A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Business aviation stakeholders and the FAA have teamed on a letter of authorization (LOA) streamlining initiative, it was announced this week at the 2019 NBAA International Operators Conference in San Francisco. This initiative aims to accelerate approvals that Part 91 operators need to use RVSM, RNP, CPDLC, MELs,&nbsp;and other core capabilities that stakeholders and the FAA call the "Big Ten.” The effort is focused on new aircraft, which lose key operational authorizations upon delivery.

 


For LOA approval, operators must show they meet equipage, procedures, and training requirements, but the problem is that no standardized application format exists. Under the initiative, OEMs are developing standardized statements of capability, training providers are working on a standardized training compliance matrix, and the FAA will adjust inspector guidance, said Fred Armstrong, the FAA's manager of performance-based flight systems. Additionally, upon electronic submission, the application will be available to all departments whose sign-off is required, replacing the prior sequential review process.

 


The current schedule calls for workshop meetings to resume in late March and continue through the year, followed by “change management execution.” LOAs take an average of six months for processing&nbsp;and have become a growing issue. The FAA reauthorization bill passed last year requires the agency to streamline its approval process.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Streamlined LOA Approvals In the Works

The current LOA process takes six months, and stakeholders and the FAA are working to streamline it.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Industry group praises prioritizing safety and workforce support

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Department of Commerce taking comments through June 3

NBAA Urges Members To Stress Trade Importance To Gov’t

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Rep. Nadler has co-sponsored a half-dozen bills in recent years to curb helo ops

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FAA told to ‘hire, hire, hire’ in its safety workforce

FAA Official: ‘Don't Over-engineer’ SMS

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

EBAA says industry still faces discrimination and ‘irrational’ decisions

Business Aviation Asserts Role in European Recovery

Curt Epstein

Out-of-scope operators are being erroneously charged

Business Aviation Customers Feel the RefuelEU Pinch

The airport is reducing peak access due to construction

CBAA Protests Reduced Bizav Slot Allocation at Montreal

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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