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A Vast Amount of Data on this Page

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

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

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

 

New Posts begin after Preface

Preface:     

(Preface Updated 9/07/24)

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

To View the October '24 Vectors for Safety CLICK HERE

 

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

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

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

    Next Meeting

    The next meeting will be held on October 7-10, 2024. Please see the 24-02 meeting Invite Letter below.

    New Recommendation Documents for Upcoming ACM (CG)

    Future Dates

                   

                      MANUALS You May Need:

 

        NEWEST AERONAUTICAL CHART USRS GUIDE

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

Effective Date: 5 September 2024

Introduction

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

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:

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: 

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.

Here at UP.Summit 2024—a private gathering of some 300 movers and shakers in the transportation industry—manufacturer Pivotal on Tuesday said it has delivered 13 of its BlackFly prototype aircraft to customers nationwide. Those users, which include both private owners and the U.S. Air Force, are some of the first in the world to pilot an eVTOL design. - Pivotal considers its first customer, Tim Lum, who received his BlackFly in 2023, to be the first private eVTOL pilot in the world, and the firm has made a point of getting its aircraft in the hands of users early. Through its early access program (EAP), it selected 12 U.S. participants willing to put in the hours required to train to fly it and provide feedback." Read More Here. Updated Oct 2, 2024 4:19 PM EDT

10/06/2024   What is an Ultralight Airplane? FAA Definition and Examples - From Pilot Institute - "The term ‘Ultralight’ is often misused. It always refers to a very small light aircraft, but the exact definition depends to a large extent on where you live. In many countries the terms ‘ultralight’ and ‘microlight’ are used interchangeably, and even in the US there is a lot of confusion as to what kind of flying machine is actually an ultralight. But in fact, an ultralight in the US has a very specific definition and very definite rules relating to its operation.

So what exactly is an ultralight? Do you need any type of pilot’s license to fly one, and what restrictions are placed on them? Are they cheap and fun to fly, and perhaps most importantly, are they safe? - We will now take a look at the answers to all these types of questions…"  Finish Reading and Find Out More Here

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

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:

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

ARP National Consultant Workshops

Airports Engineering

Airport Planning Guidance and Data

Part 139 Certification

Passenger Facility Charge Program

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

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:

Making timely licensing determinations and providing regulatory clarity are top priorities, FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman told a House committee earlier this month. Over the last 11 years, the FAA issued 49 license determinations, averaging 151 days to issue a new license—well within the 180 days required by federal law. 

To increase efficiency, the FAA is improving its internal processes, hiring more staff and offering extensive resources to assist applicants. Companies seeking a license can also speed up the approval process by submitting a quality application, making minimal changes during the evaluation period, and responding to FAA requests for information in a timely manner.  

Read the full written testimony to learn more. 

New Regulatory Guidance for Commercial Space Safety    With the latest three additions below, the FAA has issued 27 Advisory Circulars (AC) that provide one, but not the only, acceptable means of compliance with the various requirements of the commercial space licensing regulations. The FAA will consider other means of compliance that an applicant may elect to present.

Describing Flight Safety Analysis Methods 

AC 450.115-2 provides guidance for documenting the methods used in a flight safety analysis (FSA), including the scientific principles and statistical methods, all assumptions and justifications, and the rationale for the level of fidelity. It also includes evidence for validation and verification, the extent to which the benchmark conditions are comparable to the foreseeable conditions of the intended operations, and the extent to which risk mitigations were accounted for in the analyses.

De Minimis Far-Field Blast Overpressure Effects Analysis 

AC 450.137-1 provides guidance on a simplified method for performing a Far-Field Blast Overpressure effects analysis as part of a flight safety analysis. It addresses acceptable methods for assessing potential hazards to people from broken window glass caused by the air blast effects of large explosions. These explosions may be focused by certain atmospheric conditions through which the blast waves propagate.

Reciprocal Waiver of Claims Requirements

AC 440.17-1 provides templates to execute required reciprocal waiver of claims agreements where each party waives and releases claims against all the other parties and agrees to assume financial responsibility for property damage it sustains and for bodily injury or property damage sustained by its own employees. Each party would also hold harmless and indemnify one another from bodily injury or property damage sustained by its employees, resulting from a licensed or permitted activity, regardless of fault.

Part 450 Workshops Online: Learn about Licensing 

The FAA holds workshops to provide a deep dive into the Part 450 launch and reentry licensing regulations. This is one of several FAA educational outreach efforts designed to help commercial space operators develop and submit a quality application to achieve a more expeditious license approval. When new workshops are held, the industry is encouraged to attend, learn and ask questions of the FAA commercial space safety analysis team. Past workshops are available online with more to be added.  

AC 450.101-1B High Consequence Event Protection 

AC 450.103-1 Safety Systems Program 

AC 450.107-1 Hazard Control Strategy 

AC 450.108 Flight Abort Hazard Control Strategy 

AC 450.108-1 Flight Abort Rule Development 

AC 450.109-1 Flight Hazard Analysis 

AC 450.115(c) Flight Safety Analysis Methodology 

AC 450.117-1 Trajectory Analysis for Normal Flight 

AC 450.141-1A Computing Systems and Software 

AC 450.173-1 Mishap Plan--Reporting, Response and Investigation 

AC 450.179-1 Ground Safety 

Final Rule for Spaceflight Operations with Government Astronauts 

The FAA issued a Final Rule providing regulatory clarity to applicants seeking licenses for spaceflight operations involving government astronauts with and without safety-critical roles on board vehicles. It also incorporates various other changes required by the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015. The Final Rule takes effect on Nov. 18, 2024. 

FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against SpaceX 

The FAA is proposing $633,009 in civil penalties against SpaceX for allegedly failing to comply with its license requirements during two launches in 2023. The violations cited include SpaceX using an unapproved launch control room, not conducting the required T-2 hour readiness poll, and using an unapproved propellant farm. Read the press release for more information.  

Learn about Midland International Air & Space Port 

The Midland International Air & Space Port 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. 

Save the Date! FAA Commercial Space Conference February 12, 2025 

The 2025 FAA Commercial Space Conference hosted in partnership with the Commercial Spaceflight Federation will be a one-day event and held at the Conrad Hotel in Washington, D.C. Join us for panels, speakers, and networking opportunities on all things commercial space. Registration is expected to open soon. 

Recommendations for Commercial Spaceport Security 

The FAA recently posted best practice guidance for commercial spaceport security recommending a layered approach. It was developed after the FAA and other federal agencies conducted threat and vulnerability assessments at FAA licensed commercial spaceports.  

FAA Podcast: Emily Calandrelli “The Space Gal” 

Have you ever felt intimidated by science, technology, engineering, or math concepts? Well, you are not alone. Emily Calandrelli, aka ‘The Space Gal,’ is on a mission to make STEM easier to understand and fun for everyone!  

In this episode of the FAA’s The Air Up There podcast, Emily shares how she went from shying away from science to excelling in it, the experience of a lifetime that kicked off her love for aerospace, and how she is making science accessible—especially for kids who don’t initially see themselves in STEM.  

Listen to the podcast and Emily’s advice for finding the confidence to take on hard challenges.

** End of Space Report **

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   California Army National Guard Aviation supports containment operations of fires in San Bernardino Mountains, California - Frpm Dvids - VIDEO - California Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Company B, 1-126th Aviation Regiment, utilize CH-47 Chinook helicopters for water-dropping missions and troop transport in the battle against the Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, on Sept. 15, 2024. Under a joint command, these aerial assets are critical to the coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies, helping contain the fire and protect nearby structures. - (U.S. Army National Guard Video by Sgt. Joaquin D. Vasquez-Duran) - See it 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.

The agency intends to use this software to more effectively track its increasing number of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), which are vital for investigating accidents. Currently, the NTSB does not have a centralized system for tracking its drones, which are used to capture video and photos of incidents and perform mapping and photogrammetry. - In its posting, the NTSB notes that,..."  Continue Here.

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.

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:

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.

Special to SCAUWG.ORG from Curt Castagna, NATA, EAGLE, LA County Airport Commissioner - "We understand this project may be proceeding at LGB. It would be beneficial for the community outside the airport to understand the approval by the City and FAA, so that when flight patterns change there is an understanding of those impacts. Over the last several years the helicopter operators at LGB have "brought in" their pattern work over the airport environment, and this could reverse that benefit due to the need to maintain safety away from the new tower."

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.

EVA Air and All Nippon Airways recently became the first Asian carriers to equip Boeing 777 freighters with the friction-reducing AeroShark surface film, following the footsteps of Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss International Air Lines. - All Nippon Airways said it began operating its first 777 freighter with the special coating on..."  Continue Here.

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.