News and Updates – Fly Safe: Expanding Your Horizons

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the general aviation community national #FlySafe campaign helps educate airmen about safety.

This months topic explores ways for pilots to safely prepare and train for new or unfamiliar flight environments.

A recent study of general aviation accidents suggests that transition training and experience in diverse flight environments can improve a pilots ability to recognize and successfully respond to new challenges.

This article explores some ways to can expand your aeronautical skill set, whether its flying a new type of aircraft or in a totally new environment. Done properly, both can help bolster safety and foster the fun of flying.

Read more on this important topic on the FAA blog, Cleared for Takeoff.

News and Updates – Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers May Receive Johnson & Johnson's Vaccine, With Appropriate Precautions

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WASHINGTON Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Johnson & Johnsons Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that pilotsand others who perform safety sensitive duties may receive the vaccine under the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification. FAA and contract air traffic controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may also receive the vaccine.

To maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace System, the FAA will require the affected recipients of this single-dose vaccine to wait 48 hours before conducting safety sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic. The waiting period, which accounts for potential side effects, applies to those holding an Airman Medical Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 67 or a Medical Clearance issued under FAA Order 3930.3C.

The FAAs medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and will adjust the recommendations as needed.

The FAA will evaluate additional vaccines as they receive FDA emergency use authorization and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any required waiting periods. The agency previously cleared the FDA-approved Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for aviation use, subject to the same 48-hour waiting period.

The FAA applies similar brief waiting periods after administration of other vaccines, including those for tuberculosis and typhoid.

For more information, please visit the Medical Certification page on our website.

News and Updates – FAA Offers Hiring Opportunity for Experienced Controllers

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The FAA is accepting applications nationwide from people with experience in controlling air traffic, such as former civilian and military controllers. The application period is Feb. 26 Mar. 2, 2021.

The announcement is open to candidates who have maintained at least 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic. The candidate must have an air traffic control certification or facility ratingwithin five yearsof application while serving at any of the following:

  • An FAA air traffic control facility.
  • A civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense.
  • A tower operating under contract with the FAA under Section 4712.

Following are other qualifications required:

  • United States citizenship.
  • No older than 35 years of age on or before the closing date of the vacancy.
  • Depending on the nature of an applicant’s previous air traffic controller experience, other qualifications may be required for employment.

Applicants must be willing to work at any FAA air traffic facility, and may be required to attend specialized training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.

See the full application for employment at faa.usajobs.gov.The FAA does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

News and Updates – FAA Announces Application Period for LAANC

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The FAA announced the application period for entities to become FAA Approved UAS Service Suppliers of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). The application period opens on May 3, 2021.

LAANC is a collaboration between the FAA and the drone industry that directly supports the safe integration of drones into the nations airspace. Launched in 2017, the capability covers 80 percent of controlled National Airspace at 400 feet or below and expedites the time it takes for drone pilots to receive near real-time authorizations to fly in this space. All drone pilots operating in LAANC-enabled areas under the FAAs small drone rule or under the exception for limited recreational operations can access the capability through FAA Approved LAANC Service Suppliers.

LAANC provides drone pilots with industry developed applications to obtain near real-time airspace authorizations for operations in a controlled airspace below 400 feet. LAANC does not provide entities with the authority to regulate the airspace or grant access without FAA approval.

The Schedule is:

  • Application Period: May 3 June 4, 2021
  • FAA Submission Review: June 7 July 9, 2021
  • Technical Interviews: June 12 August 13, 2021
  • Formal Onboarding: August 16 October 15, 2021

The FAA is announcing the application date more than two months in advance to help applicants prepare, as they must have a mature product at time of application. Information on requirements and the onboarding process can be found on FAA.gov.

News and Updates – FAA Statement on Pratt & Whitney Engine Emergency Airworthiness Directive

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The FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) tonight that requires U.S. operators of airplanes equipped with certain Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines to inspect these engines before further flight.

The FAA is taking this action as the result of a fan-blade failure that occurred Saturday on a Boeing 777-200 that had just departed from Denver International Airport. Although the aircraft landed safely, the failure resulted in damage to the engine, an in-flight engine fire, and damage to the airplane.

After reviewing the available data and considering other safety factors, the FAA determined that operators must conduct a thermal acoustic image (TAI) inspection of the large titanium fan blades located at the front of each engine. TAI technology can detect cracks on the interior surfaces of the hollow fan blades, or in areas that cannot be seen during a visual inspection.

As these required inspections proceed, the FAA will review the results on a rolling basis. Based on the initial results as we receive them, as well as other data gained from the ongoing investigation, the FAA may revise this directive to set a new interval for this inspection or subsequent ones.

The previous inspection interval for this engine was 6,500 flight cycles. A flight cycle is defined as one takeoff and landing.

This AD is effective immediately upon receipt. The FAA will share this information with other international civil aviation authorities.