The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the A350-900 for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) ‘beyond 180 minutes’ diversion time. This approval means that when the first FAA-affiliated operators start to take delivery of their A350s in 2017 they will be able to serve new direct non-limiting routings, compared with a standard 180 minute ETOPS diversion time. It also means that now the A350 XWB is approved by both EASA and the FAA for beyond 180 minutes … [Read more...] about FAA approves A350 XWB for ‘beyond 180 minutes’ ETOPS
FAA
FAA, Singapore deepen cooperation on safety oversight
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) concluded a milestone Maintenance Implementation Procedures (MIP) agreement today, on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow. This agreement allows for reciprocal acceptance of safety oversight requirements, as well as the mutual recognition of procedures for the approval and monitoring of aircraft maintenance organisations. The MIP was concluded under the wider ambit of the US-Singapore Bilateral … [Read more...] about FAA, Singapore deepen cooperation on safety oversight
Lithium battery issue reignited after US safety regulators issue alerts
Earlier this week the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a safety alert to US and foreign commercial passenger and cargo airlines, urging them to conduct a safety risk assessment to manage the risks associated with transporting lithium batteries as cargo. The alert coincides with the release by the US National Transportation Safety Board which also issued two safety recommendations on Tuesday. These include recommendations to physically separate lithium batteries from other … [Read more...] about Lithium battery issue reignited after US safety regulators issue alerts
US FAA downgrades Thailand to Category 2
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded its safety rating of Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) from a 'Category 1' to a 'Category 2’ rating, following earlier findings by the United Nation's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and its own recent assessment. The FAA said its downgrade meant that Thailand either lacked the laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in line with minimum international standards - or that it was deficient in … [Read more...] about US FAA downgrades Thailand to Category 2
New US task force aimed at mandatory drone registration
The US Department of Transportation took the first step this week towards mandatory drone registration, by announcing formation of a task force to create a registration process. Registration could begin as soon as the holiday season, DOT officials said Monday at a Washington news conference. The idea is to help build a culture of accountability and responsibility among drone operators, DOT secretary Anthony Foxx, said In a statement. Federal Aviation Administration chief Michael Huerta put it … [Read more...] about New US task force aimed at mandatory drone registration
US, EU and Canada sign regulatory agreement
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has signed agreements with two international regulatory partners – the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada (TC) – that allow the authorities to rely on each other's regulatory systems. In a statement, FAA said the agreements will eliminate duplicate processes, install safety enhancing equipment on aircraft more quickly and save time and money for both industry and the regulatory authorities involved. "Strong partnerships are … [Read more...] about US, EU and Canada sign regulatory agreement
