FAA DC SFAR Revision (Notice NOT3390): - On November 30, 2011, the FAA temporarily made changes to DC Special Flight Rules, and updated the online course. Those pilots who have previously taken the course are not required to do so again, but are encouraged to take the updated course.
FAA Enforcement Expungement Policy: - On February 4, 2011, the FAA temporarily suspended its policy on expunging certain records of legal enforcement actions against pilots to ensure compliance with PRIA, the Pilot Records Improvement Act. This temporary policy became effective November 1, 2010.
NTSB Emergency Action NPRM: - On December 21, 2010, the NTSB requested comments regarding their current 48 hours Pro-Forma review of Emergency Actions by the NTSB.
Critical Update - (Effective October 1, 2010): United States Aircraft Registrations will now have a three year expiration date on them. Currently, there is no expiration date on Aircraft Registration Forms. The cost of the registration is five ($5.00) dollars.
Critical Update - (Effective March, 30, 2010): Controllers (ATC) will no longer be able to clear an aircraft directly to a runway while allowing pilots to cross other runways along the way. Pilots will have to hold short of all runways, including closed runways, until cleared by ATC. This is a major change in policy in an effort to reduce runway incursions.
Critical Update - (Effective March, 2010) 49 CFR Part 830.5: Accident/Incident Immediate Reporting: The NTSB has made major changes to the immediate reporting requirements regarding incidents, such as the need to report a failure of more that fifty percent of glass cockpit instruments, etc..
Pilots Now Allowed to take a Variety of Anti-Depressants - (Effective April 5th, 2010):The FAA is lifting a Ban on Pilots taking select anti-depressants. Be sure to consult with your FAA Aeromedical Examiner for approved anti-depressants and FAA Guidelines.
Gulf Coast NOTAM/TFR - (Effective June 8, 2010):The FAA has established a TFR in and around the entire Gulf Coast Oil Spill Area. See Notice NOTC2334.
Change in Pilot Medical Deferment for a DUI BAC over .15 - In November 2009 the FAA Aeromedical Division made it mandatory that Airmen Medical Examiners defer all medicals to the FAA Aeromedical Division where the pilot requesting a medical had a DUI with a BAC of .15 or higher. Further the Pilot will need to complete an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation by a Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor
Critical Update - (Effective May 18th, 2009) U.S. Customs Re-Entry: All General Aviation Aircraft Entering the United States must advise United States Customs within one hour prior to re-entry of the pilots names, passengers names, and passport information. Failure to do so is subject to a $5,000.00 fine or more. I recommend using Commercial Flight Planning tools like Flt Plan or Duats, which is set up to handle the Customs report for you. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26621.pdf
Medical Certificate Duration: (Effective July 10, 2008) First Class Medical Certificates for Pilots under the age of 40 will now have a one year duration and Third Class Medical Certificates for Pilots under the age of 40 now have a five year duration. Second Class Medicals are not affected by the new rule, (Docket Number FAA-2007-27812).
Pilot Paper Licenses no longer valid after March 31, 2010: Pilots cannot exercise the privileges of their PAPER pilot certificates after March 31, 2010. Certificates issued under 14 CFR Part 63 and 65 will expire March 31, 2013. CFR Part 65.15(d) FAR 61.19(h) reads: Duration of pilot certificates. Except for a temporary certificate issued under §61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of this section, the holder of a paper pilot certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2010. Michael J. DiPaolo AEA-230B/N Supervisor
Critical Update - FAA Medical Application: Question 18 on the FAA Medical Application has changes again and become even more confusing. The question now requires arrests and/or convictions to be reported and also requires disabilities to be reported. Read the question carefully and ask the medical examiner to document and ambiguities you may have.
FAA On-Line Medical Application: The FAA MedXPress system allows anyone requiring an FAA Medical Certificate or Student Pilot Medical Certificate to electronically complete the FAA Form 8500-8. Information entered into MedXPress will be transmitted to the FAA and will be available for your AME to review at the time of your medical examination. medxpress.faa.gov
Update - (2008) ADIZ VFR Operations: All United States Pilots operating VFR within 60 Nautical Miles of the DCA/VOR must take Special Awareness Training and obtain a certificate of completion pursuant to 14 CFR Part 91.161. The online course is easy to do, takes approximately 15 minutes and a printed certificate along with a wallet size card is printed upon completion. To take the required course entitled "Navigating the New DC ADIZ" go to www.faa.gov, and click on licenses on the top bar.
Update - (2009) Security Badges - General Aviation:TSA Security Directive 8F (SD-08F) Requires pilots based at air carrier airports to undergo a security assessment and receive a security badge in order to continue to have unescorted access to their airports.
Update - (January 16, 2009) Flight Into Known Icing:The FAA Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C. Kerry B. Long, has defined Flight Into Known Icing in an official opinion letter to the AOPA dated January 16, 2009.
Update - (2008) International Travel to the United States: FDC NOTAM 8/3576 effective November 1, 2008 has dramatically changed entry requirements to the United States for all aircraft 100,309 pounds or less. The full text of this critical NOTAM can be found on the aviation links page of this site.
Update - (2008) English Proficiency Endorsement: All United States Pilots flying internationally need to know that the ICAO, (International Conference of Aviation Organizations), requires that to fly internationally you need a new FAA License that states that you are fluent in the English Language. You can obtain your new license online through the FAA Web Site at www.faa.gov. The cost is $2.00. This provision was extended by the FAA until March 2009, when compliance will be mandatory.
Age 65 Rule U.S. Airline Pilots may now stay on the job until age 65 rather than being forced to retire at age 60, under legislation, (H.R. 2881) signed into law by President Bush on Thursday, December 13, 2007. The law became effective immediately, and brings United States Airline age rules in line with International age 65 age rules. There is no grand fathering clause however for those pilots who were forced to retire prior to the law being enacted.
Operational Control - The FAA has made drastic changes to operational control issues which became mandatory as of March 2007, after the Teterboro and Montrose Accidents involving Corporate Aircraft. These changes can be found in FAA Notice N 8000.347 titled "Operational Control: Revised Operations Specifications A008 and A002". This Notice expires on 12/28/07 and will be incorporated into the FAA Flight Standards Information Management System. Note: For a link to the FSIMS, the Text of the Operational Control Order, or the March 2008 Aviation International News Article on Operational Control, see the aviation links page on this site.
AIR 21 - is now in effect, which allows for Air Carrier and Part 135 Pilots to report any suspected or actual safety concerns to the FAA or their Chief Pilots, without retribution.
FAAST TEAM - FAA has launched its new Safety and Accident Program called the FAAST Team which can be found at: www.faasafety.gov.
WINGS - The former Wings Program has been eliminated and is now an online program which all pilots are encouraged to participate in. For more information visit www.faasafety.gov.
Update - (October 30, 2008) SecurityAll pilots are urged to become familiar with the TSA Security Rules and Regulations, including Section 49 Part 1550 entitled "Aircraft Security Under General Operating Flight Rules". This section specifically applies to Part 91 Operators, and since it specifically discusses aircraft with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of more than 12,500 pounds, clearly this applies to most if not all corporate operators. Pay particular attention to Section 1550.5 and 1550.7. Finally, on October 30, 2008, the TSA put out a Major Notice of Proposed Rule making proposing to significantly change 49 CFR Part 1550, under the heading of Large Aircraft Security Program, http://www.tsa.gov/research/laws/regs/editorial_1789.shtm
NASA/ASRS - When using the NASA/ASRS report its critical to note that when entering the type of event or situation, use only one word to describe the situation. For example, for an altitude deviation, use just the word altitude or situation involving altitude. Also, remember the NASA report must be filed within ten days, and can now be done immediately on line.
Pilot Duty Time - Pilot duty time rules are still being interprited by the Federal Aviation Administration, but it seems to be clear that when you Require or Mandate that a pilot employee Shall be "on call", then he or she is on duty.
This information was last updated on Friday, February 2nd, 2012.
Copyright 2007 Joseph Michael Lamonaca, Esquire, ATP - All Rights Reserved
