January 17

FAA Statement on SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Mishap

This information is preliminary and subject to change.  

The FAA is requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during launch operations on Jan. 16. There are no reports of public injury, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.

During the event, the FAA activated a Debris Response Area and briefly slowed aircraft outside the area where space vehicle debris was falling or stopped aircraft at their departure location. Several aircraft requested to divert due to low fuel levels while holding outside impacted areas.

Background  

A mishap investigation is designed to enhance public safety, determine the root cause of the event, and identify corrective actions to avoid it from happening again. The FAA will be involved in every step of the SpaceX-led mishap investigation process and must approve SpaceX’s final report, including any corrective actions. A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. 

A Debris Response Area is activated only if the space vehicle experiences an anomaly with debris falling outside of the identified closed aircraft hazard areas. It allows the FAA to direct aircraft to exit the area and prevent others from entering.

Watch and learn how the FAA continues to work to improve the safe and efficient integration of space operations into the U.S. airspace system.
 

January 16

FAA Statement on Blue Origin NG-1 Mishap

The FAA is aware an anomaly occurred during the Blue Origin NG-1 mission that launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, on Jan. 16. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA is requiring Blue Origin to perform a mishap investigation. Contact Blue Origin for additional information.
 
Background
 
A mishap investigation is designed to enhance public safety, determine the root cause of the event, and identify corrective actions to avoid it from happening again.
 
The FAA will be involved in every step of the Blue Origin-led mishap investigation process and must approve Blue Origin’s final report, including any corrective actions. 
 
A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. 

January 16

FAA Achieves Positive Score in International Safety Audit   

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the United States received a positive score of 89.08% from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP). The audit evaluates a country’s ability to implement international aviation safety standards across its civil aviation safety oversight system.

 
The USOAP score demonstrates the stability and resilience of safety oversight in the National Airspace System, the most complex and busiest airspace system in the world. The FAA appreciates its partnership with ICAO and its thorough evaluation of the National Airspace System, which found no significant safety concerns. Safety is not a one-time achievement, it is a continuous pursuit that requires routine improvement and evaluation. The FAA is committed to continuing its work to enhance safety as the airspace becomes busier and new challenges present themselves.

Background 
The USOAP audit evaluates the performance of countries’ entire civil aviation system by conducting a comprehensive audit based on a set of standardized criteria, including 790 Protocol Questions addressing the eight critical elements of an effective safety oversight system ranging from aircraft operations and aircraft airworthiness to aircraft accident investigation, air navigation services and airports. The audit included contributions from multiple government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Air Force. 

The United States received its last audit in 2007.  

Additional information on USOAP can be found at www.icao.int/safety/cmaforum 
  

January 14

FAA Statement on Public Comments Request for Possible Expansion of Delegation Program

The FAA is seeking public comments on the possible expansion of its delegation program to include certificating most Part 135 commuter and on-demand operations. The expansion could allow for individual designees or create Organization Designation Authorizations (ODAs) to perform specific initial certification functions. The effort could require FAA rulemaking and revising its ODA policy to allow additional functions. 
 
The FAA has used delegation for certain certification tasks for almost 100 years, but it does not encompass Part 135 operations. The agency is considering an expansion because it has seen a steady increase in certification applications during the last four years. This increase has outpaced the FAA’s capacity to process applications and complete certifications in a timely manner. The possible expansion would exclude operators that use aircraft with a seating capacity greater than 10 or more passengers. 
 
People must submit comments by Feb. 3. Information on how to comment is available here. 

January 13

FAA Statement on IAH Drone Sighting

Operations are back to normal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Texas after departure delays this afternoon due to a drone sighting.
 
Please contact local law enforcement for more information.

January 9

FAA Statement on Los Angeles Wildfire Drone Incident

Fire officials informed the FAA that a firefighting aircraft struck a drone while it was operating over the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9. The aircraft landed safely. The FAA will investigate. Please contact Cal Fire for additional information.

It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands. Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations when temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are in place. The FAA treats these violations seriously and immediately considers swift enforcement action for these offenses. The FAA has not authorized anyone unaffiliated with the Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones in the TFRs.

Background
Flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives. When people fly drones near wildfires, fire response agencies often ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for a midair collision. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents, and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger.

The FAA has implemented several Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the Los Angeles area to protect firefighting aircraft. All other aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying in TFRs unless they receive authorization. 

Listen to our podcast about wildfires and aviation.

January 2

FAA Statement on Color Vision Testing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modernized its color vision testing with computer-based equipment and operationally based passing scores. The new testing process screens for both yellow/blue and red/green deficiencies and addresses inconsistencies and color degradation from using older test plates.
 
As of Jan. 1, the FAA requires all applicants for an initial airman medical certificate to test for color vision deficiencies using the new program. Pilots who have held a medical certificate do not need to retest unless they want a color vision restriction on their certificate removed, develop a medical condition or are taking medication that affects color vision.

December 27

Today, the FAA issued a Part 450 commercial space launch license authorizing the first launch of the Blue Origin New Glenn vehicle. The FAA determined Blue Origin met all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements. 

“The FAA is committed to enabling the success of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry without compromising public safety,” said the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman. “By working closely with Blue Origin, the FAA issued this new launch license well in advance of the statutory deadline for the historic maiden flight of New Glenn.”

The license allows Blue Origin to conduct orbital missions from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida with the reusable New Glenn first stage landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. It is valid for five years.

December 20

FAA Statement on New York Temporary Flight Restrictions

At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published 30 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over critical New York infrastructure.  

You can search for TFRs here.

Please contact DHS for additional information.

December 19

FAA Statement on New Jersey Temporary Flight Restrictions

At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over critical New Jersey infrastructure. 

You can search for TFRs here.

Please contact DHS for additional information.

December 18

FAA Statement on Postponement of Medical Denial Process Change

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will postpone the implementation of a process change for individuals applying for an airman medical certificate with incomplete exams and paperwork after receiving feedback from aviation stakeholders. The process of issuing initial denials set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, will be postponed until March 1, 2025. The decision to implement this change was not associated with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, but the need to provide immediate answers to airmen regarding the medical certification process. 

Postponing allows the FAA additional time to educate the pilot community and to host a listening session with various aviation associations in early January.

December 17

FAA Statement on License Modification for SpaceX

Today, the FAA issued a license modification authorizing SpaceX to launch multiple missions of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle on the Flight 7 mission profile and vehicle configuration. The FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements for the suborbital test flight. 

“The FAA continues to increase efficiencies in our licensing determination activities to meet the needs of the commercial space transportation industry,” said the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman. “This license modification that we are issuing is well ahead of the Starship Flight 7 launch date and is another example of the FAA’s commitment to enable safe space transportation.”

The Flight 7 mission profile involves launch of the combined Starship/Super Heavy vehicle from Boca Chica, Texas, a return to the launch site of the Super Heavy booster rocket for a catch attempt by the launch tower, and a water landing of the Starship vehicle in the Indian Ocean west of Australia. Please contact SpaceX for information about its planned launch date.

The SpaceX Starship program operates under an FAA-issued Part 450 launch license.
 
ADDITIONAL LICENSE INFORMATION
 
Test Induced Damage Exceptions

The Starship/Super Heavy Flight 7 license authorization includes Test Induced Damage Exceptions. SpaceX identified test objectives associated with certain flight events and system components of the Starship vehicle. The FAA evaluated each exception as part of flight safety and flight hazard analyses and confirmed that all public safety requirements have been met. 

The five approved test induced damage exceptions include: failure of the thermal shield during high-heating; failure of the flap system during high dynamic pressure; failure of the Raptor engine system during the landing Starship burn; failure of the Raptor engine system during in-space demonstration burn; and failure of Super Heavy systems during post-booster catch vehicle safing. 

If one of these scenarios occurs, a mishap investigation will not be required provided there was no serious injury or fatality, no damage to unrelated property and no debris outside designated hazard areas. 

Controlled / Uncontrolled Starship Vehicle Entry
 
The Starship/Super Heavy Flight 7 license authorization also includes the option for SpaceX to conduct a controlled or uncontrolled entry of the Starship vehicle. SpaceX must communicate a decision to conduct an uncontrolled entry to the FAA prior to launch. If SpaceX chooses an uncontrolled entry the loss of the Starship vehicle will be considered a planned event. 
 
A mishap investigation will not be required for an uncontrolled entry provided there was no serious injury or fatality, no damage to unrelated property, and no debris outside designated hazard areas.
 

December 17

FAA Statement on Reported Drone Sightings

The FAA’s role is to ensure drones operate safely within the broader National Airspace System.

Generally speaking, it is legal to fly a drone in most locations if you’re operating under 400 feet, but there are rules — including safety tests, keeping below 400 feet, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to any people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace.

Click here for a video message on drone safety on our X social page.

Click here for an easy resource guide on drones.

Click here for a downloadable explainer video on drones.

DHS/FBI/FAA/DoD joint statement on reports of drones in New Jersey.

The FAA continues to support security partners regarding the reported drone sightings. 

Click here for the transcript from a multi-agency, background press call Saturday about the drone-sighting reports.

December 15

FAA Statement on Recent Laser Reports

Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard and a violation of federal law. 

The FAA received multiple laser reports from pilots in airspace spanning NJ, NY and PA. 

December 14

FAA Statement on Reported Drone Sightings at NY Stewart International Airport

The FAA slowed traffic at New York Stewart International Airport on Friday, Dec. 13, due to multiple reported drone sightings near and over the airport. There were no safety impacts to aircraft. Operations resumed Friday night.

Please contact the airport directly for any further questions.

December 12

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker sent a letter to employees notifying them he would step down from his role as Administrator on January 20, 2025.  

December 5

Read out from FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker’s Visit to Boeing’s Renton, Washington, Factory 

This week, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker visited Boeing’s factory in Renton, Washington, as part of his commitment to ensure Boeing fixes its systemic quality-control issues. 

Administrator Whitaker began his daylong visit Tuesday with a tour of the production line, during which he observed new technology deployments, expanded Boeing employee training programs, and how Safety Management System principles have guided the company’s four-week, post-strike ramp up. He then met with Boeing front-line employees to talk about company policies and safety culture. Afterward, he met with Boeing senior leadership, including CEO Kelly Ortberg, to discuss in detail Boeing’s progress in executing its comprehensive safety action plan. 

“This visit is part of the FAA’s long-term safety commitment,” Whitaker said. “What’s truly needed is a fundamental cultural shift that’s oriented around safety, quality improvement and effective employee engagement and training. 

“As expected, Boeing has made progress executing its comprehensive plan in these areas, and we will continue to closely monitor the results as they begin to ramp up production following the strike.” 

November 26

Newark Delays

The majority of delays nationwide are caused by weather or airline operations. Hiring more air traffic controllers is a top priority. Specifically in the Newark airspace, the FAA is addressing a decades-long issue of staffing and has been transparent with airlines and travelers about our plan.
 
We keep the public and the airlines informed about  delays and cancellations here.

Background

The FAA moved the Newark sector out of New York TRACON into the Philadelphia TRACON, where there is a pipeline of air traffic controllers eager to work there and already being trained.
 
The FAA has initiatives to deal with staffing shortages, weather events and other impacts to travel, and airlines receive updates on them throughout the day. These initiatives slow aircraft to keep the system safe. 

November 21

CFM LEAP-1B Engines

The FAA is addressing the CFM LEAP-1B engine issue through our standard continued operational safety process, which includes close collaboration with Boeing, CFM and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). We will convene a Corrective Action Review Board in the coming weeks to examine the data and develop a path forward. The FAA determined this is not an immediate flight-safety issue.

November 20

Haiti NOTAM

The FAA issued a modified Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) adjusting the area in Haiti where U.S. civil aircraft and U.S. pilots can operate. The new NOTAM prohibits operations below 10,000 feet in specified areas of Haiti identified in the NOTAM until December 12th. Prior to today’s restrictions, the FAA prohibited operations in the entirety of the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet for 30 days.

You can search for NOTAMs here.

November 12

Haiti NOTAM

The FAA issued a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet for 30 days.

You can search for NOTAMs here.

October 21

Rule to Increase Passenger Safety Goes into Effect

A final FAA rule takes effect today which increases passenger safety in aircraft when supplemental restraint systems (SRS) are used. These devices are often used on flights with doors opened or removed. The rule prohibits flights conducted with SRS unless operators meet certain requirements.

Among other things, the systems must have a release mechanism that passengers can quickly and easily operate, passengers must demonstrate they can operate them before flight, and pilots must provide passengers safety briefings about SRS use. The rule is a follow-on to an Emergency Order of Prohibition the FAA issued in March 2018 following a fatal helicopter accident in New York’s East River. It addresses recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. The FAA informed all operators with authorizations to use SRS about the rule, which the agency issued in August 2024.

October 18

Boeing Review

The FAA will review Boeing’s Continued Operational Safety processes to ensure they meet FAA requirements and result in timely, accurate safety-related information for FAA use. This review is part of our aggressive oversight to ensure Boeing has the right tools to sustain lasting changes to its safety culture.

Background

The FAA retains authority over all safety decisions and uses Boeing’s safety-related information as a source of data.
 
The review will focus on key areas of Boeing’s safety processes, such as response time, risk-assessment quality, resource allocation, and adherence to regulatory requirements and FAA policy.
 
We expect the review will take three months.

October 15

Audit of runway incursion risk

As part of our ongoing safety mission, the FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV) initiated an audit of runway incursion risk at the 45 busiest airports in the United States. The FAA is committed to identifying and mitigating risk at every level. While overall runway incursions are significantly down, even one incident is one too many. This runway incursion audit is the next step as we continue implementing recommendations from the Safety Review Team (SRT), an independent team of aviation safety experts who examined ways to enhance safety and reliability in the nation’s air traffic system. The audit is expected to be finished sometime in early 2025. The audit will include a risk profile for each airport, along with identifying potential gaps in procedures, equipment, and processes, and recommendations to improve safety. 

October 11

OIG’s recommendations

The FAA concurs with all the OIG’s recommendations and has provided the Inspector General an implementation timeframe. The agency is committed to continuously improving our oversight processes and took aggressive action following the January 5 Alaska Airline door plug incident. In addition to our enhanced oversight of Boeing, the FAA is currently conducting a comprehensive, systemwide review of our oversight models. This work, in alignment with the OIG’s recommendations and recently passed reauthorization legislation, will enhance the agency’s capabilities to provide more dynamic, data driven oversight.

EMS helicopters

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) helicopter companies operate under the FAA’s thorough commuter/on-demand regulations, which include extensive requirements for pilot training and qualifications, required personnel, aircraft maintenance, safety equipment, and drug and alcohol testing programs to name a few. Additionally, the FAA requires EMS helicopters to have Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems.

Through routine and unannounced oversight, we ensure operators follow the regulations. When the FAA discovers a violation, we address it through our Compliance Program, resulting in actions ranging from on-the-spot corrections or education up to fines or certificate suspensions/revocations. We do not have a safety ranking for operators because all must meet our standards.

You can file a FOIA request for any closed enforcement actions against an operator, or you might be able to look them up here.

Staten Island helicopter flights

The FAA did not change flight paths or implement new procedures. The agency will continue its work to be responsive to people affected by aviation noise in communities around airports.

Helicopters typically fly over Staten Island area using Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and just outside Newark Class B airspace. When flying VFR, pilots are not required to be under air traffic control.

Pilots operating VFR use the see-and-avoid method to conduct their flights and the responsibility for flying neighborly resides with the pilot operating the helicopter.

FAA regulations on minimum safe altitudes for helicopters are available in the Code of Federal Regulations. Helicopters may be operated at lower altitudes if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface.

October 4

Airspace restrictions

There are no airspace restrictions in place in North Carolina as rescue efforts continue because of Hurricane Helene. Pilots looking to come into Asheville or Rutherford airports need to reach out to the airport for permission to land. The FAA is working with local authorities to ensure rescue efforts happen safely.

You can find more information here. 
 

Operating Near Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts 

Immense recovery efforts are underway at the federal, state and local levels following Hurricane Helene and they require close coordination. The airspace around the recovery efforts in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have high levels of aviation activity, including small airplanes, helicopters, and drones. The FAA’s goal at all times is to ensure safety and help facilitate this critical work.  

At the request of local authorities or law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration can issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to ensure safety for aircraft conducting Hurricane Helene rescue and recovery activities. These TFRs do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance. State and local authorities may also enact local restrictions. Relief operations, including civilian and volunteer operations, may access the restricted airspace if they are coordinated with emergency responders. In a dynamic and quickly evolving environment like this, TFRs are constantly shifting and you can find the latest online here.

Additionally, at the request of a state government, the FAA will issue an Airspace Coordination Area (ACA), which is an advisory for very specific circumstances—a heads up about an unusual situation and/or congestion that pilots should be aware of. An ACA does not restrict airspace but provides pilots important guidance. You can find the latest online here.  

You can find additional information about recovery efforts here. 

October 3

NTSB

We thank the NTSB for the recommendations, and we are taking them seriously. The corrective action review board met, and the FAA is moving quickly to convene a call with the affected civil aviation authorities to ensure they have the information they need from the FAA including any recommended actions. The FAA will be issuing a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC). The FAA is also scheduled to do additional simulator testing in October.

Israeli airspace

The FAA urges U.S. airlines and pilots to use caution when flying in Israeli airspace. The Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) mirrors the alert issued by the Israeli government.

You can search for NOTAMs here.

October 2

United Airlines Review Update

The FAA finished its Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP) of United Airlines. The review did not identify any significant safety issues.

Background
The FAA has concluded the enhanced oversight and approval process for United to add aircraft and services.

September 26

FAA and PASS sign collective bargaining agreement

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) have signed an agreement on a new contract for bargaining unit employees within the Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification organizations. 

"The PASS workforce is an essential part of the FAA’s effort to keeping the flying public safe and holding airplane manufacturers to the highest standards," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. "This agreement represents both parties’ shared commitment to safety and recognizes the hard work and dedication of our workforce."

“I’m proud of the work our team did at the bargaining table,” PASS National President Dave Spero said. “It was challenging at times but in the end, we achieved a strong collective bargaining agreement that stressed recruitment and retention, as well as fair work rules, for employees who are critical to carrying out the FAA’s mission. I want to thank our members for their support and patience during the process."

September 18

Cabin pressure

FAA aircraft-design regulations include extensive requirements for maintaining cabin pressure and ensuring a sufficient oxygen supply for crew and passengers if there’s a loss of cabin pressure.

Pilots are trained to make controlled descents to below 12,000 feet if there’s a pressurization issue because below that altitude does not require supplemental oxygen. Air traffic controllers work closely with the flight crew to safely accommodate their response to the situation.

The FAA investigates all pressurization incidents.

FAA regulations require airlines to file Service Difficulty Reports when certain incidents occur, including when aircraft components or systems result in the crew taking emergency actions during flight. This would include a loss of cabin pressure. You can search SDRs here. 

Aviation noise in communities around airports

The FAA is committed to meaningful dialogue with communities. The agency continuously works to help reduce the number of people exposed to aviation noise in communities around airports. Addressing this concern requires collaboration among the FAA, air carriers, airports, aircraft manufacturers, research universities, local communities and elected officials. If a community is concerned about aircraft noise, the best course of action is to contact their local aviation community roundtable or airport operator. The FAA can then work with airport operators to determine if the aircraft noise can be mitigated through changes in air traffic procedures.

• Learn more about FAA community engagement here
• Learn more about the FAA Airport Noise Program here
• Learn more about the FAA’s efforts to reduce emission and noise here

Privacy ICAO Address program 

The FAA is in the process of reviewing and implementing the requirements of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program allows aircraft operators to limit identifying data from external flight-tracking services. The program enables aircraft owners to request an alternate, temporary address that is not assigned to the owner in the Civil Aircraft Registry.

Section 566 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed the agency to establish a process for private owners and operators to block registration numbers from public dissemination. The FAA, in collaboration with industry, was already in the process of conceptualizing a privacy program under our existing regulatory authority prior to publication of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act.

To comply with the congressional mandate and the new requirement for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), the agency introduced the PIA program in 2019. The program complemented the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program and addressed the industry’s request for privacy, safety, and security while meeting the requirements of Section 566.

The FAA has issued more than 390 PIAs to date.

You can find more information about the program online.

Alcohol and unruly passengers
FAA regulations prohibit airlines from allowing anyone who appears to be intoxicated to board and from serving alcohol to anyone who appears to be intoxicated. They also prohibit passengers from consuming alcohol that isn't served by a flight attendant.  
 
The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy toward unruly passengers. Failing to obey a flight attendant’s instructions constitutes interfering with a crewmember.
 
Please see our latest press release about referring the most serious unruly passenger cases to the FBI.
 
We’re also aggressively getting the word out about what can happen to people who engage in this dangerous behavior. Here’s a link to memes we developed. Visit this link to view other PSAs and digital airport signage we produced about this issue.
 
The data on our unruly passenger website shows the trend in the rate of incidents.

September 13

Runway Safety

Safety is the FAA’s first priority, and the FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls. We have seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents. In the first seven months of 2024, the rate of serious runway incursions (Category A and B) decreased by 74% from the same period in 2023, from 0.47 per one million airport operations to 0.12 per one million operations.

Following the release of the National Airspace System Safety Review team report in December, the FAA took immediate action and implemented the following:

• Provide additional support to colleges and universities in the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program. The FAA will work with AT-CTI programs to ensure that graduates from these programs have the necessary skills to begin on-the-job training at a facility. These graduates still must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam and meet medical and security requirements. Previously, these graduates were required to attend the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy prior to being assigned to a facility.
• Announced a year-round hiring track for experienced controllers from the military and private industry.
• Keep filling every seat at the FAA Academy and increase our classroom capacity beyond current limits.
• Finish deploying tower simulator systems in 95 facilities by December 2025. In January, the first system was installed in Austin.
• To strengthen our safety culture, provide reports from the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service to the FAA Administrator and Aviation Safety Associate Administrator.

Here are some additional initiatives we are working on:

• Holding regular runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country.
• Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) or  Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) and Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP) surface safety technologies at the nation’s busiest commercial airports.
• We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.
• Invested Over $100M to Reduce Runway Incursions at Airports. More than $100 million went to 12 airports across the country to reduce runway incursions. Projects will reconfigure taxiways that may cause confusion, install airfield lighting or construct new taxiways to provide more flexibility on the airfield. 
• We are exploring runway safety technologies that provide capabilities to improve controller situational awareness and reduce runway incursions.
• We are working on arrival alert notices for both the pilot and controller
• Proposed an extension to the cockpit voice-recording requirement to help identify incident causes, prevent future incidents, and be more consistent with existing international requirements.  

September 12

SpaceX

SpaceX’s current license authorizing the Starship Flight 4 launch also allows for multiple flights of the same vehicle configuration and mission profile.  SpaceX chose to modify both for its proposed Starship Flight 5 launch which triggered a more in-depth review. In addition, SpaceX submitted new information in mid-August detailing how the environmental impact of Flight 5 will cover a larger area than previously reviewed. This requires the FAA to consult with other agencies. 

SpaceX must meet all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements prior to FAA launch authorization. A final license determination for Starship Flight 5 is not expected before late November 2024.

September 11

We have seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents. In the first six months of 2024, the rate of serious runway incursions (Category A and B) decreased by 62% from the same period in 2023, from 0.37 per one million airport operations to 0.14 per one million operations. The FAA and the aviation community continue to pursue the goal of zero serious close calls.

There is an ASDE-X ground radar system at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024

The FAA appreciates Congress passing the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, and funding the FAA for FY24 at historic levels. This funding is crucial for maintaining safe air travel. The proposed Biden-Harris FY2025 budget will help the FAA hire more air traffic controllers and enhance safety measures. Over the next five years, this budget dedicates $8 billion to update aging air traffic control facilities and 377 radar systems.

Stable, predictable, and sustained funding is essential to keep the airspace system safe and efficient over the long term.

September 6

Trent XWB-97 engines

No U.S. operators use the Trent XWB-97 engines so the FAA will not issue an Airworthiness Directive. (FAA-issued Airworthiness Directives only apply to the U.S. operators that we regulate.)

Drones
The FAA investigates all reports of potentially hazardous drone operations. Although the agency does not have criminal prosecution authority, drone operators who endanger other aircraft or people on the ground can face fines that exceed $30,000. In addition, the FAA can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.  

Child-restraint system

The safest place for a child under age two is an approved child-restraint system or device, not an adult’s lap.

Extensive FAA testing showed that most harness vests fail to protect the child and can result in the child being crushed by the adult’s weight if sudden braking or impact occurs. The type of physical harm that children in harnesses attached to an adult could experience has not changed since the agency conducted those tests. Any manufacturer can ask the FAA to safety test its device.

While FAA regulations don’t prohibit the use of a harness vest or other non-approved devices for a lap child during the cruise portion of the flight, airlines may have policies that prohibit their use. 

September 3

Sustainable Aviation Fuels 
The FAA is at the forefront of advancing the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) not only in the United States, but also around the world. These fuels will play a critical role, alongside new aviation technologies and more efficient operations, in meeting the industry-supported goal of net-zero emissions for the aviation sector by 2050. 
 
Congress recently issued FAA Reauthorization that established 2030 as the national deadline for transitioning fully to unleaded aviation gasoline under the EAGLE initiative, with the exception of Alaska which has a deadline of 2032. The full transition will require good planning, processes, execution, and active stakeholder participation including industry and government. Airports, airport fueling businesses, and airport users should implement constructive mitigation measures today to reduce lead emissions and plan to facilitate a safe transition.
 
In the near term, airport communities can offer unleaded fuel types while maintaining 100 low-lead (100LL) to ensure safe operations of aircraft that must still use it during the transition. To support the transition, airports may include installing additional fuel infrastructure, such as additional tanks and fuel trucks. Airports also should include transitioning to unleaded fuels as part of their airport planning initiatives (e.g., master plans).
 
You can find more information about EAGLE here.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)
 

September 2

Morristown Airport tower and New York Tracon (N90)
The FAA briefly slowed flights into and out of several Northeast airports on Monday afternoon due to data transmission issues between Morristown Airport tower and New York Tracon (N90). The FAA is investigating the cause, and we continue to closely monitor data transmissions between facilities. 
 
Background
The FAA has more than 74,000 pieces of equipment in the National Airspace System, including radar, communications systems and navigational aids, and the overall NAS reliability of this equipment is 99.73%.  We’ve established built-in redundancies, backup systems, and procedures in the case of system failure, weather, or another unplanned event.
 
Monday’s data transmission issue is not related to a separate equipment issue last week at Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility.

Newark Liberty International and Teterboro airports
The FAA briefly slowed flights into Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday afternoon due to a radar issue. Normal operations have resumed. For real-time airspace updates please monitor fly.faa.gov.
 
Normal operations have returned to Newark Liberty International and Teterboro airports after a temporary radar feed issue at the Philadelphia TRACON. For real-time flight delay information visit https://nasstatus.faa.gov/

August 30

SpaceX Falcon 9

The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30. 

Space balloons

When a space balloon acts or qualifies as a commercial space launch system, the operator must obtain a license from the FAA. The FAA treats it as a suborbital operation. The license application process involves a policy review, a payload review, a safety review, an environmental review, and a financial responsibility determination. If the space balloon is carrying humans, the FAA commercial human spaceflight regulations also apply.  

Note that Congress extended the commercial human spaceflight learning period until Jan. 1, 2025. This means the FAA remains prohibited from issuing regulations for occupant safety. The FAA is managing a rulemaking committee examining possible future regulations and is working with stakeholders to develop voluntary consensus standards. In addition, the agency updated its recommended practices. 

Air traffic controller training

The FAA is working with Air Traffic -Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) programs to ensure that graduates from these programs have the necessary skills to begin on-the-job training at a facility. We're increasing the controller training pipeline by authorizing institutions in the AT-CTI program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy. An enhanced AT-CTI program for select colleges will incorporate new curriculum in the next school year, which will allow for immediate facility training upon graduation. Learn more about that initiative here.

August 27

Newark Liberty International Airport
The FAA is slowing flights into and out of Newark Liberty International Airport because of radar feed and frequency issues at Philadelphia TRACON.  For updates, please monitor 
fly.faa.gov
 .
Every facility has contingency plans for disruptions.

Contrails

Contrails are line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust, typically at aircraft cruise altitudes several miles above the Earth’s surface.
 
For a contrail to form behind a jet engine, as hot exhaust gases cool and mix with the surrounding air, the humidity becomes high enough for liquid water condensation to occur.  High in the atmosphere, the droplets rapidly freeze and form ice particles that make up a contrail.
 
If the humidity in the atmosphere is low, the contrail will be short-lived as the ice particles quickly evaporate.  If the humidity is high, the ice particles will continue to grow in size by taking water from the surrounding air.  The resulting contrail will extend for large distances behind an aircraft and can last for hours after the plane has come and gone.
 
Contrails are of interest to scientists because they increase the cloudiness of the atmosphere.
 
Contrails pose no direct threat to public health.  They are ice particles that will evaporate when the air around them becomes dry.

Space vehicles

Under federal law, the FAA is prohibited from regulating the safety of individuals on board commercial space launch or reentry vehicles. This legislative "moratorium", originally established in 2004, and extended multiple times by Congress, will expire on Jan. 1, 2025.

The FAA regulations for commercial space crew qualifications and training do not reference the term 'Commander' and do not require prior spaceflight experience to pilot a launch or reentry vehicle. The regulations state the pilot must possess an FAA pilot certificate with instrument ratings, receive training specific to the vehicle, and have the skills necessary to operate in the U.S. National Airspace System to protect public safety, among other requirements. Regulations on the pilot are in place to cover aspects of piloting the vehicle that impact public safety, not the safety of the crew beyond what is needed to safely operate the vehicle. 

Cybersecurity

The FAA has a comprehensive approach to protect the National Airspace System from cybersecurity threats. The agency works closely with intelligence and security experts throughout the federal government to identify and mitigate potential risks to our systems, as well as those of our partners in the private sector.

August 20

Cybersecurity 

The FAA has a comprehensive approach to protect the National Airspace System from cybersecurity threats. The agency works closely with intelligence and security experts throughout the federal government to identify and mitigate potential risks to our systems, as well as those of our partners in the private sector. On background, we said do not discuss specifics of our cyber security program.  

Seat inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing an immediately effective Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Boeing 787-8, 9, and –10 airplanes. The AD requires operators to inspect Captain’s and First Officer’s seats for missing or cracked rocker switch caps and for cracked or nonfunctional switch canover assemblies within 30 days. Operators must also perform any necessary corrective actions. This AD affects 158 U.S.-registered airplanes and 737 airplanes worldwide.

Drones

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. Earlier this year, the FAA authorized removing visual observers for Amazon’s beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) Part 135 operations in College Station, Texas. The agency has previously approved these operations with visual observers. The Amazon exemptions 18602D and 18601C can be found at www.regulations.gov. Other companies with that exemption include Wing Aviation, Causey Aviation Unmanned, Zipline and UPS Flight Forward. 

In July, the FAA made history in Texas by authorizing commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. The authorizations for Zipline International and Wing Aviation allow them to deliver packages while keeping their drones safely separated using Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.

We believe all of these efforts will help pave the way for expanded safe, economically viable drone package delivery nationwide. UTM is a critical piece for safe, routine, scalable BVLOS operations and to ensure everyone has equitable access to the airspace. If service providers and operators are successful in cooperatively sharing the airspace using UTM, it will be a repeatable, scalable and routine process nationwide.
 
The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on June 9, 2021 to provide recommendations on safely integrating drones. Using the input from the ARC, the FAA is on track to publish a BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) this year following strong Congressional support with the recently enacted FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The FAA designed the NPRM to allow operations to scale as the industry continues to grow.

Summer travel

Some third-party sights like FlightAware provide delay and cancellation statistics. 

The FAA’s job is to get travelers to their destination safely and efficiently. This summer will see more planes in the skies, frequent bad weather, and increased use of the nation’s airspace. We are continuously working to address these challenges.

The FAA and airlines work together to plan for expected weather impacts this summer, just as we do year-round from the FAA’s Command Center. 

Our summer travel website outlines initiatives we’ve taken to keep summer traffic safe and smooth.

Travel Delays and Weather Resources
•    Check fly.faa.gov for real-time delay information at airports and across the system.
•    Watch the FAA’s daily air traffic report videos for possible travel impacts.
•    Learn how the FAA manages busy travel periods and find travel delay statistics.
•    Learn more about what passengers can do to protect themselves from turbulence. Check out our podcast on the topic and our video.
•    The FAA does not cancel flights or close airports.

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena 

The FAA documents Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings whenever a pilot reports one to an air traffic control facility. If supporting information such as radar data corroborates the report, the FAA shares it with the UAP Task Force. 

 •    Multiple U.S. government agencies have individual programs or processes to study and document UAP. However, the agencies also work collaboratively on the topic.
•    The Department of Defense All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office serves as the centralized clearing house for UAP reporting impacting national security or safety.
•    For additional information, contact the National UFO Reporting Center.  

August 16

Final Rule for Certain Robinson Helicopters
The FAA has revised a special regulation for Robinson model R-22 and R-44 helicopters to make it consistent with other FAA regulatory requirements, training and standards. 

This revision to Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 73:

• Removes low-gravity maneuvers during flight training to align it with limitations established by subsequent Airworthiness Directives. 
• Revises the SFAR terminology to mirror the FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook, Airman Certification Standards and Practical Test Standards. 
• Removes legacy dates and updates the applicability section to include ground and flight training, including flight reviews provided by authorized flight instructors.
• Clarifies training endorsements and flight-review requirements for less-experienced pilots. 

This final rule adds a five-year expiration date to SFAR 73 to give the FAA time to further review and refine its requirements before incorporating it into standard regulations. The revision to this SFAR becomes effective on Aug. 22, 2024.  

The SFAR update affects Robinson R-22 and R-44 owners and operators and flight schools that use these aircraft. For additional information, please see the Final Rule or contact your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

August 13

Weather
The FAA’s Command Center works closely with airlines to plan for and around expected weather nationwide. On a local level, National Weather Service meteorologists housed at the FAA's 22 centers handling high-altitude traffic provide down-to-the-minute weather predictions for exact arrival and departure routes in the busiest parts of the U.S. airspace.  The FAA routes aircraft away from dangerous weather and may delay flights that are scheduled to land at or depart from airports that are experiencing severe weather. 
 
AWC also said that sometimes airports will make the decision to close operations due to not having the right equipment (as was the case in Charlotte in January 2018). I just wanted to verify that was accurate (and it’s also actually the airport, not the airlines).
 
The FAA does not cancel flights or close airports.

Environmental Assessment for SpaceX postponed
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is postponing the public meetings regarding the Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment for SpaceX's plan to increase the launches and landings of its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle scheduled at the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. The FAA apologizes for any inconvenience. Public meetings will be rescheduled at a later date.

Lasers
Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard that puts everyone on the plane and on the ground below at risk. It is also a violation of federal law. The agency conducts outreach to educate the public about the hazards of lasers aimed at aircraft. The agency also works closely with other federal agencies and state and local governments to report and investigate incidents, help apprehend suspects, and advocate for the prosecution of offenders. 

Pilots reported 13,304 laser strikes to the FAA in 2023. Three hundred and thirteen pilots have reported an injury from a laser strike to the FAA since 2010. People who shine lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. 
 
More info to help reduce laser strikes on airplanes: 
·       Visit FAA’s website and fact sheet for more information
·       Report laser strikes to the FAA and local law enforcement agencies. 
·       Watch a video to learn more about the dangers of laser strikes. 
·       View the FAA’s visualization tool to see where laser strikes are happening. 
·       Download laser strike data by year

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked with the local community and aviation stakeholders to develop a new Area Navigation GPS approach procedure to Runway 19 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 

The FAA continuously works to help reduce the number of people exposed to aviation noise in communities around airports. Addressing this concern requires collaboration among the FAA, air carriers, airports, aircraft manufacturers, research universities, local communities and elected officials. 

If a community is concerned about aircraft noise, the best course of action is to contact their local aviation community roundtable or airport operator. The FAA can then work with airport operators to determine if the aircraft noise can be mitigated through changes in air traffic procedures.

Learn more about FAA’s community engagement here.

August 9

Seat belts
FAA regulations require passengers to have their seat belts properly secured during taxiing, takeoff and landing. The regulations do not define the term “properly secured” but require passengers to follow “crewmember instructions concerning the use of safety belts.”

Regulations also require crewmembers to brief passengers on “when, where, and under what conditions the safety belt must be fastened about that passenger.” So passengers must obey cabin crewmembers’ instructions on how to wear the belts.

August 8

Turbulence
Passengers can prevent injuries from unexpected turbulence by:

•    Keeping their seat belt buckled at all times. FAA regulations require passengers to be seated with their seat belts fastened:
•    When the airplane leaves the gate and as it climbs after takeoff
•    During landing and taxi
•    Whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated during flight
•    Listen to the pilots and flight attendants.
•    Pay attention to the safety briefing at the beginning of your flight and read the safety briefing card.

We work to alert flight crews about turbulence so they can alert passengers and flight attendants to remain seated and belted in. We do this with the help of technology and encouraging and relaying pilot reports about turbulence. Through a contract with the National Center for Atmospheric Sciences, the FAA developed a turbulence “nowcast” that provides rapidly updated, 15-minute turbulence forecasts so pilots and airline dispatchers can make tactical decisions on how to avoid it.

Please see our turbulence fact sheet for more information.

FAA regulations require passengers to have their seat belts properly secured during taxiing, takeoff and landing. The regulations do not define the term “properly secured” but require passengers to follow “crewmember instructions concerning the use of safety belts.” Regulations also require crewmembers to brief passengers on “when, where, and under what conditions the safety belt must be fastened about that passenger.” So passengers must obey cabin crewmembers’ instructions on how to wear the belts.

Drones
Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. This includes all airspace from the ground up. While local laws or ordinances may restrict where drones can take off or land, they typically cannot restrict a drone from flying in airspace permitted by the FAA.

The FAA restricts drone flights around critical infrastructure and public venues. We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigates when appropriate. Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines that exceed $30,000. In addition, we can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.

Drone operations
The agency works with federal and local law enforcement partners to educate them about how to respond to unsafe or unauthorized drone operations. FAA personnel in the 77 local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) across the country perform investigations and when necessary, take appropriate enforcement actions. 

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. Public safety agencies typically hold Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs) and may operate under Part 107 or as public aircraft. Operators are responsible for following all regulations and all provisions in the COAs.
 
Please contact local law enforcement agencies to find out how many of their officers are certified drone pilots.
 
Learn more about the FAAs’ public safety and government drone program here.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked with the local community and aviation stakeholders to develop a new Area Navigation GPS approach procedure to Runway 19 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The FAA continuously works to help reduce the number of people exposed to aviation noise in communities around airports. Addressing this concern requires collaboration among the FAA, air carriers, airports, aircraft manufacturers, research universities, local communities and elected officials. If a community is concerned about aircraft noise, the best course of action is to contact their local aviation community roundtable or airport operator. The FAA can then work with airport operators to determine if the aircraft noise can be mitigated through changes in air traffic procedures.

Learn more about FAA’s community engagement here.

On background: The Localizer Directional Aid-Z (LDA-Z) is currently out of service but it will be retained as a backup.

August 7

Air taxis
The FAA never compromises on safety because that’s our mission.

Our job is to ensure this new generation of air taxis maintains the high level of safety that defines commercial aviation today. We have the regulations in place that allow manufacturers to achieve our safety standards in innovative ways. Manufacturers must meet the high safety standards that define modern aviation, and the best innovators will find ways to meet them. We will be ready for air taxi operators when they are ready to fly safely. 
 
Aircraft
The FAA has the regulations in place that allow manufacturers to achieve our safety standards in innovative ways.

We released the airworthiness criteria that three companies must meet for us to certify their aircraft. We do not comment on specific ongoing certification projects.

We will certify AAM aircraft using certification standards applicable to the size and complexity of the aircraft and types of operations envisioned, which is how we approach traditional aircraft certification.
 
Integration 
We released an implementation plan showing how all of our work will come together allowing the industry to scale safely.

We drafted the standards that pilots must meet to operate aircraft that might have flying characteristics of both helicopters and airplanes.

We released an updated blueprint for airspace and procedure changes to accommodate future air taxis and other AAM operations.

We’re also working with other federal government agencies as well as communities, cities and industries.
 
Pilots 
We drafted the standards that pilots must meet to operate aircraft that might have flying characteristics of both helicopters and airplanes.

We issued the proposed rule in June 2023 and will issue a final rule in 2024.
 
Operations 
Our implementation plan will serve as a foundation for making entry into service routine and predictable by maximizing the use of existing procedures, flight rules and infrastructure.

We expect that initial eVTOLs will use existing infrastructure such as helipads, routes and air traffic control services where possible.
Under our airspace blueprint, AAM operations will begin at a low rate with air taxis flying much as helicopters do today.

As operations increase, air taxis could fly in dedicated corridors between major airports and vertiports in city centers.

Near- and medium-term AAM operations will be conducted by piloted aircraft. The FAA and industry are developing the necessary technologies to support AAM operations, including aircraft and traffic management systems, communication networks, and autonomous capabilities.

We’ve been conducting demonstrations with NASA and industry stakeholders and others at test sites since 2019. This research will help us develop commercial standards, including how we’ll exchange information between service providers and between service providers and the FAA. 

Lithium batteries
To reduce the risk of fires, federal regulations prohibit spare lithium batteries and e-cigarettes in checked bags, including bags checked at the gate or planeside. The FAA works diligently to educate people about these requirements.

Background
In 2023, there were 76 lithium battery incidents, 63 of which were on passenger aircraft. You can sort the data by year here.  

Most consumer portable electronic devices containing batteries are allowed on aircraft.  These include devices like cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, electronic games, cameras and smart watches.
Flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin. Passengers should notify flight crew immediately if their lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.  

More information is on our PackSafe website and our blog on lithium batteries.

August 6

SpaceX
The FAA continues to work with SpaceX to evaluate its proposed license modification for the Starship Flight 5 mission. SpaceX must meet all safety and other licensing requirements prior to FAA launch authorization. Safety will drive the timeline. Contact SpaceX for additional information.

Drone agricultural operations
Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. As of today, the FAA has approved 984 applications for drone agricultural operations. 847 of those applications have been approved in just the last year.
 
The FAA looks into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigates when appropriate. Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines that exceed $30,000. In addition, we can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.
 
The agency works with federal and local law enforcement partners to educate them about how to respond to unsafe or unauthorized drone operations. FAA personnel in the 77 local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) across the country perform investigations and when necessary, take appropriate enforcement actions.  
 
To learn more please visit our agricultural operations webpage and read this guidance.
 
Background
Current FAA rulemaking efforts are focused on developing a standard set of rules for operations beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) to make these kinds of operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The FAA chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021 to provide safety recommendations to the FAA, including specific consideration of requirements to support precision agriculture operations, including crop spraying.
 
We are currently reviewing their final report, which includes a recommendation to the FAA to establish certification and operating requirements for higher weight (in excess of 200 lbs.) drones operating beyond visual line-of-sight. 

August 5

Artificial Intelligence
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed a roadmap with industry and other aviation regulators to establish the guiding principles for assuring the safety of artificial intelligence in aviation and to establish priorities and plans for its safe introduction.

"The challenge we face for the 21st century is how to deliver increasing levels of service while maintaining the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world," FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety David Boulter said. "Technology and innovation present tremendous opportunities and challenges for sustainability of the aerospace system."

The FAA looks forward to working with the aviation industry, other aviation regulators, and US government agencies in executing and refining this roadmap. Read the roadmap here.

August 1

Beyond-visual-line-of-sight 
The FAA is focused on developing standard rules to make beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations routine, scalable, repeatable and economically viable with the help of industry partners. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on June 9, 2021 to provide recommendations on safely integrating drones. Using the input from the ARC, the FAA is on track to publish a BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) this year, following strong Congressional support with the recently enacted FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The FAA designed the NPRM to allow operations to scale as the industry continues to grow.
 
While the FAA finalizes the NPRM, the agency has moved to allow operations without the use of visual observers. Most recently, in a first for US aviation, the FAA authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. The authorizations for Zipline International and Wing Aviation allow them to deliver packages while keeping their drones safely separated using Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.  

July 30

Wind farm
Wind farm operators should mark structures with synchronized red lights and should not operate without them.  We have contacted the wind farm owner and issued Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs). The NOTAMs will remain active until the operator resolves the problem.

July 29

Newark airspace transfer
The FAA reduced operations in the Newark area this weekend during the transfer of the airspace around Newark from New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), or N90, to the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Tower/TRACON (PHL).
 
Background
Operations in the EWR area were reduced initially, which is a consistent practice whenever changes, including airspace transfers, and improvements are implemented across the National Airspace System. No procedures changed—personnel are performing their job the same way that they did leading up to the cutover, just now from a different location.
Extra technicians and personnel remain onsite to assist if needed.

July 26

Hot air balloons
Hot air balloons must follow the same regulations as other types of aircraft. FAA regulations do not specify where balloons must take off and land. However, they must be operated safely so they don’t pose a hazard to people or property on the surface. Balloon pilots must have ratings to fly balloons and, if they are flying paying passengers, they must have FAA second-class medical certificates like other commercial pilots.

Please see this press release about recent improvements to balloon safety.

You can reach out to the Balloon Federation of America for statistics on hot air balloon landings.

SpaceX Starlink Group 9-3 launch
The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.
 
After a comprehensive review, the FAA determined no public safety issues were involved in the anomaly that occurred during the SpaceX Starlink Group 9-3 launch on July 11. This public safety determination means the Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.
 
Background
When a public safety determination request is received, the agency evaluates safety-critical systems, the nature and consequences of the anomaly, the adequacy of existing flight safety analysis, safety organization performance, and environmental factors. If the FAA agrees no public safety issues were involved, the vehicle may return to flight while the investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.
SpaceX made the public safety determination request on July 15. The FAA gave approval for the Falcon 9 to return to flight on July 25.

July 25

Southwest Airlines
The FAA has increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure it is complying with federal safety regulations through the Certificate Holder Evaluation Process. Safety will drive the timeline.

Background
Operator oversight is continually adjusted through a risk-based system.

Air taxis
The FAA is committed to safely integrating air taxis into our national airspace system. We are making steady and significant progress in certifying aircraft and pilots and planning for integrating these aircraft into the airspace. We’ll be ready for air taxi operators when they’re ready to fly safely. As the number of operations increases, air taxis are expected to fly in dedicated corridors between major airports and vertiports in city centers. When they begin flying in corridors, operators could be responsible for keeping aircraft safely separated using industry-developed, FAA-approved rules. In FAA-controlled airspace, air taxis would follow same rules as other aircraft. Aircraft automation and real-time data sharing between aircraft will likely play increasing roles in these corridors. Learn about the FAA's Advanced Air Mobility / Air Taxi efforts here.

The FAA’s job is to ensure this new generation of air taxis maintains the high level of safety that defines commercial aviation today. We have the regulations in place that allow manufacturers to achieve our safety standards in innovative ways. The FAA will certify AAM aircraft using certification standards applicable to the size and complexity of the aircraft and types of operations envisioned, which is how we approach traditional aircraft certification. Safety will dictate the timeline and we will be ready for air taxi operators when they are ready to fly safely.
 
Runway incursions
We have seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents. In the first five months of 2024, the rate of serious runway incursions (Category A and B) decreased by 68% from the same period in 2023, from 0.41 per one million airport operations to 0.13 per one million operations.
 
This April, the FAA announced new airfield surveillance systems that will reduce the risk of runway incursions by improving air traffic controllers’ situational awareness. These new Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) systems are operational at four airports:

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• Dallas Love Field Airport
• Nashville International Airport
• Indianapolis International Airport

Reducing runway safety risk remains a top priority for the FAA. The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls, and the new SAI technology is an integral part of that objective. 
 
SAI uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data to display surface traffic to controllers at airports without a surface surveillance tool. Aircraft and ADS-B-equipped vehicles appear as icons on an airport map that depicts runways, taxiways, hold ramps and other areas.
 
Other technologies included in the airport surface safety plan are the Runway Incursion Devices. Runway Incursion Devices (RID) is another runway safety technology. RID provides air traffic controllers with audio and/or visual indication when a runway is not available for arrivals or departures. RID technologies will be installed at five airports for an operational evaluation by November 2024, with deployments to 74 airports beginning in 2025.
 
Approach Runway Verification (ARV) systems. RIDs provide air traffic controllers with audio and/or visual indication when a runway is not available for arrivals or departures, and ARV systems provide audio and visual alerts if an arriving aircraft is lined up to land on the wrong airport surface. RID technologies will be installed at five airports for an operational evaluation by November 2024, with deployments to 74 airports beginning in 2025. ARV systems are currently fully adapted and operational at 13 air traffic control towers with plans to deploy at other facilities throughout the rest of the year and into 2025.
 
The FAA also hopes to promote aviation safety by increasing air traffic control hiring in 2024, providing Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative schools with an enhanced program, upgrading tower simulators to improve controller training, and providing updated Arrival Alert Notices.

Special class rotorcraft
The FAA will continue to diligently evaluate any potential gaps that need to be addressed for special class rotorcraft. The FAA is reviewing all novel design features of special class rotorcraft. This approach ensures that safety standards are maintained despite the deviations from traditional rotorcraft and helicopter designs. Additionally, the FAA is working closely with developers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to understand the specific needs and challenges associated with special class rotorcraft. The FAA aims to create a regulatory environment that supports the safe integration of special class rotorcraft into the national airspace system while fostering innovation and technological advancement in the aviation industry.

July 23

Drone pilots
Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA.
 
The FAA doesn’t track drone pilots by occupation. Every commercial drone operator must pass a knowledge test and get a remote pilot certificate.
 
You can search pilot certificates by name here and see a geographic listing of hobbyist and non-hobbyist drones here.  
 
As of July 2024, there are more than 782,000 registered drones; of those, more than 392,000 were registered for recreational purposes and almost 383,000 drones were registered for commercial purposes. By 2028, we forecast that there could be more than 3 million commercial and recreational drones and more than 472,000 remote pilots. 

Human spaceflight
Congress extended the commercial human spaceflight learning period until January 1, 2025. This means the FAA remains prohibited from issuing regulations for occupant safety. The FAA is managing a rulemaking committee examining possible future regulations and is working with stakeholders to develop voluntary consensus standards. In addition, the agency updated its recommended practices. Learn more about the FAA oversight of commercial human spaceflight. 

July 19, 2024

10:30 a.m. ET update: Commercial Aviation/U.S. Airlines Service Impacts
This statement is preliminary and subject to change. 

The FAA continues to work closely with airlines as they work to resume normal operations. Ground stops and delays will be intermittent at various airports as the airlines work through residual technology issues. Please contact the airlines for more information and monitor www.fly.faa.gov for real-time airspace updates.
 

Commercial Aviation/U.S. Airlines Service Impacts
This statement is preliminary and subject to change.

The FAA is closely monitoring a technical issue impacting IT systems at U.S. airlines. Several airlines have requested FAA assistance with ground stops for their fleets until the issue is resolved. For more information, monitor fly.faa.gov for updates.

Boeing
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has made it clear that it cannot be business as usual with Boeing. The FAA will continue to hold Boeing accountable. Boeing has delivered a roadmap to change its safety culture. The FAA will make sure Boeing makes lasting change using all of the tools at our disposal. We need to see a strong and unwavering commitment to safety and quality that endures over time. 

July 18

Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines asked the FAA to pause the airline’s departures nationwide. For more information, contact Frontier and monitor fly.faa.gov for updates.

Lasers
The FAA does not have a prohibition against pointing a laser at a drone. However, you should check with the Department of Justice about any criminal prohibitions.

Background
Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard that puts everyone on the plane and on the ground below at risk. It is also a violation of federal law. The agency conducts outreach to educate the public about the hazards of lasers aimed at aircraft. The agency also works closely with other federal agencies and state and local governments to report and investigate incidents, help apprehend suspects, and advocate for the prosecution of offenders.

More info to help reduce laser strikes on airplanes: 

•  Visit FAA’s website and fact sheet for more information
•  Report laser strikes to the FAA and local law enforcement agencies. 
•  Watch a video to learn more about the dangers of laser strikes. 
•  View the FAA’s visualization tool to see where laser strikes are happening. 
•  Download laser strike data by year

Drone Waivers
The FAA did not issue any event SGI waivers prior to July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. On-scene law enforcement could have been operating drones under their individual agency authorizations. 

Public safety agencies typically hold Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs) and may operate under Part 107 or as public aircraft. Operators are responsible for following all regulations and all provisions in the COAs. You can search publicly released COAs here.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight
The FAA is focused on developing standard rules to make beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021 to provide safety recommendations to the FAA. We are reviewing their final report.

July 17

Farnborough 
Farnborough is one of many moments for the FAA to connect with the international and commercial aviation communities on issues of safety. The United States will be represented by both FAA and Congressional leadership at the event.

SpaceX 
The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations. On July 15, SpaceX requested that the FAA make a public safety determination as part of the ongoing investigation of the Starlink Group 9-3 anomaly. The FAA is reviewing the request and will be guided by data and safety at every step of the process. Learn more here.
 
Background
When a public safety determination request is received, the agency evaluates safety-critical systems, the nature and consequences of the anomaly, the adequacy of existing flight safety analysis, safety organization performance, and environmental factors. If the FAA agrees no public safety issues were involved, the operator may return to flight while the investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

Unmanned Balloons
The FAA has comprehensive regulations for safely operating unmanned free balloons. Among other things, the regulations require the balloon to be equipped so it can be tracked by radar, and the operator to notify the FAA prior to and at the time of launch, monitor and record the balloon's course, make position reports to the FAA as requested, and notify the FAA when the balloon begins its descent and its expected trajectory. 

Airport slot process
The U.S. Department of Transportation controls the slot selection process. Learn more here. 

Unruly passengers
Travelers will pay for misbehaving on airplanes. The FAA implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy in January 2021 after seeing a disturbing increase in cases, issuing fines instead of warning letters or counseling. The FAA pursues legal enforcement action against any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers, and can propose civil penalties up to $37,000 per violation.
 
The FAA refers the most serious cases to the FBI for possible criminal prosecution and partners with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to remove unruly passengers from TSA PreCheck screening eligibility.
 
Current data on unruly incidents is available on our unruly passenger website.
 
Background 
The FAA created public service announcements, airport digital signage and memes to spread awareness and crack down on bad behavior. Additionally, we do frequent social media messaging to get the word out about the consequences of unruly behavior.
 
See our latest post on X. 

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
The FAA is in the process of reviewing and implementing the requirements of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Privacy ICAO Address 
The Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program allows aircraft operators to limit identifying data from external flight-tracking services. The program enables aircraft owners to request an alternate, temporary address that is not assigned to the owner in the Civil Aircraft Registry.
 
Section 566 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed the agency to establish a process for private owners and operators to block registration numbers from public dissemination. The FAA, in collaboration with industry, was already in the process of conceptualizing a privacy program under our existing regulatory authority prior to publication of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act. To comply with the congressional mandate and the new requirement for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), the agency introduced the PIA program in 2019. The program complemented the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program and addressed the industry’s request for privacy, safety, and security while meeting the requirements of Section 566.
 
The FAA has issued more than 390 PIAs to date.
 
You can find more information about the program online.

Global navigation satellite system 
The FAA is working with interagency and international partners on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) authentication capabilities and GNSS disruption identification, location and mitigation tools. The FAA works with international civil aviation authorities to address GNSS spoofing and jamming by conducting information sharing and issuing Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) to inform pilots about potential disruptions to navigation systems.  

The FAA also continues to work with the aviation industries and standards organizations on a layered approach to improving aircraft protections from GNSS spoofing. This includes maintaining and continuing to use conventional navigation aids when GNSS is not available; promoting system capabilities to detect and mitigate the effects of erroneous (or alternate) GNSS trajectories; and evaluating adaptive GNSS antenna to reject jamming/spoofing signals. 

July 16

Sonic booms
Only military aircraft can create sonic booms. Please check with the military installations in the local area. 

Noise
The FAA is committed to meaningful dialogue with communities. The agency continuously works to help reduce the number of people exposed to aviation noise in communities around airports. Addressing this concern requires collaboration among the FAA, air carriers, airports, aircraft manufacturers, research universities, local communities and elected officials. If a community is concerned about aircraft noise, the best course of action is to contact their local aviation community roundtable or airport operator. The FAA can then work with airport operators to determine if the aircraft noise can be mitigated through changes in air traffic procedures.

• Learn more about FAA community engagement here
• Learn more about the FAA Airport Noise Program here
• Learn more about the FAA’s efforts to reduce emission and noise here

Oshkosh
Oshkosh is an important moment every year for the FAA to connect with the general aviation community on safety issues, provide education to GA pilots, and reach consensus on issues facing the community. Deputy Administrator Thomson will be leading a delegation to the event. 

Background
Visit How Does That Work? FAA Air Traffic Controller at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh  to learn more about the FAA’s role.

July 15

Summer travel
Below are a list of the busiest days of the year in the National Airspace System. You can find that information and more on our FAA Summer Travel website.

Weather is the leading cause of delays and cancellations, but the FAA’s Command Center works closely with airlines to plan for, and around, expected weather nationwide. Learn more about how the FAA navigates around bad weather and works with pilots to help keep flights safe during turbulence. Get real-time airport status info at www.fly.faa.gov. 

Air taxis
Our job is to ensure this new generation of air taxis maintains the high level of safety that defines commercial aviation today. We have the regulations in place that allow manufacturers to achieve our safety standards in innovative ways. We will be ready for air taxi operators when they are ready to fly safely. 
 
Background

• We released the airworthiness criteria that companies must meet for us to certify their aircraft. We do not comment on specific ongoing certification projects.
• We drafted the standards that pilots must meet to operate aircraft that might have flying characteristics of both helicopters and airplanes.
• We issued the proposed rule in June 2023 and will issue a final rule in 2024.

July 13

Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle 
The FAA is committed to seriously assessing the environmental impacts of all FAA licensed commercial space operations. This summer, the FAA will hold several public meetings for input on SpaceX’s proposal to increase the number of launches and landings of its Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle at the Boca Chica Launch Site in Texas. The assessment, done in coordination with other federal agencies and with feedback from the public, will analyze SpaceX’s proposal for up to 25 annual Starship/Super Heavy orbital launches, up to 25 annual landings of the Starship vehicle, and up to 25 annual landings of the Super Heavy booster rocket. 
 
The FAA will release additional details about the draft environmental assessment for public review and comment by the end of July. From there, there will be five public meetings held: 
 

• Tuesday, August 13, 2024; 1:00 PM-3:00 PM and again from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM CDT (in-person events) City of South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
•  Thursday, August 15, 2024; 1:00 PM-3:00 PM and again from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM CDT (in-person events) Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center, 309 E Railroad Ave, Port Isabel, TX 78578
•  Tuesday, August 20, 2024: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM CDT (virtual event)

Please note that registration is required for this virtual event.
Dial-in phone number 888-778-0099 (Toll Free), Webinar ID: 857 9139 8585, Passcode 864394
 
Learn more and sign up for project updates here. 
 
Background
 
Under the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment, SpaceX is currently authorized to conduct up to five annual Starship/Super Heavy orbital launches, up to 10 annual landings of the Starship vehicle, and up to five annual landings of the Super Heavy booster rocket in Boca Chica, Texas.

July 12

Boeing
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has made employee safety reporting a priority and has noted that it is a sign of a healthy culture. We strongly encourage anyone with safety concerns to report them and we thoroughly investigate every report. During his visit this winter to Boeing's Renton factory, he asked Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to share the FAA hotline information with all Boeing employees, and Mr. Calhoun did. 
 
In 2024 from Jan. 5 through May, we received 126 Boeing whistleblower reports. In all of 2023, we received 11.

Helicopters
The FAA regulates safety and does not determine where helicopters can land provided the operation is safe.

Go-around
A go-around is a safe, routine maneuver performed at a pilot's discretion or an air traffic controller's request before a potentially unsafe condition occurs. It discontinues the landing approach and returns the aircraft to an altitude and configuration to safely make another approach. For passengers, the event may seem like an emergency maneuver, but the pilot and the air traffic controller are in full command of the situation.

Wildlife
The FAA does not use live animals for its bird strike research.

Background info on wildlife strike mitigation
The FAA maintains a database where we record each collision between aircraft and wildlife, more commonly referred to as wildlife strikes. Through voluntary reporting--by pilots, airlines, airports, aircraft maintenance personnel, air traffic control personnel, engine manufacturers--the FAA gets data to help us analyze: trends, wildlife movements/bird migration and effectiveness of wildlife management plans. The FAA annual wildlife strike report published in June of 2024 details strike data from 1990-2023. 

• Read more about our Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Program here
• Visit our frequently asked questions and answers page here
• Learn about FAA wildlife mitigation efforts and watch this video
• Check out this blog and this blog for more information about our bird strike research efforts

July 10

Heat Related Delays
The FAA tracks weather-related delays but does not break them out by heat-related incidents. However, FAA regulations ensure that aircraft are certified to operate in certain temperatures, which depend on the specific aircraft's airworthiness criteria.

NextGen Advisory Committee 
The FAA renewed the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) Charter on June 15, 2024, and will update the membership list on the NAC’s website once the members are appointed by the Secretary of Transportation. We do not plan to issue a solicitation notice in the Federal Register for nominations to the NAC.

Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan
The FAA’s annual update to the Controller Workforce Plan includes the latest analysis and projections for building and maintaining the staffing levels necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System. The agency is taking aggressive action to hire and train more air traffic controllers. You can find staffing numbers for each facility on page 53.

In 2023, we hired 1,500 controllers and this year we will hire 1,800.

• We're increasing the controller training pipeline by authorizing institutions in the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, which will allow for immediate facility training upon graduation.
• We have a year-round hiring opportunity for experienced controllers from the military and private industry.
• We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.

Boston Logan International Airport 
Boston Logan International Airport has the Airport Surface Detection System-Model X (ASDE-X). ASDE-X uses multiple sensors, including radar, multilateration, and satellite technology to allow air traffic controllers to track surface movement of aircraft and vehicles. ASDE-X is operational at 35 of the largest U.S. airports.

This technology and initiatives like it are important safety surveillance tools and part of the multiple layers of safety that protect the traveling public. We have seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents. In the first five months of 2024, the rate of serious runway incursions (Category A and B) decreased by 68% from the same period in 2023, from 0.41 per one million airport operations to 0.13 per one million operations.

Here are some additional initiatives we are working to protect the traveling public:
Holding regular runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country.
Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) or Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) and Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP) surface safety technologies at the nation’s busiest commercial airports.

• We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.
• We are exploring runway safety technologies that provide capabilities to improve controller situational awareness and reduce runway incursions.
• We are working on arrival alert notices for both the pilot and controller
• We will implement the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system at four airports by July 2024. This cost-effective technology provides controllers with timely and accurate depictions of aircraft and vehicles on the entire airfield, in all weather conditions.
• We are deploying a new surface safety tool, called Approach Runway Verification (ARV), which provides an audible and visual alert to controllers if an approaching aircraft is lined up to land on the wrong airport surface, or even the wrong airport.

July 9

Infants
FAA regulations do not prohibit an adult from flying with more than one infant. Additional guidance is here. 
 

Las Vegas Airport

After a thorough review, the FAA determined that the proposed Las Vegas Executive Airport would not affect the safety or efficiency of the surrounding airspace. This does not constitute an approval of the single-runway airport.
 
Background

The FAA received a proposal for an airport, not a spaceport. 

July 8, 2024

Boeing Airworthiness Directive on Oxygen Generators

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing an immediately effective Airworthiness Directive (AD) to ensure passenger service unit (PSU) oxygen generators are in the proper position on certain Boeing 737-8, 9, -8200, -700, -800, and –900ER series airplanes
 
The AD requires operators to inspect the PSU oxygen generators and perform corrective actions, if necessary, within 120 to 150 days. The compliance time depends on the airplane configuration. This AD affects 2,612 U.S.-registered airplanes.

SpaceX launches on Boca Chica

The United States has a decades-long success record of protecting the environment while allowing space operations that support so much of our modern life. As the pace of commercial space launches increase, the FAA is dedicated to ensuring all voices are heard so that an appropriate balance can be found between environmental protection and our future in space.

Background

The FAA carefully reviews the environmental impact of all commercial space launch licenses to make sure they follow the laws and regulations. The agency actively seeks and incorporates input from other government stakeholders and the public, minimizes and mitigates potential harm, and keeps a close watch on compliance for any effects after launches. 

All vehicle operator licenses issued by the FAA are supported by an environmental review in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NEPA-implementing regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality, and the FAA’s policies and procedures for compliance with NEPA (FAA Order 1050.1F). FAA also coordinates closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services on all environmental assessments.

Drones Integration in National Airspace System

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA.

Public safety agencies typically hold Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs) and may operate under Part 107 or as public aircraft. Operators are responsible for following all regulations and all provisions in the COAs.

Please contact the NYPD about how many of their officers are certified drone pilots.

Learn more about the FAAs’ public safety and government drone program here.

Drone Arrays and Light Show FAA Regulations

Safety is always the FAA’s top priority. Drone arrays and light shows are subject to FAA regulation. Typically, these events require a waiver to the regulation that prohibits operating more than one drone at a time. We thoroughly review each drone-show application to make sure the flying public and people on the ground will be safe. Among other things, we review:

•    The software controlling the drones
•    Procedures on setting up safe and restricted areas to keep people a safe distance from the show
•    Procedures in the event a single or multiple drones fail
•    Procedures if an aircraft gets too close to the show
•    How the operator keeps the drones within a confined area using GeoFencing
•    Whether the operator has an adequate number of people to run the show

The operator is responsible for coordinating with local law enforcement, park police, city officials and others as appropriate.

July 5, 2024

Firework Impacts on Air Travel

Generally speaking, firework displays do not impact air travel. If necessary for safety or security, the FAA may establish Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to keep certain aircraft away from large events involving fireworks. Pilots should always check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) prior to flight.

July 3, 2024

FAA Use of Military Airspace

The FAA uses multiple efficient routes, airspace flow programs, and other traffic management initiatives to handle particularly busy holiday volume, especially up and down the East Coast. We constantly communicate with the Defense Department at the FAA's Command Center to release restricted military airspace off the East Coast and in the Gulf for commercial airplane use, if needed. These initiatives would lessen the inland volume and reduce delays.

July 2, 2024

Drone Use by Law Enforcement

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. Public safety agencies typically hold Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs) and may operate under Part 107 or as public aircraft. Operators are responsible for following all regulations and all provisions in the COAs. 

Learn more about the FAAs’ public safety and government drone program here.

Drones to Transport Blood Samples

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA.
 
The agency is focused on developing standard rules to make beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021, to provide safety recommendations to the FAA. We are reviewing their final report.
 
As of June 2024, there are more than 782,000 registered drones; of those, nearly 400,000 were registered for recreational purposes and more than 383,000 were registered for commercial purposes. To put this into context, that is more than three times as many registered drones as registered traditional aircraft. By 2028, we forecast that there could be more than 3 million commercial and recreational drones and more than 472,000 remote pilots. 

The FAA is committed to working with industry to implement a UAS traffic management (UTM) system to provide safe and equitable access to airspace as we continue to fully integrate drones into the national airspace.

Cybersecurity Threats 

The FAA has a comprehensive approach to protect the National Airspace System from cybersecurity threats. The agency works closely with intelligence and security experts throughout the federal government to identify and mitigate potential risks to our systems, as well as those of our partners in the private sector. 

July 1, 2024

Runway Safety

The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls, and we have seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents. The number of serious runway incursions in the first four months of 2024 decreased by 66 percent from the same period in 2023. Here are some additional initiatives we are working to protect the traveling public:

•    Holding regular runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country.

•    Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) or Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) and Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP) surface safety technologies at the nation’s busiest commercial airports.

•    We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.

•    We are exploring runway safety technologies that provide capabilities to improve controller situational awareness and reduce runway incursions.

•    We are working on arrival alert notices for both the pilot and controller.

•    We will implement the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system at four airports by July 2024. This cost-effective technology provides controllers with timely and accurate depictions of aircraft and vehicles on the entire airfield, in all weather conditions.

•    We are deploying a new surface safety tool, called Approach Runway Verification (ARV), which provides an audible and visual alert to controllers if an approaching aircraft is lined up to land on the wrong airport surface, or even the wrong airport.

All close calls by category can be found here.

You can read more about our work to end serious close calls here.

You can look up data on incursions by airport here.

June 28, 2024

PFAS  

The FAA notified airports on Sept. 13, 2023, that PFAS-free firefighting foams are now available.   

In May 2023, the FAA published a transition plan for airports to use if they decide to change over to the new foam when it became available. Airports can use both types of foam until they can fully transition to the PFAS-free product. The FAA continues to recommend that they use foam with PFAS only during an actual emergency. We encourage airport operators to follow state and local requirements for containing and cleaning up discharged firefighting foam.

June 27, 2024

Unruly Passengers

The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy toward unruly passengers and travelers will pay for misbehaving. 

Please see our latest press release about unruly passengers and summer travel, as well as our press release about referring the most serious unruly passenger cases to the FBI.
We’re also aggressively getting the word out about what can happen to people who engage in this dangerous behavior. Here’s a link to memes we developed. Visit this link to view other PSAs and digital airport signage we produced about this issue.

Extensive information, including the trend in unruly passenger incidents, is available on our unruly passenger website. 
 
You need to contact airlines about programs they developed to address unruly behavior.
 
The FAA does not ban people from flying but the TSA maintains a no-fly list and some airlines have their own internal lists.

June 26, 2024

New York TRACON

Ongoing air traffic controller staffing issues are causing delays at Newark Liberty International Airport. The staffing issues are at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (N90), which handles the busy and complex New York-area airspace.
 
That is why on July 28, 2024, the FAA is moving management of the airspace around Newark from N90 to the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Tower/TRACON, where trainees have a history of succeeding. N90’s air traffic controller staffing levels have long been an outlier, remaining well below the national average for many years despite numerous incentives and hiring campaigns. The facility is currently staffed at 59 percent of the target level, and trainees who go to N90 have only a 25 percent training success rate, the lowest of any facility in the nation.
 
This airspace transfer will improve efficiency for the millions of passengers who travel through the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area, and it will enable the FAA to train more air traffic controllers and speed up the implementation of modernization programs.

FAA Approval of Pilot Medicals

The FAA strives to provide a decision within 90 days of receiving the completed application. However, the timeframe can increase depending on the individual’s specific circumstances.

Pilot License Timelines

The information in our registry is generally current. Pilot licenses don’t expire but pilots must renew their medical certificates at specific intervals, depending on their age and the type of medical certificate they have, which is tied to the type of flying they do. 

Pilots also must take certain steps to remain qualified to fly, including performing at least three takeoffs and landings within the previous 90 days. That information is in a pilot’s logbook and is not public record. The FAA looks at pilot records as part of every accident investigation.https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger

The FAA does not track where aircraft are based, only where they are registered.

June 25, 2024

Airline Passenger and Cargo Data

Passenger boarding and all-cargo data is collected for a full calendar year and is used in calculating airport categories and entitlements for the next full fiscal year (i.e., Calendar Year 2023 data determines Fiscal Year 2025 category and funds).

•    Preliminary Calendar Year 2023 enplanement and all-cargo data became available in June 2024.
•    Final Calendar Year 2023 enplanement and all-cargo data will be available in late August 2024.

You can find the information here.

June 24, 2024

Drones and Wildfire Fighting Operations

Flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives. When people fly drones near wildfires, fire response agencies often ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for a midair collision. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents, and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger. 

The FAA often implements Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) during emergencies to protect aircraft that are involved in the emergency operation. All other aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying in TFRs unless they receive authorization. The FAA works closely with firefighting agencies and other first responders to allow drones to operate in restricted airspace during emergencies using our expedited Special Governmental Interest (SGI) process. Learn more here.

Listen to our podcast about wildfires and aviation here.

June 21, 2024

Chicago Rockford International Airport

The FAA is working on the plans for a replacement air traffic control tower at Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). The project will receive funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We anticipate an update in the process by the end of the year.

Flight Diversions, Weather and Delays

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has data on flight diversions.

Weather is by far the largest cause of delays. The FAA’s Command Center works closely with airlines to plan for and around expected weather nationwide. On a local level, National Weather Service meteorologists housed at the FAA's 22 centers handling high-altitude traffic provide down-to-the-minute weather predictions for exact arrival and departure routes in the busiest parts of the U.S. airspace.  The FAA routes aircraft away from dangerous weather and may delay flights that are scheduled to land at or depart from airports that are experiencing severe weather.

Here are some resources with additional information:

See our press release about how the FAA is ready to get passengers safely and efficiently to their destinations this summer as it prepares for the largest number of flights in years.

The FAA’s Tools for Severe Weather Explained (youtube.com)

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/nas_ops/atcscc

How the FAA Handles Severe Summer Weather (youtube.com)

Drone Operations

FAA regulations prohibit the unsafe or unauthorized operation of any aircraft. We encourage the public to report unauthorized drone operations to local law enforcement and to help discourage this dangerous, illegal activity. We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate when appropriate.

The FAA does not have criminal prosecution authority. Drone operators who enter restricted airspace could face civil penalties that exceed $30,000.

Learn more here and here.

Visual Flight Rules Weather Minimums

VFR weather minimums are in Parts 91.155 and 91.157. Flight schools operating under Part 61 must comply with these minima. Flight schools operating under Part 141 may have additional minima established by their FAA Flight Standards District Office as part of their training curriculum. Anyone with training-related safety concerns should contact their local Flight Standards District Office or the FAA Hotline.

Commercial Human Spaceflight

The FAA commercial human spaceflight occupant safety advisory rulemaking committee, which is closed to the public, is still actively engaged in its work. The decision to extend or end the learning period is up to Congress. The FAA is prepared to act per Congressional mandate and direction. See below for additional information.

Background

Under federal law, the FAA is prohibited from regulating the safety of commercial crew and spaceflight participants. This legislative "moratorium," originally established in 2004, and extended multiple times by Congress, currently expires in January 2025. 

• In July 2023, the FAA launched an advisory rulemaking committee to solicit the input of industry and examine the development and cost of possible future regulations for commercial human spaceflight occupant safety. The committee is expected to gather recommendations from industry and other stakeholders to help the FAA plan, conceive, and implement—when the time is right—a well-informed, thoughtful, safety regulatory framework. Recommendations are expected to be submitted to the FAA in Fall 2024. 
• The FAA also updated its recommended practices that incorporated lessons learned from recent commercial human spaceflight experience and added guidelines for how operators can show compliance.
• In addition, the FAA is actively working with stakeholders to develop voluntary consensus standards for public safety and commercial human spaceflight occupant safety.

June 17, 2024

Summer Travel

The FAA’s job is to get travelers to their destination safely and efficiently. This summer will see more planes in the skies, frequent bad weather, and increased use of the nation’s airspace. We are continuously working to address these challenges.

The FAA and airlines work together to plan for expected weather impacts this summer, just as we do year-round from the FAA’s Command Center. 

Our summer travel website outlines initiatives we’ve taken to keep summer traffic safe and smooth.

Travel Delays and Weather Resources

• Check fly.faa.gov for real-time delay information at airports and across the system.
• Watch the FAA’s daily air traffic report videos for possible travel impacts.
• Learn how the FAA manages busy travel periods and find travel delay statistics.
• Learn more about what passengers can do to protect themselves from turbulence. Check out our podcast on the topic and our video.
• The FAA does not cancel flights or close airports.

Drone Regulations and Privacy Laws

Local governments establish privacy laws, and these laws are separate from FAA regulations. The FAA does not enforce local laws. People should report privacy concerns to local police.

As of June 2024, there are more than 780,000 registered drones; of those, 400,000-plus were registered for recreational purposes and 377,000 drones were registered for commercial purposes. To put this into context, that is more than three times as many registered drones as registered traditional aircraft. By 2028, we forecast that there could be more than 3 million commercial and recreational drones and more than 472,000 remote pilots.

Visit this link for more information on the FAA’s work to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System.  

June 13, 2024

Runway Incursion Statistics

The FAA recognizes the important role of the NTSB in enhancing aviation safety and the agency gives all the Board’s recommendations careful review. Our top priority is the safety of the flying public. We have seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents. The rate of serious runway incursions in the first three months of 2024 decreased by 59 percent from the same period in 2023, from 0.56 per one million airport operations to 0.23 per one million operations, and the FAA and the aviation community continue to pursue the goal of zero serious close calls.

Background

The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls. Among the initiatives to protect the traveling public:

• Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) or Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) and Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP) surface safety technologies at the nation’s busiest commercial airports.
• Runway Status Lights at scores of airports
• Approach Runway Verification in 13 control towers and at other facilities across by 2025.
• Surface Awareness Initiative systems at Austin-Bergstrom, Indianapolis, Nashville and Dallas Love Field airports by July 2024 and scores of other airports by the end of 2025.
• Runway Incursion Devices at 74 airports by 2025.
• Accelerated air traffic controller hiring.
• Runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country.
• Modernized tower simulators to improve controller training efficiently.
• New arrival alert notices for both the pilot and controller.

You can read more about our work to end serious runway incursions here.

June 11, 2024

Air Traffic Facility Funding

Stable and predictable funding is key to continuing safe and efficient operations throughout the national airspace system. The FAA appreciates Congress recently passing a 5-year reauthorization and look forward to working with them on this ongoing issue.

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP)

The FAA documents Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings whenever a pilot reports one to an air traffic control facility. If supporting information such as radar data corroborates the report, the FAA shares it with the UAP Task Force.

• Multiple U.S. government agencies have individual programs or processes to study and document UAP. However, the agencies also work collaboratively on the topic.
• The Department of Defense All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office serves as the centralized clearing house for UAP reporting impacting national security or safety.
• For additional information, contact the National UFO Reporting Center.  

June 10, 2024

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)

The FAA is at the forefront of advancing the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) not only in the United States, but also around the world. These fuels will play a critical role, alongside new aviation technologies and more efficient operations, in meeting the industry-supported goal of net-zero emissions for the aviation sector by 2050.

Please see our information here.  

June 7, 2024

NTSB Recommendations on Runway Safety

The FAA recognizes the important role of the NTSB in enhancing aviation safety and the agency gives all the Board’s recommendations careful review. Our top priority is the safety of the flying public. The rate of serious runway incursions in the first three months of 2024 decreased by 59 percent from the same period in 2023, from 0.56 per one million airport operations to 0.23 per one million operations, and the FAA and the aviation community continue to pursue the goal of zero serious close calls.

Background

The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls. Among the initiatives to protect the traveling public:

• Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) or Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) and Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP) surface safety technologies at the nation’s busiest commercial airports.
• Runway Status Lights at scores of airports
• Approach Runway Verification in 13 control towers and at other facilities across by 2025.
• Surface Awareness Initiative systems at Austin-Bergstrom, Indianapolis, Nashville and Dallas Love Field airports by July 2024 and scores of other airports by the end of 2025.
• Runway Incursion Devices at 74 airports by 2025.
• Accelerated air traffic controller hiring
• Runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country.
• Modernized tower simulators to improve controller training efficiently.
• New arrival alert notices for both the pilot and controller

You can read more about our work to end serious runway incursions here.

June 6, 2024

Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act of 2020

We’re continuing to make progress addressing the ACSAA requirements. Here are the updates since we last provided you information in early April. Also, please see our most recent Boeing press release.

Section 102, Safety Management Systems

We published our Safety Management System (SMS) final rule on April 26, 2024. On April 29, we published guidance for design and manufacturing organizations that must comply with the rule. On May 1, 2024, we published new guidance for FAA personnel who oversee compliance with the SMS requirements.

Section 117, Changed Product Rule

We established the Change Product Rule (CPR) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on April 15, 2024. Its objective is to identify possible new rulemaking and FAA policy and guidance to ensure we have the safest possible certification approach for products that differ from the original product we certified. One example of a changed product would be a new or revised flight control system in a previously certified model of aircraft.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)

For the most part, drone operators must still fly their aircraft within line of sight or with additional visual observers.

The FAA remains focused on developing standard rules to make BVLOS operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021, to provide safety recommendations to the FAA. We are reviewing their final report.

Unruly Passengers

The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy toward unruly passengers. Federal law prohibits passengers from consuming alcohol aboard a plane that isn't served by a flight attendant.

Federal regulations state "no person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember's duties aboard an aircraft being operated." Failing to obey a flight attendant’s safety instructions constitutes interfering with a crewmember.

Please see our latest press release about referring the most serious unruly passenger cases to the FBI.

We’re also aggressively getting the word out about what can happen to people who engage in this dangerous behavior. Here’s a link to memes we developed. Visit this link to view other PSAs and digital airport signage we produced about this issue.

The data on our unruly passenger website shows the trend in the rate of incidents.                                                  

June 5, 2024

Extending Slot Usage for New York Airports

The FAA is extending a limited waiver of slot usage at airports in the New York City area – John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airports – through the end of the Summer 2025 scheduling season. The FAA is also extending flexibility for impacted flights operating between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New York airports.

The FAA is taking several measures to help ease congestion-related delays due to high demand and staffing shortfalls at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (N90).  Air traffic controller hiring is one of our top priorities, and we are on track to hire 1,800 controllers this year, 300 more than last year. Currently, there are not enough certified controllers at N90 to allow the FAA to handle normal traffic levels. To improve efficiency and ensure safety in this region, we plan for the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Tower/TRACON to take over the Newark airspace.

The FAA is receptive to carriers’ requests for slot usage flexibility and the agency expects that airlines will use this opportunity to operate larger aircraft, transporting more passengers. This, in turn, will require sufficient ground crews to service the larger aircraft and ensure passengers are fully informed about any possible disruptions.

Background:

The limited waiver, which remains in effect until October 25, 2025, is a regulatory measure. It extends the Summer 2023 waiver and allows carriers to reduce schedules at the New York airports by 10 percent without penalties for non-use of slots or previously approved operating times, providing them with more operational flexibility.

A slot is an FAA authorization to conduct an operation (either one take-off or one landing) at a constrained airport during a specific period. FAA rules or orders allocate slots at specified capacity-constrained airports.

June 5, 2024

SpaceX Starship Flight 4

The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.

The FAA has approved a license authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 4. SpaceX met all safety and other licensing requirements for this test flight. The modified license can be found here.

As part of its request for license modification, SpaceX proposed three scenarios involving the Starship entry that would not require an investigation in the event of the loss of the vehicle. The FAA approved the scenarios as test induced damage exceptions after evaluating them as part of the flight safety and flight hazard analyses and confirming they met public safety requirements. If a different anomaly occurs with the Starship vehicle an investigation may be warranted as well as if an anomaly occurs with the Super Heavy booster rocket.

Background

The Test Induced Damage Exception identifies test objectives associated with certain flight events and system components of the Starship vehicle. The three approved exceptions include: failure of the thermal shield during high-heating; the flap system is unable to provide sufficient control under high dynamic pressure; and the failure of the Raptor engine system during the landing burn. If one of these scenarios occurs, an investigation will not be required provided there was no serious injury or fatality, no damage to unrelated property and no debris outside designated hazard areas.

In addition, the FAA approved the mission profile that included a controlled and uncontrolled entry of the Starship vehicle. If SpaceX chooses to execute an uncontrolled entry, it must communicate that decision to the FAA prior to launch. As such, the loss of the Starship vehicle would be considered a planned event and an investigation will not be required. 

Contact SpaceX for additional information.

SpaceX Starship Flight 3

The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.

 After a comprehensive review, the FAA determined no public safety issues were involved in the anomaly that occurred during the SpaceX Starship OFT-3 launch on March 14. This public safety determination means the Starship vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

The FAA notified SpaceX on May 24 of the positive public safety determination.

Background

When a public safety determination request is received, the FAA evaluates safety-critical systems, the nature and consequences of the anomaly, the adequacy of existing flight safety analysis, safety organization performance, and environmental factors. If the FAA agrees no public safety issues were involved, the vehicle may return to flight while the investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

2014 FAA Report on Aviation Cybersecurity

The FAA has a comprehensive approach to protect the National Airspace System from cybersecurity threats. The agency works closely with intelligence and security experts throughout the federal government to identify and mitigate potential risks to our systems, as well as those of our partners in the private sector.

June 4, 2024

Drone and Local Laws

The FAA is responsible for the safety of our National Airspace System. This includes all airspace from the ground up. While local laws or ordinances may restrict where drones can take off or land, they cannot restrict where a drone can fly.

It’s illegal under federal law to shoot at an aircraft. A private citizen shooting at any aircraft – including unmanned aircraft – poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air. Shooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement. Here is a link to the applicable federal law.

Visit this link for more information on the FAA’s work to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System.

Indianapolis Downtown Heliport

The FAA’s policy is to strengthen the national airports system. The FAA has not made a final decision on the Indianapolis Airport Authority's proposal to close the Indianapolis Downtown Heliport.

Background

When considering a request to close an airport permanently, the FAA must follow all relevant laws, regulations, and policies, including the guidelines in FAA Order 5190.6B. The FAA's review considers all federal obligations and grant assurances of the airport, and the sponsor must show how the closure will benefit civil aviation.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority first requested to close the heliport on Jan. 29, 2021. As part of the FAA's process for considering such requests, we published a notice in the Federal Register on Feb. 7, 2023, and received 270 public comments. The FAA is evaluating the proposal and reviewing federal obligations. There is no set timeframe for completing our review.

GPS Spoofing

The FAA works with international civil aviation authorities to address GPS spoofing and jamming by sharing information and issuing Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) to inform pilots about potential disruptions to navigation systems. We issued a NOTAM about possible GPS jamming around Jordan on May 5, 2024.

SpaceX Starship launches from Boca Chica, Texas

The FAA issued a commercial space reentry license to Varda Space after completing an assessment of potential environmental impacts and evaluating all other applicable regulatory requirements. This authorizes Varda Space to conduct a reentry operation for its Winnebago capsule currently in orbit. The landing and recovery location is the U.S. military’s Utah Test and Training Range. Contact Varda Space for additional information about its mission.

Lindsay Gellman with The Cut, which is a New York Magazine website, continued to ask about child safety on airliners in connection with this week’s Singapore Airlines severe-turbulence event. She asked why a 1995 FAA report to Congress cited safety and financial considerations for airlines in arguing against requiring that all children under age 2 have their own seats. We said: Until the late 1990s, the FAA had a dual mandate to ensure safety and to promote aviation. Congress removed the aviation-promotion mandate in 1996 so our mandate now is only safety. While our 1995 Report to Congress does mention financial considerations for airlines in addition to safety, our position on the issue today is strictly based on safety, specifically the findings from two post-9/11 studies. 

Congressional Aviation Promotion Mandate

Until the late 1990s, the FAA had a dual mandate to ensure safety and to promote aviation. Congress removed the aviation-promotion mandate in 1996 so our mandate now is only safety. While our 1995 Report to Congress does mention financial considerations for airlines in addition to safety, our position on the issue today is strictly based on safety, specifically the findings from the two post-9/11 studies I referenced earlier.

May 30, 2024

Aviation Safety Statistics

Aviation is the safest way to travel and that’s because we never take anything for granted. The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls, and we have seen a recent drop in the rate of serious runway incidents. Serious runway incursions have been trending downward, from 0.42 per 1 million airport operations in FY23, to 0.28 per 1 million airport operations in FY24 through February, a 33% decrease. Here are some initiatives we are working to protect the traveling public:

• Holding regular runway safety action team meetings at airports across the country. 
• We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.
• We are exploring runway safety technologies that provide capabilities to improve controller situational awareness and reduce runway incursions.
• We are working on arrival alert notices for both the pilot and controller
• We will implement the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system at four airports by July 2024. This tool uses data that will display surface traffic to controllers at airports that do not have a surface surveillance tool
• We are deploying a new surface safety tool, called Approach Runway Verification (ARV), which provides an audible and visual alert to controllers if an approaching aircraft is lined up to land on the wrong airport surface, or even the wrong airport.

You can read more about our work to end serious close calls here. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation controls the slot selection process. Learn more here:

https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/competition-data-analysis/slots-exemptions

For additional information, contact DOT Public Affairs at pressoffice@dot.gov

Traveling with Pets

The FAA’s safety regulations apply to humans only. A pet in a carrier case would be carry-on baggage.

FAA regulations require all carry-on items to be stored in a suitable closet, overhead bin or under the seat during taxi, takeoff and landing and any other time the cabin or flight crew identifies. Individual airlines have FAA-approved carry-on baggage programs through which they comply with these regulations. You should check with individual airlines for information on their approved carry-on baggage programs. Passengers must follow all crewmembers’ safety instructions. FAA regulations require all carry-on items to be stored in a suitable closet, overhead bin or under the seat during taxi, takeoff and landing and any other time the cabin or flight crew identifies. Individual airlines have FAA-approved carry-on baggage programs through which they comply with these regulations. You should check with individual airlines for information on their approved carry-on baggage programs. Passengers must follow all crewmembers’ safety instructions.

Amazon BVLOS Authorization

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA.

The FAA recently authorized the removal of visual observers for Amazon’s beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) Part 135 operations that had been previously approved with the use of visual observers in College Station, Texas. The Amazon exemptions 18602D and 18601C can be found at www.regulations.gov. 

The FAA is focused on developing standard rules to make BVLOS operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021, to provide safety recommendations to the FAA. We are reviewing their final report.

May 28, 2024

Summer Travel

The FAA’s job is to get travelers to their destination safely and efficiently. This summer will see more planes in the skies, frequent bad weather, and increased use of the nation’s airspace. We are continuously working to address these challenges.

To prepare for this holiday weekend, the FAA and airlines worked together to plan for expected weather impacts, just as we do year-round from FAA’s Command Center. As FAA Administrator Whitaker says, “While we can’t control the weather – which is the number one reason for delays – we plan for and work around convective conditions. And to improve safety and enhance efficient operations on the runway, we are installing innovative new surface surveillance technologies at airports around the nation.”

Travel Delays and Weather Resources

• Check fly.faa.gov for real-time delay information at airports and across the system.
• Watch the FAA’s daily air traffic report videos for possible travel impacts.
• Learn how the FAA manages busy travel periods and find travel delay statistics.
• Learn more about what passengers can do to protect themselves from turbulence. Check out our podcast on the topic and our video.
• The FAA does not cancel flights or close airports.

Turbulence Statistics

The FAA has a long history of working with operators to prevent turbulence injuries. Information about the FAA’s efforts, and what passengers can do to protect themselves, is available here.

The turbulence statistics on our website are National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data and reflect serious injuries on U.S. airlines only.
The NTSB requires U.S. airlines to report serious injuries and fatalities. The FAA tracks these reports, but not general incidents of turbulence.

Check out our podcast on the topic and our video.

Additionally, the FAA through a contract with the National Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAR) developed a turbulence “nowcast” that provides rapidly updated, 15-minute turbulence forecasts so pilots and airline dispatchers can make tactical decisions on how to avoid it. A beta version of the product is available from NCAR for airlines and other stakeholders.

SpaceX Starship OFT-3

The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.

After a comprehensive review, the FAA determined no public safety issues were involved in the anomaly that occurred during the SpaceX Starship OFT-3 launch on March 14. This public safety determination means the Starship vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX has not yet received FAA license authorization for the next Starship launch. 

The FAA notified SpaceX on May 24 of the positive public safety determination.

Background

When a public safety determination request is received, the FAA evaluates safety-critical systems, the nature and consequences of the anomaly, the adequacy of existing flight safety analysis, safety organization performance, and environmental factors. If the FAA agrees no public safety issues were involved, the vehicle may return to flight while the investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

Downtown Miami Airspace Hazard Evaluation

Under federal law, developers must give the FAA the opportunity to evaluate proposed structures near airports to determine whether they could pose a hazard to aircraft or interfere with navigation aids. If the FAA determines the structure height would be a presumed hazard, we try to negotiate a lower height with the developer. If the FAA determines the structure would interfere with navigation aids, we try to negotiate other mitigations with the developer. There is no set timeframe for the FAA’s reviews.

The FAA’s determination is a recommendation and is not binding. The FAA does not have the authority to limit building heights, and the decision to issue a building permit is up to the local government. Although the FAA does not issue or deny building permits, it encourages those with land use authority to consider the agency’s determinations in making zoning and permitting decisions. Additionally, many local governments and states have laws that prohibit issuing building permits if the FAA determines a structure would pose a hazard to air navigation.

For background, here is a link to information on our obstruction evaluation process: https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/portal.jsp

May 24, 2024

Archer Aviation’s Model M001 electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft

The FAA finalized the airworthiness criteria for Archer Aviation’s Model M001 electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

 This is the second eVTOL for which the FAA issued final airworthiness criteria, which are the design, construction, and maintenance standards an aircraft must meet to be safe for flight.

 The FAA issued the proposed airworthiness criteria for public comment in December 2022. The agency reviewed and adjudicated 763 comments before issuing the final criteria.

Pilot Mental Health

The FAA is committed to prioritizing the mental health of pilots. 

The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental-health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying. In fact, only about 0.1% of medical certificate applicants who disclose health issues are denied.
 
On Dec. 5, 2023, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker announced that the agency officially established the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee (ARC). 

The ARC provided recommendations to the FAA on ways to identify and break down any remaining barriers that discourage pilots from reporting and seeking care for mental health issues. The ARC also considered the same issues for FAA air traffic controllers. The FAA will determine next steps after reviewing the recommendations. 

Committee members included U.S aviation industry trade associations, pilot and air traffic controllers representative organizations, academia, and medical professionals.

The committee's work builds on the FAA's pilot mental health priorities.

Pilot Medical Certifications and How Mental Health is Assessed

• The FAA’s regulations require airline pilots to undergo a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) every six months to five years, depending on the type of flying they do and their age.
• Aviation Medical Examiners are trained to determine the pilot’s mental health and fitness to fly. 
  • Before this medical exam, pilots are required to report any health professional visits during the previous three years, all medications being taken, and other medical history on their medical application form. This form includes questions about mental health.
  • During this examination, pilots must disclose all existing physical and psychological conditions and medications.
• Based on the answers on the form and the examination, an AME may ask further questions about mental health conditions or symptoms. 

The AME can request additional psychological testing or defer the application to the Office of Aerospace Medicine if he or she is concerned that further evaluation is necessary. Commercial airlines often have their own mental health screenings and requirements.

Additional FAA Oversight

• If the FAA receives information from another source that a pilot may have a mental health condition, the Office of Aerospace Medicine can direct the pilot to provide specific documentation and/or a psychiatric and psychological evaluation from a mental health care professional, in order to make a determination about the pilot's suitability for certification.
• If a pilot experiences an incident that appears medically related, the FAA will request additional medical information.
• In 2016, the Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) provided several recommendations to the FAA about pilot medical fitness. The ARC was established to evaluate pilot mental health, after the German Wings 9525 incident. The FAA has acted on several of those recommendations, including:
  • Expand training in mental health issues provided to AMEs in the AME Basic and Refresher seminars. The FAA has done this. 
  • Encourage Pilot Peer Support programs organized by airlines and unions. The FAA has done this and also provides additional mental health training to peer support volunteers.

How the FAA is Reducing the Stigma of Mental Health, Helping Pilots Receive Care

• The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.
  • However, certain medical conditions such as a psychosis, bipolar disorder and some types of personality disorder automatically disqualify a pilot from obtaining an FAA medical certificate.
• During the last several years, the FAA has invested a number of resources to eliminate the stigma around mental health in the aviation community so pilots seek treatment. This includes:
  • Increased mental health training for medical examiners
  • Supported industry-wide research and clinical studies on pilot mental health
  • Hired additional mental health professionals to expand in-house expertise and to decrease wait times for return-to-fly decisions
  • Completed clinical research and amended policy to decrease the frequency of cognitive testing in pilots using antidepressant medications
  • Increased outreach to pilot groups to educate them on the resources available
  • Developed a plan to support individuals on special issuance for substance dependence. The plan allows the agency to provide long-term support for pilots in recovery.

Additional Background

• Listen to a FAA podcast about pilot mental health featuring Dr. Northrup, the FAA's Federal Air Surgeon here.
• View the FAA fact sheet on pilot mental health oversight here. 

Carry-On Regulations 

FAA regulations require all carry-on items to be stored in a suitable closet, overhead bin or under the seat during taxi, takeoff and landing. Individual airlines have FAA-approved carry-on baggage programs through which they comply with these regulations. You should check with individual airlines for information on their approved carry-on baggage programs.

May 23, 2024

FAA Statement Child Safety

The FAA has not mandated seats for children under age 2 based on studies that concluded the cost of paying for these seats would prompt some families to travel by road, which is a less safe mode of transportation. This remains the FAA’s position.

Background

The specific studies are:

The Impact of 9/11 on Driving Fatalities: The Other Lives Lost to Terrorism – Garrick Blalock, Vrinda Kadiyali and Daniel Simon (Cornell University)

This study concluded the modal transfer from airlines to highways after Sept. 11 caused 242 additional fatalities per month through December 2001 and a total of 1,2000 additional fatalities through 2002.

Consequences for Road Fatalities of the Reduction in Flying Following September 11, 2001 – Michael Flannagan and Michael Sivak (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute)

This study concluded the modal transfer from airlines to highways caused 1,108 additional road fatalities in the first three months after Sept. 11.

The FAA first explained its rationale in this 1995 report to Congress. 

Air Traffic Control Shortage

The FAA’s annual update to the Controller Workforce Plan includes the latest analysis and projections for building and maintaining the staffing levels necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). The agency is taking aggressive action to hire and train more air traffic controllers. You can find staffing numbers for each facility on page 53.

• In 2023, we hired 1,500 controllers and this year we will hire 1,800.
• We're increasing the controller training pipeline by authorizing institutions in the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, which will allow for immediate facility training upon graduation.
• We have a year-round hiring opportunity for experienced controllers from the military and private industry.
• We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.

Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Boeing 777

The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Boeing 777 airplanes.

The proposed AD, which the FAA issued in March 2024, would require installing electrical bonding and grounding to a component in the center fuel tank. It would make mandatory service actions that Boeing described in a November 2023 alert bulletin.

The AD would affect approximately 292 U.S.-registered airplanes.

May 22, 2024

Turbulence Injuries

The FAA has a long history of working with operators to prevent turbulence injuries. Information about the FAA’s efforts, and what passengers can do to protect themselves, is available here.

Check out our podcast on the topic and our video.

Additionally, the FAA through a contract with the National Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAR) developed a turbulence “nowcast” that provides rapidly updated, 15-minute turbulence forecasts so pilots and airline dispatchers can make tactical decisions on how to avoid it. A beta version of the product is available from NCAR for airlines and other stakeholders.

We will work to implement provisions of the Reauthorization Act, including Section 321: Reducing turbulence-related injuries on Part 121 aircraft operations.

SpaceX Starship Launch

The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations. On April 5, SpaceX requested that the FAA make a public safety determination as part of the ongoing investigation into the Starship OFT-3 mishap event. The FAA is reviewing the request and will be guided by data and safety at every step of the process.

Learn more about the FAA Mishap Response Program.

Background

When a public safety determination request is received, the FAA evaluates safety-critical systems, the nature and consequences of the mishap, the adequacy of existing flight safety analysis, safety organization performance, and environmental factors. If the FAA agrees no public safety issues were involved in the mishap, the operator may return to flight while the mishap investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

Pre-Flight Weather Briefings 

FAA regulations require pilots to obtain weather reports and forecasts. The FAA does not prefer one weather source over another, nor do we define a “legal weather briefing”. It is up to the Pilot in Command (PIC) to use a weather source that best suits their needs and allows them to meet the preflight planning requirements.

May 21, 2024

Air Traffic Control Hiring

“The airlines’ lobby is out of step with its own data. Cancellation rates are down to 1.3% and trending lower than they’ve been in recent years. What’s more, the industry’s own data shows that weather and airline issues cause far more delays than air traffic control capacity,” said FAA Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson. “The FAA is focused on the safety of the flying public. Rather than funding publicity stunts, we’d welcome support in a serious effort to help recruit more controllers. It’s an excellent career, and you can learn more about it at faa.gov.”

Background

• Working collaboratively with US air carriers, airline cancellations are trending lower in 2024 than in 2023 and 2022. So far this year the cancellation rate is 1.3 percent, well below average as the DOT holds airlines accountable and increases consumer protections. This comes as travel demand remains elevated.
• FAA data shows that in 2024, 62 percent of delays have been due to weather, 19 percent to volume, 17 percent due to runway capacity, and just 0. 6 percent due to air traffic controller staffing.
• After a decade of a decline in the air traffic control workforce, this administration has taken unprecedented and aggressive action to recruit new controllers. Last year, we surpassed our goal to hire 1,500 controllers; this year we will hire 1,800; and we plan to hire even more – at least 2,000 – in 2025. We are filling every seat at the Academy, conducting advanced training at regional facilities, hiring more experienced controllers from the military and industry year-round, and expediting the onboarding process for new hires. We're also increasing the controller training pipeline by authorizing institutions in the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, which will allow for immediate facility training upon graduation.
• The FY25 Budget requests $43.0 million to continue the controller hiring and training surge initiated in FY 2023.  This funding will allow FAA to hire and train 2,000 controllers in FY 2025, helping to rebuild the pipeline of Certified Professional Controllers to meet current and future traffic demands.
• As always, we will keep the flying public informed with frequent updates. Please continue to check airspace status here and learn how the FAA is prepared for the busiest summer in many years.

SpaceX Starship Launch

The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations. Today, SpaceX requested that the FAA make a public safety determination as part of the ongoing investigation into the Starship OFT-3 mishap event. The FAA is reviewing the request and will be guided by data and safety at every step of the process.

Learn more about the FAA Mishap Response Program.

Background

When a public safety determination request is received, the FAA evaluates safety-critical systems, the nature and consequences of the mishap, the adequacy of existing flight safety analysis, safety organization performance, and environmental factors. If the FAA agrees no public safety issues were involved in the mishap, the operator may return to flight while the mishap investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

Blue Origin NS-25

The FAA issued the Blue Origin New Shepard license under Part 431 which uses the mishap definition found in 14 CFR § 401.5.

The FAA is committed to protecting the safety and health of passengers and cabin crews on our nation's airlines. The FAA has strict cabin air standards, and studies have shown cabin air is as good as or better than the air found in offices and homes.

Questions and Answers 

Why does condensation sometimes appear in airplane cabins, I understand it's linked with humidity and usually happens when airplanes have been sitting at the gate in hot climates?

Whenever air temperature reaches the dew point and there’s sufficient humidity, fog (or condensation) will form. On hot and relatively humid days, cold air from the aircraft’s air conditioning system mixes with the warmer, humid cabin air and lowers it to the dew point, creating fog. The fog is generally short lived as the cooled air quickly warms above the dew point. This is why you see the fog coming from the vents, but not filling up the cabin.

Is this phenomenon linked to how the air conditioning vents system works? If so, how?

Yes. On the ground, aircraft cabins are cooled either from an external ground air conditioning unit or the aircraft’s own Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). Both provide cold air (usually much cooler than the ambient temperature) which can temporarily lower the dew point of the aircraft cabin air enough to create fog.

I understand the "fog" usually dissipated very quickly. How long does it usually last?

Aircraft cabin fog usually dissipates very quickly. This is due to the colder air (which lowered the cabin air temperature to its dew point) quickly warms back above the dew point. Once that happens, the fog will disappear. Many times, the fog only appears as it comes out of the vent, exists for 1-2 seconds and then is gone.

Unauthorized Drone Operations

The FAA looks into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigates when appropriate. Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines that exceed $30,000. In addition, we can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates. 

The agency works with federal and local law enforcement partners to educate them about how to respond to unsafe or unauthorized drone operations. FAA personnel in the 77 local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) across the country perform investigations and when necessary, take appropriate enforcement actions.

Harvey Field Airport

The runway at Harvey Field Airport does not comply with FAA design standards based on the aircraft that are operating there. The airport plans to reconstruct the runway within the next few years and must build it in accordance with FAA standards to receive Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for the project. 

Most airfield pavements last approximately 20 years after construction. Maintenance and rehabilitation projects are common, interim steps to extend the useful life of the pavements while airports complete the planning, environmental and administrative requirements associated with a project such as this. 

The airport is in the early project planning phase which includes conducting an environmental analysis of potential impacts and required mitigations associated with the proposed runway reconstruction. The NPIAS entry is a general summary of costs for this project and other projects at the airport. 

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

The FAA is reviewing the Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport Authority’s rebuttal. The agency has not made a final determination on the sale of Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport to the New College of Florida.

May 20, 2024

Voluntary Reporting Program for Safety

We’re still compiling the 2023 survey results, which will be reported to Congress. Based on the 2022 results, we improved feedback mechanisms under the Voluntary Safety Reporting Program for aviation safety employees. We also worked with managers to stress the importance of following up with employees on the results of compliance actions.

SpaceX Starship OFT-3

The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations. Today, SpaceX requested that the FAA make a public safety determination as part of the ongoing investigation into the Starship OFT-3 mishap event. The FAA is reviewing the request and will be guided by data and safety at every step of the process.

Learn more about the FAA Mishap Response Program.

Pilot Mental Fitness

• The FAA is committed to prioritizing the mental health of pilots.
• The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental-health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying. In fact, only about 0.1% of medical certificate applicants who disclose health issues are denied.
• On Dec. 5, 2023, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker announced that the agency officially established the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
• The ARC provided recommendations to the FAA on ways to identify and break down any remaining barriers that discourage pilots from reporting and seeking care for mental health issues. The ARC also considered the same issues for FAA air traffic controllers. The FAA will determine next steps after reviewing the recommendations.
• Committee members included U.S aviation industry trade associations, pilot and air traffic controllers representative organizations, academia, and medical professionals.
• The committee's work builds on the FAA's pilot mental health priorities.

Pilot Medical Certifications and How Mental Health is Assessed

The FAA’s regulations require airline pilots to undergo a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) every six months to five years, depending on the type of flying they do and their age.

• Aviation Medical Examiners are trained to determine the pilot’s mental health and fitness to fly. 
• Before this medical exam, pilots are required to report any health professional visits during the previous three years, all medications being taken, and other medical history on their medical application form. This form includes questions about mental health.
• During this examination, pilots must disclose all existing physical and psychological conditions and medications.
• Based on the answers on the form and the examination, an AME may ask further questions about mental health conditions or symptoms.
• The AME can request additional psychological testing, or defer the application to the Office of Aerospace Medicine if he or she is concerned that further evaluation is necessary. Commercial airlines often have their own mental health screenings and requirements.

Additional FAA Oversight

• If the FAA receives information from another source that a pilot may have a mental health condition, the Office of Aerospace Medicine can direct the pilot to provide specific documentation and/or a psychiatric and psychological evaluation from a mental health care professional, in order to make a determination about the pilot's suitability for certification.
• If a pilot experiences an incident that appears medically related, the FAA will request additional medical information.
• In 2016, the Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) provided several recommendations to the FAA about pilot medical fitness. The ARC was established to evaluate pilot mental health, after the German Wings 9525 incident.

The FAA has acted on several of those recommendations, including:

• Expand training in mental health issues provided to AMEs in the AME Basic and Refresher seminars. The FAA has done this.
• Encourage Pilot Peer Support programs organized by airlines and unions. The FAA has done this and also provides additional mental health training to peer support volunteers.

How the FAA is Reducing the Stigma of Mental Health, Helping Pilots Receive Care

• The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.
• However, certain medical conditions such as a psychosis, bipolar disorder and some types of personality disorder automatically disqualify a pilot from obtaining an FAA medical certificate.
• Former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson addressed pilot mental health at the University of North Dakota Mental Health Summit.

During the last several years, the FAA has invested a number of resources to eliminate the stigma around mental health in the aviation community so pilots seek treatment. This includes:

• Increased mental Health training for medical examiners
• Supported industry-wide research and clinical studies on pilot mental health.
• Hired additional mental health professionals to expand in-house expertise and to decrease wait times for return-to-fly decisions.
• The FAA developed a plan to support individuals on special issuance for substance dependence. The plan allows the agency to provide long-term support for pilots in recovery.
• Completed clinical research and amended policy to decrease the frequency of cognitive testing in pilots using antidepressant medications.
• Increased outreach to pilot groups to educate them on the resources available.

Additional Background

• Listen to a FAA podcast about pilot mental health featuring Dr. Northrup, the FAA's Federal Air Surgeon here.
   
• View the FAA fact sheet on pilot mental health oversight here. 

May 17, 2024

Statement on Reauthorization

The FAA is grateful to have a long-term, bipartisan reauthorization bill and we look forward to implementing all provisions.

Statement on Boeing 

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker made it clear “this won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing." The company must commit to real and profound improvements, and we will hold them accountable every step of the way. We will continue our aggressive oversight of Boeing and ensure the company comprehensively addresses the findings of our recent audit and the recommendations from the expert ODA panel.

Background

Actions the FAA took as part of its aggressive oversight of Boeing and its suppliers:

• Immediately grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. 
• Increased onsite inspector presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas.
• Halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX.
• Mandated a comprehensive action plan from Boeing to address its production issues, giving the company 90 days to complete this critical plan. The plan must address the findings of the FAA’s production-line audit as well as the findings from the expert review panel report that examined the company’s safety culture. The FAA will ensure Boeing follows through on every corrective action.
• Exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems. 
• Administrator Whitaker visited to Boeing’s factory floor in Renton, Washington, to see the 737 production line and hear directly from Boeing engineers, mechanics, and others about quality control processes. He has actively encouraged all whistleblower complaints, and the FAA investigates every single one.
• Concluded an audit of Boeing’s production line that went above and beyond FAA’s standard inspection process. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. Our audit is complete but it is part of an ongoing investigation, and we cannot release further details.
• The FAA continues to issue airworthiness certificates for every newly produced Boeing 737 MAX.

Statement on United Airlines' Routes or Fleets

The FAA has not approved any expansion of United Airlines' routes or fleets. The Certificate Holder Evaluation Program that the FAA is conducting for United is ongoing and safety will determine the timeline for completing it.

Statement on GPS Spoofing

The FAA works with international civil aviation authorities to address GPS spoofing and jamming by sharing information and issuing Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) to inform pilots about potential disruptions to navigation systems. We issued a NOTAM about possible GPS jamming around Jordan on May 5, 2024. A copy of the NOTAM is attached.

May 16, 2024

FAA Statement

The FAA has not approved any expansion of United Airlines' routes or fleets. The Certificate Holder Evaluation Program that the FAA is conducting for United is ongoing and safety will determine the timeline for completing it.

Background

Additionally, the agency is requiring FAA personnel to be present when United conducts final inspections of newly delivered aircraft that are replacing older models.

FAA Statement

The FAA’s investigation of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems is ongoing and we do not comment on open investigations. As FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has said: “This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing. They must commit to real and profound improvements. Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way.”

Background

Actions the FAA took as part of its aggressive oversight of Boeing and its suppliers:

• Immediately grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. 
• Increased onsite inspector presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas.
• Halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX.
• Mandated a comprehensive action plan from Boeing to address its production issues, giving the company 90 days to complete this critical plan. The plan must address the findings of the FAA’s production-line audit as well as the findings from the expert review panel report that examined the company’s safety culture. The FAA will ensure Boeing follows through on every corrective action.
• Exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems. 
• Administrator Whitaker visited to Boeing’s factory floor in Renton, Washington, to see the 737 production line and hear directly from Boeing engineers, mechanics, and others about quality control processes. He has actively encouraged all whistleblower complaints, and the FAA investigates every single one.
• Concluded an audit of Boeing’s production line that went above and beyond FAA’s standard inspection process. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. Our audit is complete but it is part of an ongoing investigation, and we cannot release further details.
• The FAA continues to issue airworthiness certificates for every newly produced Boeing 737 MAX.

May 15, 2024

FAA Reauthorization

Statement from FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker:

I am grateful to Congress for passing this long-term bipartisan legislation, which allows for more runway safety technology, more air traffic controllers, and stronger oversight of aircraft production. It gives us the stability to ensure we carry out our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world, even as we facilitate the aviation system of the future.

Surface Detection Technology

The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls. The FAA has seen a recent drop in serious runway incidents.

In the first three months of 2024, the rate of serious runway incursions (Category A and B) decreased by 59 percent from the same period in 2023, from 0.56 per one million airport operations to 0.23 per one million operations.

Background:

The FAA installed ASDE-X or ASSC at 44 of the nation’s busiest commercial airports.

The FAA installed Approach Runway Verification in 13 control towers and will deploy ARV at other facilities across the nation throughout the rest of the year and into 2025.

We plan to install the Surface Awareness Initiative system at Austin-Bergstrom, Indianapolis, Nashville and Dallas Love Field airports by July 2024 and scores of other airports will receive it by the end of 2025. 

We plan to install Runway Incursion Devices at five airports for an operational evaluation by November 2024, and deploy them to 74 airports beginning in 2025.

Controller Workforce Plan

The FAA’s annual update to the Controller Workforce Plan includes the latest analysis and projections for building and maintaining the staffing levels necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). The agency is taking aggressive action to hire and train more air traffic controllers.

In 2023, we hired 1,500 controllers and this year we will hire 1,800.

We're increasing the controller training pipeline by authorizing institutions in the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, which will allow for immediate facility training upon graduation.

We have a year-round hiring opportunity for experienced controllers from the military and private industry.

We are enhancing training with modernized simulators to help us get new hires through training more efficiently.

New York TRACON Newark Sector Move to Philadelphia

Safety is the FAA’s highest priority for both the flying public and our workforce. The New York City-area airspace is one of the most complex and congested in the world. To improve efficiency and ensure safety in this region, the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Tower/TRACON will take over the Newark airspace later this summer.

We continue to work with our labor partners to ensure that the transfer of employees is equitable and beneficial to controllers and stakeholders, and work is safely and appropriately staffed.

The transfer to Philadelphia is one of several significant measures the FAA has taken to relieve congestion on behalf of the flying public in the New York airspace.

Space X Kennedy Space Center

SpaceX does not have an FAA-issued license to launch the Starship vehicle from Kennedy Space Center. As explained in the Notice of Intent, the 2019 environmental assessment led by NASA reviewed a different operational proposal with different impacts and fewer planned operations.

SpaceX has significantly revised its proposed plans necessitating the need to conduct the more comprehensive environmental impact statement for purposes of obtaining an FAA-issued Vehicle Operator License.

The June 12 and 13 public scoping meetings will not be livestreamed. The FAA will post materials on the project website in advance of the meetings.

The June 17 meeting will be virtual. The FAA will post the link on the project website in advance.

Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Certification

Each certification project is unique and safety always determines the timeline. We do not comment on pending certification projects.

May 14, 2024

Advanced Air Mobility Implementation Plan

Last year, the FAA released a comprehensive implementation plan detailing the steps it and others will need to take to safely enable advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in the near term. The plan includes a section on community engagement and discusses the roles communities will play.

As part of this process, the FAA last month hosted a webinar offering guidance to industry, state/local government and the public about their roles in AAM community engagement. The webinar highlighted stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities as communities consider AAM operations, and emphasized the FAA’s primary role in safely integrating AAM and controlling the airspace.

Additional community engagement guidance is in the links below.

Planning for Advanced Air Mobility, March 2024

Advanced Air Mobility and Community Outreach: A Primer for Successful Stakeholder Engagement, 2024

Advanced Air Mobility Community Integration Considerations Playbook, May 2023

Illegal Air Charters

Illegal air charters pose a serious safety hazard to the traveling public. We work aggressively to identify and shut down rogue operators and to help passengers ensure the company they hire is legitimate. It's important people verify the legitimacy of their charter operator before booking their flight, and the FAA has tools to help passengers do that.

WHY ARE ILLEGAL CHARTERS DANGEROUS?

• Charters require a higher level of FAA pilot training and certification, aircraft maintenance, and operational safety rules, than pilots who may take family or friends for an airplane ride.
• FAA inspectors perform more frequent checks on charter companies’ pilots and aircraft than they do on private pilot operations. And charter companies’ crewmembers must undergo regular proficiency checks.
• By avoiding the training, maintenance and safety-program costs that legal operators incur, illegal operators are able to undercut the prices legitimate operators charge. But they’re also undercutting safety and threatening their passengers’ lives.

WHAT HAS THE FAA DONE?

• The FAA has taken a number of actions to ensure FAA aviation inspectors are equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to investigate illegal charter operations:
  • Formed a Special Emphasis Investigations Team to investigate complex cases.
  • Partners with the National Air Transportation Association (NATA)'s Air Charter Safety Foundation to help identify possible illegal operations
  • Collaborates with industry trade associations to educate pilots and operators to ensure they understand the rules.
  • Provides passengers with extensive resources, including a list of legal/licensed air charter operators.

WHAT CAN PASSENGERS DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?

• When paying for an Air Charter, passengers should ask to see the company’s Air Carrier or Operating Certificate to confirm the aircraft is authorized for charter use. If the operator refuses to allow you to see the required authorization, look for a charter operator willing to provide you with that information.
• Before entering into an aircraft lease, ensure you understand and are willing to accept your responsibilities for compliance with air safety regulations.

WHAT ARE THE RED FLAGS?

• If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
• If the company provides the aircraft and at least one crewmember yet attempts to transfer operational control to the passenger.
• No Federal Excise Tax charge. Legitimate operators have to charge this.
• A lack of a safety briefing or passenger briefing cards.
• Any evasiveness to questions or concerns. Legitimate operators should be transparent and helpful.
• If the pilot or someone associated with the company coaches passengers on what to say or do if an FAA aviation inspector meets the aircraft at its destination.

Boeing 737 MAX investigation

The FAA’s investigation of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems is ongoing, and we do not comment on open investigations. As FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has said: “This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing. They must commit to real and profound improvements. Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way.”

Background

Actions the FAA took as part of its aggressive oversight of Boeing and its suppliers:

• Immediately grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory.
• Increased onsite inspector presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas.
• Halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX.
• Mandated a comprehensive action plan from Boeing to address its production issues, giving the company 90 days to complete this critical plan. The plan must address the findings of the FAA’s production-line audit as well as the findings from the expert review panel report that examined the company’s safety culture. The FAA will ensure Boeing follows through on every corrective action.
• Exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems.
• Administrator Whitaker visited to Boeing’s factory floor in Renton, Washington, to see the 737 production line and hear directly from Boeing engineers, mechanics, and others about quality control processes. He has actively encouraged all whistleblower complaints, and the FAA investigates every single one.
• Concluded an audit of Boeing’s production line that went above and beyond FAA’s standard inspection process. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. Our audit is complete, but it is part of an ongoing investigation, and we cannot release further details.
• The FAA continues to issue airworthiness certificates for every newly produced Boeing 737 MAX.

Contrails

• Contrails are line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust, typically at aircraft cruise altitudes several miles above the Earth’s surface.
• For a contrail to form behind a jet engine, as hot exhaust gases cool and mix with the surrounding air, the humidity becomes high enough for liquid water condensation to occur. High in the atmosphere, the droplets rapidly freeze and form ice particles that make up a contrail.
•  If the humidity in the atmosphere is low, the contrail will be short-lived as the ice particles quickly evaporate. If the humidity is high, the ice particles will continue to grow in size by taking water from the surrounding air. The resulting contrail will extend for large distances behind an aircraft and can last for hours after the plane has come and gone.
• Contrails are of interest to scientists because they increase the cloudiness of the atmosphere.
• However, contrails pose no direct threat to public health. They are ice particles that will evaporate when the air around them becomes dry.

May 13, 2024

Geomagnetic Storms

Geomagnetic storms can disrupt navigational aids and high frequency radio transmissions used in aviation. The FAA advises airlines and pilots to plan ahead to mitigate possible disruptions.  

The FAA has issued Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) warning pilots that there may be disruptions. They can be found here. 

You can find information on the status of the National Airspace System here.

Unauthorized Drone Operations

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA.

The FAA looks into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigates when appropriate. Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines that exceed $30,000. In addition, we can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.

The agency works with federal and local law enforcement partners to educate them about how to respond to unsafe or unauthorized drone operations. FAA personnel in the 77 local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) across the country perform investigations and when necessary, take appropriate enforcement actions. 

You can file a FOIA request for records here: https://www.faa.gov/foia/foia_request.

UAS Traffic Management (UTM)

The FAA is committed to working with industry to implement a UAS traffic management (UTM) system to provide safe and equitable access to airspace as we continue to fully integrate drones into the national airspace. By enabling drones to exchange data and communicate with each other, UTM will allow for safe operations below 400 ft.

·       Learn more about our UTM efforts here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/traffic_management

·       Learn more about our AAM efforts here: https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis

Space X Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) at Kennedy Space Center

The FAA is developing the schedule for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Once finalized, the FAA will post a link to the schedule on the project website:

https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship_ksc.

The duration of time to complete an EIS can vary due to many factors including scope and complexity. We expect to release the Draft EIS for public review in 2025.

May 9, 2024

Rest Periods for Air Traffic Controllers

The FAA's top priority is the safety of the flying public, and part of that work is making sure the nation has a well-staffed and well-rested air traffic controller workforce. The science is clear that fatigue can impair the ability to perform safety-related operational duties, and Administrator Mike Whitaker is taking action to ensure controllers are getting enough rest based on the findings of an independent panel of scientific fatigue experts.

The FAA is working with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) on how to implement 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift for air traffic controllers. In the meantime, we will ensure that current rest requirements are fully adhered to, and we will continue accelerating the pace of hiring and training as we prioritize the health of our controllers and the safety of the National Airspace System.

May 2, 2024

Pilot Mental Health

The FAA is updating our Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners to allow pilots and air traffic controllers to be treated with Cymbalta, Effexor, and Pristiq. This is an important step because it provides a path for more pilots and air traffic controllers to receive treatment for mental health conditions and still be medically qualified to work. The FAA continues to prioritize the mental health of pilots and air traffic controllers. Review the list of conditionally acceptable antidepressants.

Air Taxis Certification

The FAA is committed to aviation safety, our job is to ensure this new generation of air taxis maintains the high level of safety that defines commercial aviation today. We have the regulations in place that allow manufacturers to achieve our safety standards in innovative ways.

Manufacturers must meet the high safety standards that define modern aviation, and the best innovators will find ways to meet them. We will be ready for air taxi operators when they are ready to fly safely.

FAA aviation safety experts certify eVTOL aircraft and the FAA administrator does not oversee the process.

Seat Size Legislation

In 2022, the FAA held a 90-day public comment period on the minimum seat dimensions necessary for airline passenger safety. The FAA is reviewing the thousands of comments it received on whether current seat size and spacing affect passenger evacuation.

FAA regulations require that all transport category airplanes be able to conduct a rapid evacuation in case of fire. Other FAA evacuation requirements address real-world conditions, landing gear collapse, and exit failure, among others.

As part of its responses to Congressional mandates to further examine whether additional regulations may be necessary to ensure safe evacuation, the FAA released an aircraft cabin evacuation study in March 2022, which includes the results of numerous simulated emergency evacuations and recommendations.

Background

• The aircraft cabin evacuation study that the FAA conducted to address Congress’ mandate regarding seat size and spacing focused on examining how those dimensions might affect overall evacuation times.
• Seat pitch is the distance between a point on a seat to the same point on the seat in front of or behind it. Typically, the industry has measured this from seat back to seat back.
• The FAA’s aircraft evacuation safety approach includes required standards for exit pathways, emergency lighting, escape systems, the testing of seats, and flammability of materials.
• To satisfy other portions of the congressional mandate, the FAA conducted an extensive review of more than 10 years of real evacuation events in consultation with industry experts. Although the review identified certain areas for improvement, it found that the level of overall evacuation safety was very high.
• Congress requires the FAA to follow ethical research guidelines for human testing, limiting the use of individuals with disabilities, children and elderly.

April 30, 2024

Drone Swarming

On Feb 27, 2024, the FAA provided an approval letter to a company called Hylio which stated: “Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. The FAA chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021, to provide safety recommendations to the agency, including specific consideration of requirements to support precision agriculture operations, including crop spraying. We are currently reviewing their final report, which includes a recommendation to the FAA to establish certification and operating requirements for higher weight (in excess of 200 lbs.) drones operating beyond visual line-of-sight.”

April 15, 2024

Drone Deliveries

The FAA is committed to safely integrating drones into our National Airspace System and the agency recently authorized several drone operators to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the use of visual observers. We are focused on developing standard rules to make BVLOS operations routine, scalable, and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021, to provide safety recommendations to the FAA and we are reviewing their final report. 

March 19, 2024 

Airport Runway Verification (ARV) 

The new Airport Runway Verification (ARV) tool at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport provides controllers with visual and audible alerts if an approaching aircraft is lined up with the wrong runway, a closed runway, a taxiway, or even the wrong airport; each airport environment can be tailored so the alerts trigger based on the distinct surface configuration and airport arrival routes. Austin is the latest airport to receive the tool because traffic has increased since COVID; funding for adapting and deploying ARV is part of the annual Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) /Terminal Automation appropriation in the FAA budget.  

March 18, 2024 

Airworthiness Directive (AD)

The FAA bases Airworthiness Directive Compliance times on the risk from the issue that’s being addressed; and considers all relevant public comments before issuing a final AD.  The FAA is responsible for the safe and efficient integration of space operations into the U.S. airspace system and that maintaining safety for people in the air and on the land and water during all space launch and reentry operations is paramount. We assess how space operation impacts the airspace and establishes aircraft hazard areas and times when aircraft must not enter. These temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are issued days in advance of the planned space operation. Pilots are responsible for checking for and following any TFRs in their planned flight route. TFR violations may result in delay or cancellation of the space operation and violators are subject to FAA penalties.

March 15, 2024

LATAM Flight 800

The FAA is convening a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) to review Boeing's proposed Multi-Operator Message (MOM) in response to the incident on LATAM Flight 800 on March 11th. The process will include reviewing the 2017 service bulletin related to the switches in the pilot seats. The CARB, made up of safety experts, will provide feedback to Boeing prior to issuance. The agency will continue to monitor the situation closely. 

Starship OFT-3 Launch Mishap 

The FAA requires all licensed commercial space transportation operators to have an FAA-approved mishap plan containing processes and procedures for reporting, responding to, and investigating mishaps. Based on the nature and consequences of the mishap, the FAA may elect to conduct an investigation into the event or authorize the operator to perform the investigation in accordance with its FAA-approved mishap plan. The FAA typically directs the operator to lead the mishap investigation to ensure the company implements and complies with its FAA-approved mishap plan and other regulatory requirements. 

Airport Runway Verification (ARV) 

The software tool can be used at all air traffic control facilities with Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). This includes sites with and without airport surface surveillance systems. It provides wrong-surface alerting that supplements existing airport surface surveillance capabilities.

Airport Runway Verification (ARV) Facilities

The goal is to make ARV available at all facilities with Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). This encompasses 493 towers and Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACONs); there are 13 facilities with ARV, the latest system was installed at the tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

March 14, 2024

Debris Risk 

The FAA reviewed SpaceX’s concerns and stands by the report as written. It is critically important to determine the amount of surviving debris from reentering satellites, and the resulting risk to aviation and public safety. While we recognize SpaceX’s efforts to exemplify responsible space behavior, the FAA must continue to evaluate and promote enhancements in public safety. We also provided our response letter to SpaceX.  

SpaceX Starship Mishap OFT-3 

The mishap involved both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship vehicle. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA is overseeing the SpaceX-led mishap investigation to ensure the company complies with its FAA-approved mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements. 

Solar Eclipse

In advance of a solar eclipse, the FAA asks airlines and pilots flying under air traffic control to plan ahead and file a preferred route. Advanced planning will minimize route changes and help the FAA better manage the flow of traffic in busy airspace, resulting in fewer delays. The FAA also advises pilots that many regular activities such as practice approaches and pilot training operations at airports in the path of the eclipse may be extremely limited and possibly prohibited during the eclipse. Pilots should check NOTAMs and Temporary Flight Restrictions frequently to ensure they have current information. 

March 13, 2024 

Pilot Rest and Duty Regulations 

The FAA has strict duty and rest regulations for pilots and airlines must have fatigue risk management programs. We don’t have a separate database of incidents where pilots fall asleep during flight, but we investigate every incident that is reported. The FAA has multiple voluntary programs that allow airline workers to report incidents and concerns, and we closely monitor them to identify any potential trends. The FAA also requires US airlines to have Safety Management Systems (SMS). An SMS is a set of policies and procedures where companies identify, monitor and address potential operational hazards early on before they become serious problems. 

Commercial Space Launch Site Regulations - SpaceX Starbase  

The Starbase does not require an FAA Launch Site Operator License. SpaceX is required to obtain an FAA Vehicle Operator License to conduct Starship Super Heavy launch operations from there which references certain launch site regulations that are relevant to launch operations from an exclusive-use site. The FAA provides compliance oversight.  

March 12, 2024 

Audit of Boeing’s 737 MAX  

As part of its aggressive oversight of Boeing and its suppliers in the wake of the January 5th plug door incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9, the FAA recently concluded an audit of Boeing’s production line that went above and beyond FAA’s standard inspection process. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. Our audit is complete, but it is part of an ongoing investigation, and we cannot release further details. As FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has said: “This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing. They must commit to real and profound improvements. Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way.” The FAA has halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX, is exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems. The FAA will continue its increased onsite presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas. FAA has also mandated a comprehensive action plan from Boeing to address its production issues, giving the company 90 days (May 28, 2024) to complete this critical plan. 

March 11, 2024 

Boeing 737-9 MAX 

The FAA approved a thorough inspection and maintenance process that must be performed on each of the grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft. Upon successful completion, the aircraft will be eligible to return to service.

March 8, 2024 

Drones 

It’s illegal under federal law to shoot at an aircraft. A private citizen shooting at any aircraft – including unmanned aircraft – poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air.  

March 7, 2024 

Electric Air Taxi Flights  

The FAA expects to see more traditional aircraft transitioning to electric, hydrogen and hybrid propulsion and airports should start planning for the increased electrical demands that AAM aircraft and electric aircraft will require.

Ground Handling Regulations  

Airports and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration are primarily responsible for airfield worker safety. The FAA requires U.S. airlines to have Safety Management Systems (SMS). An SMS is a set of policies and procedures where companies identify, monitor and address potential operational hazards early on before they become serious problems. Airlines’ Safety Management Systems should identify and address a wide range of potential hazards, including those affecting their airfield workers. When events occur, the FAA works with an airline to ensure its SMS takes into account and mitigates the factors that led to the event we now require large commercial airports to have SMS and the FAA investigates accidents and incidents that occur when aircraft are taxiing to and from their gates. 

March 4, 2024 

Commercial Space Payloads  

The FAA’s role is statutorily limited to considering whether the license applicant or payload owner or operator has obtained all required licenses, authorizations, and permits, and demonstrated the launch or reentry of the payload would not jeopardize public health and safety, the safety of property, U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, or the international obligations of the United States. The FAA evaluates the payload information provided per the regulatory requirements and coordinates an interagency review. With the advice of other federal agencies, the FAA makes a final determination.  

March 1, 2024 

Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs) 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated rulemaking to require newly manufactured aircraft to be equipped with cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) capable of recording for 25 hours. The agency also is launching an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) that will provide recommendations to the FAA about installing existing, new, and upgraded investigative technologies in aircraft. The ARC will consider flight data recorders. 

February 29, 2024

Safety Belts

FAA regulations require passengers to have their seat belts properly secured during taxiing, takeoff and landing. The regulations do not define the term properly secured but require passengers to follow crewmember instructions concerning the use of safety belts. Regulations also require crewmembers to brief passengers on when, where, and under what conditions the safety belt must be fastened about that passenger. So passengers must obey cabin crewmembers’ instructions on how to wear the belts.

February 28, 2024

Boeing Action Plan

"Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” Administrator Whitaker said following the meeting with Boeing CEO and President Dave Calhoun and his senior safety team. “Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.” Administrator Whitaker also told Boeing that he expects the company to provide the FAA a comprehensive action plan within 90 days that will incorporate the forthcoming results of the FAA production-line audit and the latest findings from the expert review panel report.  

February 27, 2024

Human Spaceflight Regulations

Federal law prohibits the FAA from regulating the safety of commercial crew and spaceflight participants. This legislative moratorium, originally established in 2004 and extended multiple times by Congress, is set to expire on March 8. The FAA established a rulemaking committee to examine the development and cost of future commercial human spaceflight occupant safety regulations, updated its recommended practices, and is working with international organizations to develop voluntary consensus standards. 

Law Enforcement Assistance Program

The FAA’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) agents work regularly with federal, state and local law enforcement concerning pilots who may be engaged in illegal activities or using aircraft to engage in them. The FAA also routinely supports law enforcement requests for pilot and aircraft registration information. 

February 26, 2024

Aircraft Certification

The FAA appreciates the hard work and dedication of the expert panel members who completed this extensive review in preparing this report, which meets a requirement of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act. We will immediately begin a thorough review of the report and determine next steps regarding the recommendations as appropriate. We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest standard of safety and will work to ensure the company comprehensively addresses these recommendations.  

Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL)

The FAA has issued special airworthiness certificates in the experimental category to a number of Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) manufacturers for flight testing but have not yet certified any eVTOLs for commercial use. 
  
Commercial Space Transportation

The FAA is working diligently to attract, hire and retain additional staff for various positions within the Office of Commercial Space Transportation. This effort includes human spaceflight, of which we have filled six of 10 new positions. For all positions we are developing a strategy for future recruitment and retention efforts to obtain quality candidates with the desired skillsets. Areas that we are looking into include signing bonuses, retention packages, expanded outreach efforts, and other hiring incentive programs. 
 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The FAA is planning future rulemaking to incorporate the Flight Test Harmonization Working Group’s (FTHWG) recommendations into the regulations that cover the manufacturing of these aircraft. The FAA is also considering rulemaking to incorporate an Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee’s recommendations for aircraft envelope protection. 

February 23, 2024

NOTAMs and Temporary Flight Restrictions

The FAA asks airlines and pilots flying under air traffic control to plan ahead and file a preferred route. Advanced planning will minimize route changes and help the FAA better manage the flow of traffic in busy airspace, resulting in fewer delays. The FAA also advises pilots that many regular activities such as practice approaches and pilot training operations at airports in the path of the eclipse may be extremely limited and possibly prohibited during the eclipse. Pilots should check NOTAMs and Temporary Flight Restrictions frequently to ensure they have current information. 

February 22, 2024

National Airspace System

The FAA is committed to safely integrating drones into our National Airspace System. We are focused on developing standard rules to make beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021, to provide safety recommendations to the FAA. 

February 20, 2024

National Airspace System Safety Review Team

The FAA’s number one priority is safety and we held a Safety Summit in March 2023 to hear from leaders across the aviation industry. The FAA took immediate action following the Safety Summit and an independent report from the National Airspace System Safety Review Team 

Emergency Medical Kit

FAA regulations require specific medical training for flight attendants; a commercial flight cannot take off without a complete, sealed Emergency Medical Kit; airlines must regularly inspect all equipment, including the emergency medical kit and if the seal of an emergency medical kit is broken, and any item is used, the entire kit must be replaced before the next flight departs; and U.S. air carriers typically carry two emergency medical kits to ensure they have a sealed one for the next flight. The FAA does not keep statistics on in-flight medical emergencies. 

Controller Workforce Plan

Certified Professional Controller salaries at Bradley can range from $67,000 to more $100,000. Under Public Law 92-297, air traffic controllers are usually required to retire at age 56. 

February 16, 2024

Spoofing and Jamming Incidents

The FAA does not track spoofing and jamming incidents for other regions. 

Pilot Certificates

Since 2012, the FAA has increased the number of pilot certificates issued annually across many categories including Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificates, which are required to fly for scheduled airlines. The number of ATP certificate holders has increased overall by 12.5 percent since 2012, with a very small decrease from 2020 to 2021. 

February 15, 2024

Boeing Quality Control

Administrator Whitaker received valuable feedback from FAA employees involved in the oversight of Boeing, and met with FAA inspectors on the ground at Boeing who are auditing the company’s manufacturing quality control. Whitaker toured the Boeing 737 production line with Boeing senior leadership to learn more about their production and manufacturing processes. Additionally, he spoke with Boeing engineers and mechanics to better understand the safety culture at the Renton facility. 

Airworthiness Directive

The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandating inspections that Boeing recommended in December for loose bolts in the rudder control systems on 737 MAX airplanes. All U.S. airlines completed the inspections in early January. The FAA carefully reviewed the inspection results, which found no missing or loose rudder bolts. Boeing recommended the inspections after an international operator discovered a rudder bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance. The company discovered an additional undelivered aircraft with a nut that was not properly tightened.  The FAA alerted foreign aviation regulators about the AD through a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC).

February 13, 2024

Accident and Incident Data System (AIDS)

Not all mechanical issues fall under the definition of accident and/or incident and therefore are not reportable to the AIDS system. Reports are entered into AIDS when the FAA becomes aware of an accident or incident and begins their investigation. The FAA requires airlines to file Service Difficulty Reports when specific events occur that are separate from incidents that may be reported in the AIDS system.   

National Airspace System

Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. Speaking generally and not relation to any specific case, the FAA small drone rule permits operations over people, under certain circumstances, depending on the level of risk that a drone poses to people on the ground. 

February 12, 2024

Airworthiness Directive

The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandating inspections that Boeing recommended in December for loose bolts in the rudder control systems on 737 MAX airplanes. All U.S. airlines completed the inspections in early January. The FAA carefully reviewed the inspection results, which found no missing or loose rudder bolts. Boeing recommended the inspections after an international operator discovered a rudder bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance. The company discovered an additional undelivered aircraft with a nut that was not properly tightened.  The FAA alerted foreign aviation regulators about the AD through a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC). 

Modernized Tower Simulation System

The new modernized tower simulation system at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport control tower. The new system has enhanced graphics and capabilities that will provide immersive, high-fidelity training for controllers.  

February 9, 2024

Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program

The FAA is working to accelerate its training and hiring of air traffic controllers through an Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. The FAA is authorizing institutions in the AT-CTI program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy. After graduating from one of the eligible schools, new hires can immediately begin localized training at an air traffic facility. These graduates still must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam and meet medical and security requirements. Major media included:  

February 8, 2024

Transonic Aviation

Transonic had certified unapproved parts provided by a UK-based company called AOG Technics. Transonic’s owner this week sent a letter to customers claiming the FAA forced them to stop operating. 

February 7, 2024

Drones

The FAA is responsible for the safety of our National Airspace System. This includes all airspace from the ground up. While local laws or ordinances may restrict where drones can take off or land, they typically cannot restrict a drone from flying in airspace permitted by the FAA. 

February 6, 2024

JFK Airport Warehouse

The FAA does not operate airports. A municipality or state government may work with an airport to seek permission from the FAA to allow temporary use of airport property for non-aviation purposes. In cases where FAA approval to do this is required, a number of objective factors are considered, including safety and whether the property might be needed for aviation-related purposes. If approved, the requestor is responsible for all costs associated with the operation, including security. 

February 5, 2024

Terminal Doppler Weather Radar

The Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) system Sustainment 3 will continue and be maintained until 2030, thus there are no new radar sets. 

February 2, 2024

Emergency Medical Kit

FAA regulations require specific medical training for flight attendants. A commercial flight cannot take off without a complete, sealed Emergency Medical Kit. Airlines must regularly inspect all equipment, including the emergency medical kit. If the seal of an emergency medical kit is broken, and any item is used, the entire kit must be replaced before the next flight departs. U.S. air carriers typically carry two emergency medical kits to ensure they have a sealed one for the next flight. The FAA does not keep statistics on in-flight medical emergencies.

PFAS-Free Firefighting Foams

In May 2023, the FAA published a transition plan for airports to use if they decide to change over to the new foam when it became available. Airports can use both types of foam until they can fully transition to the PFAS-free product. The FAA continues to recommend that they use foam with PFAS only during an actual emergency. We encourage airport operators to follow state and local requirements for containing and cleaning up discharged firefighting foam. 

February 1, 2024

Boeing 737 MAX

The FAA will bolster oversight of Boeing through comprehensive reviews of the production and manufacturing quality system to ensure Boeing is delivering safe and conforming airplanes. These reviews will occur at the Boeing 737 MAX facility in Renton, Washington, and at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas. A dedicated team of approximately two dozen aviation safety inspectors will conduct them. The FAA will use data from the reviews to identify trends and any areas that need increased oversight or additional auditing. During the period of enhanced oversight, the FAA will regularly assess trends, corrective actions and the effects of any changes to the quality system. The duration of the enhanced oversight will depend on results of the review of data and metrics, determination of the root cause of the Jan. 5 door plug incident and implementing appropriate corrective actions and other mitigations. It will continue until the FAA is confident that the quality system is producing safe and conforming airplanes. 

Boeing 737 MAX

Boeing agreed with the FAA that their production should not increase. The FAA issues airworthiness certificates for Boeing 737 MAX airplanes and would not issue certificates for any newly produced aircraft that exceed the monthly production rate.

Conformity Inspection Record

A Conformity Inspection Record is a document the FAA prepares for an airplane before the agency issues an airworthiness certificate. The document shows that the airplane conforms with all design standards and FAA regulations. The specific document you’re asking about identifies three items of FAA-discovered non-conformance that Boeing addressed before the FAA issued the airworthiness certificate. It is not uncommon to discover some items of non-conformance during final checks.  

Air Shows

The FAA has strict safety protocols for air shows and does extensive safety planning internally and with air show organizers and participants. The first step in getting an air show approved is applying for, and receiving, a waiver from the FAA. For airports that have airline service, the FAA will not issue a waiver until the FAA Regional Airports Division has reviewed and concurred with the airshow event Ground Operations Plan. Airport operations during airshows depends on various factors, including the size of the airport. Arrangements can be made to accommodate airshow activities while maintaining regular airport operations.