News and Updates – DOT Issues Two New Drone Rules to Advance Safety and Innovation in the U.S.
Rules require Remote ID of drones and allow small drone operators to fly over people and at night under some conditions.
Rules require Remote ID of drones and allow small drone operators to fly over people and at night under some conditions.
Santa Claus and his reindeer-powered sleigh granted special permissions to fly directly to rooftops on Christmas Eve.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is holding a public scoping period for the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) related to plans by SpaceX to apply for licenses for suborbital and orbital launches of its Starship/Super Heavy project at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
The scoping period will help the FAA in determine the scope of issues for analysis in the draft EA. The FAA requests public comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and identification of any relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. The FAA also invites comments on its consideration of preparing a Programmatic EA for this effort.
The deadline to submit comments is January 22, 2021, and may be submitted to the following email address: spacexbocachica@icf.com.
The proposed update to Starship/Super Heavy operations falls outside of the scope of the existing final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision for the Boca Chica launch site and requires additional environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). SpaceX is working with the FAA to prepare a draft EA which will be subject to the FAAs evaluation and approval.
The EA will allow the FAA to determine the appropriate course of action: preparation of an EIS because the proposed actions environmental impacts would be significant; issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); or issuance of a Mitigated FONSI providing for mitigation measures to address the proposed actions environmental impacts. The FAA may determine which course of action it will take during the EA process or after SpaceX presents a draft EA for FAA approval.
As part of the application process, SpaceX must also complete a safety review and develop agreements in addition to the environmental review.
Information about the FAA environmental review process as it relates to commercial space transportation is posted at faa.gov/space/environmental.
WASHINGTON Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its government partners released an update to Runway to Recovery: The United States Framework for Airlines and Airports to Mitigate the Public Health Risks of Coronavirus framework. Version 1.1, referred to as R2R 1.1, which updates, refines, and expands upon the recommended risk mitigation practices outlined in the previous Runway to Recovery framework issued in July 2020. R2R 1.1 is informed by the U.S. Governments evolving understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the current level of community spread in the U.S. and other countries, as well as the effectiveness of certain risk mitigation strategies.
The framework provides guidance that helps mitigate the health risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for the traveling public and airline and airport workers when using the air transportation system. Like the original version, this document highlights the importance of educating passengers on healthy travel practices, such as wearing a mask, social distancing and COVID-19 testing. Version 1.1 delves deeper into these mitigation strategies as well as addresses the importance of not traveling while ill and how testing can support risk reduction in air transportation and at destination.
Air transportation has an important role in the overall health of the economy, moving the vital good and services U.S. citizens need and allowing essential and personal travel for the public. Continually providing clear updated guidance on how to safely use the nations airports is vital during this public health emergency.
The Runway to Recovery framework will continue to be an evolving document as new information about preventing the transmission of the virus is discovered and data is collected on the success of mitigation strategies.
WASHINGTON Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Modernas COVID-19 vaccine, the FAA has determined that pilotsmay receive the vaccineunder the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification. FAA 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 agency will require pilots with medical certifications or air traffic controllers with medical clearances to observe a period of 48 hours following the administration of each dose of this vaccine before conducting safety-sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic.
The required waiting period applies to those holding an Airman Medical Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 67 or a Medical Clearance issued under FAA Order 3930.3C.
Because the vaccine requires two doses, 28 days apart for maximum effectiveness, the waiting period applies after each dose. The Pfizer vaccine, which was approved last week, requires two doses 21 days apart, but the waiting period after each dose applies to both brands.
The FAA anticipates taking no additional measures to ensure safety after the initial window for side effects closes. However, the agencys medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the novel vaccine and documented clinical results and will adjust these recommendations as needed.
The FAA will evaluate vaccines from other manufacturers as they receive FDA authorization in the coming weeks and months and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any waiting periods required for those vaccines.
The FAA applies similar brief waiting periods after administration of other vaccines, including those for tuberculosis and typhoid.
The FAA encourages Americans to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as authorized by FDA. This policy announcement pertains to a specialized group of FAA-certificated persons who perform safety-sensitive aviation duties.
For more information, please visit the Medical Certification page atfaa.gov.