FAA

FAA has updated the COVID-19 SFAR 118, originally published on May 4, 2020, with a new regulation extending expiration dates and establishing new protocols for a number of key certifications, currency requirements, and knowledge tests. The document SFAR 118-1 went into effect on June 25, 2020, with final publication on June 29, and it’s effective through March […]

Americans planning airline travel the past month have felt as if they’re caught in the middle of a family argument over expectations related to COVID-19. Some airlines said they’ve demanded face coverings while others have only recommended the move. Some airlines said they’d leave the middle seat open to support the social-distancing efforts while others […]

The FAA adopted an airworthiness directive effective June 11, 2020, for the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 that requires the removal of the headset amplifier and microphone interface circuit boards for the 3.5 mm audio and microphone jacks. The AD, sent to all US owners and operators of the Cirrus Vision Jet, was originally created as […]

FAA Safety Briefing Editor, general aviation pilot, and flight instructor Susan K. Parson recently published a list called Rules for the Radio that spells out some proper and incorrect radio etiquette when communicating with air traffic controllers. These tips are suitable for seasoned pilots as a refresher, but are incredibly valuable for student pilots or […]

The National Transportation Safety Board has asked helicopter manufacturers Bell, Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopter Division, MD Helicopters, Robinson Helicopter Company and Sikorsky to require visual and audio data recorders on commercial turbine-powered helicopters. Speaking directly to airframe manufacturers is a first for the NTSB regarding video image recorders and comes following the FAA’s refusal to […]

A proposed airworthiness directive stands to affect 6,586 Cessna 180, 182, and 185 models, driven by a report of cracks found in the tailcone and horizontal stabilizer attachment on a 185 that had displayed excessive play while undergoing maintenance. “After a detailed inspection, the tailcone reinforcement braces were found cracked on both sides of the […]

On January 29, 2019, a Bell 407 helicopter operating as an air ambulance flight by Batesville, Arkansas-based Survival Flight crashed near Zaleski, Ohio, killing the pilot, the flight nurse and the flight paramedic. The helicopter impacted heavily forested terrain just before 7 am local time in deteriorating weather while enroute to transfer a patient from […]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released an annual summary of reported laser strike incidents in 2019 showing there were 6,136 reports of people on the ground shining easily-obtained laser pointers at aircraft. According to the FAA, the availability of inexpensive laser devices for sale in stores and online is contributing to the problem, with […]

The FAA’s federal contract tower program consists of 254 facilities located in 46 states. The FCT program was created in 1982 in order to allow airports that would be unable to afford the price of a traditional FAA operated tower to enjoy the benefits of ATC services. Those towers and their 1,400 controllers manage 28 […]

The FAA will award $1.187 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants, according to Department of Transportation Secretary, Elaine Chao. In a news release late last week, Chao said, “The total includes $731 million in Airport Improvement Program grants and an additional $455 million in Supplemental Discretionary grants. The money will be available for 100 […]