Jan. 5, 2011:
Safety Systems for
Part 139 Certified Airports
The FAA has proposed requiring the 553 airports that hold Part 139 certificates to put in place safety management systems (SMS) for all airfield and ramp areas. According to the agency, the NPRM will help airports enhance safety by developing an organization-wide safety policy; implementing methods to mitigate airport hazards; and analyzing and mitigating risks before they change airport procedures or infrastructures. The proposed rule requires that SMS be used for airport movement and non-movement areas, including runways, taxiways, ramps, aircraft parking ramps and fuel farms. The FAA believes that SMS will provide an additional layer of safety at airports and help reduce ­airport incidents and accidents. Airports will have the flexibility to implement an SMS plan that considers their unique operating ­environment. Send comments identified by Docket Number FAA-2010-0997 by e-mail to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov; by mail to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey ­Avenue, SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, D.C.; or by fax to Docket Operations at (202) 493-4421.

Jan. 10, 2011:
Safety Initiatives for Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations, Part 91 Helicopter Operations and Part 135 Aircraft Operations
This NPRM addresses safety concerns in air ambulance and commercial helicopter operations, Part 91 helicopter operations and load manifest requirements for all Part 135 aircraft in response to the increase in fatal helicopter air ambulance accidents from 2002 to 2008. The FAA is proposing to amend regulations pertaining to all ­commercial helicopter operations ­conducted under Part 135 to include ­equipment requirements, pilot training and alternate airport minimums because some of these safety concerns are not unique to the helicopter air ambulance ­industry and affect all commercial ­helicopter ­operations. Comments on the NPRM, identified by Docket Number FAA-2010-0982, may be e-mailed to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov; mailed to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. ­Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Room W12-140,
West Building Ground Floor, Washington, D.C.; or faxed to Docket Operations at (202) 493-4421.