Here is our Website's Shelf Space - Page 9

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:     

(Preface Updated 1/03/25)

Vectors 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 January '25 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.

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.  

        Added to the Chart Supplement!

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.

  Aeronautical Charting Meeting (ACM) — Charting Group

  • ACM 24-01 CG Minutes, April 24-25, 2024 (PDF)
  • ACM 24-02 CG Minutes, October 9-10, 2024 (PDF)

  Next Meeting

  • The next meeting will be held on April 21-24, 2025 as a virtual meeting. Details will be provide at a later date.New Recommendation Documents for Upcoming ACM (CG)
    • Blank Recommendation Document for ACM 25-01 (MS Word)
    • New submission deadline for ACM 25-01: Close of business March 20, 2025
  • To be added to the ACM email distribution list, send a message with your first and last name and email address to: 9-amc-avs-acm-info@faa.gov

  • MANUALS You May Need:

    Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Basic with Change 1 and 2 (HTML) (Effective 5/19/2022)

• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Basic with Change 1 and 2 (PDF) (Effective 5/19/2022)
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Change 2 (PDF) (Effective 5/19/2022)
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Change 1 (PDF) (Effective 12/2/2021)
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Basic (PDF) (Effective 6/17/2021)
• Form 1100-1, Directory – Distribution Change Notice (PDF)
• Air Traffic Organization, Safety Management System Manual (SMS) April 2019 (PDF)
• Air Traffic Organization, Safety Risk Management Guidance to Systems Acquisitions (SRMGSA) March 2020 (PDF)

                      MANUALS You May Need:

• Pilot/Controller Glossary Basic with Change 1 and 2 (PDF) (Effective 5/19/2022)
• Pilot/Controller Glossary Basic with Change 1 and 2 (HTML) (Effective 5/19/2022)
  • Pilot/Controller Glossary Change 2 (PDF) (Effective 5/19/2022))
  • Pilot/Controller Glossary Change 1 (PDF) (Effective 12/2/2021)
  • Pilot/Controller Glossary Basic (PDF) (Effective 6/17/2021)
• /Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Basic (PDF) (Effective 5/19/2022)
• Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Basic (HTML) (Effective 5/19/2022)
• 2015 Comparison of Air Traffic Management-Related Operational Performance: U.S./Europe (PDF)

        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: 5 September 2024

• Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide (PDF) (Approx. 54.0 MB)

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.

The FAA is the source for all data and information utilized in the publishing of aeronautical charts through authorized publishers for each stage of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) air navigation including training, planning, and departures, enroute (for low and high altitudes), approaches, and taxiing charts. Digital charts are available online at:

• VFR Charts - https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/vfr/
• IFR Enroute Charts - https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/ifr/
• Terminal Procedures Publication - http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dtpp/
• Chart Supplement - https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dafd/

Paper copies of the charts are available through an FAA Approved Print Provider. A complete list of current providers is available at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/print_providers/

The FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Pilot/Controller Glossary defines in detail, all terms and abbreviations used throughout this publication. Unless otherwise indicated, miles are nautical miles (NM), altitudes indicate feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL), and times used are Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

The Notice to Air Missions Publication (NOTAM) includes current Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAMs. NOTAMs alert pilots of new regulatory requirements and reflect changes to Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), flight restrictions, and aeronautical chart revisions. This publication is prepared every 28 days by the FAA, and is available by subscription from the Government Printing Office. For more information on subscribing or to access online PDF copy, http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/notices/

In addition to NOTAMs, the Chart Supplement and the Safety Alerts/Charting Notices page of the Aeronautical Information Services website are also useful to pilots.

Keep Your Charts Current

Aeronautical information changes rapidly, so it is important that pilots check the effective dates on each aeronautical chart and publication. To avoid danger, it is important to always use current editions and discard obsolete charts and publications.

To confirm that a chart or publication is current, refer to the next scheduled effective date printed on the cover. Pilots should also check NOTAMs for important updates between chart and publication cycles that are essential for safe flight

Effective Date of Chart Users Guide and Updates

All information in this guide is effective as of 5 Sept. 2024. All graphics used in this guide are for educational purposes. Chart symbology may not be to scale. Please do not use them for flight navigation.

The Chart Users' Guide is published in accordance with the 56-day aeronautical chart product schedule.

Color Variation

Although the digital chart files are compiled in accordance with charting specifications, the final product may vary slightly in appearance due to differences in printing techniques/processes and/or digital display techniques.

Reporting Chart Discrepancies

Your experience as a pilot is valuable and your feedback is important. We make every effort to display accurate information on all FAA charts and publications, so we appreciate your input. Please notify us concerning any requests for changes, or potential discrepancies you see while using our charts and related products.

FAA, Aeronautical Information Services
1305 East-West Highway
SSMC4, Room 3424
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3281

Telephone Toll-Free 1-800-638-8972
Aeronautical Inquiries: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/aero_data/Aeronautical_Inquiries/

        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.

            Los Angeles County Aviation Commission - Meeting Agendas 2024

The Los Angeles County-owned airports, Brackett Field Airport in La Verne, Compton/Woodley Airport in Compton, San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte, General William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster, and Whiteman Airport in Pacoima not only play a vital role within the nation's integrated system of airports, they are also an integral part of YOUR community, serving the diverse constituents of the County of Los Angeles.   Contact Us: Staff to the Commission:  Van Tran(626) 300-4870  - ACCESS LA County Aviation Commission Meeting AGENDAS HERE  -  ACCESS Commission Meeting Minutes HERE.

              Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors - Serving The County of Los Angeles Since 1892

Meetings of the Board of Supervisors are held on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at 500 West Temple Street, Room 381B, at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Los Angeles. The regular meeting of the Board held on the last Tuesday of the month is primarily for the purpose of conducting legally-required public hearings on zoning matters, fee increases, special district proceedings, property transactions, etc.  ACCESS Meeting AGENDAS HERE, -  ACCESS Board Meeting MINUTES HERE

This Page [latest] was added on 09/7/24  -  See Pages  IW 1-8 for Previous Posts  -  Thank You! 

Let's Begin:

01/12/2025   FIREFIGHTING  VIDEO - YouTube - Click Here for Video 1   -   Click Here for Video 2  

01/11/2025    Federal Investigation Continues into Palisades Drone That Hit Water-Dropping Plane - From MyNewsLA.com - "A Federal Aviation Administration investigation was continuing Friday into a drone strike that damaged a water-dropping Super Scooper aircraft over Palisades Fire, putting it out of service during a crucial battle against various blazes in the area. - The aircraft was struck on Thursday and landed safely, and no crew members were injured. - Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the crew aboard the plane was unaware that it had struck a drone, only learning of the collision after it landed to refuel at Van Nuys Airport."  Full Article Here.

01/10/2025   Air Traffic Disrupted as Wildfires Continue to Rage in Southern California - From FLYING - "FAA has established several temporary flight restrictions in the region to protect aircraft involved in the firefighting operations. - Calming winds allowed aerial firefighters to deploy in Southern California late Wednesday as wildfires continued to plague the region. - According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the agency was able to utilize 12 helicopters and six airplanes to support the more than 1,100 firefighters assigned to the containment efforts. Several western states are also sending fire personnel, trucks, and aircraft to help combat the fires, officials said.

01/06/2025    Open Letter to LA City & County Officials "Let the Good Times Roll" Won't Always Work! - SCAUWG.ORG - "Thousands of people have lost their homes. Firemen were stranded without water to fight structures that were ablaze. Orders were given for the fireman to stand down. The devastation could not be stopped. - Those assumed responsible have blamed wind and no permissible airborne firefighting, which has caused strain on public works resources rather than emergency planning. This speaks directly about how important our airports and our aircraft are. Now that the aircraft are in flight, firefighting has become successful. Pilot training and the availability of emergency services are unmistakably necessary!"   Continue Here.

01/09/2025   Virtually perfect -  A simulator attempts to revolutionize helicopter training - From AOPA  - "It’s rare that a technology comes along that’s so transformative it completely changes the way we think about training pilots. Virtual reality has that potential. - Loft Dynamics, a company specializing in VR simulation, recently earned FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency certification for its Airbus H125 helicopter flight training device, which it says was a world first. While some may think of VR as a toy with a market best aimed at teenagers, Loft Dynamics’ FTD provides an immersive experience unlike any other simulator in the segment."  Continue Here.

01/07/2025   Flying Tips for the Occasional Winter-Weather Pilot - From FLYING - "Those who fly in the beautiful snow-covered North know that the winter brings spectacular views and welcomed gains in performance. - The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. Push the throttle forward for takeoff, and you might as well be in an F-15 Eagle roaring down the runway.

01/07/2025    Business Jet Fatalities Drop Nearly 35% in 2024 -  From AIN - "Non-U.S. turboprop accidents stayed unchanged but fatalities increased - Fatalities from business jet accidents worldwide decreased from 32 in 2023 to 21 last year, according to preliminary data gathered by AIN. Five fatal accidents of U.S.-registered business jets resulted in 15 fatalities last year versus six accidents that claimed 23 in 2023. Non-U.S.-registered business jets experienced three fatal accidents that resulted in six fatalities last year versus three accidents and nine fatalities in 2023.

Two of the fatal business jet accidents last year occurred while on charter flights, while the six other fatal accidents involved private flights. The five N-numbered business jet fatal accidents were on February 7, a Hawker 900XP on a positioning flight (two fatalities); February 9, a chartered Bombardier Challenger 604 on approach (two fatalities); March 10, an Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind on approach (five fatalities); August 20, a Cessna Citation II on takeoff (two killed); and November 11, a HondaJet on takeoff (four fatalities plus one on the ground). - The three fatal accidents involving non-U.S.-registered business jets were..."   Continue Here.

01/03/2025   Textron Keeps G100UL Off Approved Fuel List, Wants More Testing - From AVweb - "Textron issues statements on unleaded fuel compatibility. -Textron says it won't add G100UL unleaded avgas to its approved fuel list until it has been more thoroughly tested. In statements released last Friday (one for singles, one for twins), the company said it won't be giving its stamp of approval to the fuel unless and until that more comprehensive testing has been done. It cites the Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI) and the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) fuel evaluation process, of which it is an active participant, as the kind of "comprehensive testing of candidate replacement fuels for engine performance, materials compatibility, and operational safety" it's looking for. - GAMI said the statements in Textron's documents have been thoroughly debunked and all the engines in Textron's massive fleet are approved to run safely on G100UL.

01/03/2025   New surveillance system built to prevent runway incursions - From General Aviation News - "Researchers at the Purdue Polytechnic Institute have developed a patent-pending, simplified light system to automatically indicate an airport runway’s status to pilots, pedestrians, and vehicle operators. - The solar-powered system is called Simple, Affordable, Flexible, and Expandable Runway Status Lights (SAFE-RWSL). It uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data and computer vision to activate runway lights in real time. - John Mott is a professor and Luigi Dy is a doctoral student in Purdue University’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. They developed SAFE-RWSL and the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization has applied for a patent to protect the intellectual property. - A six-minute presentation about SAFE-RWSL in its earliest prototype form is available on Dy’s YouTube channel. His dissertation that covers the human-factor issues related to the effectiveness of SAFE-RWSL is published online."  Continue Here.

1/03/2025   FAA Taps Industry Association in Flight Training Modernization Bid - From FLYING - "Agency partnership with National Flight Training Alliance for Part 141 modernization is a first, organization says.  - The FAA has selected the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) to help modernize Part 141 training, the organization announced. - According to a media release, the NFTA has been selected by the FAA to work with flight training providers and GA industry leaders, coordinating the efforts to update the rule governing flight training.  -  Starting January 2, the FAA and NFTA will reach out to industry stakeholders and flight training providers across the country asking for input on best practices to modernize aviation training. Formal meetings will begin in March and be conducted both in person and virtually.

12/31/2024   FAA: The following items have been added to/updated on the Airman Testing webpage:

• The December ATCA
• The ACS Companion Guide for Pilots (with Changes 1 & 2)
• The Balloon Flying Handbook (11B)
• The Glider Flying Handbook (13B)

12/31/2024  The ILS Procedures and Components List - Effective Date: 26 December 2024 -

• ILS Procedures and Components List (MS Excel)

Next edition file will be available on 24 January 2025.

12/30/2024   Podcast: Most-Popular Flight Plan Episodes of 2024 - NBAA - "With 2025 just around the corner, we look back on the most popular NBAA Flight Plan podcasts over the past 12 months. Episodes featured discussions about welcome developments around pilot mental health, new technology to assist pilots flying challenging visual approaches and insights from those at the controls of the emerging AAM sector. - In these episodes, NBAA Flight Plan host Rob Finfrock speaks with:..."  More Here.

12/30/2024   7 Quick Business Aviation Tips for Safe and Successful Winter Ops - From NBAA - "7 Quick Business Aviation Tips for Safe and Successful Winter Ops" - "Every year, the onset of cold weather prompts a seasonal shift among business aviation flight planners, as they work to accommodate low temperatures. With that in mind, three experienced industry professionals offered insights and ideas aimed at improving safety and keeping operations going when temperatures plummet. - Audrey Lambdin, director of security and operations administration for Jet Logistics, Inc.; Abbie Fox, aviation dispatcher for Arthur M. Blank Family Offices and Michell Papontos, director of dispatch for Wheels Up shared a few of their best tips on winter operations."  Continue Here.

12/24/2024   FAA Space Report - Dec. 19, 2024 -  "FAA Holds First SpARC Part 450 Meetings to Update Licensing Rule 

12/22/2024   EAGLE Releases Part 1 Of ‘Clear The Air’ Series - From AVweb - Unleaded initiative attempts to explain nuances of the changeover process. - The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) team has released Part 1 of a three-part series called “Clearing the Air: How Unleaded Aviation Fuel Is Gaining Approval.” Part 1 (attached below) is labeled “Understanding the STC process and why it matters to pilots and aircraft owners.” In a series of questions and answers, EAGLE attempts to clarify the differences between the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval process as opposed to the Fleet Authorization protocol. Part 2 will further explore the Fleet Authorization process, as developed through the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), followed by Part 3, which is tasked with explaining “the importance of industry consensus standards, such as those from ASTM International.”   Read it Here.

12/22/2024   HERE ARE THE MOST-VIEWED NBAA STORIES OF 2024 - Check out the articles published this year that were most often viewed by business aviation professionals - View The List Here.

12/22/2024   InFO 24016, Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS), is now published. - This InFO serves to provide information on GADSS to all commercial operators conducting international operations. - 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/ - InFO24016.pdf

12/21/2024   NTSB says Warbird Airshow collision reflects poor planning - From AOPA - "The NTSB attributed the midair collision of a Bell P–63F Kingcobra fighter with a B–17G bomber during the Commemorative Air Force’s Wings Over Dallas airshow on November 12, 2022, to factors ranging from “inadequate prebriefing” to a lack of oversight by the FAA and airshow industry officials. The investigative agency released the findings December 9, ahead of the final report scheduled to be published December 12."  Continue Here.

12/21/2024   Atmospheric Rivers Set to Dramatically Change Up and Down West Coast - NSF NCAR - "Our changing climate is set to dramatically alter atmospheric rivers—powerful storms that carry vast amounts of water vapor and heavy rainfall—that batter the West Coast of the United States. - That's according to a new study from the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment. -As the planet warms, the storms will evolve differently in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest—regions hit regularly by atmospheric rivers, especially in winter months Southern California will see intensified storms driven by increased ocean evaporation, while atmospheric rivers in the Pacific Northwest will..."  finish Reading Here.

12/19/2024   The Magnetic North Pole Has Officially Changed Position - Science Alert - "It's time to recalibrate the navigation systems on ships, airplanes, and (given the time of year) Santa's sleigh: the position of the magnetic North Pole is officially being changed, continuing its shift away from Canada and towards Siberia. - Experts from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) have joined forces – as they do every five years – to produce a new, more accurate World Magnetic Model (WMM). - While the geographical North Pole stays fixed in place (at the very summit of the Earth's rotational axis), the WMM pinpoints the..."   Continue Here.

12/17/2024    Flight Data Monitoring - FAA - "Pilots continue to hold unreasonable expectations of their personal performance, and the performance of their aircraft, which has contributed to fatal GA accidents. - Reasonable performance expectations, based on realistic data from flight data monitors, can help to forecast system/component problems before they reach the point of failure, resulting in safer flight operations."   More Here.

12/16/2024   New rules for color vision testing - From AOPA - "The FAA is now fixing a problem that is not a problem—lying on color vision testing. As of January 1, 2025, aviation medical examiners will rely on internet-based tests to detect defective color vision. - The main difference between current testing and the new required online testing is that the color plates are randomized with each access so an applicant cannot memorize the sequence of the pseudoisochromatic color plates. At least there is one good part of this change—any pilot who has passed the color vision test previously will, in most cases, not have to be retested.  - Color vision deficiency is usually red-green deficiency and..."  Continue Here.

12/16/2024   FAA and EASA Pledge to Support Safe and Secure Civil Aviation Activities - FAA - "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) signed a Declaration of Intent to continue to foster and enrich its partnership to support safe and secure civil aviation activities. Leaders from the FAA and EASA discussed the renewed commitment at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 80th Anniversary of Chicago Convention. - 
“Aviation safety and modernization is a joint effort that requires collaboration with our international partners,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “Emerging technologies are transforming the global aviation system and require constant collaboration to reevaluate and adapt our strategic direction as new challenges and opportunities present themselves. Efforts like this Declaration of Intent help bring it all together.”

“Building on the EU-US Agreement on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety, this Declaration of Intent will generate a new momentum in our EASA-FAA relationship and allow for better alignment on the priorities voiced by the global aeronautical industry,” said Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA. - 
Under the Declaration, the FAA and EASA agree to share knowledge and best practices on safety data and risk management, cybersecurity and emerging technologies, innovation, research, and sustainability, as well as seek regulatory alignment where possible. Both organizations will also collaborate to provide technical assistance to regions across the globe. 

12/15/2024   NFL, Justice Department urge Congress to take action on threat from drones - From Reuters - "WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The National Football League, the Justice Department, the FBI and other agencies will call on Congress on Tuesday to expand U.S. government authority to detect and destroy drones that could pose security threats over stadiums and other locations.

12/13/2024    FAA Streamlines Part 450 Commercial Space License Application Process for Flight Safety Analyses Performed by Federal Ranges -  In another action to streamline and bring additional clarity to the application process for a commercial space launch and reentry license, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that various flight safety analyses performed by the Federal ranges in California, Florida, and Virginia, satisfy requirements of the Part 450 rule.

“This is a force multiplier in the production of quality flight safety analyses the FAA can readily accept when evaluating Part 450 launch and reentry license applications,” said Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman. “It also lessens the paperwork burden on the applicant and helps to speed the FAA review process.”

The commercial space industry often cites meeting flight safety analysis requirements as a challenge in the Part 450 licensing process, including when an operator contracts with a Federal range to perform some of the work. In consultation with each Federal range, the FAA has now specifically listed which safety-related Part 450 provisions, if performed by the range, satisfy the rule. This provides clarity to the applicant on what work by the range is acceptable to the FAA, reduces the amount of material the applicant must submit, and improves the efficiency of the FAA technical review.

Part 450 license applicants can make immediate use of this new process. An Advisory Circular will be issued in the near term to provide additional information. The FAA is continuing to work with the Federal ranges and anticipates expanding the list of safety-related services done by each range that will satisfy the Part 450 rule.

Read the FAA Notice of Determination for each Federal range for more detail:

U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 30 that covers Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 that covers Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center that covers the Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia.

12/11/2024    FAA streamlines ADS-B privacy program - From AOPA - "The FAA recently made three updates to its ADS-B Privacy International Civil Aviation Organization Address, or PIA, program that strengthen privacy while streamlining the process for pilots holding PIAs who wish to opt out of real-time public ADS-B flight tracking. The updates include changes the general aviation industry and AOPA have sought for years." - "Under the PIA program, which dates back to 2019, aircraft operators can request a temporary ICAO aircraft address that is not associated with the aircraft owner listed in the Civil Aviation Registry. The system allows tracking to continue while shielding the operator from potentially prying eyes. Participating aircraft must be registered in the United States, be equipped with 1090 MHz ADS-B, use a third-party call sign, and fly in U.S.-managed flight information regions. - The latest updates make FAA Controller Pilot Data Link Communications, known as CPDLC services, available for flights using PIA. To receive CPDLC the pilot must file the PIA ICAO 24-bit address and N-number in the flight plan. - Recent changes also make aircraft information that is held by the FAA, and associated with a PIA, exempt from requests under the Freedom of Information Act. The FAA said language in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 permits such withholding of “the registration number and other similar identifiable data or information” at the request of the aircraft owner or operator.- The third update involves renewal of PIAs and states that..."   Finish Reading Here.

• ACM 24-02 CG Minutes, October 9-10, 2024 (PDF)

12/10/2024    NEW InFO  24015, - FAA - Crewmember Emergency Training, is now published. - This InFO serves to provide clarity on the emergency drill requirements related to ditching, specifically how an air carrier complies with a ditching drill required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 § 121.417. - The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following linK: InFO24015.pdf

12/06/2024   - NEW InFO 24014 - FAA- :

• Supersedes InFO 11010, dated May 4, 2011;
• Encourages all GA organizations to develop and implement a voluntary SMS that meets Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 5 requirements;
• Provides information to GA operators of large and turbojet airplanes on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) SMS requirements and other additional requirements; and,
• Provides information for part 145 repair stations operating with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) authorizations on SMS voluntary program participation.
• InFO24014.pdf

12/06/2024   Skunk Works Partnership Demonstrates Airborne Battle Management With AI-Controlled Aircraft - From Aviation Today - "Lockheed Martin this year has been conducting flight-tests of artificial intelligence-controlled aircraft in air-to-air engagements, including a more recent demonstration where a human “battle manager” aboard a fighter jet trainer..." .Read More »

12/06/2024   Researchers develop drone communication system - A three-year research project by New York University Tandon School of Engineering and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland created advanced communication systems to enable drones to communicate with cars and robots. The new system will help first responders use real-time data, allowing quicker, more efficient response times.- Full Story: DroneLife

12/06/2024   Joby Gets FAA Sign-Off to Launch Air Taxi Flight Academy - Company receives FAA Part 141 approval to begin training the first generation of pilots for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) design.  Story Here.

12/06/2024   Archer Teams With Vertex On Mixed-Reality Training Device - New-tech training infrastructure envisioned for Archer Midnight eVTOLs. -  Story Here.

12/06/2024   Airbus Proposes Flight Deck Potty For Single-Pilot Ops -  From Aviation News - "The Air Line Pilots Association says Airbus is proposing adding a toilet to the flight deck of its aircraft to eliminate the need for relief pilots and pave the way for single-pilot operations or Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO). According to paddleyourowncanoe.com, the planemaker wants to put the open potty behind the captain's seat and perhaps install a radio console beside it so the otherwise indisposed can stay in contact with the outside world. As might be expected, pilot unions are dumping all over the plan. "Think about that for a moment; that's no-pilot ops," the publication quoted an unnamed ALPA source as saying regarding the issue at a recent meeting of its board of directors. - The technology behind single-pilot ops is well developed and tested but the wild card has always been..."  Continue Here.

12/06/2024   New AC Provides Guidance on Operational Use of TCAS/ACAS - From AVweb - "The FAA recently published a revised advisory circular (AC) on airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS), which provides an acceptable means to address operational use of collision avoidance systems (CAS), including ACAS and traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS). - Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations refers to “CAS” or “TCAS,” while Title 49 of the CFRs and the international community refer to “ACAS.” - The AC was previously in the 120-series of ACs, applying to air carriers, but now applies more broadly across a wider range of aircraft and operational rules. The revised AC applies to Part 121 and 135 air carriers and entities providing training to those air carriers, Part 91 subpart K fractional ownership operations, operations of large airplanes under Part 125, foreign air carriers operating under Part 129, and Part 142 training centers, as well as large aircraft subject to Part 91 subpart G."  Continue reading the story Here.        -  Review FAA AC 90-120: Operational Use of Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems

12/01/2024   Aerodata Backup GPS Approved for Anti-spoofing/jamming - From AIN - "Vulnerability to bad actors is a critical aviation issue - EASA has issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) to Aerodata for its GPS anti-jamming and -spoofing product for aircraft. The first approval is for the Cessna Citation Latitude, which is equipped with Garmin G5000 avionics. - According to Aerodata, “Based on the alert/information provided by the G5000 suite, the pilot may select the backup GPS source via the new system. The antenna of the system is mounted on top of the fuselage.” - Aerodata is planning to develop STCs for other aircraft, including..." Continue Here.

12/01/2024   EAA's Sport Aviation December 2024 digital edition is available Here.

12/01/2024   FlySafe – Overreliance on Automation - Automation can be a life-saver, but overreliance on it can lead you into terrain. Know the technology traps in your flight deck and how to avoid a mishap with automation by reading this month’s Fly Safe message about overreliance on automation at https://medium.com/faa/cfit-and-overreliance-on-automation-48eed783b1e9. You can also watch a 57 Seconds to Safer Flying video at https://youtu.be/Ud3SaAWgtV0?si=39GtxvtNNYWwdf-_ or view the whole series at https://bit.ly/57Seconds.

12/01/2024   Is That My Runway? - “Is that my runway?” is not a question a pilot wants to ask when lining up for departure or arrival. Wrong surface events are a serious risk. To learn how to prevent these cases of mistaken identity and what the FAA is doing to help, read “Is That My Runway?” at https://medium.com/faa/is-that-my-runway-454a45b10889 — in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine. See the entire readers’ choice issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

12/01/2024   Embry-Riddle Research Show Drones Can Reduce Wildlife Strikes At Airports - "Embry-Riddle students won first place for research showing how drones can improve wildlife monitoring and reduce airport wildlife strikes. -  Anna Golendukhina, an aviation master’s student and one of the authors of the research, explained how drones improve wildlife monitoring. “Drones not only make the process more cost-effective but also significantly enhance the ability to identify different wildlife species simultaneously. This is especially important because it helps us better understand how these animals interact with their habitats, which can be crucial for ensuring airport safety.” -  "The team’s research noted that drones offer several advantages over traditional wildlife monitoring methods. They can access hard-to-reach areas, cover ground quickly and use various sensors to gather detailed environmental information."  Full Story Here.

11/27/2024   Corrected: EAGLE Warns Pilots To Be Aware Of Varying Fuel Types - With new unleaded fuels coming to market, pilots are cautioned to avoid misfueling. -  The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative posted a warning today (posted below in italics) for pilots regarding concern over misfuelling as new unleaded fuels of varying types and octane levels are starting to make their way to market. It cautions pilots to ensure their aircraft—particularly those requiring high-octane fuels—are not misfueled with “the wrong type, grade, or mix of fuel.” - The notice includes links to resources for more information on details regarding the dangers of misfueling with inappropriate fuels. - For more information on the transition to unleaded aviation fuel, visit:

“Resources such as the Energy Institute’s Misfuelling Resources, AOPA’s Safety Brief, the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Misfueling Prevention Program, and the EAGLE’s Guidance on Transitioning a Flight School to Unleaded Avgas offer valuable guidance during this transition. As unleaded fuels become more widely available, diligence and adherence to proper protocols will be essential to maintaining safety and protecting your aircraft."    Read More Here.

11/27/2024    How Business Aviation Pilots Are Staying Safe and Alert - "Piloting aircraft for long periods of time not only reduces concentration and reaction time – it can contribute to deadly accidents. If your business aviation operation doesn’t have a fatigue mitigation program, maybe it should. - Long-range aviation has leaped lightyears ahead in the century since “Lucky Lindy” completed his 33-hour solo slog from New York to Paris. With their super-efficient engines, GPS-based navigation and satellite-based connectivity, today’s ultra-long-range business jets can easily leapfrog the globe. - However, those aircraft capabilities still have to accommodate crew member flight fatigue. Sitting for hours, even in the most comfortable seat, can take a considerable toll on a pilot’s alertness. So why don’t flight departments pay more attention to the dangers of fatigue? - “The majority of long-distance business aviation flights aren’t..."   Finish Reading Here.

11/27/2024   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 -  Effective Date: 28 November 2024 - ILS Procedures and Components List (MS Excel)

11/27/2024   The Richard G. McSpadden Report - 34th AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Report - "The 34th Richard G. McSpadden Report (formerly the Joseph T. Nall Report) was renamed in honor and memory of our beloved friend and colleague who tragically lost his life in an airplane accident on October 1, 2023, at Lake Placid, New York. His work focused on reaching captive audiences with relevant, timely, and engaging content. Richard's tireless efforts to improve aviation safety helped envision the current iteration of this report, which offers users a near real-time analysis of general aviation accidents. The data are updated on a rolling 30-day cycle, with access to analysis going back as far as 2008 and data trends projected well into 2024."  View the REPORT Here.

11/26/2024   ICYMI - In Case You Missed It - "Check out the articles published in November that were most often viewed by business aviation professionals." Read the collection Here.

11/26/2024   November Special Issue - The Airman Testing Community Advisory (ATCA) is produced by the General and Commercial Division, Training and Certification Group, Testing Standards Section (TSS), which is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) office responsible for practical test and airman certification standards, certification testing programs, and supporting reference materials. The intent of this advisory is to provide an additional method of change management communication to our stakeholders and support efforts to ensure training and testing remain correlated for an effective certification process.  Contains new BasicMed info.  Get the issue Here.

11/25/2024   Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) Inventory Summary - Public Procedures for Publication Cycle: 11/28/24 - Find it Here.

11/25/2024   FAA Space Report - FAA Aerospace Rulemaking Committee for Part 450 Licensing   -   With the continued growth of commercial space operations, the FAA recently established an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee, known as a SpARC. The FAA is seeking more clarity, flexibility, efficiency, and innovation in the Part 450 launch and reentry licensing rule.

11/25/2024    Ice Advice - Avoid, escape, and land—hopefully at an airport - From AOPA - "From our student pilot days on, we’ve learned that airframe and propeller icing ranks high on the danger scale. Fly in icing conditions and you can expect that even small ice accretions can cause significant losses of lift, reductions of the stall angle of attack, plus increases in weight. These accretions are the pro can read the duct of supercooled (subfreezing yet still liquid) cloud droplets or precipitation that flash-freeze on wings, propellers, and any other airframe projection. The results are buildups defined by standardized icing accretion rates."  AOPA members can read the full story Here.

11/25/2024    Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University to offer air traffic training program - From Transportation Today News - "Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., is the next school to offer the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. - Schools involved in the program offer the same curriculum and advanced technology that is offered at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City.

Graduates must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) to receive an endorsement certificate from an Enhanced AT-CTI school. Graduates also must pass performance verifications and meet medical and security requirements. Once completed, graduates can report directly to an FAA..."  Continue Here.

11/24/2024   Standards, Training Key To Avoiding Runway Excursions - From AIN - "Wet/contaminated runways are the most common factor in runway excursions - Operators can take concrete steps to enhance procedures surrounding winds, stabilized approaches, and wet runway conditions to guard against runway excursions, advised Advanced Aircrew Academy CEO Dan Boedigheimer. Hosting a workshop during the Bombardier Safety Standdown last week, Boedigheimer delved into key factors surrounding runway excursions and how organizations can help reinforce their operations to prepare for those factors. - He looked at both accidents and incidents involving excursions to derive trends, tracing about one per week on average. “Thankfully, most of them aren't considered accidents,” he noted. - The last primary research on business aircraft excursions, conducted by the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands, pointed to wet/contaminated runways as one of the most frequent causal factors, Boedigheimer said. Separate but adding to that is hydroplaning. - Another pattern involved..."  Learn More About This Here.

11/24/2024   DOT Watchdog To Audit FAA STC Process - From AVweb - "The DOT’s Office of Inspector General is auditing the FAA’s consistency in applying rules for Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs). -  The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG) is conducting an audit to check if the FAA is consistently applying its rules for Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. - In a Nov. 13 memo, the watchdog noted the audit would be the first in a series regarding STCs, repair stations and technical standards. The FAA issues an STC to authorize a major modification or change to an airframe, engine or propeller that is already certified under a current type certificate.

11/21/2024    Feel the Rush with the Drone Racing League - From FAA - The Air Up There Podcast - Elite drone pilots, custom-built high-speed drones, and groundbreaking technology come together in this fan-favorite episode featuring the Drone Racing League (DRL). Discover how DRL has revolutionized drone racing, transforming the sport into an immersive, high-stakes experience that seamlessly blends the virtual and physical worlds for an unmatched thrill.

Chief Operating Officer Ashley Ellefson takes us behind the scenes, sharing the cutting-edge technology and engineering driving this new era of sports, while also revealing how aspiring pilots can get involved. Ashley also discusses the collaboration between the FAA and drone industry partners like DRL to safely integrate drone events into the national airspace system.

Listen to the episode on FAA.gov, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. or you can visit the SCAUWG.ORG Podcast Page and discover this and other Aviation Podcasts. Just Click Here.

11/21/2024    Ask the A&Ps Ep. 35 – Battling airport naysayers - From AOPA/Mike Busch - "Opinions at the airport might be plentiful, but they aren’t always right, as Mark found out. Plus, tracking down odd vibrations, improper use of carb heat, and the skinny on engine dehydrators. Listen to the audio podcast at aopa.org/podcasts 0:21:56 – Chip needs help with lean of peak vibrations 0:43:49 – Frank wonders why his airplane info tells him to use carb heat on takeoff 0:51:25 – Bill wants to see the evidence on engine dehydrators 1:00:00 – Mark is pushing back on airport naysayers"   View It on YouTube Here.

11/19/2024    Timid turns - When small bank angles reduce safety - From AOPA - "On the final landing of his private pilot practical exam, Steve guided the Cessna 172 through a gentle turn from the downwind leg of the pattern onto base. - As he did so, I didn’t realize until our shoulders bumped that I had been subconsciously leaning to the left as if I could somehow make the turn happen more quickly. I immediately sat up straight and hoped that he had been too busy to notice. Steve followed that with a lazy turn onto final and our shoulders bumped again. I cringed when he rolled the wings level and, just as I had suspected, discovered the runway way off to the left in the windscreen." More Here.

11/15/2024   BasicMed expansion - Federal law recognizes the safety of the program by and for GA pilots - From AOPA - "The expansion of BasicMed privileges included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is now in full effect as of November 12. - Under the new law signed May 16, pilots may now use BasicMed privileges to fly aircraft weighing up to 12,500 pounds and certified to carry up to seven occupants. The previous aircraft weight limitation was 6,000 pounds, with certification for up to six occupants. - Full Story Here.

11/13/2024   Don’t Let Disquieting Deviations Become Part of Your Pilot Song - FAA - Our national airspace system is safe because it functions like an orchestra — everyone has a part to play, knows the song, and has the sheet music in front of them. But even with all of that coordination, who hasn’t made a mistake?  Learn how research and rehearsing can help prevent pilot deviations and make runways safer in “Deviation Dissonance” at https://medium.com/faa/deviation-dissonance-572fc1a2719c in the Sep/Oct 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire Airport Surface Safety issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing

11/13/2024    Battling Maintenance Complacency Requires Double-Checks, Engagement, Accountability - Business Aviation Insider - "In the fast-changing, increasingly technical world of business aircraft maintenance, there’s simply no place for complacency or resting on past knowledge and practices. As anyone working in aviation knows, safety is paramount, and regular aircraft maintenance is a critical component of that safety commitment. - Highly trained aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) literally hold the lives of passengers and crew in their hands with every turn of the wrench. For that reason, keeping AMTs engaged and focused on following proper procedures requires constant monitoring of maintenance crews and..." Continue Here.

11/13/2024   FAA rule change impacts non-resident pilots and aircraft owners - From WINGS online Magazine -  "In 2023 the FAA began the rule making process which will impact individuals with foreign addresses or no U.S. physical address on file with the FAA and who hold or have applied for certain licenses, ratings or authorizations. The rule making (Docket No: FAA-2023-1194, Amendment No 3-3) will require those individuals to designate a U.S. agent to receive FAA documents. The U.S. agent will receive service of FAA documents on the certificate holder or applicant’s behalf. This rule facilitates the FAA’s ability to accomplish prompt and cost-effective service of process and service of other safety-critical or time-sensitive documents to individuals abroad through service on their U.S. agents. - There are approximately 115,000 individuals outside of the U.S. who hold certificates, ratings or..."  Full Story Here.

11/13/2024    UPDATED:  Satellite Navigation — GPS/WAAS Approaches - FAA - For the new data Click Here.

11/13/2024    Watch: Strategies to Avoid Controlled Flight into Terrain in 57 Seconds - FAASTeam - VIDEO - Watch it Here.

11/13/2024    Automation - #FlySafe GA Safety Enhancement Topic - "Technological advances in situational awareness have dramatically reduced the number of general aviation controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. However, the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC) has found that reliance on automation is a precursor to CFIT events. They found that automation use contributed to visual meteorological condition (VMC) and instrument meteorological condition (IMC) accidents in day and night flight conditions. Awareness of automation limitations and pilot proficiency in flying with and without automation are key to safe flight operations."  Read about CFIT and traps that exist Here.

11/13/2024    Amazon gets FAA approval for new delivery drone as it begins tests in Arizona - From CNBC - "Amazon said Tuesday it received regulatory approval to begin flying a smaller, quieter version of its delivery drone, the latest step in its long-running efforts to get the futuristic program off the ground.

The company unveiled the new drone, called the MK30, in November 2022. It said then that the MK30, in addition to the other changes, would fly through light rain and have twice the range of earlier models. - Amazon said the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval includes permission to fly the MK30 over longer distances and beyond the visual line of sight of pilots. The agency granted a similar waiver for Amazon’s Prime Air program in May, though that was limited to flights in..."   Continue Here.

11/11/2024   Boom Supersonic is getting closer to living up to its name - VIDEO - 20:39 mins, - and went higher and faster on its seventh test flight on Nov. 5. The prototype got to Mach .82 (499 knots) and 23,000 feet and company officials are talking about going supersonic in the next few flights. "XB-1, Boom's supersonic demonstrator aircraft, continues to progress toward Mach 1," the company said in a statement. Test pilot Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg was at the controls for the flight. (This YouTube Video of the Test Flight was featured by AVweb.) See it HERE.

11/10/2024   This Unit Is Always Fired Up and Ready - From FLYING - "Here’s an in-depth look at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). - Forest fires have become an ever-increasing part of the news cycle. -  Whether ignited by man or nature, they often rage out of control, sometimes overwhelming or outpacing the resources necessary to get them under control. Forest fires are part of the natural cycle of forest management, but when fires threaten life and property on a grand scale, human intervention is needed."  Cal FIRE history and Modern Aerial Firefighting Here.

11/08/2024   Safety Lesson - Catalina October 2024 - Questionable Aeronautical Decision Making - 5 Fatalities - "The NTSB released new details in the fatal crash of a Beech 95-B55 indicating the pilot ignored warnings not to takeoff after dark.- Investigators released new details surrounding the fatal crash of a Beech 95-B55 at Catalina Airport on Oct. 8, revealing that the pilot ignored warnings not to take off after dark.

11/08/2024   Att: IFR Pilots -  Digital-Terminal Procedures Publication (d-TPP) (2411) (2412) U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) Vol SE-1 - Eff Oct 31, and Nov 28, 2024    http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts/

11/08/2024    CIRRUS Learning Adventure - VIDEO From AOPA -  Check out how Cirrus is using virual reality and augmented reality to improve flight training in their SR series and Vision jet airplanes. - You'll get a front seat view of how to insect a Cirrus and how the systems work! For use on iPads - Visit this YouTube 10-minute video Here.

11/06/2024   Wing, Matternet and DroneUp boost drone delivery capabilities - From SUPPLYCHAINDIVE - "The companies revealed expanded coverage, new collaborations and stronger tech this month (October). - Here’s a roundup of four announcements from Wing, Matternet and DroneUp that aim to advance the prevalence of drones in U.S. skies."  Read it Here.

11/06/2024    GAMA Files Congressional Report On Supply Chain Issues - From AVweb - "“Critical areas” cited as having an impact on industry’s supply chain resiliency. - The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced today it has issued its report on a new Aerospace Supply Chain Resiliency Task Force to the U.S. Congress. The report identifies and assesses risks to the industry posed by supply chain issues and provides best practices and recommendations to address those risks. - Noting that the aerospace supply chain includes tens of thousands of parts, systems and platform suppliers worldwide— all needing regulatory approval for..."  Finish Reading Here.

11/05/2024    Recently added the following ACs to the New and Revised Airports Advisory Circulars page on the FAA website:

• AC 150/5345-42K, Specification for Airport Light Bases, Transformer Housings, Junction Boxes, and Accessories
• AC 150/5345-44L, Specification for Runway and Taxiway Signs
• AC 150/5345-46F, Specification for Runway, Taxiway, Heliport, and Vertiport Light Fixtures

11/05/2024   Airport Data and Informational Portal - Updated to 10/31/2024   Here.

11/05/2024   Drug Abatement Program's Latest News, from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.  Please visit our website for information about the FAA's industry drug and alcohol testing program. - FAA -  On November 4, 2024, the FAA’s Drug Abatement Division published its annual Federal Register Notice announcing the minimum annual random testing rates for calendar year 2025. For more information, visit our Regulations webpage. As a reminder, remember to visit the Industry Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Website often for new and updated resources, and other great information for aviation employers and safety-sensitive employees. If you have questions, please contact the FAA’s Drug Abatement Division at 202-267-8442 or drugabatement@faa.gov.

In addition, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 5, 2024, amending the oral fluid requirements under 49 CFR part 40. View the final rule and DOT’s summary of changes at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/frpubs. If you have any questions about the part 40 amendment, please contact the DOT’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance at 202-366-3784 or ODAPCWebMail@dot.gov.

11/05/2024    Protecting Your Passengers, Crew in This Flight-Tracking Age with the Privacy ICAO Address Program - From NBAA - "We’ve faced data security challenges before. We looked at the industry perspective and solved them,” said Baker, adding industry and government must keep up with changing technology and evolving risks. - One such solution to these challenges is the Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program, which allows aircraft owners to request a temporary, alternate ICAO address for their aircraft. That anonymized ICAO code, used in ADS-B Out transmissions, is not connected to aircraft owner information in a public-facing way. The PIA program is applicable to ..."  Continue with More Here.

11/05/2024   "The pilot of a Robinson R-44 that hit a radio tower" YouTube VIDEO - "in Houston on Oct. 20 was talking to ATC when it happened according to the NTSB's preliminary report. The helicopter was on a commercial sightseeing flight when it struck the 1,003-foot tower about 900 feet. All four on the helicopter were killed and the tower was toppled. No one on the ground was hurt."  Watch and Learn from this video Here.

11/04/2024   FAA Says It Will Keep ATC Meteorologists - From AVweb - "Negotiations with union on next contract continue. - The FAA says it will keep staff meteorologists at 21 air traffic control centers. A few days after the union representing the weather specialists issued a press release saying the agency planned to get rid of them in favor of automated systems, the agency said it wasn't so. "The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Weather Service will continue our long-standing partnership to provide weather services to ensure the safety of the National Airspace System," an FAA spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. - An earlier statement by the agency left the possibility of automating..."  More Here.

11/04/2024   The Art of the Airplane Warmup - From FLYING - "Do it wrong, and you could be looking at an expensive repair bill or excessive wear and tear on the engine. - One of the biggest challenges of winter flying is starting the engine. Do it wrong, and you could be looking at an expensive repair bill, or at the very least, excessive wear and tear on the engine. - Cold temperatures cause oil to congeal and sap battery strength, which can lead to.. ."  Continue Reading Here.

11/04/2024   New Powered Lift Final Rule Announced - From AVweb - "New rules for advanced air mobility aircraft were announced on Tuesday at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas. - High-time ATPs and IFR rated commercial pilots will likely be the first to train as eVTOL line pilots as the industry moves toward revenue service under a broad set of rules and regulations announced Tuesday. With a mockup of Joby's multi-copter tilt wing air taxi as a backdrop, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker signed into effect a new Special Federal Air Regulation (SFAR) that includes 880 pages of regulatory underpinning for a new powered-lift category in a ceremony at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas."  - Finish Reading Here.

11/01/2024   InFO 24012, New United States Code (USC) 49 Requirements for Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 121 Air Carriers utilizing 14 CFR Part 145 Foreign Repair Stations for Heavy Maintenance, is now published. - This InFO provides information to all part 121 operators that utilize part 145 foreign repair stations located in foreign countries on the new requirements of USC 49 § 44733. - 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/                        InFO24012.pdf

11/01/2024   Striving for a Safer Surface - The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls and have fast-tracked three initiatives — Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI), Approach Runway Verification (ARV) and Runway Incursion Devices (RID) — as part of its Surface Safety Portfolio. These technologies are agile, efficient, and cost-effective, and the initiatives represent important improvements made by the FAA to swiftly address close calls on the runway. The recent FAA Safety Briefing article “Striving for a Safer Surface” at https://medium.com/faa/striving-for-a-safer-surface-998e796d4892 outlines the basics behind each technology and also promotes some of the more popular pilot aids available to help improve situational awareness in the airport surface environment. See the entire Airport Surface Safety issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

11/01/2024   New Rule Addresses Public Aircraft Logging of Flight Time - A new final rule published by the FAA in early October allows pilots conducting public aircraft operations to credit their flight time towards FAA civil regulatory requirements. Additionally, consistent with the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, this final rule will amend the operating rules for experimental aircraft to permit certain flight training, testing, and checking in these aircraft without a letter of deviation authority. For more information, you can view the rule at www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-22009. The rule is effective Dec. 2, 2024.

11/01/2024   Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines - A Rule by the Federal Aviation Administration on 10/31/2024

11/01/2024   U.S. Federal Aviation Administration IFP Announcements and Reports Update  -  10/31 UPDATE HERE.

10/30/2024   Union Says FAA To Drop ATC Center Weather Forecasters - From AVweb - Move ends 40 years of in-house weather experts advising controllers - The FAA is eliminating National Weather Service forecasters at all 21 of its Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) in favor of an automated system. The alarm was raised by the National Weather Service Employees Organization Monday. The group says forecasters will get their walking papers on April 20. The FAA didn't confirm the decision but told USA TODAY that something is in the works. - "The FAA and NOAA are working on a path forward on the interagency agreement," the FAA said in a statement to USA TODAY. "The weather safety of our national airspace remains our shared top priority and there will..."  Full Story Here.

10/08/2024   How Do You Become a Hot Air Balloon Pilot? - FAA - PODCAST - "Step into the world of hot air ballooning—a unique and surprisingly addictive sport. So, what gets the FAA excited about hot air ballooning? The safety of flying a balloon has come a long way for pilots, passengers and people on the ground.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Kim and Adam Magee, founders of The Balloon Training Academy and FAA Safety Team representatives. The Magees share how they got started in ballooning, the training process for balloon pilots (who are known as aeronauts) and advice for aspiring aeronauts. - Listen on FAA.gov, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube and share this episode with your friends and family. -  Learn how aeronauts communicate with their ground crew and other..."  Learn About it Here.

10/28/2024   Vestibular Illusions - FAA - "Which way is really up? To some, this may sound like a silly or odd question, but for pilots, this can be a real concern. Statistics show that between 5 to 10% of all general aviation accidents are attributed to spatial disorientation, and 90% of those are fatal.

Spatial orientation is our natural ability to maintain our body’s orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding environment (physical space) at rest and during motion. This #FlySafe topic examines the vestibular illusions that you may encounter and what you can do to avoid these dangerous situations."  READ MORE HERE

10/26/2024   NBAA National Safety Forum Wraps Up With Insights From NTSB - NBAA -  "Taking place amid the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the final session included top industry safety leaders such as new NBAA Safety Committee Chair Dan Boedigheimer and the newest NTSB Board Member J. Todd Inman.

Leading off the session, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen reminded attendees of NBAA’s priority on safety. “Safety is not just a core value at NBAA, not just our North Star, but something that is embodied in every part of business aviation.” - Inman, who came to the NTSB after holding several top positions at the Department of Transportation, sat down with NBAA Chief Operating Officer Chris Rocheleau, a former FAA chief of staff, to discuss NTSB’s work and its ongoing partnership with NBAA. - “We need business aviation to work,” Inman said. “You deliver critical goods. People’s lives are being saved in..."  Read More Here.

10/26/2024    Ask the A&Ps Ep. 33 – How much is too much with a mag drop? - AOPA - "Our experts discuss whether a slightly higher mag drop is OK, why a Twin Commander's engine dies at full power and how to lean while flying formation." - Full Story: YouTube

10/26/2024    New Powered Lift Final Rule Announced -   From AVweb - "New rules for advanced air mobility aircraft were announced on Tuesday at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas. - High-time ATPs and IFR rated commercial pilots will likely be the first to train as eVTOL line pilots as the industry moves toward revenue service under a broad set of rules and regulations announced Tuesday. With a mockup of Joby's multi-copter tilt wing air taxi as a backdrop, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker signed into effect a new Special Federal Air Regulation (SFAR) that includes 880 pages of regulatory underpinning for a new powered-lift category in a ceremony at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas. - “The FAA will continue to prioritize the safety of our system as..."  More  Here.

10/21/2024   Do I touch that Cessna rudder? - "Ask the A&Ps", Series - From AOPA - VIDEO - With Mike Busch CFII - IA - "Our experts discuss whether pushing a Cessna's rudder during preflight is necessary."  Webmaster Note:  Mike Busch is ALWAYS worth the listen!   Continue

10/21/2024   Avoiding hard landings - From AOPA - ASI - VIDEO - "This AOPA Air Safety Institute video examines factors that lead to hard landings and provides suggestions on how to polish your touchdown skills.

10/21/2024   Situational awareness - From AOPA ASI - VIDEO - "Being situationally aware means maintaining an overall mental picture of what is going on during the flight."  Continue

10/20/2024   Know your minimums - From AOPA - "Establish your personal minimums well in advance of a flight and make them part of a contract you make with yourself, your passengers, and your family." Continue

10/20/2024    Fuel management made easy - VIDEO - From AOPA - "There's a lot to know about fuel management and preventing fuel exhaustion or starvation." Continue

10/20/2024   BasicMed Eligibility and Renewal Tool - From AOPA - "Check your eligibility to operate under BasicMed and take the next steps, whether new to or renewing BasicMed privileges." Continue

10/18/2024   SAFO 24007, Shipments of Batteries/Battery-Powered Devices and Flammable Materials, is now published. - This SAFO alerts aircraft operators to safety concerns involving cargo shipments that may contain batteries, battery-powered devices, or analog or electronic timing devices in combination with flammable materials (e.g., flammable liquids, flammable solids, flammable gas). - 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

• SAFO24007.pdf

10/18/2024   Aurora & Boeing's Next X-Plane: A High-Speed Blended-Wing Stealth Transport That Won't Need A Runway - From Simple Flying - "Airbus, JetZero, and Boeing's Aurora Flight Sciences are three companies working on developing blended wing designs for the next generation of commercial and military tanker/transport fleets. Aurora is designing a demonstrator X-plane using fan-in-wing technology that will provide vertical lift for US airborne logistics without needing a prepared runway ( the project was previously revealed earlier in the year). This is a separate project from JetZero's blended wing demonstrator intended as a military transport and refueling aircraft."  More Here.

10/17/2024  FAA To Conduct Runway Safety Audit At Major U.S. Airports - From AVweb - The FAA will launch an audit to assess runway incursion risks at the 45 busiest U.S. airports. - According to Reuters, the audit will evaluate each airport's risks, identify potential issues with procedures and equipment and make recommendations to improve safety. FAA's Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service is conducting the review and expects to complete it by early 2025. - More Here.

10/17/2024   Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) Inventory Summary - Public Procedures For Publication Cycle: 10/03/24 - View it Here.

10/17/2024    InFO 24011, Methods for Determining Weights of Mobility Devices Carried on Aircraft, is now published.  The InFO can be viewed by downloading the attached .pdf files or by clicking on the following link, InFO24011.pdf

10/13/2024   Corrosion 101: What Causes It? - From FLYING - "Here’s the lowdown on this natural process affecting metals. - Corrosion comes in all shapes and sizes. It is a natural process in which metals deteriorate due to chemical reactions with environmental elements, such as oxygen, moisture, and pollutants. In aviation, corrosion can manifest in various forms, including surface, pitting, intergranular, and stress corrosion cracking. -Each type poses significant risks, potentially weakening the structural integrity of the aircraft and leading to safety hazards. We’ve recently seen how corrosion affects wing spars like with the Piper PA-28 and Cessna 177 and 210, for example. These started as Service Bulletins (SBs) to inspect for corrosion and escalated to mandatory compliance in the form of Airworthiness Directives (ADs)." Continue.

10/13/2024   Good News for Experimental Accident Totals  - EAA - "September 30 marked the end of the FAA’s fiscal year and with it, the annual conclusion of the annual 12-month tracking of fatal accidents among experimental category aircraft. The preliminary numbers from the agency received late last week appear to present an excellent snapshot of safety over the past year."  Read more ›

10/13/2024   Spark Check - Magneto Test - "Your aircraft probably has two magnetos, and the runup is not the only time you may want to verify that both are firing."  Continue

10/13/2024   Beyond the Forced Landing - ASI -AOPA - VIDEO - "Our training prepares us to handle in-flight emergencies, but little is taught about what to do after we're on the ground."  Continue

10/12/2024   Single Point Failure - Accident Case Study - AOPA - "Watch how a Beechcraft Bonanza pilot coped with a vacuum pump failure—without a backup—in instrument meteorological conditions."  Continue

10/11/2024   Researchers to Create a Digital Library for Aircraft Parts - From: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - "Advanced technologies and methods could improve the maintenance and readiness of older aircraft fleets." Read it Here.

10/11/2024   Base to Final Turn - VIDEO - From NAFI - "ED WISCHMEYER Presents: Avoiding Base To Final Accidents -CFIs may think that they teach smooth, coordinated base to final turns, but instead, some pilots only remember, “DON’T OVERSHOOT THE TURN!!” In desperation to avoid that overshoot, the result can be stall/spin or more commonly, an equally lethal botched steep turn. But why? Loss of control in turns at altitude is almost unheard of. The answer appears to be fear of that overshoot. One deliberate overshoot flight with a CFI, showing that overshoot is just not that big a deal, quenches that fear. In the real world, a properly trained go around is usually the best solution, of course."  View it Here.

10/09/2024   AOPA Offers Advice For Securing Aircraft In A Storm - From AOPA - "If the only option is riding out the storm on the ramp, there are ways to maximize your chances." Full Article Here

10/09/2024   Relief Pilots Reminded Of Basics Of Safe Operations - From AVweb - As volunteer pilots rush in to help, the Air Care Alliance provides some guidance on best practices. - General aviation operators sprang into action to provide much needed relief for victims of Hurricane Helene. But the initiative needs to be organized, and the Air Care Alliance (ACA) has coordinated volunteer pilots from Operation AirDrop, AeroBridge, Angel Flight Soars, Pilots N Paws and others to make deliveries of essential supplies and resources more efficient." Read More Here.

10/09/2024   Here’s How the FAA Prepares Year-Round for Hurricanes - From FLYING - "Long-range traffic radars and air traffic control towers built in prone areas are designed to sustain hurricane-force winds. - he FAA prepares for hurricanes year-round, and has procedures in place for when and where they strike, which also helps it to restore air service quickly after the storms pass. - According to the agency, the Joint Crisis Action Team at the FAA Command Center oversees and coordinates planning before a storm hits as well during the aftermath and cleanup."  Finish Reading Here.

10/08/2024   Do You Know What These Terms Mean? - FAA - "Safety Alerts,"  "Charting Notices" & "Data Product Notices" -

• Safety Alerts (SA) are published to notify users of an error that was reported or discovered in one of our products. The specific product and effective date(s) are provided.
• Charting Notices (CN) are published to notify users of a planned chart/publication enhancement and the effective date in which the enhancement will be implemented.
• Data Product Notices (DPN) are published to notify users of a system outage. DPNs may also be used to notify users of a developmental upgrade to one of our digital products and the effective date in which the upgrade will be implemented.

In addition to the Safety Alerts and Charting Notices on this page, pilots and FAA Aeronautical Chart Agents may wish to view the most recent information available at:

• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Pilots are also encouraged to view:

• Enhanced Class B Graphics

You can refer to the current FAA page for this data (as of 10/08/2024) HERE.

10/07/2024   B 25 Engine Failure Emergency in Las Vegas - YouTube Video - A lesson in whether the Pilot or the Controller is PIC, and a B-25 flying lesson .  This a good story about a past event in Las Vegas wherein this pilot did not want to gamble! 

10/06/2024   The FAA is removing the expiration date of flight instructor certificates, it announced Tuesday. From FLYING - "The agency’s new rule aligning flight instructor certificates with other airman certificates goes into effect December 1. - However, according to the FAA,  instructors will still need to renew their certificate every 24 calendar months by completing a Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic (FIRC), acquiring an additional instructor certificate, or by additional instructional activity. That activity, according to the rule, includes, "at least 15 flight activities recognized under the FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program, during which the flight instructor evaluated at least five different pilots and has made the necessary endorsements in the logbooks of each pilot for each activity." Much More Here.

10/06/2024   Personal Aircraft Requiring No Certificate to Fly Gains Customers Nationwide - From FLYING - "Pivotal’s BlackFly prototype, the predecessor of its Helix production model, has been delivered to 13 customers across the U.S. - BENTONVILLE, Arkansas—A personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that requires no pilot certification to fly is taking to the skies of California, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and other U.S. states.

10/5/2024  Airport Info for Pilot Guide Requested! - Cfi Gary Palmer has designed two forms that when completed will assist in providing the information necessary for the compilation of a Pilot's Guide to So Cal Airports.  YOU CAN HELP to Aid this Project's Completion. Download GA Pilot's Guide Airport Questionnaire HERE.   -  Do you have a recommendation for someone who can represent your favorite airport? Do you wish to? Download Airport POC Listing HERE.  -  Thank you for your assistance!  Responses can be emailed to contactus@scauwg.org.

10/05/2024   Universal's Mexico Bizav Ops Guide Details Changes - From AINonine - "While Mexican cabotage rules were eased, entry permits became more complicated - Universal Weather & Aviation has published a guide for business aviation operations in Mexico that discusses several recent changes made by the country’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency. These include easing cabotage regulations and highlighting inconsistencies with its new entry permit system for private aircraft. - According to the flight-planning company, the previous annual permit program is replaced by single- and multi-entry authorizations (AIU) that are intended to be valid for six months." Continue Here.

10/05/2024   IFP Announcements and Reports - FAA -The ILS Procedures and Components List (below) is a full list of ILS procedures and related components within the NAS.  Information on GPS/WAAS approaches.  Effective Date: 03 October 2024ILS Procedures and Components List (MS Excel)

10/03/2024   IFP Announcements and Reports"  Effective Date: 05 September 2024

• ILS Procedures and Components List (MS Excel)  -  Next edition file will be available on 04 October 2024.

10/03/2024   Carbon Monoxide Hazards and Mitigations - FAA - You are probably aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) in enclosed spaces like your home, but have you considered the hazards it poses while operating your aircraft? As long as aircraft burn fuel to generate power, there is a risk that CO could find its way into the cabin.  -  Since 2010, there have been 12 fatal accidents in which CO impairment was the primary root cause. Pre-existing damage to exhaust systems has been identified as a common element in the majority of these cases. Proper maintenance and repair of existing exhaust systems is crucial for preventing this hazard. In addition, CO detectors are another piece of the puzzle. The usage of an alerting type of CO detector makes a major difference between fatal accidents and incidents where the pilot was exposed to carbon monoxide but was able to make a safe landing. To learn more about this #FlySafe topic, go to https://medium.com/faa/carbon-monoxide-hazards-and-mitigations-in-aircraft-exhaust-systems-dc558b2493f8 and take a look at these additional resources:

• “Keeping the Cabin Warm and Safe,” Nov/Dec 2023 FAA Safety Briefing medium.com/faa/keeping-the-cabin-warm-and-safe-dcc5fb4ad733.
• “Carbon Monoxide: A Deadly Menace,” FAA Pilot Safety Brochure www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/cobroforweb.pdf  
• “Difficult and Exhausting,” Mar/Apr 2023 FAA Safety Briefing   medium.com/faa/difficult-and-exhausting-3160e6e44ab7
• FAA Safety Team Online Course: Aircraft Exhaust Systems (ALC-498)  www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?pf=1&preview=true&cID=498

10/03/2024   You’re Invited to Help Improve Runway Safety - The FAA’s Runway Safety Program requires more than 500 air traffic control facilities across the country to conduct an annual Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meeting. At these meetings, along with the airport operator, stakeholders, users, and other responsible airport partners, they address specific surface safety matters like airfield surface events, national and local safety data trends, planned construction and surface closures, current issues, and evolving safety resources. When corrective actions are identified, they are tracked until completed and recorded in the Runway Safety Action Plan (RSAP). Your attendance at an RSAT meeting will help improve runway safety! To learn more about RSAT meetings and how you can attend, read “Making a Difference One Airport at a Time” at https://medium.com/faa/making-a-difference-one-airport-at-a-time-213b8f593ba8  in the Sep/Oct 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire Airport Surface Safety issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

10/02/2024   Emergency Procedures - AOPA - GO BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK—FLY THE AIRPLANE AND STAY IN CONTROL WITH THIS SAFETY SPOTLIGHT - This safety spotlight looks at ways to handle those critical "up here, wishing you were down there" situations as safely as possible.  Find out the details of this free comprehensive exploration and the completion certificate you will receive Here.

10/02/2024   FAA Filing Opens Up Operations For Logging Time - From AVweb - "Some troublesome restrictions may be on the way out. - The FAA today announced a public filing in the federal register of a 118-page final rule that states it will open up several areas of operations enabling pilots to credit flight time toward civil regulatory requirements. Notably, under the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, the final rule amends the operating regulations “for experimental aircraft to permit certain flight training, testing, and checking in these aircraft without a letter of deviation authority.” Also, under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, “the same relief will be extended to certain flight training, testing, and checking in limited category, primary category, and experimental light sport aircraft.” That ruling also revises certain amendments related to logging recent flight experience, flight instructor privileges, flight training in aircraft holding special airworthiness certificates, and “the related prohibitions on conducting these activities for compensation or hire.” - The new ruling also allows pilots..."  Read the Full Story Here.

10/01/2024   Aeronautical Charting Meeting 24-02 Meeting Details - The dates and times (all times are Eastern) for the meeting will be:

• Monday, 7 October, 1000 - 1700: IPG
• Tuesday, 8 October, 1000 - 1700: IPG
• Wednesday, 9 October, 1000 - 1700: CG
• Thursday, 10 October, 1000 - 1700: CG

See the Chart Meeting Schedule and read associated data Here.

10/01/2024   L.A. County invests $1M in aerospace training program  - Los Angeles County is investing $1 million in the Aerospace High Road Training Partnership to help 70 young adults pursue an aerospace career. The initiative is a partnership with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman and offers a 12-week intensive skills training and mentorship program that equips youth with the tools to transition from unemployment to careers in the aerospace sector. -  Full Story: Hoodline

10/01/2024   SAFE LOC Webinar Available HERE  -   If you missed our free webinar with special guest Rich Stowell, that program is now available on our SAFE YouTube HERE. "Full Control Maneuvering" is the antidote to Loss of Control - the #1 cause of fatal accidents. A full page of free resources from this important learning is archived on the SAFEblog HERE.

The SAFE Extended Envelope Training Syllabus allows any pilot to expand their confidence and skills at your local airfield in a familiar airplane (with a qualified CFI). This is "Old School" maneuvering that will sharpen your skills and make you safer. Extended Envelope Training is a great segue into Upset Prevention and Recovery Course (UPRT). Register for our next webinar on October 27th which will feature these actual maneuvers in flight. - David St. George, Executive Director

10/01/2024   In September, we added the following items to the Airport News and New Resources page on the FAA website:

Advisory Circulars

• Advisory Circular 150/5340-18H, Standards for Airport Sign Systems
• Updated Airport Master Records Data Dictionary for Advisory Circular 150/5300-19, Airport Data and Information Program

ARP National Consultant Workshops

• Planning, Environmental, & Funding Presentations
• Safety & Standards Presentations (more to be added in October)

Airports Engineering

• Draft Engineering Brief 105A, Vertiport Design - Comments requested by October 18, 2024
• Engineering Brief No. 94B, Accommodating the Boeing B-777 Folding Wingtip Airplane onto Airports
• FAARFIELD Training Video Series
• Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) Location Inventory as of September 30, 2024

Airport Planning Guidance and Data

• Final Calendar Year 2023 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data
• National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), 2025-2029

Part 139 Certification

• Part 139 CertAlert 24-08: Pavement Classification Rating (PCR) Reporting
• Part 139 CertAlert 24-07: Fluorine Free Foam (F3) Training Video
• Updated Part 139 Airport Certification Status List

Passenger Facility Charge Program

• Updated PFC Monthly Reports

10/01/2024   Standards for Airport Sign Systems (posted 9/30/2024) -   FAA AC - VIEW AC 150/5340-18H   HERE

10/01/2024   National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) - Current - 2025-2029 NPIAS -   The Federal Aviation Administration published the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) on September 30, 2024. For more information, please view the NPIAS narrative below. - We have divided the latest NPIAS into sections for easy downloading.

10/01/2024   SATNAV News Quarterly Newsletter by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. -  A new edition of the SATNAV News is now available.  Topics in this issue:

• Sunspots or age spots?
• FAA and Delta Air Lines:  Benefits of WAAS
• WAAS is still a critical tool for Northern Air Cargo
• and more

10/01/2024  Satellite Navigation — GPS/WAAS Approaches - FAA - The availability of Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-capable approach procedures is a significant enabler of WAAS benefits in the United States. View the latest status of U.S.WAAS approach procedures.

Airports with Global Positioning System (GPS) or WAAS-enabled LPV/LP approach

• All US Approaches
• Canadian LPVs (enabled by WAAS)
• Map of European LPVs (enabled by EGNOS)

Request WAAS-enabled LPV or LP approach to your airport  -  Submit form request

10/01/2024   Explaining the Fiction of Minimum Speed - From Flying - "There are many implausible claims about airspeed that should be understood. -  he lowest airspeed at which an ordinary fixed-wing airplane can fly is almost entirely determined by two numbers. - One of them is the wing loading, that is, the airplane’s weight divided by its wing area. The other is the maximum lift coefficient of the wing, which coincides with its stalling angle of attack. - Extreme aircraft—ones with extremely high thrust-to-weight ratios, for instance, or powered lift—are exempt from this rule, but they form a small minority. - “Lift coefficient” may be a discouraging term for the mathematically challenged, but it’s simply the ratio between the amount of lift a wing produces and..."  Learn More about this Here.

10/01/2024   Airliner Passengers Injured After TCAS Alert - From AVweb - "At 31,000 feet, a United flight crew responded to a collision warning. - CNN reported yesterday (Sept. 24) that the FAA was investigating an incident involving passenger injuries resulting from a midair collision warning. UAL Flight 2428 from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco International Airport responded to a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) resolution advisory (RA) and “slowed its descent to account for another aircraft at a lower altitude,” according to the FAA. - The incident occurred at 31,000 feet and about 70 miles north of San Francisco, CNN said, citing data from FlightRadar24. The aviation traffic reporting website also..." Finish Reading Here.

10/01/2024   This Month In Aviation Safety: Getting Behind The Airplane - From Aviation Safety - "It happens to every pilot and there are strategies to get back on top of it. - There isn't a pilot who can honestly say they've never been at least a little bit behind the aircraft, even for a short time when task saturated. So Aviation Safety magazine set out to tame the dragon with tips on getting and staying ahead of even the fastest airplane. And none better than former U.S. Air Force T-38 instructor pilot Matt Johnson to lay it all out." Read it Here.

09/28/2024   Mooney M20 Control Wheel Shaft Fatigue Cracks - Notice Number: NOTC3947 - The FAA is investigating the report of a control wheel separation on a Mooney M20C aircraft due to fatigue cracks in the control shaft or control wheel attachment hub. This failure might result in momentary loss of control of the aircraft until the pilot or copilot is able to regain control with the second control wheel. This may reduce the capability of the airplane or the ability of the crew to cope with adverse operating conditions to the extent that there may be a significant reduction in safety margins, especially in certain phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing.

The FAA’s Aircraft Certification Service recently issued an Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) to highlight this concern and the ongoing investigation including a photograph of the failed part. The FAA is recommending operators visually inspect the control wheel and provide information including description of damage, available photos, airplane serial number, and time in service since installation.

To view the Airworthiness Concern Sheet please select this link or paste the address into your browser: https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2024/Sep/2024-09-25_Mooney_Control_Wheel.pdf  -  If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Aircraft Certification Service through Jacob Fitch at Jacob.Fitch@faa.gov.

09/27/2027   FAA Intensifies Hiring In 2024 To Combat Controller Shortage - From Simple Flying - "The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it has exceeded its hiring target for new Air Traffic Controllers in 2024, marking the highest number of annual new hires in over a decade. This is part of the agency's efforts to minimize operational disruptions that have been affecting the nation's aviation industry due to the shortage of air traffic controllers, especially in areas of major airports."  More Here.

09/27/2024   AINsight: Avoiding RNAV SIDs and STARs Gotchas - From AINonline - "In 2014, the FAA introduced new and revised air traffic procedures that included “climb via,” “descend via,” and speed adjustment clearances for pilots flying RNAV departures (SIDs) and arrivals (STARs). Remarkably, in the 10 years since, pilots continue to make mistakes complying with these ATC clearances. As a result, altitude (vertical), course (lateral), and speed deviations are often cited as the most common reasons for a pilot to submit a NASA ASRS or ASAP report.

Recognizing the complexities of these new procedures, NBAA’s Domestic Operations Committee has published “Pilot Briefing: Climb Via, Descend Via, Speed Adjustments,” which covers the nuances of each procedure and the subtle differences between procedures around the world, including the FAA, ICAO, and Nav Canada. - According to the document, the goal of these updated procedures was..."  Continue Here.

09/27/2024   FAA Space Report - September 26, 2024  -    "Commercial Space Licensing a Top Priority, FAA Testifies:

09/27/2024   EAA Sport Aviation October 2024 Digital Edition: download it Here

09/27/2024   NTSB Says Rudders Can Freeze In Hundreds of 737s - From AVweb - "Moisture seeping into actuators is the cause.- The NTSB says the rudders on "more than" 353 Boeing 737NG and MAX aircraft can freeze stuck and it's suggested the manufacturer come up with a solution besides stomping on the pedals to free them up. The board issued an urgent safety recommendation Thursday resulting from its investigation of an incident in Newark last February in which the rudder pedals jammed on a United MAX after landing. The pilots couldn't budge the rudder, so the captain kept the plane on the runway using the tiller. - The investigation determined that moisture can get inside the rollout guidance actuator, which is only..."   Read More Here.

09/25/2024   AOPA Names Next President And CEO, Darren Pleasance - From AVweb - "With three diverse GA aircraft of his own, AOPA’s next leader has a solid background in business and aviation. - An 8,000-hour general aviation pilot with a diverse “fleet” of personal aircraft will be the next (and sixth, ever) president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), as of on Jan. 1, 2025. Darren Pleasance also has a strong background in business, most recently as leader of Cisco Systems’ Acceleration Center, whose corporate mission was “to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco's business transformation.”  Entire Story Here.

09/24/2024   FAA Approves 100R Avgas In Cessna 172s - From Aviation Week Network - "The FAA said Sept. 17 that it has granted approval for the use of a second 100-octane unleaded fuel in piston aircraft, specifically Cessna 172R/S Skyhawks.-  In a brief statement, the agency said it has approved the use of Swift 100R unleaded avgas by supplemental type certificate (STC) in Skyhawks powered by Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines, marking “an important step” in the FAA and industry effort to supply unleaded fuel for the entirety of the U.S. piston aircraft fleet. - Developer Swift Fuels, of West Lafayette, Indiana, has said that it plans to seek an initial STC for the use of 100R from the FAA, then expand the approved model list of piston aircraft and engines that can burn the 100-Motor-Octane fuel instead of 100LL leaded avgas. Swift is also pursuing a new product specification for 100R through standards organization ASTM."  Read More Here.

09/23/2024   Collaborations protect two Colorado airports - From AOPA - "Closure, encroachment threats turned back - Airport stakeholders, AOPA members, and the wider aviation community recently chalked up victories in their efforts to defend two Colorado airports. - One dispute involved two 2024 ballot initiatives seeking to close Boulder Municipal Airport so the land could be redeveloped for affordable housing. The Save Boulder Airport organization was formed to counter the ballot initiatives put forward by the Airport Neighborhood Campaign.

The Airport Neighborhood Campaign had collected signatures to place two petitions, “Repurpose Our Runways” and “Runways to Neighborhoods,” on the November 5 ballot. The fight over the airport took an unexpected turn in June, when the city of Boulder filed a lawsuit against the FAA seeking clarification from the agency regarding how long the city is obligated to maintain the airport in return for federal Airport Improvement Program grants used to purchase airport land in the past. One result of the lawsuit was the adoption of a wait-and-see attitude by many parties opposed to the airport, according to the Airport Neighborhood Campaign, which has since withdrawn its petitions." Continue Reading Here.

09/22/2024   NTSB Working To Streamline Drone Program - From AVweb - "The NTSB is seeking a cloud-based software provider to help manage its drone program. - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working to enhance its drone program by seeking a cloud-based software provider for fleet management, according to a recent federal contract posting.

09/22/2024   The Importance of Properly Heeding “Line Up and Wait” Instructions - No matter what instructions or information you hear while taxiing onto the runway or waiting in position, you are not cleared for takeoff unless you hear your callsign and “cleared for takeoff.” Sounds simple enough, but in 2023 there were more than 25 instances of aircraft instructed to “line up and wait” that instead of waiting, started their takeoff roll. Learn more about the importance of following this ATC procedure in “Please Wait Your Turn” at medium.com/faa/please-wait-your-turn-72aeb82bc7ca in the September/October 2024 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. See the entire Airport Surface Safety issue at www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.

09/22/2024   Subject: Draft Airport Engineering Brief 105A: Vertiport Design -- U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Website -The FAA’s Office of Airports released a draft Engineering Brief (EB) 105A, Vertiport Design, on Friday, September 20, 2024. Principal changes include adjustments to geometry sizing, the addition of aircraft parking, and the creation of a downwash and outwash protection area. Industry is invited to submit written comments to vertiports@faa.gov through Friday, October 18, 2024.

To supplement the industry review, FAA’s Office of Airports will host a Virtual Industry Day on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 11:00 am EDT to 4:00 pm EDT. During this meeting, the FAA will provide an overview of the EB 105A update, discuss critical aspects of the draft currently under consideration, and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the update.

Preregistration is necessary to receive the link for the virtual industry day meeting.

• Register for the Draft EB 105A Virtual Industry Day

Comments will not be accepted during the industry day meeting. Instead, the industry is invited to submit written comments to vertiports@faa.gov.

The FAA is at the forefront of establishing an operational Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem. The release of draft EB 105A is part of the FAA’s continued efforts to ‘Make it Safe’ – ensuring this new generation of air taxis maintains the high level of safety that defines modern aviation. To learn more about AAM, visit Advanced Air Mobility | Air Taxis on the FAA website.

Sincerely, John R. Dermody, P.E., Director, Office of Airport Safety and Standards

09/22/2024   Know Your Convective Outflow Boundaries - From FLYING - "Pay particular attention to those strong, gusty winds before attempting a landing at an airport when storms are approaching. - Surface analysis charts are issued every three hours by meteorologists at the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). On some you may have seen a tan dashed line with a label “OUTFLOW BNDRY” nearby. This is what meteorologists call a convective outflow boundary. - Convective outflow boundaries emanating away from thunderstorms are generated as cold, dense air descends in downdrafts then moving outward away from the convection to produce a mesoscale cold front also known as a gust front. Some gust fronts can be completely harmless or may be a precursor for an encounter with severe turbulence and dangerous low-level convective wind shear. The direction of movement of the gust front isn’t always coincident with the general motion of the thunderstorms. If the gust front is moving in advance of the convection, it should be strictly avoided. The pilot’s best defense is to recognize and characterize the gust front using METARs, ground-based radar and visible satellite imagery."  Learn More by Reading the Full Account Here.

09/22/2024   Piasecki Aircraft Achieves Historic Milestone With First Flight of Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) Tilt-Duct VTOL Vehicle – Sept. 10 - From Aviation Today - " (PR) - ESSINGTON, Pa., September 10, 2024 (Newswire.com) – In an aviation milestone, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) successfully conducted the first flight of its innovative proof of concept tilt-duct Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV), marking a significant leap forward in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology. The flight event, which consisted of two tethered hover flights, is the first step in a program to demonstrate the potential of ARES to revolutionize autonomous airborne casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), cargo resupply, and provide other multi-mission capabilities in support of small distributed combat units. This flight represents a commencement milestone in Piasecki’s experimental flight test program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and Army under a $37 million Strategic Funding Initiative (STRATFI). - ARES is a modular multi-mission tilt-duct VTOL vehicle that can be..."  Read More Here

09/19/2024   Carbon Monoxide (CO) Hazards and Mitigations in Aircraft Exhaust Systems - FAA - Since 2010, there have been 12 fatal aircraft accidents where CO impairment was the primary root cause.

☑️ Do you have a CO detector installed in your aircraft, or carry one on board with you when you fly?

☑️ Do you thoroughly inspect your exhaust system every 100 hours?

Let’s spend a little time discussing the source of this hazard, some common themes from both accidents and from successful landings, and what actions you can take to mitigate your own risk.  -  READ More Here.

09/19/2024   Dispatch: The Value of Pre- and Post-Flight Briefings - From Aviation Business Insider - "In today’s “gotta-go-now” world of business aviation, the thought of attending one more meeting isn’t high on your must-do list. But you’ll push it to the top of your schedule when you appreciate all the significant upsides of a good pre- or post-flight briefing. - “There are just so many parts to every trip today; I think the briefings are more important than ever,” explained Abbie Fox, dispatcher for AMB Group, LLC. “Good planning can be the make or break point of any trip – especially international and ‘essential’ business trips.” - “They are tools for helping pilots get a very positive mental picture of what is going to happen before, during and after the trip,” Continue Here.

09/19/2024   Air Force Looks To Update Maintenance Procedures - From AVweb - "Google team-up aims to digitize aircraft maintenance processes.-  According to the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command, maintenance-related mishaps have cost taxpayers more than $50 million since 2018. A big reason for the service’s maintenance woes could be antiquated management procedures. - Col. Nathan Stuckey is the military deputy program executive officer of the USAF Rapid Sustainment Office. He said that the big reason for dangerous inefficiency is..."  More.

09/18/2024   AC 150/5300-19 - Airport Data and Information Program - FAA - Date issued2015-09-30Office of Primary ResponsibilityAAS-100, Office of Airport Safety & Standards - Airport Engineering Division  - Description - This AC provides general guidance and information for airport owners and operators in the collection and management of data describing the physical infrastructure, characteristics, and services of their airport. This data is source material for the FAA’s aeronautical information databases, for use in the dissemination of aviation information to the public, preparation of government and private industry aeronautical charts, and related flight information publications. This AC also describes the schedule, frequency, and standards for airport inspections. - This AC replaces AC 150/5200-35A, Submitting the Airport Master Record in Order to Activate a New Airport.  - Content:

• AC 150/5300-19 (PDF)
• Airport Master Record Data Dictionary (8/2024) (PDF)

09/18/2024   SAF Production, Availability and Use Continue to Rise - From Business Aviation INSIDER - "Experts who follow the emerging sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry say production of the environmentally friendly alternative to Jet A has grown exponentially in just a few years, and its availability is about to skyrocket. - SAF, which is made from non-petroleum renewable feedstocks such as cooking oils and agricultural waste, has the potential to reduce business aviation greenhouse gas emissions by 80% throughout its life cycle."  More Here.

09/14/2024   Relativity Space To Build 131-foot Test Stand at Goodman Commerce Center in Long Beach - From THEREGISTRY - "Aerospace innovator Relativity Space plans to build a 131-foot-tall test stand at its Long Beach headquarters in the Goodman Commerce Center. - This new structure will play a pivotal role in the static testing of aerospace vehicles and systems, according to a report from Urbanize. According to an environmental notice, the stand will be used to test aerospace vehicles and systems, but no engine test-firing will occur.

The new test stand was scaled back from an earlier 200-foot design, but the shorter tower will still boost Relativity Space’s testing capabilities. According to the report, this adjustment came amidst concerns from local pilots and businesses at nearby Long Beach Airport, which raised objections to the original taller structure." Finish Reading Here.

09/14/2024   NTSB Issues Deicing Safety Alert - "The NTSB has issued a safety alert regarding the adverse effects of icing on aircraft performance. - As winter approaches, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued Safety Alert SA-097 reminding pilots about the dangers of flying in icing conditions—namely the adverse effects of airframe and propeller icing on aircraft performance. - SA-097 emphasizes that “as little as 1/4-inch of wing-leading edge ice accumulation can increase the stall speed by 25 to 40 knots and cause sudden departure from controlled flight.” The alert also warns that ice buildup on pitot tubes can lead to instrument failure, impacting readings for airspeed, altitude and vertical speed. - The NTSB acknowledges that..." Read More Here.

09/14/2024   E-Cigs Lead In Av-Related Thermal-Runaway Incidents - From AVweb - "Vaping devices and portable chargers often stored in checked bags. -Perhaps an unlikely aviation news source, the Tobacco Reporter posted this week that battery thermal-runaway incidents on aircraft reached a five-year high in 2023, with e-cigarettes topping the list of causes. The information came from a report from the nonprofit UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE), an organization focused on safety standards. - ULSE initiated its Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP), which solicits voluntary incident reports from its 35-member group of passenger and cargo airlines." MORE Here

09/10/2024   Aircraft Maintenance: Myths and secrets of propeller balancing - From AOPA - "As pilots, we become so accustomed to our aircraft that we often accept their flaws as normal and miss out on opportunities to dramatically improve our safety and comfort. Dynamic propeller balancing is one of those opportunities. -Dynamic propeller balancing has been around for decades, yet it remains somewhat misunderstood and is surprisingly underutilized in the world of general aviation maintenance. The propeller is the largest moment arm spinning on our aircraft and therefore can have the largest impact on vibration levels."  Read the full Treatise Here.

09/09/2024  ALERT:  Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park Project - This is an LADPW project that may in itself superficially be a fine neighborhood project, but with regard to Whiteman and Burbank Airports may present a danger.  The project "is a collaborative effort by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the City of Los Angeles, and the Sun Valley Watershed Stakeholders Group to address major flooding in Sun Valley. The project’s objectives are to mitigate flood risk and reduce stormwater pollution while increasing water conservation, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat. This will be achieved by converting a 46-acre, engineered, inert landfill into a multi-purpose wetlands park. The park will feature a 21-acre detention pond that will provide the capacity to hold runoff collected from the upstream tributary area. The captured stormwater in the detention pond will then enter a 10-acre wetland that will act as a natural water treatment system by removing pollutants from the stormwater. In addition, the wetlands will form a sustainable habitat for various plant and animal species. Finally, the treated stormwater is to be pumped to the existing Sun Valley Park infiltration basins for groundwater recharge." The DANGER: The wetlands and pond might create bird strike potential for the nearby airports.  Departures from Whiteman (located 4NM Northwest) often transition through Burbank Class Charlie airspace, and the wetlands project sits NW of Burbank Airport (RNY 15/33 has a Right Traffic Pattern) and whereas airport remarks already include, "BIRD ACTIVITY NORTH END RY 15/33 AND WEST END RY 08/26.." Beyond the GA traffic risk with Whiteman traffic, additionally as Jet traffic is prevalent at Burbank, a resulting bird strike could result in an unnecessary disaster. More information about the project can be found Here.

09/08/2024   What You Need to Know About Tires When Learning to Fly - From FLYING - "Aircraft tires take a beating at a flight school, so it’s important for a student pilot to know what is normal and what is not.- One of the things I teach my learners is not to be embarrassed about asking for help, or asking a more experienced pilot or mechanic a question about something you find during a preflight. With this in mind I took a photograph of the tire with my smartphone and sent it to an A&P/IA with the text question, "OK to fly?" although I had a pretty good idea what the reply would be."  Continue Learning Here.

09/08/2024  Sharkskin System Used to Reduce Drag of 777 Cargo Jets - From FLYING - "All Nippon Airways and EVA Air are early adopters of fuel-saving technology. - Freighter airlines are leading the way in fitting aircraft with a new high-tech coating that mimics the structure of a shark’s skin to reduce aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption.

09/07/2024    Training and Safety Tip: Spark check & Hot Mag Check Video - From AOPA - "Why perform a postflight check? Well, in many airplanes, the drop in engine performance if one magneto kicks the bucket in flight is subtle and can go unnoticed. Of course, you’d discover the problem before the next flight, but wouldn’t it be nicer to discover the issue earlier, and get it addressed before it fouls a flight? - Worse yet, in some older designs, magnetos can..."  Full Story and HOT MAG Check VIDEO Here

09/07/2024   Business Aviation Insider: Management Issue  -  The September/October 2024 Management Issue of NBAA’s Business Aviation Insider magazine is now available, including a feature article on how top business aviation managers collaborate across teams, such as flight crews, maintenance and schedulers/dispatchers. This issue also provides guidance from recruitment executives, consultants and hiring managers about attracting, motivating and retaining top workforce talent. Also, don’t miss our feature with tips for aviation managers on how they can strengthen ties with their C-suite executives and why it’s so important.

09/07/2024   Airlines must monitor vapour trails under new EU climate rules - From euronews - "The controversial new green plans, opposed by the industry, were agreed by officials on Friday - Airlines operating flights from European airports will soon have to report the estimated climate impact of vapour trails from jet engines to the European Commission, as well as the amount of carbon dioxide they emit annually.- The airline industry had lobbied hard against the new rules — adopted by government delegates behind closed doors on Friday (30 August) — saying there wasn't enough research data on the effects of contrails."  Continue:

09/06/2024   SAF growing but more to do - The sustainable aviation fuel market is growing thanks to airline buy-in, government incentives and company support. SAF sales are expected to reach approximately $18 billion by 2031, but scaling production to meet the Biden administration's goal of 100% SAF by 2050 remains a significant challenge. - Full Story: Trellis

09/06/2024   Making Well-informed Weather Decisions - There's access to more aviation weather information than ever before, but how well do you understand the capabilities and limitations of the equipment you’re using and the information it provides? Our latest Fly Safe topic covers how pilots can use available weather resources to make more well-informed decisions. Learn more at medium.com/faa/in-flight-weather-resources-c25ba46d2e5e.

09/06/2024   Biden-Harris Administration Announces More than $2 Billion in Grants to Improve Airport Infrastructure Across the U.S. - WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $1.9 billion for 519 grants in 48 states, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, in its fifth announcement under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). - $3.5 million to San Luis Obispo County Airport in California: This grant funds the purchase demonstration testing of three different innovative PFAS remediation technologies for both soil and water.

09/06/2024   FCC Adopts New Rules Allowing Drones to Operate in 5-GHz Spectrum - "The Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rules that enable drone control operations in the 5-GHz spectrum, marking a critical step toward integrating unmanned aerial systems into the national air traffic system. These rules allow operators to obtain direct frequency assignments in the 5030-5091 MHz band using dynamic frequency management systems." - Full Story: DroneLife 

09/06/2024   Enhanced Flight Vision Systems Today Into The Future - From Avionics International - "Part Two in a series looking at the status of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS), which provide greater situation awareness and improved visual clarity for enhanced navigational safety and efficient oper

ations. - Synthetic Vision - Synthetic vision guidance systems provide pilots with a synthesized, clear view of the terrain and navigational guidance, even when the view out the window is obscured by weather conditions or low light. Collins’ synthetic vision system provides ground navigation data for pilots landing at small airfields. - Thea Feyereisen, senior technical fellow at..."  Read MUCH More Here.

09/04/2024   New and Revised FAA Airports Series 150 Advisory Circulars (ACs) - FAA - AC 150/5200-32C - Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes -- AC 150/5300-13B - Airport Design - Change 1

09/03/2024   FAA Mandates SMS for Charter Operators—Now What? - From AIN - "While the SMS rule has strong support, safety advisors caution on implementation - The FAA now requires safety management systems (SMS) for all Part 135 operators, certain Part 91 air tour operators, and some type certificate and production certificate holders under Part 21. Part 135 operators include on-demand charter, commuter, and air ambulance operators. But for the operators, what does this mean? And are they ready?"  More on this issue Here.

09/02/2024   Hurry-Up Syndrome - "Aviation's worst disaster, the terrible KLM / Pan-Am accident at Tenerife, was due in great part to schedule pressure problems experienced by both flight crews. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) conducted an eighteen-month, three country investigation of this accident, with an emphasis on the human factors of flight crew performance." Attribution for this article goes to ASRS Directline, to the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), and of course, to the authors of each article.  Read the Hurry-Up Study results Here.

8/30/2024  Runway Safety at Your Airport - FAA - Make the FAA’s From the Flight Deck videos, pilot handbooks and arrival alert notices part of your preflight planning routine. - From the Flight Deck resources are available. You can filter and search by State, City, Airport Name, Airport ID, and Safety Product to easily access these tools. Scroll down the page to the interactive map.  - View them Here.

8/30/2024   In-flight Weather Resources - FAA-  "The 21st Century has brought an unprecedented wealth of information to general aviation cockpits. Near real-time graphical and textual weather products contribute greatly to pilot situational awareness and decision-making. However, pilots must understand the capabilities and limitations of the equipment and the information it provides. Let’s explore how general aviation pilots can use available weather information sources to make well-informed weather decisions." Full Article Here.

8/30/2024  FAA Levies More Than $300K in Fines Against Drone Pilots - From FLYING - "Drone operators who violate federal drone regulations can face fines up to $75,000 per violation or have their license revoked or suspended. - he FAA is taking aim at drone pilots who don’t respect the rules of the sky. - The agency last week said that between October 2022 and June 2024, it levied $341,413 in civil penalties against 27 operators who violated federal drone regulations, with the largest monetary fines numbering in the tens of thousands. - Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which..."   Read Full Account Here.

08/30/2024    FAA Space Report - August 28, 2024  - FAA Issues New Regulatory Guidance for Commercial Space Safety -

High Fidelity Flight Safety Analysis

A high fidelity flight safety analysis for a commercial space launch or reentry operation may be required for a particular phase or for all phases of flight. An operator’s flight safety analysis method must account for all reasonably foreseeable events and failures of safety-critical systems during nominal and non-nominal launch or reentry that could jeopardize public safety. The FAA guidance is one, but not the only, acceptable means of compliance with the Part 450 regulations. Read Advisory Circular 450.115-1B for more information.

Human Factors Considerations

Commercial human spaceflight operators are required to take the precautions necessary to account for human factors that can affect a crew's ability to perform safety critical roles so that the vehicle will not harm the public. Safety critical areas include: the design and layout of displays and controls; mission planning; allocating functions between humans and equipment; restraint or stowage of all individuals and objects; and vehicle operation. The FAA guidance is one, but not the only, acceptable means of compliance with the Part 460 regulations. Read Advisory Circular 460.15-1 for more information.

Next COMSTAC Meeting Sept. 16, 2024

The next Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16. COMSTAC 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 regarding the U.S. commercial space transportation sector. The agenda and livestream links are posted here.

Learn about the Houston Spaceport

The Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport in Texas is in the FAA Spaceport Spotlight. This series focuses on the unique capabilities of FAA-licensed spaceports. From launch and reentry sites to aerospace research, testing and technology centers, no two spaceports are the same.

FAA Blog: Safety is Key to Success of Commercial Space Industry

In early August, the FAA surpassed its 800th licensed commercial space operation. As a regulator, the agency understands the success of the industry has been directly tied to its safety record – no member of the public has ever been lost or seriously injured from an FAA-authorized launch or reentry operation. Maintaining an impeccable public safety record is key to the continued growth of an industry that is an important economic engine for our nation. Read more from FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman and check out the FAA commercial space transportation database.

Check Status of Environmental Review for SpaceX Starship at Kennedy Space Center

Interested parties can now check the status of the FAA environmental review for the proposed SpaceX Starship operations at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The U.S. Department of Transportation Permitting Dashboard includes the anticipated overall project timeline and the timelines for related actions by other agencies. Learn more about the project, including how to subscribe to receive project updates.

FAA Reviewing Part 440 Financial Responsibility Recommendations

The FAA is reviewing financial responsibility recommendations for commercial space launch and reentry services. An FAA rulemaking committee developed the recommendations that focus primarily on maximum probable loss calculation methodology, acceptable methods of demonstrating financial responsibility and use of reciprocal waivers of claims. These and other recommendations will be considered for possible future revision of the Part 440 regulations.