FAA Backs Non-required Safety Items

The FAA has issued a policy statement about the installation of non-required safety-enhancing equipment (NORSEE) into rotorcraft and is accepting comments until March 25.

NORSEE is defined as equipment intended to measurably increase safety in rotary-wing aircraft, but not required by federal regulation. The FAA encourages the use of optional, non-required equipment that can improve safety for an increased number of rotorcraft under most operational conditions. The agency also believes that a possible increased safety risk, from failed or malfunctioning non-required equipment, to an individual rotorcraft operating in unusual conditions should not preclude the rest of the fleet from benefiting from such installations.