safe. - You have to remember so many things as a pilot that it is easy for your knowledge to get a little soft. When was the last time you reviewed something in the FAR/AIM or read a chapter from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge or Airplane Flying Handbook—without it being part of a check ride or flight review? - Just as we make time to fly those takeoffs and landings in excess of the three within 90 days for currency, a good pilot should make the time to review the knowledge required to hold..."  From Meg Godlewski, read it Here.

06/23/2024   What Is EICAS & What Does It Do? - From Simple Flying - "The abbreviation EICAS is self-explanatory once you have the entire phrase, Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). The system, found mainly on Boeing and Embraer aircraft and other manufacturers’ cockpits, shows certain engine and other parameters. The system can also showcase various faults, prompting pilots to review their Quick Reference Handbook (QRH)." Read More Here.

06/22/2024   Inflight Lithium Ion Battery Fires: What Operators Need to Know - From NBAA Business Insider - "A smoke, fire or extreme heat incident involving lithium ion batteries takes place aboard an aircraft more than once per week on average in the U.S., making it imperative for operators to fully understand these dangerous events and to prepare crews with safety training. - FAA data shows the scope of the threat: In 2023, more than one Li-ion incident occurred aboard an aircraft each week. Specifically, the agency said there were 208 issues with lithium ion battery packs, 111 with e-cigarettes and vaping devices, 68 with cell phones and 60 with laptop computers. (The FAA doesn’t offer incident data by aircraft type.) Read Full Article Here.

06/21/2024   8 Types of Medications That Can Make It Harder to Handle the Heat - Common drugs could make hot days more dangerous for many older adults - From AARP - "Temperatures are soaring in many regions of the country, putting many people — especially older adults, who are most vulnerable to heat’s dangers — at risk for heat-related illness, even death. And one thing that doesn’t help is if you are taking medications that interfere with your body’s ability to cool itself down. - Several pills and potions can affect how well the body is able to handle heat — an issue that is “particularly important for older people” because they tend to be on more of these medications, says Cecilia Sorensen, M.D., director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City."  Read this Data Here.

06/21/2024   Redevelopment project set for Brown Field Municipal Airport - From CBS 8 - "Brown Field Municipal Airport is expected to have a new hotel, restaurant and facilities in the next two decades. - Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego is taking on a four-phase redevelopment project that will include a hotel, restaurant and commercial and industrial space. The project is expected to generate 2,500 jobs at the airport over the next two decades, with the initial buildings slated for completion next year. - Full Story: KFMB-TV (San Diego)

06/21/2024  NTSB Recommends New Cockpit Safety System Following Close Call at JFK - From SkyGoFly - "The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called on aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus to create an advanced cockpit safety system. This new system would provide crucial alerts to pilots about potential runway conflicts, particularly situations where another aircraft is either taking off or landing on the same runway. -  According to the final report, the American Airlines flight, designated AA106, mistakenly entered an active runway, narrowly avoiding a collision with the Delta aircraft, which was initiating takeoff. - Investigators identified pilot distraction and a misjudgment in the complex network of taxiways as the primary causes of the incident. Despite JFK’s installation of two high-tech safety measures aimed at..." Continue Here

06/21/2024   DITCHING IN THE DARK - Real Pilot Story - From ASI/AOPA - VIDEO - (7.5 Minutes) See it Here.

06/21/2024   Mandatory Pilot Retirement Age Change Was Squashed, Will It Last? - FEATURES OF THE FAA REAUTHERIZATION BILL - From Avgeekery.com - "On 16 May 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Bill of 2024. The legislation promises to make American airspace safer and introduce robust protections for passengers and airline employees alike. -

Stemming from the turbulence in the aviation industry post-COVID-19, this legislation addresses various issues plaguing passengers, airlines, and regulatory bodies.  -  Among its many provisions, the decision not to raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots stands out as one of the most contentious and discussed outcomes. - Origins and Key Provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Bill:"   Discover the details Here.

06/21/2024   GE Aerospace developing hybrid engines for single-aisle jets - From Reuters -  "GE Aerospace is developing a hybrid engine that could power the next generation of narrow-body jets by the mid-2030s, with the potential of 5% fuel savings while reducing emissions. The approach, being tested with NASA, incorporates a high-bypass turbofan powered by electric motors to augment engine power. - Full Story: Reuters

06/21/2024   EASA Updates Aviation-Centric Artificial Intelligence ‘Roadmap 2.0’ - From AVweb - "The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has been working with industry stakeholders to study the issue of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts aviation. Last year, the agency released its Roadmap 2.0 to bring the study up to date and outline the pathway for further progress. EASA recently released its annual update to Roadmap 2.0.- In announcing the new plan last year, EASA wrote: “The purpose of this..."  Discover More Here.

06/21/2024  Houston and Wisk Expand Plans for Autonomous eVTOL Air Services - From AIN -"The eVTOL aircraft developer is building on a partnership with Houston suburb Sugar Land - Over the next 12 months, Wisk and Houston Airports will develop infrastructure and routes for the all-electric 6th Generation aircraft, which is expected to have a range of almost 80 nm and speeds of up to 120 knots. A ground-based supervisor will monitor autonomous flights by multiple aircraft, coordinating operations with air traffic controllers as required."  Full Story Here.

06/21/2024   Joby Debuts 'ElevateOS' Software for Air Taxi Operations - From AIN - "FAA authorizes Joby’s operating system for on-demand aerial ridesharing - Joby Aviation is taking the wraps off the software system it has developed to support on-demand commercial air taxi services with its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, which could enter service in 2025. - Called “ElevateOS,” the suite of software tools includes a flight-booking mobile app for customers, a planning tool for pilots, and an intelligent matching engine that connects available pilots, aircraft, and ground infrastructure resources for each journey. - “This is laying the foundation for what really is required in order to have an effective commercial service,” Bonny Simi, Joby’s president of operations, told AIN.- Today Joby announced that..."  More on Joby Here.

06/21/2024   Archer Inks MoU With Signature For eVTOL Charging Stations - From AVweb -  "Archer Aviation, developer of the Midnight electric vertical takeoff and land (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced an infrastructure memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FBO chain Signature Flight Support. Under the agreement, Archer would secure takeoff and landing sites for its aircraft at more than 200 Signature locations, many located in major metropolitan areas, including New York-area Newark (New Jersey) International and Chicago O’Hare Airports. The first electrification sites are expected to enter service as early as next year. - Archer would contribute the leverage of its collaborative agreement with BETA Technologies and its..."  Continue Here.

06/18/2024   TSA RULE UPDATE - From AOPA - "The Transportation Security Administration enacted rules in the aftermath of September 11 that aimed to prevent terrorists from training in American flight schools as some of the hijackers had done. These rules generally required that security threat assessments be performed for certain individuals seeking flight training in the United States."  Read the Update to the Rules Here.

06/18/2024    "Ask the A&Ps": Carb heat on - With Mike Busch CFII, IA - "Our experts discuss whether carb heat should be kept on through the approach. Also, a vexing gear problem."  Listen here.

06/18/2024   Boom wraps up construction of N.C. supersonic jet factory - From Axios - "Boom Supersonic has wrapped up construction on its Superfactory in Greensboro, where it'll manufacture supersonic passenger jets. - Why it matters: Boom has ambitious plans to transform commercial air travel with its supersonic aircraft Overture, which it's calling "the world's fastest airliner." - etween the lines: Located at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, Boom's factory has the capacity to produce 33 Overture aircraft per year, the company said in a statement Monday.

  • The company plans to add an assembly line that will double its production capacity.
  • The Superfactory campus will also include a delivery center where carriers such as United Airlines, American Airlines and Japan Airlines will receive their Overture planes.       Read More Here.

06/17/2024   Colorado’s Centennial Airport Leads Unleaded Aviation Fuel Initiative with $300,000 Grant Approval - From AVweb -"Local officials and environmentalist groups applauded the decision. In a June 13 press release, Rep. Kyle Brown, who sponsored the bill enabling this funding, said, “With this grant, Centennial Airport and Arapahoe County will continue to lead the way in transitioning towards unleaded fuel. I encourage airports across Colorado to follow Centennial’s lead in applying for this new funding.” "In May 2023, Centennial Airport became the first in Colorado to offer unleaded aviation fuel. Stakeholders say..."  Continue Here.  -  Webmaster: The lesson here might be that leaded fuel critics might serve the public better by following Colorado's lead and finding positive solutions that can ensure that General Aviation continues to support community economic and social development.

06/17/2024   FUEL MANAGEMENT - GO BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK—BE FUEL AWARE WITH THIS SAFETY SPOTLIGHT - From AOPA - "This safety spotlight discusses these subjects in detail and offers suggestions to improve fuel awareness and reduce fuel-related incidents. - Receive Certificate of Completion - After reviewing this safety spotlight, use the link in the Rules to Live By section to receive your certificate of completion and credit in your ASI education transcript.

You’ll review:

  • Fuel range vs endurance
  • Various fuel pump systems
  • Why you should be present at fueling
  • What to do in case of a fuel emergency
  • Proper in-flight fuel management
  • Leaning techniques
  • Tools to estimate fuel consumption

More Information is available by clicking Here.

06/17/2024   FAA to Receive Launch and Reentry Flight Data from Two More Companies - FAA -WASHINGTON— The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) added two new companies to its Space Data Integrator (SDI) tool, which provides improved situational awareness and helps the FAA safely and efficiently manage air traffic during space operations. - The agency can now track Virgin Galactic and Sierra Space vehicles in near-real time during their launch and reentry operations. The companies will transmit vehicle telemetry data – such as position, altitude, and speed – to the SDI tool, which helps to increase safety for all airspace users. - Combined with other tools and procedures, the SDI enables the FAA to reopen airspace as quickly as three minutes after a launch or reentry vehicle safely travels through a designated aircraft hazard area. It also helps the FAA respond if an anomaly occurs. About 70 percent of all commercial space operations in U.S. airspace have shared SDI data with the FAA since the tool became operational in 2021, with that figure expected to grow with the new operators added.

“The United States has one of the most complex airspaces in the world, with everything from  drones to commercial and general aviation to space launches,” said Tim Arel, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization. “The coordination of all that aircraft is improved with more data. We’ve made significant progress in reducing how long airspace is closed for space operations, and the SDI tool is the foundation for future improvements to drive it down even more while also ensuring safety.”

Virgin Galactic and Sierra Space join SpaceX in sending SDI data to the FAA. The agency expects additional commercial space operators will become SDI operational later this year.

06/17/2024   Column: The rise and stumbles of the San Fernando Valley Latino political machine - From LA Times - "PART II: THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY MACHINE SPEAKS" - "Alex Padilla was a 22-year-old managing his first election campaign when advisors issued a challenge: Make sure the kickoff party for your guy has at least 100 guests. - The candidate in the 1995 assembly race: Tony Cárdenas, who had never run for office before. They seemed like a political odd couple. Cárdenas, 10 years Padilla’s senior, was a strapping real estate agent. The tall, deep-voiced Padilla wrote satellite software for Hughes Aircraft. - The two had known each other less than a year but hit it off immediately. They were the sons of Mexican immigrants who settled in Pacoima and attended Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. - Elementary school? Telfair. High school? San Fernando High, where white teachers and counselors told them they would never amount to anything." Read the full account Here.

06/17/2024   US Congressional Leaders Launch Bipartisan Group To Ensure America Is On The Leading Edge Of Sustainable Aviation - From Simple Flying -  "Members of the United States House of Representatives have come together to form a bipartisan group to reduce the aviation industry's environmental impact. The Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus will join existing groups like the Aerospace, Air Cargo, Advanced Air Mobility, and General Aviation Caucuses, as US lawmakers take a more active role in the nation's aerospace industry." Find out More what this may mean Here.

06/17/2024   Archer hits new eVTOL milestone, completing a transition flight that topped 100 mph [Video] - From Electrek - "Archer Aviation continues to make developmental headway in its quest to commercial eVTOL operations. Archer recently completed a successful transition flight—one of the trickiest maneuvers to overcome in eVTOL design. The advanced air mobility developer filmed the entire journey, reaching flight speeds of over 100 mph. - Archer Aviation ($ACHR) is a California-based eVTOL developer that has quickly become a recognizable name in the nascent segment of advanced air mobility (AAM). - In recent months, much of our coverage has pertained to Archer’s business side of eVTOL travel. The company has established several new partnerships in the US and around the world to commercialize its technology for air taxi rides and cargo transport."  More Here.

06/17/2024   STRONG OPPOSITION TO POTENTIAL ‘ONEROUS’ AIRSTRIP CLOSURES IN UTAH - From AOPA - "AOPA submitted comments on June 11 to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) after a recent draft management plan detailed a concerning proposal in which aircraft access to 16 airstrips in a Utah national monument would be revoked." Read it Here.

06/17/2024    New Tesla ‘Can Fly’ Says Musk - From AVweb - "Elon Musk set his Xverse all a twitter on Saturday by reiterating his aerial aspirations for his car company. “The new Tesla Roadster can fly,” he said in a post in what seems like a response to another X post on the social platform that he also owns. Musk first teased the concept in the ill-fated interview with former X contributor Don Lemon when he described the new Tesla as “something that’s never existed before” with “Jetsons vibes.”   Finish reading here.

06/16/2024   FAA investigating how titanium parts with falsified records wound up in Boeing and Airbus planes - From AP - "Federal regulators are investigating how parts made with titanium that was sold with falsified quality documentation wound up in Boeing and Airbus passenger jets that were built in recent years. - Boeing and Airbus said Friday that planes containing the parts are safe to fly, but Boeing said it was removing affected parts from planes that haven’t been delivered yet to airline customers. - It will be up to regulators including the Federal Aviation Administration to decide whether any work needs to be done to planes that are already carrying passengers. - The FAA said it is “investigating the scope and impact of the issue.” The agency said Boeing reported the problem covering material from a distributor “who may have falsified or provided incorrect records.” The FAA did not name the distributor. - Boeing and Airbus declined to say..."   Complete Reading the Story Here.

06/15/2024   InFO 24006, Power settings during a Power-off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing or during a Simulated Emergency Approach and Landing Conducted in Single-engine Turboprop Airplanes, is now published. - This InFO serves to inform Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 operators, part 141 pilot and provisional pilot schools, commercial pilot airplane applicants, and evaluators for practical tests the importance of avoiding excessive rates of descent during a Power-off 180° Accuracy Approach and Landing or an Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) when training and testing in accordance with Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) in single-engine turboprop airplanes.  -  The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link,-    https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/

06/15/2024   Groups Call For Improved European-U.S. Coordination In Aviation - From AVweb - "The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) joined Airlines For Europe (A4E); Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD); and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) in welcoming the call for enhanced alignment between the U.S. and the European Union (EU) for aviation policy and regulation. The groups have expressed support for improved coordination on safety and innovation priorities cited during the 2024 FAA-EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) International Safety Conference. - GAMA said in a statement, “It is more critical than ever that the EU and the U.S. ensure a coordinated approach with these priorities in mind.” The GAMA statement noted..."   More Here.

06/15/2024    NASR—The FAA's System for Managing Aeronautical Information - From ASCE Library - "The National Airspace System Resource (NASR) System provides the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the means for storing and maintaining a reference database with descriptive details of the National Airspace System's (NAS's) infrastructure and the operational status of all components. NASR, completed in January 1999 and declared operational in March 1999, assures the FAA of current and accurate information available on the framework upon which Air Traffic Control and other FAA activities are overlaid. NASR supports the management of NAS data used by the FAA, chart producers, military and other Government entities to produce a variety of aeronautical publications. In addition, NASR data is accessed by commercial air carriers, flight planners, and flight systems developers as required by FAA regulation to support the safety-of-flight mission. NASR is a client-server system employing a graphical user interface (GUI) for aeronautical information specialists (AIS) accessing NAS data. The primary requirements were that it be a reliable and maintainable system with simplified access to..."  Continue Here.  28-Day Subscription NASR data is available on the FAA.GOV website.

06/14/2024  - FAA Amends AME Guidance on Uncomplicated Anxiety, Depression, and Related Conditions - The FAA has revised its guidance to Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) on “uncomplicated anxiety, depression, and related conditions,” allowing them to issue a medical certificate if a pilot has been off medication for 2 years, there are no issues raised by a questionnaire, and the AME has no concerns. And since it’s common to have more than one mental health condition like anxiety and depression, or anxiety and PTSD, your AME can now issue a medical certificate for any class if you have up to 2 mental health conditions provided certain criteria are met. Review the questionnaire and conditions at  Uncomplicated Anxiety, Depression, and Related Conditions (faa.gov).

There is also a new option for AMEs to issue a medical certificate to pilots who used to be on medication for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) if otherwise qualified. This option requires that pilots be off medication for 4 years, have no symptoms, and not have been diagnosed with any other mental health condition. For more, see the latest Pilot Minute video at bit.ly/PilotMinute or go to faa.gov/ame_guide/media/ADHD_pathway_chart.pdf.

06/14/2024   Sometimes the Best Answer is No - Pilots are decision-makers who are go-oriented and focused on completing the task at hand. But, when “no” is the correct answer, it is the only answer. In a new video from The Rotorcraft Collective, FAA Safety Team representative Jessica Meiris outlines the importance of knowing and sticking to personal minimums and limitations. “Your personal minimums are meant to be firm. When you are close to exceeding your personal minimums, Just Say No.” To view this and other videos in the Rotorcraft Collective playlist, go to https://bit.ly/RotorYT.

06/14/2024   Learn How to Avoid Spatial Disorientation - Did you know that between 5 to 10% of all general aviation accidents are attributed to spatial disorientation, and 90% of those are fatal? All pilots are susceptible to the optical illusions caused by spatial “D” that may cause loss of aircraft control at any time. For a closer look at the causes, types, and strategies for preventing spatial “D,” see the article “It’s A Confusing World Up There” at medium.com/faa/its-a-confusing-world-up-there-5070c1e5806b  in the May/June 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire IFR flying issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

06/13/2024   CLIMBING. FAST. Sustainability Campaign Stakeholders Welcome Formation of House Sustainable Aviation Caucus - From NBAA- "CLIMBING. FAST., which represents a dozen international stakeholders across the full value chain of business aviation, issued the following consensus statement in response to the establishment of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus:

“The organizations supporting the CLIMBING. FAST. advocacy initiative applaud Reps. Sharice Davids (D-03-Kan.) and Dusty Johnson (R-At-Large-SD) for their leadership in taking the important step to form the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus, supporting business aviation’s path to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Despite being one of the toughest industries to decarbonize, business aviation is pushing ahead, expanding access to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and integrating technologies that improve the fuel efficiency of aircraft to reduce emissions. At the same time, enhanced policymaker awareness and support is key. This new Caucus provides an opportunity for additional policymaker engagement, and we look forward to working with the members of the Caucus to continue our industry’s momentum.” - Learn more about CLIMBING. FAST.

06/13/2024   CLASS C COMES TO HARRISBURG - From AOPA - "The FAA published a May 31 Letter to Airmen (LTA) notifying the flying public that the airspace designation surrounding Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania will soon change to Class C." Read More Here.

06/12/2024  Unleaded Fuel Debate Reaches Alaska - From AVweb - "An effort to speed up the transition to unleaded avgas has emerged in a state where elected officials are on record as trying to delay it. In an op-ed published in the Anchorage Daily News, the Alaska Community Action on Toxics says a drop-in replacement for 100LL is available now (G100UL) and two others are pending (Swift and VP Aviation) and calls a recent statement by members of the Alaska House of Representatives “full of falsehoods.” - "The statement calls on House members to support a resolution giving..."  Continue Here.

06/10/2024   FAA Community Education Series - VIDEO - FAA - The FAA continues to engage with communities and address aviation concerns, including topics related to aircraft noise. A variety of factors contribute to aircraft noise that may cause disturbance for residents near airports and below flight paths. In this series, we discuss the causes of noise exposure, and how the FAA is collaborating with airports, operators, and communities to address it. - This YouTube series contains 7 short videos covering the various pertinent concerns. View the selections Here.

06/10/2024   NTSB Cites Lack Of Safety Technology And Controller Error For Near Collision In Austin - "The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined last year’s near collision between a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 and a FedEx Boeing 767 on an Austin, Texas, runway was caused by a lack of critical safety technology and errors made by an air traffic controller. - The Feb. 4, 2023, incident was one of several close calls that led to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calling for an industry-wide safety summit. During the near-miss in Austin, the two jets came within 150 feet of colliding after being cleared to use the same runway. The FedEx crew averted disaster by initiating a go-around and overflying the Southwest aircraft after spotting its silhouette as it was rolling down the runway. - The report highlighted..."  Continue Here.

06/06/2024   FAA Regulatory Roadblock Reduction - Plus 57 Second Video re: New Panel Equipment - FAA - An important component of reducing general aviation (GA) accidents is leveraging the rapid growth and evolution of technology in the aviation industry. The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) believes that the FAA must continue to find ways to help reduce the cost to install safety enhancing technology. Installation of this technology can offer substantial safety benefits, often with minimal risk. The GAJSC also feels that the FAA needs to identify the appropriate level of certification for installation of risk-mitigating avionics. Successful integration of this technology may help the GA fleet reap the potential benefit of reward with a balanced risk approach. Read the report and Watch the Video Here.

06/06/2024   'Midnight’ Developer Archer Achieves FAA Part 135 Certification - From AVweb - "Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) developer Archer Aviation announced today (June 5) it has received its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator certificate. This allows the company to legally operate its aircraft, including the developmental Midnight model (after it is certified), “for hire.” Archer said it would use the authority “to refine its systems and procedures in advance of launching Midnight into service for airlines like United Airlines when it receives Midnight’s Type Certification.” - "Achieving Part 135 certification involves submitting..."   More Here.

06/05/2024   Experimental Aircraft to Ditch Control Surfaces -  From: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - "Are flaps, rudders, and ailerons outdated? With its X-65, DARPA is out to prove that active flow control can maneuver a plane. -  The Wright Brothers warped the wings of their famous Flyer to maneuver. Since then we’ve had flaps, ailerons, rudders, and elevators to do our steering in the air. “There’s a lot of maintenance on an aircraft to maintain these moving surfaces,” said Richard Wlezien, program manager for the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. “And if they fail, you’ve got a big problem.”  Continue Here.

Now there’s another way. The CRANE program is about to produce an

06/04/2024   FAA Amends Mental Health Evaluation Criteria For Pilots - From AVweb - "A history of no more than two mental health diagnoses no longer requires automatic review by the FAA for any class of pilot certificate as long as certain criteria are met. The agency has revised its guidance to AMEs on “uncomplicated anxiety, depression and related conditions” and chief among the changes is that the FAA can be left out of the process if the pilot has been off medication for two years, there are no issues raised by a questionnaire and the AME has no concerns. - The questionnaire deals with serious mental health issues like..." Finish reading Here.

06/04/2024   FAA Greenlights Amazon Drone Delivery Beyond Visual Line Of Sight - From AVweb - "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Amazon’s Prime Air drone program permission to conduct flights “beyond visual line of sight” (BVLOS), allowing the company to scale its drone delivery operation. - To obtain the BVLOS approval, Amazon said it conducted several flight demonstrations showing how its drone used onboard detect-and-avoid technology to navigate away from obstacles such as aircraft, helicopters and a hot air balloon. These flights were conducted under the supervision of FAA inspectors to validate the system’s functionality. - With FAA clearance secured, Amazon is set to..."  Continue Here.

06/01/2024   Pilot Human Factors Course - FAA - Human error is both universal and inevitable. Everyone will make a mistake sooner or later and many accidents are directly linked to human error, but what can you do to minimize the risk? The study of human factors applies knowledge of the human body and mind to better understand our capabilities and limitations. With this knowledge we can design training, hardware, and software that leverages our strengths and compensates for our weaknesses.

Based on the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Safety Behaviors - Human Factors for Pilots, nine new Human Factors courses are available on the FAASTeam’s website at https://bit.ly/HFcourses. The course modules focus on safety culture, human performance, communication, teamwork, situational awareness, decision making, threat and error management, human information processing, and design and automation and are eligible for credit in the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.

For more on human factors, see our recent FlySafe topic of the month here medium.com/faa/introduction-to-human-factors-and-safety-culture-fd6a7dd58897.

06/01/2024    Broken Glass Procedures - FAA - In the modern flight deck, “broken glass” is a first-rate emergency that can spiral out of control with mind-numbing speed. Modern glass avionics are the gold standard of reliability – much more reliable, on average, than their analog pneumatic and electric-gyro predecessors. That said, anything that humankind makes can break, and the next steps for pilots flying glass are different from those flying steam. Read about these operational differences, and how to be prepared for this type of emergency in “Broken Glass Procedures” at medium.com/faa/broken-glass-procedures-f2a7f65ec132 in the May/June 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire IFR flying issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

05/31/2024   ForeFlight Teams With Breakthrough Energy On Contrail-Buster Product - From AVweb - "Boeing-owned flight-planning company ForeFlight announced this week it has entered a collaboration with climate and clean-energy group Breakthrough Energy (BE) to develop and produce “advanced tools” to enable business aviation operators to avoid producing contrails. The overall goal is to reduce the harmful environmental effects of the artificially generated clouds."  Read More.

05/31/2024   FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive For Certain Piper Aircraft Models - From AVweb -  "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for specific Piper aircraft models after an unscheduled inspection, prompted by a ground collision with an automobile, revealed a double-drilled bolt hole in the rear wing spar attachment fitting.  More Here.

05/30/2024   KTOA AIRPORT COMMISSION MTG RE: INOP TAXIWAY LIGHTS - reported to SCAUWG.ORG -

"I was there.  - A few spoke up that there was not violation but the result was a vote to support that they would train and address the action as a violation.  Even though it was pointed out that the action was transparent and no harm or financial loss occurred.
Lights are still out at the airport but god help us for asking about them.
This allows for follow up which could be as much as dissolving the airport commission.  I fear it will go that path, regardless of those who say "no way".  It would be the correct next step in the council playbook to destroy the airport."

05/29/2024   Colorado Study Finds Slightly Elevated Lead Levels In Children Near Airports, Still Below CDC Threshold - From AVweb - "A 10-year study by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) showed slightly elevated lead levels in children living near airports, though these levels remained below the Center for Disease Control’s blood lead threshold. - Conducted from 2011 to 2021, the study examined 12 regional and county airports across Colorado including Glenwood Springs Airport, Centennial Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, among others. Researchers indicated that the average lead levels from these airport communities likely..."  Conclusion Here.

05/27/2024   City Cleared To Begin Phasing Out Banning Municipal Airport - From AVweb -"An amendment attached to the recently passed FAA Reauthorization Act releases the city of Banning, California, from its obligation to keep its city-owned airport in operation, opening the door to begin phasing the airport out. The non-tower facility, roughly 10 miles west of Palm Springs International Airport, has a 5,000-f oot runway. According to the most recent AirNav data (calculated as of year-end 2023), it is home to..."  Finish reading Here.

05/27/2024   Regarding Banning Airport: SCAUWG.ORG Report- The airport has fallen prey to the apparent lack of appropriate management that has severely restricted the hours the airport is attended, left structures unrepaired, and by report, even the airport phone goes unanswered. - Nonetheless, even though Senator Padilla "snuck" his amendment into the bill at the last moment avoiding public scrutiny, SCAUWG.ORG working group has learned from an authoritative source, that the amendment is not a final declaration and that further legislative action will be required in addition to the requirement for grant funding to be returned that Senator Padilla included as a requirement. - The city may find itself challenged to do that with existing city funds. Banning Airport has in the past during fire season proved itself to be a valuable resource that allowed for "fast turn arounds" as well as a staging area, and the quarters for the fire crew to locate during off-hours. Banning Airport has also provided a home for high altitude Mountain Rescue teams and is credited with being a lifesaving location.  Read More (Newspaper Coverage) about Banning HERE.

05/26/2024    Rotor Roundup: What’s on the Horizon for Helicopters and eVTOLs? - From FLYING - "FLYING looks at the near future of both categories. - FLYING took the opportunity to see what’s on the horizon in terms of both traditional helicopters and the red-hot powered-lift and eVTOL categories ahead of the Helicopter Association International’s HeliExpo  (held in February 2024) at (Fullerton) Anaheim, California. Discover the story Here.

05/26/2024   Flying in the Time of Cicadas - From FLYING - "Two broods are emerging this year. Here’s what you need to know when conducting a preflight inspection. - "We put a borescope down the APU and found it full of cicadas. They blocked the airflow," Love said. "We have never seen anything like it. We have 20 years of experience between the two of us and this was a first." Written by Meg Godlewski - Read it Here.

05/24/2024   Avoiding the Perils (and Regrets) of VFR into IMC - Flying VFR into IMC is still one of the most lethal causal factors for GA mishaps. The FAA, NTSB, and various aviation safety advocates from industry and academia alike have tried to determine what happens when a pilot finds themselves in the incredibly hazardous situation of being VFR and then flying into IMC conditions. To learn a few theories, and how to avoid them, check out “Maybe Not Today” at https://medium.com/faa/maybe-not-today-e7d0457762aa in the May/Jun 2024 issue of the FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire IFR flying issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

05/24/2024   NTSB Safety Alert - Aluminum Propeller Blades: Prevent Fractures with Proper Inspections and Maintenance
Notice Number: NOTC3612 - Aluminum propeller blades can be susceptible to fatigue, cracking, and fracture if a small nick, pit, or corrosion on the surface or edge is not found and repaired during preflight inspection or maintenance. Such damage can concentrate stress from normal airplane operation loads, resulting in fatigue crack initiation and growth followed by propeller blade fracture. Aluminum is more commonly used for airplane propeller blades than composite propeller blades or wood.

Fatigue cracking and fracture of a propeller blade can damage the airframe, and engine, and cause a possible loss of control.

Airplanes utilized for aerial application and coastal operations, as well as those operating on unimproved airstrips, are particularly vulnerable to propeller blade damage. Exposure to chemicals, salt-laden moisture, and loose rocks or debris significantly increases the risk of nicking, corrosion, and fatigue cracking, potentially leading to propeller blade fracture.

Any airplane operating on an unimproved or backcountry airstrip is also at high risk for propeller blade damage because loose rocks, gravel, or debris on unimproved airstrips can create small nicks on aluminum propeller blades that can turn into large fatigue cracks.

Failure to strictly adhere to the manufacturer-recommended overhaul schedules for aluminum propeller blades can have severe consequences. It can lead to the development of undetected fatigue cracks, which, if left unaddressed, can result in dangerous blade separation.

The full NTSB Safety Alert with related accidents/incidents and resources can be accessed here.    For More Information visit the National Transportation Safety Board

05/24/2024   GE Aerospace On The Hunt For Engineering Talent - From AVweb - "GE Aerospace announced yesterday (May 21) it intends to hire more than 900 engineers this year. The Evandale, Ohio-based company plans to put them to work on supporting current aircraft engine programs and developing new technologies for future flight. “Hiring has already started,” according to GE. - Among the programs with openings for new engineers is the CFM International Revolution Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) airliner engine project as well as advanced military engine programs. GE said in a statement that..."  Continue Here.

05/24/2024   May Airman Testing Data report HERE.

05/23/2024   FAA Space Report May 2024 -  FAA Forecasts Strong Growth of Commercial Space Operations by Fiscal Year 2028

The FAA is forecasting as many as 338 licensed commercial space operations in FY 2028, nearly triple the actual count of 113 in FY 2023. The expected increase in launch and reentry operations is due to greater use of reusable vehicles, the demand for commercial satellite services, and the growth of commercial human spaceflight missions. Learn more about the new forecast numbers and how the FAA is meeting the demand for license approvals.

Environmental Review for SpaceX Starship at Kennedy Space Center

The FAA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX Starship operations at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SpaceX proposal includes constructing infrastructure to support up to 44 launches per year from Launch Complex-39A. The proposal also includes Super Heavy booster and Starship vehicle recovery landings at LC-39A, on a drone ship, or expending both in the ocean. The FAA will hold three in-person public scoping meetings: two on June 12 and one on June 13. In addition, a virtual public scoping meeting will be held on June 17. Learn more including how to sign up to be notified of project updates.

Considerations for Airspace Management During Space Operations

The FAA contributed its expertise to a new Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) publication that offers guidance to countries for the safe and efficient management of their airspace during space operations. It addresses control of the airspace where the launch or reentry occurs and the integration of a space operation whose flight path enters a country’s delegated international airspace. Considerations include pre-mission communication with the space operator and range, developing an airspace management plan, contingency planning, and day-of activities, among several others. Read the full publication for additional information.

05/22/2024   Archer, Etihad Partner to Train Air Taxi Pilots in UAE -  From FLYING - "Archer and Etihad Aviation Training, a subsidiary of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, will recruit and train pilots to fly the manufacturer’s flagship Midnight. - Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation on Monday added a crucial dimension to its plans for service in the United Arab Emirates, which it expects to launch in 2025. - At the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Archer announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Aviation Training, a subsidiary of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, to recruit and train the initial cohort of pilots that will fly its flagship Midnight eVTOL air taxi nationwide. - Captain Paolo La Cava, CEO of Etihad Training, said the company will install a Midnight flight simulator at its facilities later this year."  More Here.

05/22/2024   FAA approves large commercial drone BVLOS use - From Airport Technology - "The Federal Aviation Administration has approved “Beyond-Visual-Line-Of-Sight (BVLOS)” commercial flight for a large drone for the first time, the drone’s developer American Aerospace Technologies (AATI) has claimed. - The AiRanger is described as an “unmanned aircraft system” (UAS). It is 3 metres long with a 5-metre wingspan. Its maximum take-off weight of 99kg with a 34kg payload. - Its service ceiling is 15,000ft or 4,500m and the commercial aircraft is capable of 100kts. - “This groundbreaking development allows AATI’s AiRanger aircraft to conduct commercial operations at medium altitudes under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) beyond the pilot’s line of sight without airborne or ground observers, marking a..."  Full Story Here.

05/22/2024   GPS APPROACHES: UPDATE:  GPS/WAAS Approaches for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. This information has recently been updated.  new LPV has been added to Auburn Municipal, in Auburn, WA.

05/22/2024   Minnesota Allows Flying Cars On Roads - From AVweb - "Minnesota is set to become the second state to formally accept flying cars as a category of vehicles allowed to use the roads. Samson Sky, which is developing the Switchblade roadable aircraft, said the measure was included in Minnesota’s recently passed transportation bill, which has been signed into law and..."  More Here.

05/22/2024   Legislators Want Military To Speed Up Electric Aircraft Integration - From AVweb - "Stars and Stripes is reporting a House subcommittee has proposed a bill aimed at speeding up integration of electric aircraft into military operations. Since 2020, the Air Force has had a program called Agility Prime to look at electric aviation’s potential uses, but now legislators want the effort to be ramped up. As part of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, the bill would “set up a working group made up of top-ranking defense officials” to kick start Agility Prime, and it’s..."   Finish Reading Here.

05/21/2024   Recreational Aviation Foundation Issues Call To Preserve Utah Airstrips - "The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) issued a call to action requesting pilots submit feedback on a proposal from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the closure of 16 airstrips in Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument (BENM). - According to the RAF, the Bureau of Land Management’s plan would restrict aircraft operations to only the Bluff Airport and Fry Canyon Airstrip—effectively closing the other 16 airstrips within the BENM pending the development of an..." Read More Here.

05/20/2024   California Pilots Urged To Contact Senators Over Leaded Fuel Ban -  "The Southern California Airspace Users Working Group is calling on its membership to contact their state senators to block a bill that would begin the phaseout of leaded aviation gasoline in 2027 (amended from 2026). As we reported earlier, State Sen. Caroline Menjivar introduced the bill in February. It calls for banning leaded avgas starting with airports in “disadvantaged” areas on Jan. 1, 2027. The bill has apparently cleared committees and is nearing a vote in the State Senate. “Being proactive will help preserve our right as pilots to fly safely,” the eblast said. “Nobody ideally wants lead in our fuel, and solutions are being perfected. However, until they are perfected and commercially available, we need the fuel that has been proven safe.”  - The bill went to..."  More Here.

05/18/2024   Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act Signed Into Law - From AVweb - "President Joe Biden signed the long-awaited bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act into law on Thursday May 16—funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for another five years. - After months of several short-term extensions, the $105 billion dollar legislation passed the House on Wednesday and the Senate last week before being sent to the president’s desk for final approval. - “The bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization is a big win for travelers, the aviation workforce, and our economy,” said President Biden in a statement. “It will expand critical protections..."  Continue Here.

05/14/2024   Unjammable ‘Quantum Navigation’ Tested in U.K. - From AVweb -  "U.S. tech firm Infleqtion has test flown a new unjammable quantum navigation system that doesn’t rely on external signals to determine aircraft position. The system uses an atomic clock and “ultra-cold-atom-based quantum system” that detects changes in motion of the aircraft. It was put through its paces on a modified Avro RJ100 for a total of eight hours at Boscombe Down in the U.K. The U.K.’s Dept. of Science, Innovation and Technology said in a statement that the new system “could, over time, offer one part of a larger solution … [to] ensure that the thousands of flights that take place around the world daily, proceed without disruption.- The U.K. is planning to deploy..."  Read it Here.

05/14/2024   InFO 24005, Instrument Approach Operations with a Visual Guidance Fix (VGF) and an Extended Visual Segment, is now published. - This InFO serves to inform Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, 91K, 121, 125, 129, 135 Operators, and part 142 Training Centers, of interim information on flying public part 97 standard instrument approaches with an extended visual segment.

The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link,
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/          or click:   InFO24005.pdf

05/11/2024   TSA FINALIZES FLIGHT TRAINING SECURITY PROGRAM - From AOPA - "The Transportation Security Administration published on May 1 a final rule that codifies, with adjustments, procedures in place for decades to scrutinize foreign flight students." = "Rooted in the federal response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the new regulation becomes, in effect, a coda to the story of 9/11 and general aviation. Hijackers trained at flight schools in the United States, part of a monthslong covert operation to infiltrate aviation and weaponize airliners. In 2004, TSA (an agency created as part of the federal response to 9/11) established screening requirements for foreign nationals seeking flight training and required security awareness staff for flight training providers."  Complete article Here.

05/11/2024   Monica Rodriquez Letter to LA County Airport Commissioners (4/24/2024) copied to Supervisor Horvath and US Congressmember Tony Cardenas, 29th District, and CA Senator Caroline Menjivar, 20th District - Published here in order to clearly represent the Monica Rodriquez's motivation to cause the County to shoulder costs without FAA grant assistance, and to publish certain arguments that many will assert as false statements of fact to politicians that may not be motivated to dispute. - It is anticipated that a response to this letter written by airport advocates will follow. - It should also be noted that while Council member Rodriquez criticizes Whiteman, a small LA County owned airport, the LA City Council operates Van Nuys Airport, much larger, and the largest airport in the LA Basin, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).   As a point of fact, There is no LA Council imposed nighttime curfew at LAX. Read the Monica Rodriquez letter here.

05/11/2024  ‘Climate-Smart’ Corn-Based SAF Rules Defined - From AVweb - "The Biden administration has laid out rules for corn farmers to qualify for subsidies to supply feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The corn is now used to make ethanol, which is added to gasoline, but the move to electric cars will diminish that market. Ethanol can be turned into Jet A, however, and will cut the carbon footprint of jet fuel. The administration is proposing subsidies from $1.25 to $1.75 a gallon for farmers but only if they meet some conditions. The farmers will have to use of “climate-smart” farming practices, including the use of..."  More Here.

05/10/2024    Alaska Senator Blasts FAA Reauthorization On Unleaded Fuel Requirement - From AVweb - "On the Senate floor, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan angrily addressed the FAA Reauthorization bill, which includes provisions for transitioning to unleaded aviation gasoline by 2030. The senator had proposed a four-year extension to 2034 for Alaska, which was cut to[…] Read this article

05/10/2024   The May/June 2024 issue of the FAA Safety Briefing magazine focuses on general aviation instrument flight training and IFR proficiency. - Articles in this issue address the importance of having both the right physical and mental flying skills required in today’s challenging IFR environment. We also review ways to help you stay proficient and be prepared for emergencies when flying in the clouds. - Feature Articles: It’s a Confusing World Up There - The Specifics of Spatial Disorientation - Into the Future - How Leveraging Technology Can Help Build Proficiency in a Busy World  - Maybe Not Today … - Avoiding the Perils (and Regrets) of VFR into IMC - Broken Glass Procedures - Understanding and Navigating Glass Avionics Failures  - 

Departments

Of Sound Mind and Body - Jumpseat: an executive policy perspective

Misfortune with Medications - Aeromedical Advisory: a checkup on all things aeromedical

Checking Your Check - Checklist: FAA resources and safety reminders

Keeping Your Eye on the Drone - Drone Debrief: drone safety roundup

Mastering Ballistic Parachute Systems Maintenance - Nuts, Bolts, and Electrons: GA maintenance issues

Simulators Save Lives - Vertically Speaking: safety issues for rotorcraft pilots

With My Head in the Clouds - On Final: an editor’s perspective

Stephen Brown, FAA’s Boston Flight Standards District Office - Faces: FAA employee profile

DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE as a PDF - HERE

05/06/2024   Three Antidepressants Added To Conditionally Approved List For FAA Medicals - From AVweb - "The FAA has expanded the list of antidepressants potentially allowed for pilots with three relatively common drugs. Now on the “conditionally approved” list are..."  Continue Here.

05/05/2024   $76M in Grants to Modernize Airports and Improve Runways - The FAA is awarding another $76.1 million from the previously allocated $9 billion, for 45 airport-related infrastructure projects in 22 states. The projects are funded under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, part of the $25 billion total included in the law for airport improvements, including front-of-house projects such as terminal expansions and baggage system upgrades.

Airports receiving funding include:

  • $1.8 million to South Bend International Airport in Indiana to reconstruct 8,500 feet of the existing Taxiway B pavement and correct the Taxiway B alignment geometry to meet FAA design standards
  • $2.4 million to Easton Airport in Maryland to improve the Runway 22 safety area
  • $8.3 million to Bangor International in Maine to rehabilitate 7,436 feet of Runway 15/33 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize debris

View a data visualization of the airports receiving funding here www.faa.gov/bil/airport-infrastructure.

05/05/2024   New Rotorcraft Collective Video Helps Pilots Understand the Effects of OTC Meds - Pilots: Some over-the-counter medication could impact your ability to operate an aircraft safely. Diphenhydramine, for example, is often detected in the system of pilots who've had accidents. Before you liftoff, wait a period of five times the dosing interval of the medication to ensure it is out of your system. Check out this and other videos in our Rotorcraft Collective series here: https://bit.ly/RotorYT.

05/05/2024Engine Oil 101 - Most people know engine oil is essential — it is the lifeblood of the reciprocating engine — but not everyone knows all the reasons why. So, besides lubrication, what exactly does engine oil do? - To find out, have a look at “Engine Oil 101” medium.com/faa/engine-oil-101-a2bd01e934d9 in the Mar/Apr 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

04/30/2024    TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS - From AOPA - "Do you have trouble getting the correct picture during takeoffs or landings? You’ll want to get it right when in close proximity to the ground, which leaves little margin for error. Learn what you need to know about runway length and obstacle considerations, the effect of density altitude on aircraft performance, how to deal with a cross-wind, and ASI’s 50/50 solution to be a safer pilot each time you take off and land." LARGE VIDEO Selection for your Access, HERE.

04/30/2024   NBAA Welcomes Progress on FAA Reauthorization Bill - From NBAA - "Washington, DC, April 30, 2024 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today welcomed House and Senate negotiators’ agreement, released early Monday morning, on a bipartisan, bicameral bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Shortly after midnight, leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Commerce Committee reached agreement on a compromise FAA bill, which reflects a number of priorities for which NBAA has advocated. A copy of the legislation – the product of months-long work between the two chambers – was made public yesterday.

We commend the House and Senate Committees for maintaining a continued focus on passing a multi-year authorization bill,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Agreement on the compromise marks a key step in ensuring the FAA has the direction needed for long-term planning, as well as operational safety and targeted investment. We look forward to working with Congress on approval of a final reauthorization bill.”

The measure contains a number of provisions supported by NBAA, including language to expand workforce development programs, improve aviation safety globally, provide funding for community airports and help integrate sustainable aviation, such as advanced air mobility.

The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate, which could come as early as Wednesday this week. After Senate approval, the legislation would need to be approved by the House and signed into law by the president. The most recent extension to the FAA authorization bill, passed in 2018, expires on May 10.

04/29/2024    Air Taxi Manufacturers Archer, Joby Set Sights on Abu Dhabi - From FLYING -  "Both companies are working with Abu Dhabi government agencies to build ecosystems in the city for their respective aircraft. - At the inaugural DriftX conference in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, both headquartered in California, signed agreements with Abu Dhabi government agencies to introduce their respective air taxis in the Emirate."  Full Story Here.

04/29/2024  Sling Pilot Academy and the City of Torrance Settle Business License Dispute - From TAA - "[Torrance, 4/26/2024] – Sling Pilot Academy, a premier flight training institution located in Torrance, CA, and the City of Torrance have settled a dispute in State Court over Sling’s business license. - In October 2023 Sling received a letter from the City of Torrance saying that Sling’s business license would not be renewed in 2024 due to a never-enforced 1977 resolution limiting the..."   Continue Here.

04/29/2024   ForeFlight Introduces Reported Turbulence Map - From AVweb - "ForeFlight’s latest release features a Reported Turbulence Map—allowing pilots to see where aircraft are encountering turbulence using information sourced from the company’s Sentry ADS-B receivers. - “No one enjoys flying through turbulence, whether you’re piloting a single-engine piston or riding in the back of a jet,” said Henrik Hansen, ForeFlight’s chief technology officer. - ForeFlight says the additional feature within the mobile app displays the measured intensity of turbulence at multiple altitudes, making it easy for pilots to find..."  Finish Reading Here.

04/28/2024   Flying Through the Center of a Trough Should Have Been Uneventful - From Flying -  "A combination of weather and decision-making leads to a flight narrative worth sharing. - Knowing the weather that was expected to occur along the coastal Mid-Atlantic region, an eastern route was not at the top of my list of preferred routes. New York clearance delivery would not give us a southwestern departure because of heavy flow in and out of the congested New York airports. - After a brief back-and-forth discussion with clearance delivery, a route directly south was the option the pilot accepted. Without getting into the details of why the eastern route was chosen, here is a synopsis of the flight and what we experienced."  Full Article Here.

04/27/2024   NATA Challenges GAMI’s Assertion Of ‘Commercial Availability’ of G100UL - "The National Air Transport Association (NATA) says General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s (GAMI) FAA-approved G100UL is not yet “commercially available” even though the licensed manufacturer of the unleaded avgas, Vitol Aviation, has more than a million gallons of it for sale. In a statement, the organization, which represents FBOs and fuel distributors, said that because G100UL has not been granted a consensus standard by ASTM International, it cannot be considered commercially available. “Because the FAA does not indemnify any entity in the supply chain for damages caused by fuel-related issues, fuel distributors and FBOs will similarly lack assurances that the unleaded fuel they are selling will not expose them to liability,” the statement says. “At present, G100UL is..."  Continue Here.

04/24/2024   EAGLE Projects Approval For PAFI Unleaded Fuel In 2025 - From AVweb - "The End Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) group expects the lone survivor of the congressionally mandated Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI) to be approved by late 2025 but it may not be completely suitable for all engines. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Tim Owen of Continental Aerospace told dozens of stakeholders and media representatives that the Lyondell/Basell/VP Racing fuel is now in full testing by the FAA and, if all goes well, will be through all those tests by the third quarter of 2025. - In addition to engine tests in static cells and..." Complete article Here.

04/23/2024   FAA Requires Aviation Organizations to Detect, Address Safety Risks Early - FAA - WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing new requirements for charter airlines, commuter airlines, air tour operators, and certain aircraft manufacturers to implement a Safety Management System (SMS).

SMS provides a means for a structured, repeatable, systematic approach to proactively identify hazards and manage safety risk. By incorporating SMS, these aviation organizations will be better able to develop and implement mitigations that are appropriate to their specific environment and operations.

The FAA’s final rule mandates that these organizations develop a SMS within one to three years, depending on the operation. The FAA has required U.S. airlines to have SMS since 2018, and some manufacturers already developed and implemented SMS, which the FAA accepted.

“Requiring more aviation organizations to implement a proactive approach to managing safety will prevent accidents and save lives,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said.

The rule also requires those who have an SMS to share hazard information with other aviation organizations so they can work collaboratively to identify and address potential safety issues.

The final rule goes beyond the requirements of the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act of 2020, which directed the FAA to mandate SMS only for aircraft manufacturers. The rule also addresses recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and independent review panels.  -  Read the final rule.

04/22/2024   FAA Space Report - April 22, 2024  - FAA -  FAA Policy: Reentry Vehicles Launching as a Payload 

The FAA published a policy stating it will not authorize the launch of a reentry vehicle as a payload without it having appropriate authorization to return to Earth. Launch of a reentry vehicle without reentry authorization would pose public safety concerns designed to be addressed by the reentry licensing process. Read the Federal Register notice for additional information.  

COMSTAC Meeting April 23, 2024 

The upcoming Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) meeting will recognize its 40th anniversary. Established in 1984, the committee consists of industry representatives and other stakeholders who provide advice and recommendations to the FAA and the Department of Transportation about safety, technology, business, and policy issues about the U.S. commercial space transportation sector. The agenda and livestream links are posted here.

FAA Renews Commercial Space Memorandum of Cooperation with New Zealand 

The FAA and New Zealand renewed and updated a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on commercial space issues. It incorporates the FAA Part 450 launch and reentry regulations and continues safe U.S.-licensed commercial space launches from New Zealand. Read the MOC for additional information.

Learn about the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska 

The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska is in the FAA Spaceport Spotlight. This series focuses on the unique capabilities of each FAA-licensed spaceport. From launch and reentry sites to aerospace research, testing and technology centers no two spaceports are the same. 

FAA Podcast: Career Aspirations at Rising Aviation High 

There is power in mentorship! In this special episode of the FAA’s The Air Up There podcast, 13-year-old Isabella from Rising Aviation High School and FAA aerospace engineer Karen Perez from the Office of Commercial Space Transportation engage in an insightful discussion about aspirations, mentorship, diversity, and the limitless possibilities in aerospace. Listen to help find your place in space.

 

Collaborative Effort is Improving Integration of Space Operations into the NAS 

Did you know the FAA’s Space Collaborative Decision-Making program is working to improve efficiency and minimize impacts in the National Airspace System (NAS) during space operations? Some of the efforts include the FAA reducing the size of airspace closures and quickly reopening airspace, commercial airlines actively involved in the pre-mission information flow, and space operators shortening launch/reentry windows. The program also involves NASA, the U.S. Space Force and other stakeholders. It is currently focused on improving data sharing, pre-mission planning, and international coordination. Watch and learn how the FAA integrates space operations into the NAS.

04/21/2024   Despite boom in air traffic, SBD airport remains without radar - From Community Forward - "Local aviation officials are joined by Rep. Aguilar and THUD in pushing for a solution. - Pilots and airport officials in Redlands and San Bernardino remain concerned about the lack of radar at the booming San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), which handles large-jet traffic. - A new flight path approved by the FAA has increased calls to install a radar display in the control tower. - Why it matters: An uptick in the number of cargo jets using SBD in recent years, mixed with the variety of aircraft landing at SBD, including passenger planes and general aviation, has caused..."   Read the Full Article Here.

04/21/2024   The Commercial Ticket Myth - Do you know what it takes to start earning money with your aircraft? The FAA’s Medium blog, Cleared for Takeoff, published the story of a helicopter pilot who offered sightseeing tours unaware that he was breaking regulations. Pilots are ultimately responsible for knowing the rules and regulations regarding the privileges and limitations of a commercial pilot certificate. Read The Commercial Ticket Myth at medium.com/faa/the-commercial-ticket-myth-039cb610dbad to learn everything you need to do to stay in compliance while earning money with your aircraft.

04/20/2024   5 Tasks You Might Not Know That Pilots Perform - From Simple Flying -  "Nearly everything pilots do at work has been de-mystified. The amount of information available on websites and through videos gives non-pilots an excellent idea of what it's like to fly airliners. This article will focus on five tasks that pilots only perform on occasion. Hopefully, a few items on this list will be new to you! - Category II and III approach confidence checks - Many airliners are equipped with incredibly precise instrumentation that allows for approaches to a runway in minimal visibility. These higher-level precision approaches are titled "Category II" or "Category III" ILS procedures. A CAT II allows pilots to use the autopilot until 100 feet above the ground, while a CAT III autoland will..."   Read the rest Here!

04/18/2024   uAvionix Gets FAA Airport Surface Situational Awareness Contract - From AVweb - "uAvionix has won a contract to supply ADS-B-based systems to provide tower controllers with real-time positions of aircraft on airport taxiways, ramps and runways. The FlightLine system was picked as a cost-effective solution to boost situational awareness of surface movements for controllers through the agency’s Surface Awareness Initiative. The first two deployments are at Austin and Indianapolis and they’ll be operational by the..."  Finish Reading Here.

04/17/2024   Elk Grove police secure $2.1 million for 'Drone as First Responder' program - From ABC10 - "Elk Grove city officials recently approved a $2.1 million drone purchase for police, which can be used to check the validity of emergency calls. - Elk Grove police are hoping to develop drones as first responders after city officials recently approved a $2.1 million drone system purchase.

"11% of our (2022) patrol calls could have been handled by a Drone as a First Responder Program," Elk Grove Police Lieutenant Nate Lange said at a recent city council meeting. "In 10 seconds, our drone can be up in the air; it flies at approximately 50 miles an hour. At the radius of our city, we should be able to be at any call within three minutes." - More Here.

04/17/2024   Grassley Says FAA Loopholes Aid Drug Runners - From AVweb - "According to GlobalAir, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is calling on the FAA to tighten up aircraft registration to prevent drug cartels from using N-registered planes to move drugs. Grassley, who’s co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, issued a report on Monday alleging the cartels are using loopholes to get U.S. registration on drug-running aircraft. “Air transportation is a favored method for the cartels and a burgeoning industry of illicit aircraft brokers has grown up around it,” the report said. “These brokers exploit vulnerabilities and..."  Finish Reading Here.

04/16/2024   LA COUNTY AIRPORT NEWSLETTERS - April 2024 - "On behalf of airport management, we are happy to introduce our first Monthly Airport Newsletters to all airport tenants, users, and stakeholders. - Attached are the April 2024, Airport Monthly Newsletters.

  1. Bracket Airport(POC)  Airport Newsletter POC April 2024 II
  2. Compton Airport (CPM)  Airport Newsletter CPM April 2024
  3. FOX Field (WJF)  Airport Newsletter WJF April 2024
  4. San Gabriel Valley Airport (EMT)  Airport Newsletter EMT April 2024
  5. Whiteman Airport (WHP)  Airport Newsletter WHP April 2024

04/16/2024   Recently added items to the Airport News and New Resources page on the FAA website:

04/16/2024   NTSB Urges Better Prop Inspections - From AVweb - "After investigating a few aluminum propeller failures, the NTSB has issued a Safety Alert and it’s particularly addressing backcountry pilots. “Aluminum propeller blades can be susceptible to fatigue cracking and fracture if a small nick, pit, or corrosion on the surface or edge is not found and repaired during preflight inspection or maintenance,” the NTSB said in the alert. “Such damage can concentrate stress from normal airplane operation loads, resulting in fatigue crack initiation and growth followed by propeller blade fracture.”  Read More Here.

04/15/2024   ASAG March-April Accident/Incident Report - Accidents-Incidents-Devs-Apr24

04/15/2024   ASAG April 17 Mtg Agenda - Contains GREAT E-Book (My Two Cents by Jim Price) re: Saving Our Airports - ASAG Agenda Wednesday 17APR2024

04/15/2024   Energy Management - FLY SAFE - When it comes to aerodynamics, it helps to think of energy like a savings account. Learn how to draw on the basics of flight to better manage emergency situations. - Manage your aircraft's Energy like a savings account to make safer flight decisions. -  Read More about Energy Management Here.

04/15/2024   SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY VOTES TO SAVE OCEANO AIRPORT - From AOPA -  "Pilots from across California rallied to defend Oceano County Airport after increased scrutiny from local opponents threatened its survival. The success of these efforts proves how vital community support can be when elected officials assess the impact of an airport."  Read it Here.

04/14/2024   Arrival Alert Notices (AANs) - FAA 4/11 - "Arrival Alert Notices (AAN) are graphics produced by the FAA that visually depict an approach at specific airports to help mitigate wrong surface misalignment risks for pilots. - What is happening? Aircraft are misaligning to wrong runway or even a taxiway and sometimes the wrong airport. To address these wrong surface events, the FAA released the Arrival Alert Notices (AAN) at several airports with a history of misalignment risk. AANs provide a graphic visually depicting the approach to a particular airport with a history of misalignment risk. There is also language describing the misalignment risk area. - Read More and Where AANs are available (includes Chino, Palm Springs & Others) HERE.  Webmaster: FAA links sometimes change locations, please send a note is this one becomes n/a. Thanks!

04/14/2024   Expectation Bias Cited In NTSB’s Final Report On 2022 JetBlue Tail-Strike - From AVweb - "The NTSB has concluded a JetBlue captain’s decision to take off prematurely to prevent a potential head-on collision with an opposing King Air led to a heavy tailstrike that forced an emergency diversion. - As we reported at the time, the incident occurred at Yampa Valley Airport in January of 2022. The airport does not have a control tower so pilots operating there were receiving instructions from Denver-area controllers while communicating with each other on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). - The report says the JetBlue flight crew announced their intention..."   More Here.

04/14/2024  "Fying The Weather" " - Archived VIDEO From ASI AOPA - Hear from weather expert and AOPA Pilot Magazine writer, Tom Horne, on the dangers of flight into "known icing" conditions and what you can do to escape those conditions with your life. Watch the Video Here.

04/14/2024   'SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY' - From AOPA - Bruce Lansberg -"Borrowing a title from songwriter Paul Simon, aircraft seat design would seem to be a well-established discipline, honed after decades of experience to a fine art—but apparently it is not." "It’s not always the old designs that have issues. A Cirrus SR22 crashed on takeoff when the pilot’s seat slid aft to the secondary stop because the locking pins were only partially engaged. The NTSB determined the pilot failed to properly secure his seat before takeoff, resulting in loss of control when he couldn’t reach the rudder pedals. This was the pilot’s third SR22 and he was 69 inches tall, for the record. In nearly 800 hours of flying SR22s he’d never had a problem with the seats before."  Read The Entire Report Here.

04/13/2024  FAA Investigating Santa Clara For Airport Maintenance Issues - From AVweb - "The FAA has notified Santa Clara County it is investigating noncompliance issues at Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports with an eye to getting safety issues fixed. In an April 8 letter, the agency detailed a long list of areas it would be looking at on the field including signage and runway markings, areas of pavement undermined by ground squirrels and weed issues on the edge of various paved areas. - The agency says..."  Complete Article Here.

04/13/2024  ICAO Council adopts new international aviation Standards and Recommended Practices for remotely piloted aircraft systems - From ICAO80 - "Montréal, 5 April 2024 – New aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) adopted at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will enhance safety and accelerate the transformation of the global air navigation system, including the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). - “The sustainable development of aviation worldwide requires a performance-driven and service-oriented advanced global air navigation system. Today we have taken significant steps towards achieving this,” stated the President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano. - The Council of ICAO approved amendments to 15 of the 19 Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and approved a new “Procedure for Air Navigation Services (PANS) on Information Management” during its recently concluded 231st Session."  Finish Reading Here.

04/13/2024   Lycoming Says Aromatics In Fuel, Leaning Techniques May Have Caused Valve Problems - From AVweb - "Lycoming says it doesn’t think its engines are to blame for the valve seat recession problems experienced by the University of North Dakota flight training department last year after it switched to Swift Fuels’ UL94 fuel. Rather, it says in a news release (copied in full below) its analysis suggests that “under certain conditions, use of UL94 may impact valve seat recession.” - Lycoming says the analysis indicates that..."  Full Story Here.

04/10/2024   A Gates-Backed Startup Is Making Fuel From Water and Carbon Dioxide - From BNN Bloomberg -  "At a facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, Bill Gates-backed startup Infinium is pioneering the industrial-scale production of e-fuels made from water-derived hydrogen and carbon dioxide captured from nearby refineries. The company, which counts Amazon and American Airlines among its customers, is also building a sustainable aviation fuel production facility in West Texas, with an operational startup planned for 2026." Full Story: BNN Bloomberg (Canada)

04/09/2024   Jeffco Noise Study Revealed; Touch & Go Operations Cited - From AVweb - "Brad Walker, a longtime pilot at Jefferson County, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Municipal Airport (KBJC; also known as “Jeffco”), has actively challenged efforts by homeowners to sue the county over noise and lead pollution associated with the airport. Most recently, he filed a request under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) statute (similar to the federal Freedom of Information Act) to acquire a noise study commissioned by his home town of Superior, Colorado, which abuts the airport property. His request had been denied, based on attorney-client privilege, but Walker recently acquired a copy of the report and shared it with AVweb."  Read the report results Here.

04/08/2024   From The Inside, Things Look Even Worse For Air Traffic Control - From AVweb -  "Of course that’s part of their training and it’s drilled into both pilots and controllers to keep their heads when things are going to hell in a handbasket. Although the Denver incident seemed, on balance, to be  relatively minor, you can never be sure. I would challenge any of the cynics who chime in about the whining they perceive when pilots and controllers are negotiating contracts to honestly gut check themselves and see how they would do under the circumstances." - "Now, imagine that you’ve been working a mandatory 10 hours a day, six days a week for years. Sometimes the shifts are only eight hours apart. Because your workplace is so short staffed, you consider it to be dangerous and like most of your colleagues you believe an error occurring that kills hundreds of people is not just possible or even likely. You believe it is inevitable."  Story and earthshaking VIDEO Here.

04/08/2024   Airman Testing - Notices and Reference Materials Including: Community Advisory - Testing Resources - Knowledge Testing -Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) Program - Oral & Practical Testing - Reporting & Statistics - FAQs - For Reference see the FAA Testing Page Here.

04/05/2024   Factors Affecting the Commercial Sale of Emerging Unleaded Aviation Fuels - From NATA - "Purpose To educate both aviation and community stakeholders interested in understanding or communicating the dynamics of the commercial availability of unleaded avgas, including considerations on the status of UL fuels, the paths to authorization, and safety concerns around the transition. Introduction NATA (National Air Transportation Association) is committed to advancing the national effort to reduce lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft through safe and effective unleaded avgas implementation. NATA, along with other industry and government stakeholders including the FAA, supports the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) Initiative1 goal of a lead-free future for U.S. piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030. EAGLE aims to eliminate the use of leaded avgas without compromising the safe and efficient operation of the existing general aviation (GA) fleet and the economic contribution of general aviation – which includes maintaining 100 Low Lead (100LL) availability across the country during the transition. While EAGLE has targeted 2030 for the elimination of leaded avgas, NATA is optimistic that industry and government stakeholders can work
together to achieve this goal sooner. Ensuring a safe transition to unleaded avgas is a highly complex process at all stages, so it is critical
that new fuels are properly vetted for safety, from the moment they are produced at the refinery until the moment they reach an aircraft. While the FAA approves avgas for use in aircraft types and aircraft engines, the FAA does not regulate or oversee the..."   Continue Here.

04/05/2024    Most Current Revised KLGB  FLY FRIENDLY Graphics  - From LBAA -   Addressed to LGB Operators -Below please find the most current revised Fly Friendly program graphic for your files and use. This update was based on information discussed at the last committee meeting. We understand LGB staff is reviewing a set of previously submitted guidelines as a resource for flight schools to implement into their syllabus. We have requested that document be circulated back thru the LBAA for operator/school feedback before being distributed – For your review, the proposal can be viewed with this link where it is now posted on the airport’s website. Noise Ordinance History (longbeach.gov)   The VOLUNTARY FLY FRIENDLY Program Diagram is HERE

04/05/2024   Daily Russian GNSS Jamming Has NATO States Concerned - From AVweb - "Daily Russian GPS jamming in and around sensitive geographic locations has generated concern among Western governments, transportation authorities and military operations over the two years of strife involving the war with Ukraine. As Russia tilts in the direction of conflict with NATO nations, concerns are ramping up even further. - A Newsweek report last month highlighted the long-term nature of the threatening trend. It quoted a spokesman for the..."  Continue Here.

04/05/2024   Building Confidence with the Conditions - How comfortable are you with the weather and making a go/no-go decision based on what you see? Chances are there’s room to expand your grasp on weather and develop or improve upon your interpretation skills. If you’re interested in learning how to unleash your inner weather briefer, check out “Building Confidence with the Conditions” at https://medium.com/faa/building-confidence-with-the-conditions-d079a311e080 in the Mar/Apr 2024 issue of the FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire weather-themed issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

04/03/2024   Ask the A&Ps Ep. 22 – Exploring the basics of leaning - YouTube - Webmaster: "Great Mechanical Info!" -  Info re: Leaning, challenging the conventional wisdom on oversquare, returning sumped fuel to the tanks, valve lapping and BOROSCOPE info! Info about the Mick Busch SAVVY website.  See the Podcast Here.

04/03/2024   NTSB Warns Pilots Of Dust Devil Dangers - From AVweb - "This week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a safety alert warning pilots of the dangers posed by dust devils. - According to the agency, dust devils have been present in some 170 aviation accidents the NTSB has investigated since 1982. The small, rapidly rotating columns of air are made visible by the dust and debris they pick up from the ground. Although usually harmless, the weather phenomena can be a serious risk to small aircraft, especially when operating at low altitudes. The NTSB notes that dust devils are often invisible causing “sudden and unexpected turbulence for pilots and aircraft, which may lead to rapid loss of lift, uncommanded roll or..."  Finish reading Here.

04/02/2024   Business Aircraft Accident Reports: March 2024 - From AINonline - "Preliminary and final accident reports, March 2024 - "Preliminary Reports - Upset Preceded In-flight Break-up - Robinson R66, Oct. 26, 2023, Hawks Nest, New South Wales, Australia - Footage recovered from an onboard video camera showed that the helicopter underwent a series of intensifying attitude excursions as the pilot attempted to override the autopilot, eventually rolling past inverted to a 270-degree right bank before breaking up and crashing into Providence Bay near Hawks Nest. The solo 1,119-hour private pilot was the only casualty. - The personal flight departed from Cressnock Airport at 08:50 local time on a VFR flight to Wallis Island. The pilot coordinated transit through the Williamtown restricted airspace with air traffic control and was cleared to..." This conclusion and others Here.

04/02/2024   Mental Health Committee Says Pilots Shouldn’t Have To Report ‘Talk Therapy’ Sessions - From AVweb - "An expert committee struck by the FAA on pilot mental health is recommending that pilots be allowed to get “talk therapy” from mental health professionals without having to disclose it in their flight medical. The Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee has submitted its 69-page report to the agency and its first recommendation (of 24) is aimed at eliminating the fear pilots have of losing their tickets due to actually trying to fix a medical problem. - As it stands, pilots with the kinds of struggles that about 50% of all people face in their lifetime have three basic options: ..." Continue Here.

04/01/2024   Enforcement Action Against Wing Walking Business Goes Over The Top - From AVweb - "Mason and his wife Jen started offering wing walking flights in 2012 and have flown hundreds of people on what I can without reservation, describe as a singular experience. It was done in full view of the FAA and other authorities, and Mason told the Seattle Times it had been fully approved by the local authorities. - There are dozens of videos on YouTube and glowing testimonials about the professionalism and safety attitude of the proprietors. By all accounts it’s been a good mom and pop business for the Masons, paying the bills and..."  Read the Full Article by Russ Niles and read the Comments Here.

03/30/2024   Pilots Have Questions When It Comes to MOSAIC - From FLYING - "Here’s an overview of the proposed regulations and some opinions provided during the comment period. - MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) is a regulation that affects all aircraft with special airworthiness certificates. Aircraft built by Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Diamond, and others instead have standard certificates, and their new models remain untouched by this proposed regulation.

In contrast, all light sport aircraft (LSA), experimental amateur-built airplanes, and warbirds are issued special certificates. In my view, the rule can be divided into two main parts: airplane descriptions and capabilities, and pilot certificates, technician privileges, and operating limitations. In short, airplanes or people."  Much More on the Topic Here.

03/30/2024   DoT Inspector General To Audit FAA Efforts On Drone Integration - From AVweb - "Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operation of unmanned and autonomous systems (UAS) operations took a big step forward today (March 13). The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Transportation (DoT) filed a memorandum on the FAA’s efforts to establish a regulatory framework for such operations."  Finish reading Here.

03/30/2024   EAA's Magazine SportAviation April 2024 edition available here as a way to direct your interest toward the EAA.  View it Here.

03/30/2024   Satellite Navigation — GPS/WAAS Approaches - Get up to date Info Here.

03/29/2024   FAA Challenges Students To Innovate Data Usage In The NAS - From AVweb - "The FAA announced today (March 27) it has launched the “2024 FAA Data Challenge.” The object of the program is to invite university students to explore possibilities for innovating the information and data associated with the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). The competition will be implemented by HeroX, self-described as an “open marketplace for crowdsourcing innovation and human ingenuity.” HeroX was founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Christian Cotichini and XPrize founder Peter Diamandis."  More Here.

03/27/2024    STAYING ALIVE? - Health Info - From AOPA - "Doctors are privileged to see people in their darkest hour, help many, cure some, and always reassure. But nothing beats resuscitating someone who, without attention, will die 100% of the time. And you can do this too. - Cardiac arrest is the sudden cessation of heartbeats; gas exchange in the lungs stops, organs do not receive required nutrients, and one by one, they die. For etymologists out there, “arrest” originates from Latin, re-stare; to remain, or stop. Stopped hearts kill 300,000–450,000 Americans yearly, more commonly men and older folk. - Risk factor awareness and action, as well as more people learning CPR, can dramatically reduce these deaths. Around 5–10% suffering CA outside the hospital survive; whereas among hospital in-patients, that number climbs to 20 -25%. According to a meta-analysis of 38 studies including 16,933 patients, around 2/3 were still alive after ten years, so CPR has long-term benefits!  -  When learning to fly, understanding electrical system misbehaviors is always taken seriously by..."   Read More Here.

03/27/2024   AOPA Rusty Pilots Online Course - "Get Back In The Left Seat" - Stay current and confident with this free online course for AOPA members. - Spring is here! Whether you’re gearing up for more time in the air or returning to the cockpit after a flying hiatus, AOPA has you covered. Members can take advantage of a fun, interactive course—Rusty Pilots Online —designed to refresh your aviation knowledge and polish your flying skills. - Here's what you can expect:

  • Real-World Scenarios: Immerse yourself in the scenario of a cross-country flight as we cover critical topics such as medical reform, weather briefings, preflight planning, regulations, airspace, and more.
  • Access to Flight Schools: We'll assist you in locating flight schools in your area, making it easy to transition from the virtual cockpit to the real one.
  • Additional Benefits: This course qualifies for the AOPA Accident Forgiveness and FAA WINGS programs.

Here's a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • Pilot and aircraft requirements
  • Flight planning and briefings
  • Understanding airspace and sectional charts
  • Operating in/around special use airspace
  • Embracing technology in the cockpit
Shake off that rust and get started now with Rusty Pilots Online! We’re here to support you every step of the way!  Learn More Here.

03/25/2024    Cal Fire uses new tech to train helicopter crews to fight fires at night - VIDEO - From CBS Sacramento - "SACRAMENTO – Cal Fire is in its first few years of using a new device that enables the agency to train helicopter pilots and crews to battle flames from the sky at night. - It marks a significant shift in fighting wildfires as nighttime helicopter suppression used to be impossible. - Cal Fire's S70 Hawk helicopters mobilized Wednesday in a unique training operation."  Read and See the data Here.

03/25/2024   GNS 430 Hysteria-25 Years Later - From AVweb - "The forums and news threads went berserk when Garmin sounded the warning horn last year that the parts bins stocked with major components to maintain the world-conquering GNS-series navigators are thinning, and that owners should start planning an upgrade. Garmin Service Advisory (23018 Rev. B) makes it official, saying in part that display repairs for the WAAS and non-WAAS GPS 400, GNC 420 and GNS 430 are no longer available and have been discontinued after 25 years of support. - It’s easy to understand the hysteria because for the masses, it’s tough to imagine flying..."  Continue Here.

03/25/2024   Video Of The Week: Garmin GNS 430: Throwaway Or Keeper? - VIDEO - From AVweb - "Despite false rumors and misinformation that the hugely popular Garmin GNS-series navigators are at the end of their service life, Garmin says that 99 percent of GNS users can keep using their units. Moreover, the Garmin factory will still continue to support common repairs and refurbishments as it has for..."  Continue Here.

03/25/2024   Understanding aircraft systems - From AOPA - "In this Safety Spotlight, the AOPA Air Safety Institute teamed up with California Aeronautical University to explore piston engines, propellers, and pneumatic systems."

03/25/2024   Combating spatial disorientation - From AOPA - "This video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute archives examines the hazards of spatial disorientation and offers strategies to avoid them."