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However, the FAA recognizes that GPS technology is now common and considerable experience has been obtained in the installation of GPS. The AEA cautioned that the revision does NOT mean that all GPS/WAAS installations can be treated as “minor alterations,” but rather allows GPS/WAAS equipment to be installed using the same criteria that a repair […]

FAA Updates Guidelines The FAA, in an Advisory Circular published several weeks ago, has eliminated the “New Technology” label from GPS navigation systems, which means repair stations now can install the systems using simpler procedures. The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) said in a news release it is “extremely pleased” with the change, which it has […]

The procedures had been the subject of a 60-day operational test last year, but the test was suspended — at around 45 days — when the “orange” terrorist alert kicked in last December. The procedures now will be permanent, or as permanent as anything associated with the Washington ADIZ. The changes are subject to review […]

Pilots Get An ADIZ Break Pilots in the beleaguered Washington, D.C., area last week won a bit of a victory from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FAA, thanks to efforts by GA advocacy groups, when easier ingress and egress procedures were decreed for several small airports near the Washington Air Defense Identification […]

The federal motivation for change was made obvious when FAA head Marion Blakey said of Flight Service late last year, “This is an area where the FAA is actively looking at the private-sector option.” The administrator said, “It’s costing $500 million per year … $27 for every single communication Flight Service has. We don’t think […]

Idaho AFSS Worker Speaks Out… “Pilots will die” as a result of a possible consolidation of automated flight service stations, says a senior staff member at an AFSS he says is sure to close. Robert Shields, the support specialist at the Boise AFSS, said it’s only a matter of time before his station, the smallest […]

The new rules also ensure that those making an appeal will have at least some idea of the charges against them. Under the original rule, the TSA could refuse to provide the accused with details of the allegations if the information, or the way it was obtained, was considered classified. Again, it was entirely the […]

Under the new rules, appeals of security-related revocations are heard by an Administrative Law Judge. Formerly called Hearing Officers, these judges preside over hearings and appeals involving government agencies. If the affected airman disagrees with the judge’s decision he or she can appeal to the Transportation Security Oversight Board, a very powerful group made up […]

Third-Party Appeals Allowed… It’s been almost a year since the federal government gave itself the power to, without any familiar due process, lift the airman certificates of those deemed “security risks” — and now a whiff of civil rights has entered the picture. The FAA and TSA have implemented a third-party appeal process for those […]

The 1.3Mb PowerPoint presentation (not recommended for slower connections) is a new pairing of photos not widely distributed, with text previously available online through various sources. AVweb has repeatedly contacted DHL seeking confirmation of the details of the event (and an interview with the pilots) but thus far, the airline has politely refused all of […]