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.

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.

FAA vs Pirker: NTSB finds model aircraft are “aircraft”

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has delivered its order in the appeal against the decisional order of the Administrative Law Judge, who terminated the FAA enforcement process against Raphael Pirker, an individual fined for violating FAA regulations during the flight of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The NTSB reversed the decisional order and remanded the case for further findings.

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).

FAA issues Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin on UAS

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin, to guide its personnel on enforcement actions against Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and model aircraft operators, who violate FAA rules by endangering the safety of the US National Airspace System (NAS). The most interesting part of the Bulletin refers to sanction determination.

FAA and UAS: Recent developments

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it has granted regulatory exemptions to six aerial photo and video production companies to use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the US National Aerospace System (NAS). In a parallel development, the FAA has been reported to have issued an email to the industry requiring all commercial UAS to bear an aircraft registration number when applying for a regulatory exemption.

Commercial operation of UAS in the US: Some clarifications on the case Texas Equusearch vs FAA

Last week the Federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued an order concerning the case Texas Equusearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team vs FAA. To some, who deny the authority of the FAA to regulate such flights, this order comes as a confirmation of their view (click here for an example). At the same time, the FAA suggests that the order does not affect its regulatory authority. Therefore, a few clarifications on the consequences of the order are necessary.

FAA releases interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft established by Congress in the FAA 2012 Modernization and Reform Act and called for comments thereon. As stated in the document’s summary, the FAA clarifies that model aircraft must satisfy the criteria in the Act to qualify as model aircraft and to be exempt from future FAA rulemaking action; if a model aircraft operator endangers the safety of the National Airspace System, the FAA has the authority to take enforcement action against those operators for those safety violations.

“Spaceport Body of Knowledge” released

The FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation has released the Body of Knowledge for Spaceport Operations, which is an evolving collection of documents and information aimed at supporting the development of space launch site interoperability and industry best practices. The information has been selected by members of the Body of Knowledge for Spaceport Operations research team, and the database is constructed and maintained by the New Mexico State University Library. 

The FAA Centers of Excellence are partnerships of academia, industry and government with the objective to address current and future challenges for air and space transportation. To learn more about the FAA Center of Excellence for Space Transportation click here.

UAS: NTSB Judge dismisses FAA fine against model aircraft operator

On 6 March 2014, Administrative Law Judge Patrick Geraghty of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the FAA had no authority to issue a fine against the operator of a model aircraft.

Changes in helicopter operation rules in the US and the UK

The US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) issued on 20 Febr. 2014 a final rule that requires helicopter operators, including operators of air ambulances, to have stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications, training, and additional on-board safety equipment. Accidentally, on the same day, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced a series of measures to increase the safety of offshore helicopter flights.

FAA enacts regulation to enhance ‘sterile cockpit’ rule

   The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enacted on 12 Febr. 2014 an amendment to 14 CFR Part 121, to comply with Section 307 (§ 44732) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. These provisions prohibit the use of electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, PDAs etc.) on the flight deck for personal purposes of the crew, while the aircraft is operated, i.e. from beginning of taxi (movement of the aircraft under its own power) until the aircraft is parked at the gate at the end of the flight segment (14 CFR 1.1).