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Articles for category Regulatory




Nov
06
2023

Technology or Training: What’s making us safer?

Posted by Admin

I recall that when I was an emergency medical services pilot back in the 90s, I wrote many times that it was my belief that training was the key to reducing the high accident rate in EMS. Although I flew an S-76 with an autopilot and glass cockpit, technology was not as prevalent for light-single helicopters. For the most part back then, we received our initial part 135 training, then our annual recurrent training (which was pretty light) only once per year. For most operators, training involved shooting an instrument approach and performing an unusual attitude recovery under a view limiting device (foggles) during VMC conditions. Given the lack of technology, as compared to today, it’s difficult to fault the operators. I always used to say that if the operators could not train themselves to be safer, they would eventually be regulated and “technologied” into safety. [Read More...]



Tags: Helicopter Technology Helicopter Training Rotor Pro Editor's Letter
Categories: categoryRegulatory categoryTraining categoryOpinion-Editorial



Oct
30
2023

How UAVs and eVTOLs Will Affect Helicopter Communications

Posted by Admin

The growing use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and the anticipated rollout of eVTOLs (manned electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) will have a far reaching impact in manned flight, as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft must share the heavens with them. But how will UAVs and eVTOLs affect helicopter communications, especially in controlled airspace, and what will this mean for helicopter pilots and operators? Here’s what Rotor Pro has been able to find out. [Read More...]



Tags: UAV pilots V-150 SKELDAR V-200 SKELDAR
Categories: categoryRegulatory categoryHelicopter Sectors



Oct
23
2023

How a Chicken Farm Led to Our Current National Airspace System

Posted by Admin

We all consider ourselves to be professional pilots and as such, we study and memorize everything we can about how we conduct our daily operations, to include the National Airspace System. We use the charts in the AIM, VFR Sectionals and Terminal Area Charts, and tablets with navigation applications. We refer to 14 CFR § 91.126-135. We check—and double check—the weather so we can remain compliant with 14 CFR § 91.155. VFR, IFR, GPS/WAAS, ATC - it all blends into this magnificent (and admittedly complex) system. But where did all this come from? Part of it began during WWII. Thomas Causby (and his flock of chickens) owned a parcel of land about a half mile from Lindley Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. The United States government, via what was then the Department of the Army, used Lindley Field for training bomber and fighter pilots. And they used it a lot. So much in fact, that quite a few (over 150) of Mr. Causby’s chickens died due to the noise and vibrations from the constant takeoffs and landings. The location of Mr. Causby’s property placed the landing and departing aircraft approximately 85 feet over the farm (and only 20 feet above the farm's highest object). Mr. Causby filed an inverse condemnation lawsuit against the government for damages, claiming that the airport’s activity had cost him his business and that the United States had “taken” without compensation his rightful property from him. He claimed that this was a clear violation of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. [Read More...]



Tags: AIM National Airspace System VFR Terminal Sectionals
Categories: categoryRegulatory



Oct
16
2023

The FAA has Launched a New “SPECIAL PROJECT”

Posted by Admin

In recent months, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has joined forces with the Veterans Administration (VA) in a collaborative effort to identify pilots who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, have failed to accurately disclose receiving disability benefits. In the early part of 2022, the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine launched a ‘Special Project’ investigation aimed at identifying military veteran pilots who may not have properly disclosed their disability benefits to the FAA on their pilot medical applications. As Aviation Lawyer, Anthony Ison, explains in his AOPA article Airman Receiving VA Disability Benefits: A Time Sensitive Warning, it appears that the VA has granted the FAA access to their Veterans Disability Compensation records. Armed with this documentation, the FAA is, subsequently, cross referencing their own files in order to identify any pilot who may not have properly disclosed all of their VA Disability benefits. [Read More...]



Tags: Airman receiving VA Disability benefits FAA Form 8500-8 MedXpress
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryRegulatory



Apr
03
2023

Hey FAA, IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE! Aviation Management Experience Deficit

Posted by Admin

The general aviation industry is hemorrhaging pilots to the airlines, and it doesn’t appear that this practice will slow soon. For decades, helicopter pilots were not a targeted market for the airline industry, but times have changed. Qualified and highly skilled helicopter pilots have their own path to airline selection from both military and civilian backgrounds. This situation has placed a strain on the helicopter industry to obtain and retain qualified aviation management personnel. [Read More...]



Tags: 14 CFR Part 135.243(b) Helicopter Pilot Shortage Part 135 Pilots
Categories: categoryRegulatory



Mar
13
2023

FAA: Change is in the air

Posted by Admin

What would a new year be without change? After all, with the new year comes new resolutions for many. But, although the local fitness clubs are cashing in on the optimistic hopes for those that may have overindulged on all of the goodies during the holiday season, it is back to the grind for many others. That daily grind includes industry changes that need to be explored. Some of these changes are now in place and active, and others are on the, perhaps distant, horizon. Regardless, I want to highlight three changes that should be of interest to CFIs and applicants alike. [Read More...]



Tags: FAA’s testing standards
Categories: categoryRegulatory



Feb
14
2023

Yes, Agencies Talk To Each Other - Military to Civilian

Posted by Admin

In the past, some former military pilots have neglected to be honest when reporting they receive a Veterans Administration (VA) disability payment on their FAA FORM 8000-9, commonly known as the FAA medical application. Specifically, question 18Y that asks the applicant if they receive “medical disability benefits.” According to the FAA this means: “The applicant must report any disability benefits received, regardless of source or amount.” More specifically, it means whether you have ever received disability benefits, not only if you are currently receiving them. [Read More...]



Tags: Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners Military to Civilian Aviation Veterans Disablity
Categories: categoryRegulatory categoryHelicopter Sectors



Jul
25
2022

The Push for Cleaner Propulsion - OEMs are Going Green

Posted by Admin

When it comes to developing cleaner, greener propulsion systems for helicopters, the industry’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are going green. “Helicopters account for less than 1% of global CO2 emissions but there are still ways that we can reduce that figure,” said Luca Cossetti, an innovative power solutions specialist with Airbus Helicopters. “We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint to get closer to the end goal of net-zero CO2 emissions.” “Aviation, including the helicopter market, is under substantial pressure to progress its sustainability initiatives with more efficient engines and airframes,” added Nicolas Chabée, vice president of Sales & Marketing (Helicopter) with Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC). “Our priorities include designing more efficient engines with reduced fuel consumption and ensuring our customers know that their P&WC engines can fly on up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from sources such as used cooking oil and algae.” [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRegulatory categoryHelicopter Sectors



Aug
16
2021

New Advisory Circular Provides Guidance on Self-Briefings

Posted by Admin

Round up five pilots for some hangar flying and you will undoubtedly get a mixed-bag of opinions on what exactly constitutes an official weather briefing and how one goes about getting that illustrious “official weather briefing.”  No need to argue hangar professors! On 15 March 2021, Advisory Circular (AC)  91-92 was released and it is likely one that you will want to read; not only does this AC address the role and legality of online and mobile software platforms in the weather briefing process for pilots, but it also lays out a framework (checklist) of items and resources to utilize for your briefing. For icing on the proverbial cake, there is also a new online course that reviews the concepts covered in the advisory circular!  [Read More...]



Tags: Advisory Circular Advisory Circular (AC) 91-92 Self-Briefing Advisory Circular
Categories: categoryRegulatory



May
17
2021

MAINTENANCE MYTHS

Posted by Admin

A myth is generally defined in this context as a widely held but false belief or idea. And when it comes to aircraft maintenance, a majority of aircraft owners and a smaller number of mechanics seem to thrive in that mythical maintenance world. So pop in your copy of Magic Carpet Ride and let’s take a journey down the yellow brick flight line to unlock some of those long-held maintenance myths.  MYTH: The mechanic is responsible for maintaining the aircraft. No. While a mechanic is responsible for the specific work they perform, in reality, it is the owner who is held responsible overall by the FAA for maintaining the aircraft in airworthy condition. The feds even conveniently stated that in black and white in FAR Part 91.403(a).  So if you think you get a pass on all regulatory maintenance infractions, you may want to think again and be more involved in the maintenance processes that take place on your aircraft.   And just when you think you have that myth resolved, the owner is also responsible for compliance with the requirements of Part 39, Airworthiness Directives. This is also stated in Part 91.403(a). So while your APIA may check for the actual AD compliance during every Annual inspection, the owner is the one who is accountable to the Man. [Read More...]



Tags: Helicopter Maintenance Helicopter Mechanic Duties and Responsibilies Helicopter Mechanic Liability
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryRegulatory


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