22 October 2007
FR Doc 07-4884 - Docket No. FAA-2002-12461
FAA

The notice announces changes that would (1) ensure the testing environment is realistic, (2) adds a new level of simulation for helicopter flight training devices, and (3) harmonizes with international standards for simulators. Other than certain visual scene requirements, which apply earlier, the ruling applies to simulators qualified after 30 May 2008.

The notice is significant on a number of accounts, not the least of which is the increasing reliance that simulators are slated to play in pilot training. Under the Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) scheme, simulators will substitute for actual flying time in the air. In fact, a simulator session can substitute for actual flying for the final check ride before graduation (see Air Accident Digest, 5 September 2007, p. 20, “Bowing to the Inevitable”).

17 October 2007
FR Doc E7-20466 - Docket No.  FAA-2007-0046
FAA

Proposed AD requires inspection of cockpit windows after two were damaged in flight, causing one plane to lose cabin pressure. The proposed AD follows similar AD action in July on all B747 jetliners after a cockpit window fell out, causing a loss of cabin pressure and an emergency landing.

17 October 2007                  
FR Doc E7-20407 - Docket No. FAA-2006-25375
FAA

Changes announced by the FAA better address the threat of flocking birds to turbine engine ingestion. The action also harmonizes U.S. standards with those of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The new standards, though, “do not go far enough,” according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its comment of September 2006 on the draft standards.

In this respect, the FAA may have “harmonized down” to a European standard the NTSB, by implication, deems inadequate.

5 October 2007
FR Doc 07-4938 - Docket No. FAA-2007-29305
FAA

This 32-page document lays out the FAA case for ADS-B, or at least a partial case, as it only addresses ‘ADS-B Out,’ that is messages broadcast from the aircraft, and does not address ‘ADS-B In,’ which is to say messages broadcast from air traffic control on the ground to the aircraft.

As the FAA says, ADS-B is a “key element” in realizing the goals of the Net Generation air traffic control system (NextGen). Although there are many components to the NextGen architecture, the deployment of ADS-B is regarded as a major step.

21 August 2007
FR Doc E7-16288 - Docket No. FAA-2007-27191 - AD 2007-17-09
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Previous airworthiness directives (ADs) involved actions to reduce maximum elevator nose-down trim. This AD requires modification of the trim indicator scale dial to be consistent with the reduced elevator trim capability. As the final rule indicates: