FAA RULES CHANGE ON PILOTS FATIGUE

FAA released a rules change on Wednesday finally addressing a longstanding aviation safety issue highlighted by the NTSB: Pilot Fatigue. The FAA made significant changes to regulations which are a solid positive step towards lessening the safety hazards associated with pilot fatigue.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

In July 2011 FAA suffered a partial shutdown as temporary funding measures expired and congress could not reach cloture on longterm funding bill. A shortterm funding measure was passed in August which expires in September 16, 2011

On Feb 17 2011, the Senate passed a 2 year FAA funding bill S. 223 ( FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act) which includes some helpful safety and environmental provisions along with funding of next Gen and Airspace Redesign.

On April 1 2011 the House passed a 4 year FAA funding bill- H.R. 658 ( FAA Reauthorization Act) which also funds Next Gen projects including the Airspace Redesign.

The House and senate versions are dissimilar and they have failed to reach cloture as of August 2011

AIRSPACE REDESIGN IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The latest FAA implementation schedule of the NorthEast Airspace Redesign is from June 2010 and according to an August 2011 Congressional briefing significantly behind schedule. In the briefing FAA stated intention to release an updated implementation schedule in October 2011. Last published Implementation Schedules.

CLASS B CHANGES

      
According to FAA planning documents Class B modifications are in development for the New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Airspace which will effectively lower the altitude floor of the Class B Airspace and may change shape from the customary Class B Airspace form. Class G airspace will be compressed surrounding and beneath Class B Airspace. Aircraft flying VFR will have new altitude restrictions.