FAA
BOEING COMPLETES FINAL 787 BATTERY TEST, AWAITS FAA APPROVAL
Federal Aviation Administration officials flew aboard a Boeing 787 for a test of the airliner’s new battery system that included “normal and non-normal flight conditions” and went off without a hitch. The non-normal flight conditions included simulating failed engines, generators, pumps and other equipment on the airplane. The FAA will now examine the data from Friday’s flight as well as information gleaned from other tests. It is widely expected to approve the battery’s redesign, which would allow the aircraft to resume passenger service soon. Boeing says it has several mechanic teams ready to deploy worldwide to retrofit the new batteries in each of the 50 grounded Dreamliners. United has indicated it plans on flying the 787 again by May 31, and world-wide service is expected by June. (Wired, 04/08/13)
FAA WILL ALLOW USE OF IN-FLIGHT ELECTRONIC DEVICES, SOURCES SAY
The Federal Aviation Administration will likely loosen restrictions on personal electronic devices during flight by the end of the year. Travelers would be able to use tablets and other devices in “airplane mode” instead of powering them off. However, the use of cellphones will still be prohibited. One US senator noted her frustration recently with the F.A.A.’s current stance on devices, given that the agency now allows iPads as flight manuals in the cockpit and has given out devices to some flight attendants with information on flight procedures. In recent months, the chairman of the F.C.C. also sent a letter to the F.A.A. urging it to allow more electronics on planes. Airline pilots unions, travel coalitions and travel agencies have also asked the agency to change its rules. (New York Times, 3/24/13 and ASTA SmartBrief, 3/26/13)
FAA FACES DEVASTATING BUDGET CUTS
Budget cuts up to $1 billion are hovering over the FAA, according to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). The cuts could be forced as soon as January 2013 by the sequestration process for trimming the United States deficit. Sequestration could cause the closure of 246 airport control towers and the loss of 1,500 air traffic controllers, 9,000 security screeners and 1,600 customs officers, as well as delaying the implementation of NextGen, the new air traffic control system planned for 2025, according to the AIA. (TravelMole.com, Aug. 16)
CHILD SAFETY IN FLIGHT
The Federal Aviation Administration now publishes information about keeping your child safe during flights. The site outlines the use of appropriate restraints such as safety seats, boosters and harness vests. Clear guidelines are given relating the weight of the child to the device recommended. Video demonstrations of how to properly install and use these devices along with tips for parents are available. More Details (FAA.gov, May 22)
FAA LOOKS AT RAISING PILOT STANDARDS
The Federal Aviation Administration is considering tougher qualifications for pilots to obtain an Airline Pilot Transport Certificate or a license to fly planes carrying passengers. The number of flight hours required for co-pilots would increase 6-fold from 250 to 1,500 and captains would be required to rack up 1,000 flight hours as a pilot before receiving certification. (USAToday.com, Feb. 27)
COST OF FAA SHUTDOWN CONTINUES TO RISE
President Barack Obama wants Congress to settle a dispute and end a partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess. Lawmakers risk losing more than $1 billion in revenue from uncollected airline ticket taxes in a stand-off between Senate Democrats and House Republicans who are demanding a $16.5 million cut in rural air service subsidies. With the shutdown entering its third week the government has already lost more than $250 million in revenue because of the FAA’s inability to collect ticket taxes. The entire annual budget of the rural air services program is about $200 million. The FAA has furloughed nearly 4,000 employees and issued stop-work orders on more than 200 construction projects. (MSNBC.com, Aug. 2)
