Search Results for agency_names:"Federal Aviation Administration"

The Department of Transportation issued a final rule that updates the penalties for violations of certain DOT regulations to account for inflation, as required by legislation from 2015. These updates affect various areas such as air and motor vehicle safety, hazardous materials transportation, and railroad operations. The changes include adjustments in the minimum and maximum fines that can be imposed for different types of violations. The rule was implemented immediately and did not include a notice and comment period, as per the stipulations of the legislation enabling these adjustments.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to decommission the Flight Service communication frequencies network across the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska, due to the outdated infrastructure and dramatic drop in service requests. The network, which was developed over 40 years ago, has become redundant with current technology, and maintaining it costs taxpayers millions annually. This move is expected to save costs as pilots now primarily use mobile technology for inflight advisory services. The FAA is seeking public comments on this decision and will consider them before finalizing the plan.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH models to address issues with malfunctioning emergency fuel shut-off switches. This rule requires inspections of these switches and, if necessary, repairs or replacements to prevent potential in-flight engine shutdowns. The urgency of this safety measure means it's effective from March 24, 2025, with some compliance actions required within a limited timeframe. The FAA invites public comments on this rule until April 21, 2025, and further details can be found through official resources like regulations.gov.

The FAA has proposed a rule regarding airworthiness directives for certain ATR42-500 airplanes. This new rule seeks to update and replace existing directives due to identified safety concerns, imposing stricter airworthiness limitations to ensure these airplanes' structural integrity. The proposed changes require revisions to maintenance and inspection programs and open a comment period for the public until April 12, 2021. The rule also outlines anticipated costs for the operators and provides exceptions to some requirements from related European regulations.

The FAA released a new airworthiness directive (AD) targeting specific models of Bombardier airplanes, namely the BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11. This rule demands updates to the current maintenance and inspection programs to introduce stricter limits for brake accumulators, as these components may exceed their lifespan and fail, potentially causing loss of brake function. Affected airplanes must comply with these new standards by early 2025, and operators have 90 days from the directive's effective date to update their procedures accordingly. The rule is necessary to prevent unsafe conditions that might lead to accidents or runway excursions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that updates airworthiness directives for Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This rule, taking effect on January 13, 2025, requires aircraft operators to update their maintenance or inspection programs with more restrictive safety measures as specified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The updated requirements address the risks associated with aging aircraft systems to prevent possible failures of vital parts and ensure the structural integrity of the airplanes. The FAA estimates that these changes will cost about $7,650 per operator for implementation, based on 90 work-hours required per operator.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an information collection tool known as the Safety Assurance System (SAS) External Portal. This online tool helps applicants and certificate holders exchange information with Flight Standards employees for tasks like submitting applications and documents related to aviation certification and maintenance. Comments are invited on aspects like the necessity of the information collection and its burden, with the comment period closing on February 18, 2025. The portal aims to streamline processes by providing direct access to necessary forms and reducing wait times.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the Department of Transportation, has issued a rule extending the prohibition on certain flights in specific areas of the Sanaa Flight Information Region (FIR) in Yemen. This prohibition, which applies to U.S. air carriers and operators, is extended until January 7, 2028, due to significant safety risks stemming from regional conflicts and the presence of advanced weapons systems. The rule aims to protect U.S. civil aviation from the dangers posed by ongoing military tensions, particularly those involving Houthi forces. The FAA has determined that swift action is needed, therefore the usual public comment process has been bypassed for this rule.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new final rule that updates and replaces an earlier airworthiness directive from 2017 concerning certain Saab AB Model 340A and 340B airplanes. This new directive introduces more stringent safety requirements following recommendations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It mandates revising the planes' maintenance or inspection programs to include new airworthiness limitations, especially involving the main landing gear. These updates aim to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft and ensure ongoing aviation safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a rule that requires repair stations outside the United States, which maintain certain U.S. commercial aircraft, to conduct drug and alcohol testing for their employees who perform safety-sensitive tasks. This rule aims to align with local laws where these stations operate and provides several pathways for compliance, such as seeking waivers if local laws conflict with FAA regulations. The rule will take effect in January 2025, with full compliance required by December 2027. This regulation is part of an ongoing effort to ensure aviation safety by ensuring that repair station employees meet similar standards to those in the United States.