Aviation International News
March 2016
PUBLICATIONS Vol. 48 No. 3 $9.00
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Independent ATC takes step forward in House by Kerry Lynch U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster’s (R-Pa.) plans for a user-funded independent, not-for-profit ATC organization took a step forward last month as the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee cleared the proposal largely along party lines, but several obstacles remain before the proposal can become reality. Shuster unveiled his comprehensive FAA reauthorization package early in February, H.R.4441, the Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization
(AIRR) Act, detailing a six-year bill that would fund FAA programs, improve certification procedures, reform unmanned aircraft systems policies, reform thirdclass medical requirements and address numerous other aviation issues along with instituting a sweeping reform of the nation’s ATC organization. But once outlined, the focus of H.R.4441 remained on the ATC proposal, with lawmakers, aviation industry groups and Washington think tanks lining up on
both sides of the proposal. In fact, nearly everyone–except the FAA and the Senate Commerce Committee leadership– expressed an opinion. The Senate Commerce Committee leadership is said to be watching the proceedings closely before it moves forward with its reauthorization package, while the White House last month released an FAA budget that does not take a position but also does not account for the proposal. In favor are a number of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans, a number of Washington think tanks, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) and Airlines for America (A4A), which has strongly pushed the concept. Continues on page 35 u
Operators unprepared for EASA ‘Part-NCC’ by Ian Sheppard
Flight Training Special Report High-profile accidents have drawn attention to flight training–and how to improve it–and there are any number of theories about how to accomplish that and turn out the high-quality, dedicated instructors the industry needs. See report on page 20. One idea gaining traction is to include in training more real-world scenarios, and with that in mind AIN’s Matt Thurber completed an upset recognition and recovery course. See report on page 42.
When the EASA’s new Part-NCC (“Non-Commercial Complex”) rule takes effect on August 25, many of the smaller operations flying corporate aircraft or aircraft for individuals, including some owner-flown aircraft, in Europe will have to comply with a safety framework similar to that for AOC-holders. Less than a year before the rule takes effect, there is confusion and opacity on what Part-NCC involves and some key areas have yet to be resolved, according to speakers at a January 28 conference run by Aeropodium. Joel Hencks of AeroEx.eu, who chaired the conference, warned that there is “less than eight months to go for this deadline, which is a challenging one as most of the operators affected are not used to the European regulatory environment. After the deadline you must comply or be grounded.” Part-NCC requires an “accountable manager” to sign a “declaration” that Part-NCC has been complied with, and this must be
Gatherings Schedulers & Dispatchers The 27th edition of the conference, with the theme “Unlocking your potential,” presented 30 educational sessions to a record-breaking crowd. International ops stood firm as a central topic. page 38
Industry GAMA deliveries Business jet handovers provided a bright spot in a gloomy overall picture, as pistons and turboprops declined year over year. However, billings were down overall and uncertainty lies ahead. page 6
Airports and FBOs Signature/Landmark deal closes BBA closed on its $2 billion deal to acquire its competitor’s FBO and charter business. The deal required it to shed several FBO facilities and gives it its first foothold in charter and management. page 6
Regulations done by August. Preparation means having a safety management system (SMS) in place that provides an operations manual, MEL, recordkeeping and compliance with various requirements, among them training mandates. Performance and operating limitations and equipment all have to be covered in detail for each aircraft. Tony Eagles, flight operations and policy specialist with the UK CAA, said that the declaration under Part-NCC started a clock that meant the competent authority has to do at least one inspection in the ensuing 48 months, and some inspections must be unannounced. “We’re still considering how we’re going to do that [and still waiting to be told] what ‘an inspection’ means.” Eagles noted that the law has been in place for two years now, “so there has been plenty of opportunity for everyone in aviation to get it right–for seven years, since the NPA went out. We haven’t got it right yet and there are 246 days to go until the rules become law.” Continues on page 34 u
ICAO moves on CO2 emissions The organization’s committee on environmental protection recommended a standard for aircraft carbon-dioxide emissions that will affect all but the smallest business jets. page 14