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To keep you on top of the latest developments in the world of aviation we provide headlines from various sources around the globe, see the menu on the left. The news pages will be automatically reloaded after 15 minutes. Or you can do this manually, either press F5 or click the reload button. Have fun reading!
At FAA, our mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. We continually strive to improve the safety and efficiency of flight in this country.
FAA News
Date: 04/01/2020 12:33 AM
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the general aviation (GA) communitys national #FlySafe campaign helps educate GA pilots about safety, including loss of control (LOC), powerplant failure, and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Stay safe! Thisserieswill show you how you can incorporate safety into every flight.
Do You Have Your WINGS?
Regular readers of this space recognize our message of safety. Take your commitment to education one step further by participating in the FAAs WINGS pilot proficiency program.
The objective of the WINGS program to prevent the primary causes of GA accidents. WINGS is not an award program. It is a proficiency program designed to help improve pilot skills and knowledge. We feel that pilots who maintain their currency and proficiency will enjoy a safer flight experience.
The WINGS program consists of learning activities and flight tasks selected to address the documented causal factors of aircraft accidents. You can participate by selecting the category and class of aircraft in which you wish to receive training. Requirements for each aircraft category and class include specific subjects and flight maneuvers.
All pilots holding a U.S. pilot certificate may participate in the WINGS program.
To participate:
When each training event is completed, pilots record their achievements on FAASafety.gov to track their progress. When a pilot completes three qualifying ground or knowledge events and three qualifying flight activities, they earn a phase of WINGS.
With the FAASTeams recently added WINGS Topic of the Quarter (WTOQ) program, its now even easier to earn your next phase of WINGS. The WTOQ are preselected courses and flight activities that add up to getting a phase of WINGS. In addition to helping you sharpen your flying skills, completing a phase of WINGS also satisfies your flight review requirement. Please note that you may also continue to select your own flight events and knowledge topics for WINGS according to your own personal preference.
WINGS will also provide you with opportunities to complete online courses, attend seminars, and participate in webinars. Many third party activities, including those offered by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Aviation Supplies and Academics Inc., Sportys and others qualify for WINGS credit.
In order to keep playing your A game, get good coaching, and stick with it. Fly regularly with a flight instructor who will challenge you to review what you know, explore new horizons, and to always do your best.Of course, youll have to dedicate time and money to your proficiency program, but its well worth it for the peace of mind that comes with confidence.
WINGSPros at Your Service
Need more info or help with WINGS?Contact a WINGSPro by visiting the FAASTeam directory. Next, type wingspro in the Keywords field and enter your state abbreviation in the state field. Press search and then scroll down to find WINGSPros in your state.Feel free to contact them or your local FAASTeam Program Manager or Rep.They love to make new pilot friends and help with WINGS.
Did you know?
Loss of Control happens in all phases of flight.It can happen anywhere and at any time. There is an average of one fatal accident involving Loss of Control every four days.
Resource Guide:
TheWINGS Pilot Proficiency Programhelps pilots build an educational curriculum suitable for their unique flight requirements. It is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience.
The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Users Guide will give you more information about WINGS.
The FAASTeam has also put together several videos on WINGS:
Curious about FAA regulations (Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations)? Its a good idea to stay on top of them.You can find current FAA regulations on this website.
TheFAASafety.govwebsite has Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars, and more on key general aviation safety topics.
TheGeneral Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC)is comprised of government and industry experts who work together to use data to identify risk, pinpoint trends through root cause analysis, and develop safety strategies to reduce the risk of GA accidents. The GAJSC combines the expertise of many key decision makers in the FAA, several government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and stakeholder groups. Industry participants include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, National Business Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, and the aviation insurance industry. The National Transportation Safety Board and the European Aviation Safety Agency participate as observers.
Date: 03/31/2020 11:45 PM
3/31/2020
FAA Announces Additional Pilot Medical Certificate Exemptions
The FAA is granting an exemption that extends until June 30, 2020, the duration of medical certificates for certain pilots and flight engineers who conduct scheduled and on-demand operations outside the United States if those medical certificates expire between March 31, 2020, and May 31, 2020.
COVID-19 is placing a severe burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Requiring pilots to undergo in-person medical examinations would further stress the healthcare system, and would increase the risk of transmitting the virus through personal contact between the doctor and the applicant. The FAA last week issued a policy stating it will not take enforcement action (PDF) against certain pilots or flight engineers who fly domestically with medical certificates that expire between March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
3/30/2020
FAA announces additional COVID-19 guidance on drug and alcohol testing, air transport restrictions and airport closures and restrictions.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
The FAA has issued guidance to companies whose drug and alcohol testing programs are disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. DOT guidance can be viewed at www.transportation.gov.
Guidance for States, Localities, and Territories Considering Air Transportation Restrictions
The FAA has prepared guidance for states, localities, and territories that have implemented or may consider implementing quarantine, travel restrictions, and screening requirements on individuals entering from certain locations within the United States and territories. The guidance states there should be coordination with aviation stakeholders 48 hours before a restriction is imposed; air transportation workers, federal aviation and security personnel are exempt from any restrictions; and no measure can be taken to close a federally funded airport without FAA approval.
Guidance for Airport Sponsors Considering Airport Closures or Restrictions
The FAA has prepared guidance for airport sponsors contemplating airport closures or restricting airport access at federally funded airports. The FAA wants airport sponsors to closely review and understand what the guidance allows them to do, what they cannot do, and what they should consider before taking any action. In any instance, the FAA must be notified and approve any airport closure.
3/27/2020
FAA Takes Steps to Address the Effects of COVID-19 on the Aviation Industry
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proactively taking steps to help address the widespread economic and health effects that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the aviation industry. The FAA continues to evaluate a large number of requests from across all aviation industry sectors to help address COVID-19-related effects.
To date, the FAA has taken the following actions:
Air Traffic Control Facilities
The FAA is temporarily closing and thoroughly cleaning air traffic control facilities where employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Every air traffic control facility in the country has a contingency plan (PDF) to keep air traffic moving safely when events impede normal operations. In some cases, this means transferring duties to adjacent facilities.
Air Carrier Training Exemptions
The FAA granted certain training exemptions to scheduled and on-demand air carriers due to the unprecedented circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The exemptions give operators grace periods for completing certain training and qualification requirements, and give crewmembers relief from having to don protective breathing equipment or oxygen masks in training, checking, or evaluation. The exemptions can be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/. The docket numbers are FAA-2020-0291; FAA-2020-0292; FAA-2020-0307; and FAA-2020-0308.
Pilot Medical Certificates
The FAA will not take enforcement action against certain pilots or flight engineers who fly with medical certificates that expire between March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020. COVID-19 is placing a severe burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Requiring pilots to undergo in-person medical examinations would further stress the healthcare system, and would increase the risk of transmitting the virus through personal contact between the doctor and the applicant.
Airport Slot-Use Waivers
The FAA is temporarily waiving minimum slot-use requirements at U.S. airports to help airlines that cancel flights due to the Coronavirus. Under normal circumstances, airlines can lose their slots at congested airports if they dont use them at least 80 percent of the time. The FAA is waiving the 80-percent-use requirement through May 31, 2020 for U.S. and foreign airlines that have affected flights, and is proposing to extend the waiver through Oct. 24, 2020.
FAA Construction Projects
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily stopped most construction projects at agency facilities to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency is continuing projects that are in critical phases and would affect operations or safety if not completed. For now, the FAA is delaying the start of new projects. Design work on future projects will continue.
Airport Construction Projects
The FAA is working with airport sponsors across the countryto determine the impacts COVID-19 is having on current and planned airport construction. Airport sponsors and the FAA will review all executed Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants and determine which projects are safety critical, phase of the project, estimated length of project delay, additional costs if the project is delayed, and impacts to overall airport or system operations.The FAA will identify how it may be able prioritize safety-critical projects through funding or process adjustments. The FAA and airport sponsors will work collaboratively to do whatever is reasonably possible to avoid delays in project construction and reduce the delay time when possible. Once a project is ready for construction, the airport owner is responsible for completing construction.
Airport Improvement Program
The FAA is working to ensure there are no delays awarding Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds for 2020 because of COVID-19. Employees with the FAAs Office of Airports are in constant contact with airport sponsors to award all appropriated AIP funds by September 30, 2020. The FAA has worked to automate the AIP process, which enables employees to work remotely and continue to process AIP grants under the current circumstances.
Temporary Parking of Overflow Aircraft
The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to flight reductions throughout the airline industry. As a result, the FAA issued CertAlert #20-02 Temporary Parking of Overflow Aircraft, for airport operators who are working with airlines on temporary parking plans for their aircraft. The CertAlert contains a list of recommendations an airport operator should consider when making decisions for overflow aircraft parking. To maintain the highest level of safety, the FAA is working with airport operators to ensure additional safety mitigations are put in place for temporary parking of aircraft.
Airport Safety Inspections
The FAAs airport certification safety inspections will continue within required timeframes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport certification safety inspectors will complete inspections by September 30, 2020, as required by Part 139 and FAA Order 5280-5D. There will be no impact to safety. The inspections will be conducted using social-distancing measures to protect both FAA and airport personnel.
Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools
The FAA is working withstaff and students atAviation Maintenance Technician Schools(AMTS)to allow greater flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. TheFAAsguidance to AMTSallows deviations from FAA policy onclass schedules,electronic delivery of assignments, andthe maximum number of absences. EachAMTS school is affected differently, andthe FAA is addressing any deviation from policyor regulationon a case-by-case basis.
COVID-19 Information
The FAA is posting extensive information about COVID-19 on its website and on social media. Follow us on Twitter @FAANews, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram for updates.
Sharing Heath Safety Messages
The FAA is amplifying health safety messages from other federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Management Agency, Department of State and Department of Homeland Security.
Pilot Oxygen Mask Requirements
The FAA has amended its cockpit oxygen-mask regulation to reduce the potential for pilots to be exposed to any pathogens that may be on the masks. The amendment fulfills the requirement of Section 579 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
Expanded Drone Operations
The FAA has received inquiries about expanded drone operations to respond to COVID-19. We are addressing the inquiries using our existing Part 135 on-demand certificationprocess. Follow us on Twitter @FAADroneZone and Facebook @FAADroneZonefor the latest drone news.
Puerto Rico Flight Restriction Request
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved certain requirements for passenger flights to Puerto Rico to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All scheduled and unscheduled commercial air carrier flights will be required to land at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) where public health officials will screen arriving passengers. This includes air carriers that operate under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. All domestic and foreign general aviation and charter flights arriving from a location outside Puerto Rico will be required to land first at SJU, Isla Grande Airport (SIG) or Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla for passenger screening before continuing to their final destinations. The restrictions do not apply to air cargo or maintenance flights into Puerto Rico.
3/24/2020
CDC Adds More Countries to Level 3 Nonessential Travel Listing
The CDC has expanded their Level 3 nonessential travel notice to include Australia, countries in South America, parts of Asia and the Middle East. These countries are experiencing widespread transmission of therespiratory illness caused by the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19). The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to all countries in the below list.
Travelers returning from these countries should stay home for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health,and practice social distancing.
3/23/2020
Only Rely on Official Sources for Accurate COVID-19 Information
Due to the large amount of speculation regarding COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding everyone to rely on OFFICIAL sources for accurate information. You can help control the spread of rumors by sharing FEMAs web page with your friends, family and colleagues.
Additional Information
3/20/2020
FAA Statement on COVID-19 cases at FAA Facilities
Like much of the country, the Federal Aviation Administration is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases at air traffic facilities and other offices across the nation.
Despite the challenges, our commitment to safety will not waver.
Our air traffic system is resilient and flexible. Every air traffic control facility in the country has a contingency plan to keep air traffic moving safely when events impede normal operations. In some cases, this means transferring duties to adjacent facilities.
Air traffic controllers, technicians and safety inspectors are highly trained professionals who play critical roles in safely and efficiently moving tens of thousands of aircraft and millions of passengers 24 hours a day, every day.
Our agencys mission is to operate the worlds largest and most complex airspace system. But we have an equal obligation to ensure the health and safety of our employees.
Each disruption has a distinct impact on the air traffic system. We are experiencing this at the handful of facilities already affected by COVID-19. This is frustrating and inconvenient, but is necessary in the interest of safety.
We will do our best to keep the public abreast of a rapidly changing situation. Passengers can check fly.faa.gov for real-time updates about how the air traffic system is performing.
We appreciate the publics support and patience.
3/19/2020
Department of State advises U.S. Citizens to avoid all international travel due to COVID-19.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips.If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.
For more information, review the full advisory.
3/17/2020
CDC Expands Virus-Related Travel Advisory to UK and Ireland
The CDC updated their Level 3 Travel Health Notice to include the United Kingdom and Ireland. The United Kingdom is experiencing widespreadongoing transmissionofrespiratory illness caused by the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19). Because the United Kingdom shares an open border with the Republic of Ireland (Ireland),CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to all countries in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Affected countries include:
Travelers returning fromthe United Kingdom or Ireland shouldstay home for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health,and practice social distancing. Please review the latest about Level 3 Travel Health Notices.
3/15/2020
DHS Outlines New Process for Americans Returning from Certain European Countries, China, and Iran
In order to help prevent the spread of travel-related cases of coronavirus in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Notice of Arrival Restrictionsoutlining the process for American citizens, legal permanent residents, and their immediate families who are returning home after recently visiting certain European countries, China, and Iran.
These European countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Effective for flights taking off at 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, March 13th, Americans returning from all restricted countries will now be required to travel through the following 13 airports:
Upon arrival, travelers will proceed to standard customs processing. They will then continue to enhanced entry screening where the passenger will be asked about their medical history, current condition, and asked for contact information for local health authorities. Passengers will then be given written guidance about COVID-19 and directed to proceed to their final destination, and immediately home-quarantine in accordance with CDC best practices.
In order to ensure compliance, local and State public health officials will contact individuals in the days and weeks following their arrival.
Additional Information
3/13/2020
Coronavirus Travel Advisories Expanded to Include Most of Europe
CDC has expanded its Level-3 travel advisory and now recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to most countries in Europe. See the full list of countries.
3/9/2020
Guidance for Travelers from Countries with Widespread Sustained (Ongoing) Transmission Arriving in the United States
To slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into the United States, CDC is working with state and local public health partners to implement after-travel health precautions.
Depending on your travel history, you will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread (Level 3 Travel Health Notice).
Countries that have a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (widespread, ongoing transmission):
Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:
Download the CDCs COVID-19 Traveler Information Card.
3/5/2020
Air travel plans may be affected by the virus. Check with your airline before heading to the airport.
The evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation may impact your air travel plans. Many airlines have posted travel alerts for passengers on their websites and have instituted flexible travel policies. Please check with your airline about the status of your flight before you leave for the airport. The following links are to airline-specific flight status updates:
3/3/2020
CDC Recommends Travelers Avoid All Nonessential Travel to Italy
The State Department and CDCrecommend avoiding all nonessential travel to Italy due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).Travel advisoriesrelated to the virus now include the following countries:
The CDC has established an interactive map with country-specific travel health information about the virus. Travelers can also sign up to receive email updates about the virus on this same CDC webpage.
2/23/2020
Travel Advisories for South Korea and Japan
The State Department and CDC recommend travelers exercise increased caution when traveling to South Korea and Japan due to the virus.
The CDC also recommends that high risk travelers to South Korea and Japanexercise special precautions.
Travelers should also enroll in the State Departments Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and updates while traveling.
2/2/2020
Guidance from the CDC on What the Public, Air Carriers and Crews Can Do
The current outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus originated in China but has now spread internationally, impacting an increasing number of countries. In the coming days and weeks, we expect more confirmed cases in the United States, including more person-to-person spread.
The goal of an aggressive ongoing public health response is to prevent spread of this virus in the community in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide the following guidance to the public:
What You Should Do
These actions include:
CDC also has specific guidance for travelers.
The federal government has our best people working on this problem.And we have one of the strongest public health systems in the world.
What You Should Not Do
Date: 03/31/2020 04:11 PM
Today's Air Traffic Report:
Thunderstorms could delay flights today in Atlanta (ATL) and Memphis (MEM). Low clouds could slow traffic in Boston (BOS), Chicago (MDW, ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DAL, DFW), the New York area (EWR, JFK, LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA).
Pilots: Check out the new Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) Tool from the Aviation Weather Center.
For up-to-the-minute air traffic operations information, visit fly.faa.gov, and follow @FAANews on Twitter for the latest news and Air Traffic Alerts.
The FAA Air Traffic Report provides a reasonable expectation of any daily impactsto normal air traffic operations, i.e. arrival/departure delays, ground stoppages, airport closures. This information is for air traffic operations planning purposes and is reliable as weather forecasts and other factors beyond our ability to control.
Always check with your air carrier for flight-specific delay information.
Date: 03/26/2020 07:48 PM
NOTE: The FAA prepared this data before COVID-19 restrictions were placed on air travel to, from, and within the United States.
WASHINGTON Commercial air travel passenger levels grew 4.2 percent on U.S. airlines in the last fiscal year (FY), from 780 million in FY 2018 to 813.3 million in FY 2019, according to The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) Aerospace Forecast FY 2020-2040 released today.
Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs) are the industry standard for measuring air travel demand. An RPM represents one paying passenger traveling one mile. Domestic RPMs by mainline (large) and regional air carriers increased 4.5 percent, from 719.8 billion 752.2 billion. In the United States, RPMs are projected to increase an average of 2.2 percent per year during the 20-year forecast period.
Increase in FAA workloads will coincide with the growth in air travel. According to the agencys forecast, total operations (landings and take-offs) at air traffic control towers will increase from 53 million in 2019, grow at an annual rate of 0.94 percent, and reach nearly 64 million in 2040.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the FAA are meeting the growth in air travel with robust infrastructure investments through Airport Improvement Program grants. In addition, the FAA is deploying satellite-based, air traffic modernization technologies and procedures that are enhancing safety while improving the efficiency of the nations airspace system.
The forecast also provides data on the projected five-year growth of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones. The FAA projects the small/model recreational fleet will grow from 1.32 million aircraft in 2019 to 1.48 million in 2024, an average annual growth rate of 2.2 percent. The small/commercial UAS fleet is forecast to grow from 385,450 in 2019 to 828,337 in 2024, an annual growth rate of 17 percent.
Another rapidly growing aerospace sector is commercial space transportation. The FAA, which licenses and regulates this industry, projects that commercial space launch and re-entry operations will increase from 32 in 2019 to an estimated 40 to 56 in 2021.
The FAA forecast is the industry-wide standard of measuring U.S. aviation-related activities. The agency uses data, trends and other factors to develop the forecast, including generally accepted economic projections and information that airlines send to the DOT. The scope of the report looks at all facets of aerospace including commercial airlines, air cargo, general aviation, drones and commercial space transportation.
To learn more about the projected growth in aviation, an Aerospace Forecast fact sheet is also available.
Date: 03/25/2020 06:22 PM
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing the Denver Metroplex project on March 26, 2020.
The comprehensive project will use satellite navigation to move air traffic more safely and efficiently through the area. It includes 29 new routes and modifications to 15 existing routes.
Community involvement was a critical part of the projects environmental process. Prior to issuing the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), the FAA held a total of 24 public workshops and conducted approximately 78 briefings for community groups, airport officials and local, state and federal officials. The agency also evaluated more than 1,800 public comments.
After the FAA implements the new procedures, some flight track dispersion will continue to occur as it does today. Additionally, air traffic controllers will continue to sometimes vector aircraft for safety or efficiency reasons or to reroute them around weather systems.
The FAA completed the environmental process and issued the Finding of No Significant Impact-Record of Decision for the Denver Metroplex project on Jan. 24, 2020.
Some of these aviation news pages are compiled with a RSS feed from several news sources. As such, we can not take any responsibility for the correctness of these items.
