Compliance Countdown

Updates have been proposed for advisory circular (AC) 150/5200-32C that explains the importance of reporting collisions between aircraft and wildlife. It also describes recent improvements in the FAA’s Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Reporting system, how to report a wildlife strike, what happens to wildlife strike report data, how to access the FAA National Wildlife Strike Database (NWSD), and the FAA’s Feather Identification program. This AC was last updated in May 2013. Comments on the draft AC are due by June 12, 2023.

EASA has published proposed noise limitations that would apply to the new-generation of electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) urban transports. The proposals would cover eVTOL aircraft specifically equipped with multiple, vertical, non-tilting, evenly distributed rotors. The proposed specifications are intended to fill a regulatory gap and use the internationally harmonized noise certification standards applicable to heavy helicopters as a starting point. In addition, a hover noise level has been developed to aid in the assessment of operations in the vicinity of vertiports. Comments on the proposal are due by June 15, 2023.

The FAA proposes to amend the flight instructor certificate renewal requirements by eliminating the expiration date in favor of basing renewal solely on recent experience requirements and adding a new method for instructors to establish recent flight instructor experience. This rulemaking would also allow flight instructors whose recent experience has lapsed by no more than three calendar months to be reinstated by taking an approved refresher course rather than completing a flight instructor certification practical test. Additionally, the FAA proposes to amend the qualification rules for flight instructors to provide training to initial flight instructor applicants by adding two new methods under which a flight instructor may become qualified to provide this training. Comments are due by June 22, 2023.

The UK is proposing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate which requires jet fuel suppliers to blend SAF into aircraft fuel starting in 2025. The proposal seeks comments on SAF targets set for 2030 and beyond; eligible fuels and sustainability criteria; how certificates will be issued, traded, and used for compliance; interactions with other domestic and international policymakers; and how the obligation will be discharged, administered, and enforced. Comments are due by June 22, 2023.

An EASA notice of proposed rulemaking (NPA) updates and clarifies the minimum requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications for serving as a flight dispatcher. This position is mandated for all European-registered commercial aircraft operations, including business jet charters. In addition to defining duties, the NPA also proposes new requirements for the training of operational control personnel and establishing a standard minimum flight operations officer (FOO) qualification and advanced qualification for flight dispatchers. The proposed amendments are expected to standardize dispatcher training across EASA member states and to ensure a level playing field for a safety-critical category. Finally, this NPA proposes some amendments to provisions on fuel planning and management and all-weather operations. Comments on the NPA are due July 24, 2023.

The FAA is transitioning from using the mechanic practical test standards (PTS) as the testing standard to obtaining a mechanic certificate. As a part of this transition, the FAA has developed mechanic airman certification standards (ACS), which add task-specific knowledge and risk management elements, resulting in a comprehensive presentation that integrates the standards for what an applicant must demonstrate to pass the written, oral, and practical tests for a certificate or rating said the agency. To allow time for each school to train its students under the curriculum aligned with the ACS, the FAA will use the PTS as the testing standard until July 31, 2023. Starting Aug. 1, 2023, the FAA will use the ACS to conduct mechanic certification tests.

EASA is proposing amendments to large twin-engine airplane extended range operations (ETOPS) rules for diverting to a suitable alternate airport in case of a single-engine failure, cabin depressurization or other emergency affecting range. The proposed amendments are primarily updates and clarifications to improve the robustness of existing rules without introducing major changes. For example, EASA proposes to incorporate into the EU legal framework most of the related ICAO standards dealing with regulatory administration and technical requirements. Furthermore, some amendments are proposed to increase harmonization with FAA ETOPS rules. Comments on the proposal are due by Aug. 14, 2023.

This EASA notice of proposed amendment (NPA) addresses two different subject matters in support of operations in the single European sky (SES) air traffic management (ATM) program: the use of airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) Xa and the harmonized use of performance-based navigation (PBN) specifications for oceanic operations. ACAS Xa is one of the SES solutions that has been adopted as an ICAO standard that will eventually replace ACAS II to increase the already high level of safety in ATM. In addition to proposing a regulatory change to enable the use of ACAS Xa in SES airspace, this NPA includes regulatory changes proposing the installation requirements for ACAS Xa. To ensure an effective transition to a PBN operational environment in the SES airspace, this NPA also proposes to transpose additional ICAO PBN specifications in support of oceanic and remote continental operations, in particular the RNP 4 and RNAV 10 specifications. Comments on the NPA are due by Sept. 28, 2023.