Federal Aviation Administration News

The Next Frontier for Drones: Letting Them Fly Out of Sight

REMINGTON, Va. (AP) — For years, there’s been a cardinal rule for flying civilian drones: Keep them within your line of sight. Not just because it’s a good idea — it’s also the law. But some drones have recently gotten …

No Data to Support Changing Boeing 737 MAX 10 Cockpit Alerting – Executive

EVERETT, Wash. –– A Boeing Co. executive said there was no need to revamp the cockpit crew alerting system in its forthcoming 737 MAX 10 jet, as the U.S. planemaker races to complete its certification before a year-end deadline. “I …

Series of Errors Led to Fatal 2019 Airplane Crash in Alaska

The airliner headed from Anchorage to a small Alaska island didn’t stand a chance. A maintenance error had severely impaired the PenAir plane’s brakes, the pilot wasn’t qualified to land at the airport, the plane model shouldn’t have been allowed …

U.S. Aviation Regulator Warns of Potential Interference From 5G Spectrum Plan

WASHINGTON–The Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday it had issued a special information bulletin alerting manufacturers, operators and pilots that action may be needed to address potential interference with sensitive aircraft electronics caused by the use of 5G telecommunications technology. …

Four Hospitalized With Burns in Northern California Plane Crash

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Four people are in critical condition with burns after they were pulled from an airplane that went down Thursday afternoon near a private airstrip in Sacramento County, fire officials said. The plane landed between trees in …

FAA Urges Airports to Avoid Using Firefighting Foam With Fluorine

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it had urged U.S. airports to limit the use of firefighting foam with the chemical PFAS due to the environmental and public health risks as it evaluates possible alternatives. PFAS, nicknamed “forever …

FAA Orders Safety Inspections of Some Bell Helicopters After Canada Crash

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday issued an emergency directive requiring main rotor inspections for some Bell model 212, 204 and 205 helicopters after a fatal crash in Canada last month. The FAA said operators must complete inspections …

U.S. FAA Finalizing Electronic Pilot Records Database

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it is finalizing rules establishing a long-delayed electronic pilot records database demanded by Congress in 2010 in the wake of a fatal crash. In March, the FAA published proposed rules to establish …

U.S. Downgrade of Mexico Air Safety ‘Not About Aeromexico,’ Delta Says

The expected U.S. downgrade of Mexico’s aviation safety rating is not about the safety of Delta Air Lines Inc’s partner Aeromexico and will have little impact on customers, Delta’s president said on Tuesday. The planned downgrade by the U.S. Federal …

Updated FAA Rules May Expand Insurer Use of Drones to Survey Damage

New Federal Aviation Administration rules are expected to clear the way for expanded commercial use of drones, which are increasingly being used by insurers to assess property damage. The updated Operations Over People rules, which took effect on April 21, …