Most popular posts for May 2020

1.) FBI plans to lease 'ultra-long-range aircraft' to support counterterrorism operations - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requires an ultra-long-range aircraft to provide a rapid response to transport Department of Justice personnel world-wide in support of counterterrorism and other sensitive investigations. [Full story]

2.) De Havilland Aircraft starts phased return to work of employees - De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced last month the company has started a phased return to work of employees and a measured resumption of activities. [Full story]

3.) Urgent need for aircraft at US Marshals Service - The United States Marshals Service, Investigative Operations Division, is seeking information from responsible sources and commercial agencies concerning the purchase of a used King Air 350i or Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to fulfill its unique mission objectives. [Full story]

4.) FAA post flight restrictions around Cape Canaveral for historic manned space launch - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued multiple Notice to Airmen Temporary Flight Restrictions around Cape Canaveral, Fla., through Wednesday. [Full story]

5.) Video: The first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft - A Boeing-led Australian industry team has presented the first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force. [Full story]

Boeing plans 737 MAX aircraft return to service in mid-2020

The Boeing Company informed customers and suppliers on Tuesday that they are currently estimating the ungrounding of the 737 MAX will begin during mid-2020.

“As we have emphasized, the Federal Aviation Administration and other global regulators will determine when the 737 MAX returns to service,” Boeing said in a statement. “We are informing our customers and suppliers that we are currently estimating that the ungrounding of the 737 MAX will begin during mid-2020. We acknowledge and regret the continued difficulties that the grounding of the 737 MAX has presented to our customers, our regulators, our suppliers, and the flying public.”

Following Boeing's announcement, Canadian-based airline WestJet announced it will be updating its schedule to remove the 737 MAX aircraft through to June 24. WestJet has completed more than 98 percent of its planned departures even while its 13 MAX aircraft remain on the ground.

The 737 Max was grounded after the crashes of two jets – a Lion Air flight in October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines flight last March.

FAA sets requirement for quieter aircraft

Beginning Jan. 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require newly designed aircraft to be quieter which will help toward lowering noise around airports and surrounding communities. Called “Stage 5 Airplane Noise Standards,” this FAA rule ensures that the latest available noise reduction technology is incorporated into new aircraft designs. As a result, new airplane type designs in the subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes will operate at least seven decibels quieter than airplanes in the current fleet.

In 1975, there were about 200 million people flying in the United States, with about seven million people exposed to what is considered significant aircraft noise. Since then, an FAA study conducted in 2015 showed that the number of people flying in the United States had almost quadrupled yet the number of people exposed to aircraft noise had dropped to around 340,000, or a 94 percent reduction in aircraft noise exposure.

The FAA continues to meet its reduction in aircraft noise and other environmental aviation goals through the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program.  CLEEN is the FAA’s principal Next Generation environmental effort to accelerate the development of new aircraft, engine technologies, and advance sustainable alternative jet fuels.

FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet for commercial service

Boeing announced Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the 737 MAX 8 airplane for commercial service. Boeing is now in the final stages of preparing for the first 737 MAX 8 delivery to customers in the coming months.

To earn certification for the 737 MAX 8, Boeing undertook a comprehensive test program that began just over one year ago with four airplanes, plus ground and laboratory testing. Following a rigorous certification process, the FAA granted Boeing an Amended Type Certificate for the 737 MAX 8, verifying the design complies with required aviation regulations and is safe and reliable.

The 737 MAX 8 reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions by an additional 14 percent over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes.

The MAX 8 and 9 will be followed in 2019 by the smaller MAX 7 and higher capacity MAX 200, while studies and discussion continue with customers on growing the family.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements. It is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 3,600 orders to date from 83 customers worldwide.

Urgent request for maintenance work on US Marshals aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Group (AMEG) issued an urgent requirement on Friday to establish a contract with a qualified vendor to perform heavy maintenance inspections on aircraft used to transport prisoners.

AMEG performs aircraft maintenance for the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) operation based in Oklahoma City. Managed by the U.S. Marshals Service, JPATS is one of the largest transporters of prisoners in the world – handling about 804 requests every day to move prisoners between judicial districts, correctional institutions and foreign countries.

JPATS transports sentenced prisoners who are in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons as well as to hearings, court appearances and detention facilities. JPATS is the only government-operated, regularly scheduled passenger airline in the nation. JPATS routinely serves approximately 42 domestic and international cities, plus other major cities in the United States on an as-required basis.

JPATS owns two Boeing 737-400 aircraft, N639CS and N640CS. These aircraft are maintained under a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program that requires scheduled inspections and maintenance at regular intervals during the life of the aircraft. These inspections, or checks, are required to be performed at specific intervals based on take-offs and landings (cycles) flight hours or monthly requirement. Failure to perform these inspections/maintenance will ground the aircraft until the work is performed.

N639CS and N640CS both have C-CHECKs due Sept. 1 and Oct. 10, respectively. These checks are considered “Heavy maintenance” and therefore outside the capabilities/responsibilities of the AMEG maintenance personnel functions.

C-CHECKs are extensive checks of individual systems and components for serviceability and function. It requires a thorough visual inspection of specified areas, components and systems as well as operational or functional checks. It is a high-level check that involves extensive tooling, test equipment, and special skill levels. C-CHECKs can remove an airplane from service for three to five days.

“AMEG has an urgent requirement to establish a contract with a qualified vendor to purchase maintenance services to accomplish a C-CHECK maintenance inspection for both N639CS and N640CS to keep both aircraft in service,” the FAA said in contract documents released Friday. “The first aircraft, N639CS, runs out of calendar time Sept. 1. The second aircraft, N640CS is scheduled to run out of time by Oct. 10."

FAA grants Houston Airport System space Launch Site License

The Houston Airport System has been granted a Launch Site License from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that enables Ellington Airport to establish itself as a launch site for Reusable Launch Vehicles, making it the 10th commercial spaceport in the United States.

Nearly two years after Houston City Council members gave their overwhelming support for the project, the FAA's formal approval opens the door for plans that could see Ellington Airport become a focal point for aerospace operations, such as the launching of micro satellites, astronaut training, zero gravity experimentation, spacecraft manufacturing and a host of other potential activities.

Situated near the Gulf of Mexico, and featuring more than 400 acres of land readily available for development, Ellington Airport is tailor-made for the requirements associated with an operating licensed Spaceport.

Realtors flying drones to market property listings

There will be a time when realtors can legally fly an unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone, around property listings to capture images for marketing purposes, but that time has not yet arrived, at least not completely. That's according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials who told realtors Friday during the “When, Where and How can I Use My Drone” session at the Realtors Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

According to Jim Williams, manager of FAA's UAS Integration Office, the agency's administrator Michael Huerta is committed to quickly finalizing the federal rules for the commercial use of UAS in national airspace, which is currently prohibited. Until that time, realtors can apply for a Section 333 waiver, which provides a limited-use permit to the applicant and comes with many safety restrictions on use of the machine.

Panelist Doug Trudeau of Tierra Antigua Realty in Tuscon, Ariz., the first realtor to apply for and receive a Section 333 exemption from the FAA to create marketing videos for property listings, discussed the waiver application process and offered advice to other realtors who are interested in pursuing a waiver.

After contacting an attorney with the FAA, Trudeau said he did several weeks of research on his own and chose to complete the application without hiring a private attorney. The guidelines are fairly clear, Trudeau said, but he could have saved himself some headaches if he had logged his previous UAS flying times and made sure his quadcopter was built in the U.S., because the FAA will not register a UAS that is registered by any foreign government.

From start to finish, the process took Trudeau 170 days, but he said it should go a lot faster for new applicants.

The FAA has received more than 1,200 waiver applications, approved 311, and is on track to approve 20 to 40 waivers each week.

Some of the earlier waivers restrict operators from flying a UAS within five miles of any airport, while other waivers limit it to two miles. Williams said that safety is the agency's biggest concern, and because UAS are so easy to purchase and fly, it's a growing problem.

"A lot of folks out there don't understand the risk they are getting into when they operate near an airport. It's potentially very dangerous," said Williams, who also encouraged realtors to call the FAA and report any UAS activity near airports.

The FAA is working on ways to approve UAS flights over major metropolitan areas and also flights that go beyond the line of sight of the operator. On May 6, National Association of Realtors President Chris Polychron issued a statement in support of the FAA's intention to study the safety of these flights, which could lead to important benefits in the real estate industry, particularly for agents who wish to market rural and large commercial properties.

During the session, NAR Associate Counsel Lesley Walker advised the audience that until the FAA finalizes its regulations, Realtors should refrain from using UAS technology for commercial marketing purposes.

NASA to award unmanned aircraft test site contracts

NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California intends to solicit and award one or more contracts to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Sites, according to contract documents released Thursday. The FAA authorized six Test Sites for the purpose of research, development, and testing of UAS aircraft to support integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System.

The anticipated release date of the Request for Proposal is on or about June 15, with an anticipated offer due date of on or about July 30.

FAA partners with CNN to help expand unmanned aircraft operations in US

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is partnering with three leading U.S. companies who have committed extensive resources to perform research that will help the agency determine if and how they can safely expand unmanned aircraft operations in the United States.

The partnering effort, known as Pathfinder Program, was announced by FAA Administrator Michael Hureta on Wednesday at the Unmanned Systems 2015 conference in Atlanta, Ga.

“The unmanned aircraft industry is changing faster than any segment of the aviation industry,” Hureta said. “People are finding new ways to use these devices on almost a daily basis.” Three companies reached out to the FAA to work with the agency and explore three key types of unmanned operations.

CNN will be researching how visual line-of-sight operations might be used for newsgathering in urban areas.

PrecisionHawk, a manufacturer, will be surveying crops in rural areas using unmanned aircraft flying outside of the pilot’s direct vision.

BNSF Railroad will explore the challenges of using these vehicles to inspect their rail infrastructure beyond visual line-of-sight in isolated areas.

“We anticipate receiving valuable data from each of these trials that could result in FAA-approved operations in the next few years,” Hureta said. “They will also give insight into how unmanned aircraft can be used to transform the way certain industries do business – whether that means making sure trains run on time, checking on the health of crops, or reporting on a natural disaster.

“Integrating unmanned aircraft into our airspace is a big job, and it’s one the FAA is determined to get right. Earlier this year, we took an important step forward by releasing a proposed rule that laid out a flexible framework for allowing the routine use of small unmanned aircraft. It included a number of common sense provisions, like not flying near airports, at night, or more than 500 feet off the ground. It also recommended requiring the operator to be able to see the unmanned vehicle at all times.

“The FAA received more than 4,000 public comments on the proposal, and we’re working to address them before finalizing the rule.

“This, however, takes time – so we’re actively looking for other ways to expand the use of unmanned aircraft in the meantime. We’re receiving valuable information from our six national test sites. We’re also accommodating requests for some commercial operations. The Pathfinder program is our latest step in the right direction – and I’m eager to see the results.”

Chicago air traffic delayed by phone line problems

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly delayed departures Monday for flights headed to O’Hare or Midway from Canada and Midwestern airports because of problems with several phone lines between the Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control facility in Elgin, Ill., and the FAA’s adjoining en route centers. The FAA resolved the problem and lifted the delay restrictions at 5:50 p.m., EDT, 43 minutes after they were put in place.

Over the weekend, FAA technical teams working on restoring telecommunications systems at the FAA’s Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, Ill., removed all of the equipment and cabling that was damaged in the Sept. 26 fire at the facility. Cleaning crews removed the remaining soot and debris from the area. The FAA teams on site are continuing work to connect the new and existing equipment and test it to ensure all systems are running properly.

FAA removes remaining fire-damaged equipment at Aurora facility

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical teams expect to complete the removal of all remaining fire-damaged equipment and cabling from the Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, Ill., by Monday morning. Meanwhile, replacement equipment continues to be installed and tested, the FAA reported Sunday.

FAA air traffic controllers continued to handle high volumes of traffic into and out of Chicago-area airports this weekend. The number of arrivals and departures at O'Hare were more than 90 percent of the two-month average for a Saturday, while total operations at Midway reached more than 95 percent.

The weather forecast for Monday calls for a chance of rain showers in Chicago, which could affect arrival and departure rates into both major airports.

Chicago-area air traffic slowly returning to normal following fire

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing to manage high levels of air traffic in and out of the Chicago-area airports Tuesday. FAA analysis shows by 2 p.m. EDT, almost 80 percent of the average Tuesday traffic for the past two months was flying in and out of O’Hare, and about 85 percent at Midway. Data for Monday shows air traffic flow at Chicago O'Hare and Midway was more than 85 percent of the average traffic for the past two months.

“The FAA will continue to safely maximize efficiency of the airspace and work closely with airlines to provide predictability in arrival and departure rates,” the agency said in a press statement. “The FAA is closely monitoring the weather outlook in the Chicago area and is working with the airlines on weather-related contingency plans in anticipation of predicted thunderstorms in the region over the next several days."

Meanwhile, technicians are working around the clock at the FAA’s Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, Ill., to finish cleaning the facility’s ventilation system and other smoke-damaged areas and to install new communications equipment, cabling, and the infrastructure to support it.

“Workers have completed a seismic protection grid in the new telecommunications room and have started to install cabinets known as 'racks' that house the new equipment,” the FAA said.

FAA approves application for civilian operated Chinook CH-47D helicopter

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the Billings Flying Service application for a restricted type certificate on the Chinook CH-47D helicopter. According to Al Blain, co-owner of Billings Flying Service, this is the first and only type certificate for the CH-47D helicopter.

Billings Flying Service bought the first two CH-47Ds that were sold through military auctions earlier this year. They are one of three civilian operators to purchase the model, but the first to obtain the restricted category type certificate so quickly.

Billings Flying Service has uncommon experience operating heavy-lift helicopters such as Sikorsky S61, Eurocopter 330J, and various Bell mediums. Billings is already completing modifications so the Chinooks can be fully optimized for the vehicle reference operations their clients require.

"Billings Flying Service has a backlog of customers who are excited to begin utilizing all of the extraordinary capabilities of this aircraft," Blain said.

Gary Blain, co-owner of Billings Flying Service said, "The CH-47Ds will be incorporated into our fleet for our customers for every mission segment it currently performs including construction and firefighting. The Chinook offers the heaviest lift capacity available and will outperform the Sky Crane considerably on a hot, high day."

Billings Flying Service is based in Billings, Mont.

Southwest Airlines manager fired for reporting unsafe flights

A Texas-based law firm representing a former Southwest Airlines cargo manager says their client was fired for bringing to light the unsafe transportation of hazardous materials on Southwest Airlines passenger jets. The Southwest cargo manager, Jeffrey Bondurant, also began to question whether the airline was properly reporting "discrepancies" to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Just last week, the FAA proposed a $12 million fine against Southwest Airlines for faulty repairs being made to its Boeing 737 jets since 2006. "Southwest Airlines problems are not confined to repairs," said Provost Umphrey Law Firm Attorney Jane Swearingen Leger in a press statement Monday. Leger is representing Jeffrey Bondurant in a whistleblowers case against Southwest Airlines. "The lawyers at Provost Umphrey have found that Southwest Airlines has safety issues related to transporting hazardous materials on passenger planes."

In January 2012, Bondurant's work performance was evaluated as "outstanding." On Feb. 22, 2012, Bondurant discovered that Southwest Airlines had improperly shipped a package of lithium ion batteries that was not packaged or labeled correctly. Improperly packaged lithium ion batteries have resulted in fires that have downed cargo planes and killed flight crewmembers. Bondurant notified a group of five managers that the batteries had, in fact, been shipped on a Southwest Airlines passenger flight. Less than two months after bringing forth his concern, Bondurant's employment with Southwest Airlines was terminated after 23 years.

After his firing, Bondurant filed an AIR21 Complaint. The AIR21 statute protects whistleblowers in the aviation industry from discrimination in respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

As a result of the whistleblower claims, the FAA launched an investigation into the February 2012 incident. During the FAA investigation, Southwest made statements to the FAA that are contradicted by the evidence brought forth by Bondurant's claims. On Nov. 7, 2012, the FAA sent a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty to Southwest Airlines, recommending a $16,200 fine.

Most popular posts July 2014

1.) Southwest Airlines goes international – U.S.-based Southwest Airlines launched international service last month by inaugurating flights to Caribbean destinations from three of its U.S. gateway cities. [Full story]

2.) NOAA's $9-million aircraft never put to use - Since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was established in 1970, the agency has operated aircraft to aid in the collection of earth observation data to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts; collect data necessary for weather and water forecasts; and help conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. [Full story]

3.) Video: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner rehearsal flight for Farnborough Airshow - Boeing's expert crew rehearses the flight program for the 2014 Farnborough Airshow. - [Full story]

4.) Southwest Airlines hit with $12 million fine for aircraft repairs - The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $12 million civil penalty against Southwest Airlines for failing to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations in three separate enforcement cases related to repairs on Boeing 737 jetliners operated by the Dallas-based airline. [Full story]

5.) Army Black Hawk helicopter up for sale - The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Redstone has notified State Agencies for Surplus Property that a single Black Hawk helicopter is available for sale through negotiation at fixed prices. [Full story]

Southwest Airlines hit with $12 million fine for aircraft repairs

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $12 million civil penalty against Southwest Airlines for failing to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations in three separate enforcement cases related to repairs on Boeing 737 jetliners operated by the Dallas-based airline.

The FAA alleges that beginning in 2006, Southwest conducted so-called “extreme makeover” alterations to eliminate potential cracking of the aluminum skin on 44 jetliners. The FAA conducted an investigation that included both the airline and its contractor, Aviation Technical Services, Inc., (ATS) of Everett, Wash.

Investigators determined that ATS failed to follow proper procedures for replacing the fuselage skins on these aircraft. FAA investigators also determined that ATS failed to follow required procedures for placing the airplanes on jacks and stabilizing them. All of the work was done under the supervision of Southwest Airlines, which was responsible for ensuring that procedures were properly followed.

Southwest returned the jetliners to service and operated them when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, the FAA alleges. The regulatory violations charged involve numerous flights that occurred in 2009 after the FAA put the airline on notice that these aircraft were not in compliance with either FAA Airworthiness Directives or alternate, FAA-approved methods of complying with the directives. The FAA later approved the repairs after the airline provided proper documentation that the repairs met safety standards.

Southwest Airlines has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty letter to respond to the allegations.

Related story: April 2, 2011 - Southwest Airlines grounds 81 planes after roof rips open in flight

A deep look into the FAA's drone issue

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is struggling to come up with regulations to control commercial drones in the country's airspace. But the rampant commercial usage of drones continues to cloud the issue, with the FAA asserting its authority without any clear regulations regarding the use of drones in American airspace.

The problem is that drones have quickly gone from being simple toys for hobbyists to new tools for everything from law enforcement to monitoring crops to social media to even getting amazing, cost-effective high-definition aerial shots for television and film production.

Journalists, commercial television producers and filmmakers are buying or building their own drone units for just a few thousand dollars, and are quickly creating a host of new problems about what is legal and what is not in an increasingly wider grey area of aviation law that involves not only airspace safety but questions about first and fourth amendment rights protections.

New York attorney Brendan Schulman will give a presentation about the FAA's drone issues Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Schulman challenged the FAA for fining his client for using a drone to make a promotional commercial. He recently won the case, which was the first case of the FAA fining any business or individual for commercial use of a drone.

Also presenting will be Ben Gielow, general counsel and government relations manager at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International; and Parker Gyokeres, representing the recently-formed Professional Society of Drone Journalists.

FAA alleges helicopter operator failed to conduct employee drug testing

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $55,125 civil penalty against Whirlybird Helicopters, LLC of Ogden, Utah, for allegedly violating DOT’s drug and alcohol testing regulations.

The FAA alleges Whirlybird failed to conduct pre-employment drug tests on eight employees prior to their being hired to perform safety-sensitive functions on the company’s helicopters, which it uses in commercial air tour operations. Further, the agency alleges three of these employees were not in Whirlybird’s random testing pool as required by DOT regulations.

Whirlybird has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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Preliminary report on Fredericksburg plane crash

On July 22, a single engine Cessna 172M (tail number N61954), was destroyed when it collided with terrain while maneuvering near Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg, Va. The private pilot was fatally injured.

The accident airplane was operated by a flight school located at Shannon Airport. A flight instructor who worked for the flight school stated that he had met the accident pilot about three months before the accident, and had performed a checkout flight with the pilot so that he could rent the flight school’s airplanes. The pilot had subsequently flown the school’s airplanes several times between the date of the checkout and the accident flight.

On the day of the accident, the pilot utilized the flight school’s internet-based computerized scheduling system to reserve a flight in N61954. He arrived at the airport shortly thereafter. The flight instructor who had previously flown with the accident pilot was at the flight school at the time, preparing for an upcoming flight with another student.

“According to the flight instructor, he and the pilot had a brief conversation about work, their recent flying activities, and the current weather conditions,” the National Transportation Safety Board said in their preliminary report. “The flight instructor reported that the pilot seemed to be in good spirits and was not otherwise behaving abnormally. After retrieving the paperwork required to dispatch the airplane, along with the keys from where they were normally secured, the pilot said goodbye to the instructor and proceeded to the airplane.

“The flight instructor next saw the accident airplane as it performed a low pass down the runway and then began maneuvering erratically in the vicinity of the airport. The airplane then climbed to an estimated altitude of 3,000 feet before it pitched down and descended in a near-vertical attitude. During the descent, the engine sounded as if it were producing 'full' power, and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground about 200 feet northwest of the runway.”

The aircraft is registered to Cross Flot Aviation, Inc., Fairfax, Va., according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The crash is still under investigation.

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