In a significant development, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reinstated Mexico’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. This pivotal move comes after over two years of rigorous collaboration between the civil aviation authorities of Mexico and the US.
A new initiative successfully managed flights across countries by predicting aircraft trajectories. The Federal Aviation Administration’s live flight demo included situations and flights between the U.S., Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. Using Trajectory Based Operations (TBO), countries shared aircraft trajectories, and air traffic experts optimized flight paths considering factors like weather and airspace closures.
The FAA and the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) studied what would happen if a drone hit a person on the ground.
The FAA has launched a program to address low-flying aircraft along the Alaska Peninsula which endanger Alaska’s walruses by causing stampedes which put walrus pups and humans in danger.
The FAA has announced that FAA Administrator, Michael Huerta, will host a special session at SXSW leading a discussion on the future of small unmanned aircraft, more commonly known as drones, on Monday.
“FAA battery fire testing has highlighted the potential risk of a catastrophic aircraft loss due to damage resulting from a lithium battery fire or explosion. Current cargo fire suppression systems cannot effectively control a lithium battery fire. As a result of those tests, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus have advised airlines about the dangers associated with carrying lithium batteries as cargo and also have encouraged them to conduct safety risk assessments,” the agency states.
The FAA reports nearly 300,000 new owners have registered their small unmanned aircraft since the Administration’s online registration system went live on December 21.
“I am pleased the public responded to our call to register,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The National Airspace System is a great resource and all users of it, including UAS users, are responsible for keeping it safe.”
Going to see Pope Francis? Leave your Drone at Home, says the FAA
“Flying a drone anywhere near the areas Pope Francis visits is against the law and violators could face stiff fines and criminal penalties,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
The FAA has issued a notice to all drone owners and operators to remind them of established drone bans at Washington, DC, and to extend the ban on New York and Philadelphia during the Pope’s U.S. tour.
“The FAA has in place flight restrictions in and around Washington, DC (PDF), New York (PDF) and Philadelphia (PDF). Flying a drone anywhere during one of Pope Francis’ visits is against the law and may result in criminal or civil charges. All unmanned aircraft (UAS) – including radio-controlled model aircraft/UAS – are subject to FAA restrictions,” the agency states.
Violators will not be pardoned with a Mea Culpa and ten Hail Marys.
Featured Image, Wikimedia Commons:
2014 Pastoral Visit of Pope Francis to Korea
Closing Mass for Asian Youth Day
August 17, 2014
Haemi Castle, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Korean Culture and Information Service Korea.net (www.korea.net) Official Photographer : Jeon Han
The FAA has announced that it will fund runway incursion mitigation projects, committing to an investment of $11 million from the agency’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
The Flight Safety article specifically mentions a recent incident the flight diversion of a British Airways Boeing 787-800, operating flight BA18 from Seoul to London Heathrow, with 205 passengers onboard, which diverted to Irkutsk, Russia, after the battery of a passenger’s smartphone “suffered an obvious thermal runaway and emitted smoke,” according to a report by the Aviation Herald.
The FAA has launched a National Capital Region No Drone Zone campaign, to avoid dangers posed by drones to the nation’s capital, including any more incidents of random drones trying to visit the White House.
If the Rule of Two is a practice for some airlines, why is not a requirement for every airline? Would the Rule of Two have helped in Germanwings 4U9525?
After admitting that it missed inspections of its hydraulic systems, SWA confirms to Flight Chic that it reached an agreement with the FAA to avoid a grounding of 128 of its 737-700 aircraft, which represents nearly 20% of the airlines’ fleet.
The Federal Aviation Administration granted regulatory exemptions to six aerial photo and video production companies, which is the first step required for the film and television industry to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the National Airspace
The FAA encourages passengers to take an active role in aviation safety when they fly this summer. Here are the Top 5 Travel Tips and One Major No-No:
1. Pay attention to the flight attendant safety briefing at the beginning of your flight and read the safety briefing card. It could save your life in an emergency.
Emirates Airlines gives children and families the First Class treatment; no matter what class they fly. The charmingly named Tinkerbelle Economy Class Experience has everything a… Read More »Emirates Makes Flying Fun For Kids and Families