Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

The FAA aircraft owner/operator registry’s system remains outdated and the agency has yet to develop a detailed plan for modernization, according to the Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG).&nbsp;The DOT IG further concluded in its fifth and<a href="https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/FAA%20Civil%20Aviation%20Registry%20Final%20Report%5E5-8-19.pdf"> latest audit</a> of the FAA’s registry: “Real-time access requires a physical presence at the registry office.” What’s more, the audit results are basically the same as the DOT IG determined from its previous four audits conducted since December 2010.

 


While FAA is in the early stages of developing plans to modernize the registry, the agency “has not yet made key decisions,” such as which processes to automate, the audit concluded. Consequently, the cost and timeframes for registry modernization remain uncertain, which is concerning because the FAA is mandated by law to complete registry upgrades by October 2021.

 


In September 2017 a special report published in&nbsp;The Boston Globe slammed the FAA for its alleged failure to properly monitor and keep current its general aviation aircraft and pilot registration records. As a result, the article concluded, “A web of secrecy surrounds thousands of planes, making it nearly impossible to identify a plane’s real owners and hold them accountable.”

 


Although the audit did not refer to the newspaper article, it nevertheless found that the FAA relies on a “risk assessment” to guide where it focuses its surveillance, and automation could allow the agency to better identify “fraudulent or incorrect submissions.”&nbsp;

 


The FAA concurred with the audit’s four recommendations: develop and implement a timeline for making key decisions regarding registry electronic services; define what desired capabilities are technologically feasible within the registry’s timeframes; develop and implement a procedure to obtain feedback on the registry’s electronic services; and develop and implement a plan for maintaining real-time access to aircraft registration data.

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.

FAA Remains Under Fire for Registry Operation

The DOT IG's latest audit produced basically the same findings as in its four previous audits conducted on the FAA registry since 2010.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

Both NBAA and AOPA stressed importance of privacy on Capitol Hill

GA Groups Step Up Privacy Push for Operators

President Trump directed the removal of Brown from the board in May

Former NTSB Vice Chair Brown Sues for Reinstatement

Acquisition will enable MySky to offer state tax information alongside federal information

MySky Acquiring State Tax Guide from JSSI

Amy Wilder

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

AIA Endorses FAA Funding in FY2026 Proposal

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.

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

U.S. Lawmakers Seek To Bar Helicopters in New York City

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.

More In Regulations and Government