Gordon Gilbert
Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Latest from Gordon Gilbert

Airports

FAA Bulletin Clarifies Runway Status Light Procedures

Runway status lights provide a visual signal indicating when it is unsafe to enter or cross a runway and begin or continue a takeoff.
Avionics

EASA Recommends TAWS in Light Turbine Airplanes

The bulletin specifically recommends that both commercial and private operators install TAWS that meets the requirements for Class B equipment.
Environment

U.S. Stage 5 Noise Rules Go Into Effect December 31

FAA is adopting new Stage 5 noise standards for newly certified subsonic jet and transport category airplanes.

FAA Considers Canceling Certain Circling Procedures

Cost cutting is behind the effort to eliminate certain instrument procedures

DOT IG Audit Initiated on FAA’s Radar Replacement Program

Questions about funding and coordination generated the audit
Safety

Fatal Bizav Accidents Up 43% in First Nine Months

Fatal accidents of business jets and turboprops increased 42.8 percent year-over-year in the first nine months, while fatalities climbed by 43.5 percent.
Regulations and Government

Bill Aims To 'Clearly' Identify Aircraft Owners

In the case of a trust or association, the legislation calls for the “chain of control,” including the owner, trustee and beneficiary.
Regulations and Government

EASA Proposed Rule Would Ease Non-ETOPS Ops

The rule would also increase the current non-ETOPS operation mtow threshold from 100,000 pounds to 133,000 pounds to accommodate newer jets.
Regulations and Government

Boston Globe Slams FAA Oversight of Private Aircraft

Boston Globe takes FAA to task for its alleged failure to properly monitor and keep current its general aviation aircraft and pilot registration records.

GE Trims Flight Department in Favor of Charter

General Electric has shuttered its Bombardier Challenger 605 operations in favor of flying charter.
Safety

Cold Temperature Airports List Updated

Six airports were added to the list, while 14 were removed.
Regulations and Government

Canada Aircraft Tax Proposal Draws CBAA Concerns

The Canada Revenue Agency issued a draft proposal extensively revising the formulas for taxable value on personal use of business aircraft.

Luck Prevented Collisions with Drones in UK

Three cases in the UK's latest Airprox Board report involved situations with a "definite risk" of collision.
Regulations and Government

FAA To Decommission 641 Remote Communications Outlets

The FAA maintains a network of more than 2,100 RCOs that pilots can use to obtain weather briefings, file flight plans and receive other services.
Airports

Insurance Firm Off the Hook Paying for Airport Defense

Because of alleged illegal actions, the insurance company claimed it was not liable for damages or payment to defend the airport.
Regulations and Government

FAA Aligns North Atlantic Nav Ops with ICAO Specs

Revisions are required because the ICAO NAT Region is transitioning from the MNPS navigation specification to performance-based navigation specs.
ATC

Nav Canada Makes Refunds and Rate Reductions

Besides reducing ATC rates for next year, the company will also reimburse aircraft owners approximately $60 million in a one-time 4.6 percent refund.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Canada To Raise Tax Value on Personal Use of Aircraft

Application of this proposed administrative policy will be retroactive and be applied to any open audits, notices of objection or pending litigation.
Avionics

ADS-B OUT Could Eliminate RVSM Application Process

Continual monitoring enabled by ADS–B OUT provides increased height keeping performance data on an individual aircraft basis, the FAA said.
Accidents

Fatal GA Accident Rate in France Sharply Reduced

Last year, 37 people died in 30 crashes of GA airplanes, microlights and helicopters, compared with 64 deaths in 46 mishaps in 2015.
Charter & Fractional

Transport Canada Updates Crew Duty/Rest Proposal

One key area of concern was the “unrealistically short” time frame proposed for the regulation to go into effect for on-demand charter operators.
Regulations and Government

FAA Realigns Product Certification Organization

Under the new system, there are five divisions, three of which perform essential regulatory functions.
Regulations and Government

LOC-I Training To Be Added To EASA Licensing

Mandates aim to make pilots more skilled in coping with aircraft upsets.
Accidents

U.S. Turbine Bizav Fatal Accidents Up in 1H17

Fifteen died in eight crashes of business turboprops and jets in the first six months of this year.
Regulations and Government

Airway Routes Could Soon Become Extinct in Europe

European air traffic management network will be almost fully route-free by 2021, said Eurocontrol.
Regulations and Government

EASA Publishes Safety Info on Wake Vortex

The bulletin concludes with illustrations that show various scenarios of wake turbulence encounters and recommended avoidance techniques.
Charter & Fractional

Rectrix Expands King Air Cape Cod Shuttles

Shuttle aircraft feature nine “first class” seats and are flown by two pilots under a Part 135 DOT commuter authorization.
Safety

Portugal Studies Near Midairs Involving Drones

Safety study will examine recent incidents involving the presence of drones in aircraft flight paths near Portuguese airports.
FBOs

Jet Aviation Boston/Bedford Opens Renovated Facility

The major upgrades are the first for the facility since it opened at the New England gateway in 1984.
ATC

NavCanada Suspends 'Climb/Descend Via' Clearances

ICAO adoption of the new phraseology signaled international acceptance of “climb/descend via” clearances that the FAA implemented in 2014.