Briefing March 2023

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

New guidance was issued by NATA to prevent aircraft misfueling, especially for piston twins receiving JetA or incorrect unleaded fuel grades, as the industry transitions to unleaded aviation gasoline.
The FAA drastically reduced the information published on non-U.S. airspace in sectional charts covering border areas, a change that surprised many operators despite prior notice.
Ligado, the telecommunications company whose proposed 5G networks raised concerns about GPS interference, is in financial difficulty after defaulting on a payment to Inmarsat, who is now suing for spectrum rights.
A debate over the pilot shortage intensified as the Regional Airline Association accused ALPA of "gatekeeping" to limit pilot supply, while ALPA maintained there is actually a surplus of new airline pilots.

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New Misfueling Guidance Issued

Transition to unleaded aviation gasoline led the National Air Transportation Association to issue new guidance on preventing misfueling aircraft. Misfueling most commonly happens when piston twins are filled up with JetA. There is concern that the varying grades of unleaded fuel appearing at airports could lead to aircraft needing high-octane fuel getting lower grades at the pumps and causing pre-ignition failures of the big mills. The refreshed information is aimed at FBOs and their frontline employees. NATA said, “We encourage every individual involved throughout the aircraft refueling process to complete the updated training, even those who have already participated in the original program.”