“This is one of the largest and most important airport construction projects in the country right now,” said Secretary LaHood. [...]]]> FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida-U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta helped break ground today for a $791 million runway expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport which will create thousands of jobs.

“This is one of the largest and most important airport construction projects in the country right now,” said Secretary LaHood. “Modernizing our airport infrastructure will keep our economy moving forward, and put thousands of Americans back to work.”

When construction activity peaks next year, the project will contribute more than $1 million per day to the local economy, according to Broward County. It will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs by the time the runway opens in fall 2014.

“Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country,” said Acting Administrator Huerta. “The expanded runway will provide additional airport capacity and will help reduce flight delays.”
The project will extend, shift and lengthen Runway 9R/27L from 5,276 feet to 8,000 feet, giving the airport two parallel runways that can accommodate air carrier flights. Parallel runways can increase airport capacity dramatically, and this expansion will increase the airport’s capacity from 84 flights per hour to 107. Without the runway expansion, delays could reach more than ten minutes per flight.

The FAA has issued a Letter of Intent to provide $250 million in Airport Improvement Program funding over 12 years for the project. More than 22 million passengers fly through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport annually, ranking it 22nd in total passenger traffic in the United States. More than 600 flights fly in and out of the airport daily to more than 60 U.S. cities and international destinations in Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin American, and Europe.

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As a result, the FAA has assigned both Curaao and Sint Maarten an [...]]]> WASHINGTON,D.C.- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Curaao and Sint Maarten do not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on an assessment of each country’s civil aviation authority.

As a result, the FAA has assigned both Curaao and Sint Maarten an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 2 rating. With a Category 2 rating, Curaao and Sint Maarten air carriers will not be allowed to establish new service to theUnited States, but can continue existing service. Both countries were previously part of the Netherlands Antilles, which had a Category 1 rating.

A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.

As part of the FAA’s IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or have applied to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.

Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. IASA information is at www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/iasa/.

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“The satellite-based technology [...]]]> THE NORTH POLE – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspectors have given the thumbs-up for the reindeer-powered sleigh known as Santa One to fly on Christmas Eve so Santa Claus can deliver presents to children around the world. The approval came after a thorough inspection of the aircraft at the North Pole.

“The satellite-based technology the elves have installed on Santa One will ensure that Santa stays safe and reaches all of his rooftops on time,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “As a result of this improved technology, Santa will be able to deliver more presents to more children around the world.”

Santa One, which will cruise at an altitude of 50,000 feet – far higher than commercial aircraft – will be able to fly faster, more efficient routes from cruising altitude to rooftops.

Special, gumdrop-enhanced avionics installed in Rudolph’s red nose will make it 10 times brighter, allowing the elves to track Santa One even during the type of heavy snowfall expected this Christmas. Elves in an air traffic control tower on the top of the North Pole will keep Santa One safely separated from other aircraft using Candy Cane Satellite Surveillance-Broadcast, an enhancement of the FAA’s satellite-based system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast.

The faster routes are much better for the environment because the team of nine reindeer will consume fewer carrots this Christmas Eve. In the past, each of the nine reindeer has consumed an average of 24 pounds of carrots per hour during the 10-hour voyage, with Rudolph consuming 28 to 30 pounds. The improved efficiency means reindeer will consume 1,080 fewer pounds of carrots this year. The trickle-down effect is expected to benefit the Easter Bunny.

The expected increase in present delivery has also improved the economy at the North Pole, since more elves are needed to make the gifts. The upward trend in gift-giving has, in turn, driven up hiring by 50 percent.

Children and families interested in learning more about how NextGen is helping Santa deliver toys with greater precision and reliability may visit the Santa One Story at www.faa.gov/santa. The website features fun and interactive information on the different ways Santa is benefitting from NextGen, educational puzzles, Santa’s approved flight plan and a link to track his Christmas Eve voyage.

NextGen, in its simplest terms, is a new air traffic control system being implemented by the FAA to help all aircraft – especially Santa One – fly from Point A to Point B faster and more safely than ever before. The purpose of NextGen is to ensure passengers arrive at their destinations safely and on time – just as Santa will do on Christmas Eve. Information on NextGen is available at http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/.

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“This is a major safety achievement,” said Secretary LaHood. “We made [...]]]> WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Michael Huerta today announced a sweeping final rule that overhauls commercial passenger airline pilot scheduling to ensure pilots have a longer opportunity for rest before they enter the cockpit.

“This is a major safety achievement,” said Secretary LaHood. “We made a promise to the traveling public that we would do everything possible to make sure pilots are rested when they get in the cockpit. This new rule raises the safety bar to prevent fatigue.”

“Every pilot has a personal responsibility to arrive at work fit for duty. This new rule gives pilots enough time to get the rest they really need to safely get passengers to their destinations,” said FAA Acting Administrator Huerta.

The Department of Transportation identified the issue of pilot fatigue as a top priority during a 2009 airline Safety Call to Action following the crash of Colgan Air flight 3407. The FAA launched an aggressive effort to take advantage of the latest research on fatigue to create a new pilot flight, duty and rest proposal, which the agency issued on September 10, 2010.

Key components of this final rule for commercial passenger flights include:

Varying flight and duty requirements based on what time the pilot’s day begins. The new rule incorporates the latest fatigue science to set different requirements for pilot flight time, duty period and rest based on the time of day pilots begin their first flight, the number of scheduled flight segments and the number of time zones they cross. The previous rules included different rest requirements for domestic, international and unscheduled flights. Those differences were not necessarily consistent across different types of passenger flights, and did not take into account factors such as start time and time zone crossings.

Flight duty period. The allowable length of a flight duty period depends on when the pilot’s day begins and the number of flight segments he or she is expected to fly, and ranges from 9-14 hours for single crew operations. The flight duty period begins when a flightcrew member is required to report for duty, with the intention of conducting a flight and ends when the aircraft is parked after the last flight. It includes the period of time before a flight or between flights that a pilot is working without an intervening rest period. Flight duty includes deadhead transportation, training in an aircraft or flight simulator, and airport standby or reserve duty if these tasks occur before a flight or between flights without an intervening required rest period.

Flight time limits of eight or nine hours. The FAA limits flight time – when the plane is moving under its own power before, during or after flight – to eight or nine hours depending on the start time of the pilot’s entire flight duty period.

10-hour minimum rest period.The rule sets a 10-hour minimum rest period prior to the flight duty period, a two-hour increase over the old rules. The new rule also mandates that a pilot must have an opportunity for eight hours of uninterrupted sleep within the 10-hour rest period.

New cumulative flight duty and flight time limits.The new rule addresses potential cumulative fatigue by placing weekly and 28-day limits on the amount of time a pilot may be assigned any type of flight duty. The rule also places 28-day and annual limits on actual flight time. It also requires that pilots have at least 30 consecutive hours free from duty on a weekly basis, a 25 percent increase over the old rules.

Fitness for duty. The FAA expects pilots and airlines to take joint responsibility when considering if a pilot is fit for duty, including fatigue resulting from pre-duty activities such as commuting. At the beginning of each flight segment, a pilot is required to affirmatively state his or her fitness for duty. If a pilot reports he or she is fatigued and unfit for duty, the airline must remove that pilot from duty immediately.

Fatigue Risk Management System. An airline may develop an alternative way of mitigating fatigue based on science and using data that must be validated by the FAA and continuously monitored.

In 2010, Congress mandated a Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for all airlines and they have developed these plans based on FAA guidance materials. An FRMP provides education for pilots and airlines to help address the effects of fatigue which can be caused by overwork, commuting, or other activities. Airlines will be required to train pilots about the potential effects of commuting.

Required training updates every two years will include fatigue mitigation measures, sleep fundamentals and the impact to a pilot’s performance. The training will also address how fatigue is influenced by lifestyle – including nutrition, exercise, and family life – as well as by sleep disorders and the impact of commuting.

The estimated cost of this rule to the aviation industry is $297 million but the benefits are estimated between $247- $470 million. Covering cargo operators under the new rule would be too costly compared to the benefits generated in this portion of the industry. Some cargo airlines already have improved rest facilities for pilots to use while cargo is loaded and unloaded during night time operations. The FAA encourages cargo operators to opt into the new rule voluntarily, which would require them to comply with all of its provisions.

The final rule has been sent to the Federal Register for display and publication. It is currently available at:http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published/media/2120-AJ58-FinalRule.pdf, and will take effect in two years to allow commercial passenger airline operators time to transition.

A fact sheet with additional information is at http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/.

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December 21-FAA overhauls the way commercial passenger airline pilots are scheduled to give them more rest before flying.

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Starting this month, the FAA’s national Command Center in Warrenton, VA will invite airports to participate in air traffic strategic planning and [...]]]> Following the FAA’s well-attended Diversion Management Forum on Nov. 30, the agency is moving forward with several initiatives to improve communication between air traffic controllers, airport operators and airlines during severe weather events.

Starting this month, the FAA’s national Command Center in Warrenton, VA will invite airports to participate in air traffic strategic planning and diversion information teleconferences if weather forecasts suggest diversion situations may develop. As part of this process, the FAA will also ask airlines to identify likely diversion airports, so those operators can be included in planning calls.

If a severe or widespread storm system is forecast, the FAA may also open up a dedicated diversion information teleconference line to enable air traffic, other agencies, airports and airlines to exchange real-time airport condition reports, information about available facilities and equipment and other issues related to diversion situations.

The FAA also is working with airports, airlines and aviation groups to organize regional diversion forums and create a small working group to continue the dialogue about managing diversion events more effectively. The regional forums will help share best practices for developing collaborative irregular operations contingency plans and will spread information about the new FAA initiatives.

Meanwhile, the FAA is taking immediate action to improve communications to the airlines and airports about equipment outages that may play a factor in diversion decisions.

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December 15-Airports-they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and sleepy, while others are abuzz with more activity than a hornet’s nest. Despite the differences, airports can offer opportunities for education and enjoyment at all levels. In her article, “Venturing Further Afield,” author and FAA Safety Briefing editor Susan Parson explores the [...]]]>

December 15-Airports-they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and sleepy, while others are abuzz with more activity than a hornet’s nest. Despite the differences, airports can offer opportunities for education and enjoyment at all levels. In her article, “Venturing Further Afield,” author and FAA Safety Briefing editor Susan Parson explores the many benefits of going “off the chart” when it comes to finding new places to park your airplane, not the least of which involves supporting our country’s vital network of general aviation airports. Parson also touts the popularity of state-sponsored airport visitation programs as incentives for both students and “post-graduate” flyers looking to gain proficiency and/or earn higher certificates or ratings.

To view the article, see page 8 of the new November/December 2011 FAA Safety Briefing: www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2011/media/NovDec2011.pdf.

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The FAA alleged Horizon installed new external lighting systems on the aircraft, but did not conduct required [...]]]> SEATTLE – The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $777,000 civil penalty against Horizon Air Industries for allegedly operating 32 Bombardier Dash-8-400 turboprop aircraft on 49,870 flights when the aircraft were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA alleged Horizon installed new external lighting systems on the aircraft, but did not conduct required tests for radio frequency and electromagnetic interference before returning the aircraft to service. Horizon operated the aircraft between Oct. 19, 2009 and Mar. 17, 2010, before the FAA discovered the compliance problems during routine surveillance. Horizon immediately completed tests and inspections of all 32 aircraft before further flights.

Horizon Air has 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

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As a result of language in [...]]]> WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that, effective immediately, general aviation or on-demand charter aircraft owners or operators seeking to keep their aircraft’s registration number from being displayed over public data systems during flight no longer need to submit a Certified Security Concern to the FAA.

As a result of language in the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill, the FAA is withdrawing its June 3, 2011 policy (76 Fed. Reg. 32,258-32,265) of requiring aircraft owners or operators to submit a Certified Security Concern in order to have their aircraft tail number blocked from view on the FAA’s Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) or National Airspace System Status Information (NASSI).

Owners and operators seeking to have their aircraft tail number blocked from these data feeds can now submit a blocking request directly to the FAA without stating a reason for the request. The FAA has already begun receiving requests under the new appropriations language and is processing them.

This change will be reflected in the FAA’s interim policy which will be posted to the FAA Docket and published in the Federal Register as soon as possible. The FAA is developing a permanent policy that will be posted in the Federal Register for public comment early next year.

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