EASA issues regulatory proposals in response to the Germanwings accident

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a set of regulatory proposals, to prevent accidents like the Germanwings flight 4U9525, in which the co-pilot, who had a history of mental issues, took advantage of the temporary absence of the pilot-in-command and committed suicide by crashing the aircraft. The proposals concern medical requirements for pilots and the "2-persons-in-the-cockpit" recommendation. Further recommendations are about to follow by the end of the year.

Killing two birds with one stone: EU’s efforts to tighten aviation relations with Iran

The EU is seeking to tighten relations with Iran, to achieve multiple benefits: increase safety, boost European aircraft exports and reduce the leverage of Gulf rivals.

To ban or not to ban? Regulators attempt to mitigate risks from air carriage of lithium batteries

ICAO and regulators worldwide are examining methods to mitigate the risk posed by air carriage of lithium batteries. The crashes of two freighters in 2010 and 2011, and the grounding of Boeing 787s in 2013, all connected with lithium batteries on board, in combination with recent FAA studies, have sparked an intense debate on the conditions under which lithium batteries should be (not) allowed on board aircraft.

Aviation safety: EU Regulation on occurrence reporting enters into force

Since 15 Nov. 2015 the EU Regulation No 376/2014 on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation has entered into force. The new Regulation’s objective is to ensure that  aviation safety-related information is reported, collected, stored, protected, exchanged, disseminated and analysed. The Regulation enhances EU-wide cooperation and data exchange, while strengthening “just culture”.

EASA launches public consultation on new drone rules in Europe… and pilots call for more stringent measures

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has launched a public consultation on the Advance Notice of Proposed Amendment (ANPA) that regards new European rules for operations of all categories of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), widely known as “drones”. Meanwhile, associations of European pilots ask for prompt and strict regulations, to ensure aviation safety. 

FAA issues law enforcement guidance for suspected unauthorized UAS operations

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Guidance for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA), both state and federal, in relation to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations. The FAA suggests that LEAs are often in best position to detect, deter and enforce the FAA regulations on UAS operations. The guidance explains briefly the pertinent FAA rules and suggests methods for their enforcement by LEAs. The document serves interagency cooperation, underscoring that the FAA has only administrative authority, yet unauthorized UAS operations might also violate criminal rules under special circumstances.

Education campaigns on UAS, to inform users, increase safety… and prevent stricter regulation?

In the days before Christmas, two major education campaigns on the use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) started in the US and the UK. Although the major goal of such campaigns is to educate users on the legal framework of such flights, they might be part of an effort to avoid stricter regulation.

Canada releases advisory circular on operation of sUAS

Transport Canada, the Canadian CAA, has issued an advisory circular on the use of small unmanned aircraft, widely known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), which clarifies the related statutory requirements.

FAA rule on repair stations becomes effective

On 10 November 2014 the new FAA rule on repair stations became effective. The rule changes mainly the certification requirements of the repair stations and the related application process (14 CFR 145). The changes were deemed necessary to harmonize the rules on the repair stations with other parts of the FAA’s regulations, mainly these on air carriers (Parts 121 and 135).

EASA permits use of PEDs throughout the flight

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced that it permits the use of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs), such as laptops, palmtops, cell phones etc. on board the aircraft throughout the flight, provided that the aircraft have been certified as ‘PED tolerant’.

NTSB denies reconsideration of flight TWA 800 investigation

The US National Transportation Board (NTSB) denied last week a petition for reconsideration of its findings and determination of the probable cause of the flight TWA 800 accident, which occurred on 17 July 1996 shortly after departure from New York’s JFK airport. After four years of investigation, the NTSB concluded that the accident’s probable cause was fuel ignition in the aircraft’s central fuel tank. However, there were claims that the aircraft had been shot down by a missile (click here for an example). In support of the latter view, a group called “TWA 800 Project” asked the NTSB in 2013 to reopen the accident investigation based on a new analysis of the radar evidence and witness summaries collected at the time of the accident. The NTSB rejected the petition in its entirety as unfounded.

Aviation safety: Statistics and developments

2013 is one of the safest years in aviation, according to IATA and ICAO statistics. However, challenges remain in runway excursions, Loss Of Control in Flight (LOC-I) and Control Flight into Terrain (CFIT). Meanwhile, EASA and IATA have signed an agreement on safety information sharing.

Satellites to prevent aircraft from disappearing

The disappearance of flight MH 370, also in the light of the AF 440 accident in 2009, has sparked discussions on using satellites to enable continuous aircraft tracking. IATA has announced it will form a study group to study the problem and make recommendations by the end of the year.