In early April, as this issue was being finalized, the FAA had taken several steps to provide relief for certificate holders at the same time it warned it likely would take a dim view of state or local governments who want to close any federally funded airports as part of their response to the Covid-19 disease. In several recently published guidance documents, the agency has repeatedly stated that any proposal to close an airport—and even some businesses at an airport—must first be agreed to by the FAA’s Office of Airports, which will evaluate them on a case-by-case basis. As one document stated, “Proposed measures cannot close a Federally-obligated airport absent prior FAA authorization,” and airport management must consider all essential aeronautical services. The sidebar below includes the guidance letter’s full text.
At the same time—and recognizing social distancing practices—the agency has taken steps to extend expiration deadlines for medical certificates and even extended the deadline for a major new airworthiness directive (AD) affecting certain Cessna 210 models and their wing spars. For those carrying an FAA medical certificate set to expire between March 31, 2020, and June 30, 2020, the FAA announced on March 26 that it will not take enforcement action against a required crewmember (that’s you) “based on noncompliance with medical certificate duration standards.” And thanks in part to ongoing shortages of the N95 masks recommended for use with the chemicals required for testing, the new compliance deadline for the Cessna 210 spar AD is extended to September 9, 2020 (or the next 20 hours in service, whichever comes first).
