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News and Updates – FAA Holding Information Meetings on LaGuardia AirTrain

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is holding Public Information Sessions on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed LaGuardia AirTrain tonight and tomorrow night in Queens, N.Y.

The FAA will be sharing the results of the draft alternatives analysis. The agency still is developing the Draft EIS (DEIS), which is planned for release in Summer 2020 after the impact analyses have been completed. At that time, the public will have the opportunity to learn about and comment on the DEIS at formal public hearings.

The sessions are designed to educate attendees about the agencys analysis of the alternatives that were developed during the scoping phase of the project. The open house format will display project information, and FAA representatives will be available to answer questions. The FAA will not accept comments at the sessions this week. There will be a formal comment period when the DEIS is published.

The sessions will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., January 14 and 15, at the New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott, 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, N.Y. 11369.

For more information, please visit the project website.

News and Updates – Super Bowl LIV Flight Requirements for GA Pilots

General Aviation pilots who want to fly around Miami or Fort Lauderdale between Jan. 27 and Feb. 4, 2020, will need to check out the FAAs Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for air traffic procedures for the area. Super Bowl LIV is Sunday, Feb. 2, at Hard Rock Stadium. Game time will be at approximately 6 p.m. EST.

The FAA has published a web page with information for South Florida-area airspace and airports. The agency will update the webpage as additional information becomes available.

As a designated National Security Special Event, additional unmanned aircraft restrictions will be in place before, during and after the Super Bowl. Learn more here: Super Bowl LIV is a No Drone Zone.

A reservation program to facilitate ground services at the following South Florida airports will be in effect from January 27 through February 4. Pilots should contact the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at their airport to obtain reservations and additional information.

  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
  • Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE)
  • Miami-Opa Locka Airport (OPF)
  • Miami Executive Airport (TMB)
  • Boca Raton Airport (BCT)

Special air traffic procedures to minimize air traffic delays and enhance safety will be in effect for the following airports:

  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
  • Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE)
  • Miami-Opa Locka Airport (OPF)
  • Miami Executive Airport (TMB)
  • Boca Raton Airport (BCT)
  • Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
  • Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP)
  • North Perry Airport (HWO)

Arrival and Departure Route Requirements:
The NOTAM includes specific arrival and departure route requirements for jet and turboprop aircraft.

FAA ATC Air Traffic Management Initiatives
Air traffic management initiatives may include:

  • Ground Delay Programs (GDP)
  • Airspace Flow Programs (AFP)
  • Time Based Metering
  • Miles in Trail
  • Airborne Holding
  • Ground Stops
  • Reroutes
  • Altitude Restriction
  • Gate Hold Procedures

Special Event TFR for Super Bowl Sunday February 2, 2020
The FAA will publish a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for Super Bowl LIV centered on Hard Rock Stadium. At this time, we expect the TFR will be active from 4 p.m. EST (2100z) until 11:59 p.m. EST (0459z) on Sunday, February 2. The TFR will have a 10-nautical- mile inner core and a 30-nautical-mile outer ring.

The TFR will not affect regularly scheduled commercial flights flying in and out of Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Emergency medical, public safety and military aircraft may enter the TFR in coordination with air traffic control.

The FAA will post the full text and graphic depiction of the Super Bowl LIV TFR later in January.

News and Updates – U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Proposed Rule on Remote ID for Drones

FAA announces proposed rule that would require drones to be identifiable remotely.

News and Updates – FAA Issues Important Charter Guidance to Pilots and Passengers

Today, booking a charter flight can be as easy as tapping a few buttons on your mobile device. But that doesnt mean the flight is legal or safe.

The FAAs top priority is ensuring the safety of the traveling public, and its critical that both pilots and passengers confirm that the charter flights theyre providing and receiving comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Regulations.

If you pay for a charter flight, you are entitled to a higher level of safety than is required from a free flight from a friend. Among other things, pilots who transport paying passengers must have the required qualifications and training, are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, and the aircraft used must be maintained to the high standards that the FAAs charter regulations require.

The FAA recently sent a letter about this issue to a company called Blackbird Air that created a web-based application that connects passengers with pilots. The letter emphasizes an FAA policy about the requirements for pilots who are paid to fly passengers. The policy states that pilots who are paid to fly passengers generally cant just hold the required Commercial or Airline Transport pilot license they also must be employed by the company operating the flight, which must hold a certificate issued under Part 119 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Or the pilots must themselves hold a Part 119 certificate.

Any pilot who provides charter flights without complying with the Part 119 certificate requirement would be violating the Federal Aviation Regulations even if they possess a Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot license. The FAAs determination has been upheld in federal court.

A current listing of FAA-licensed charter providers is available on our website.

News and Updates – FAA to Improve Airmen Certificate Testing

Washington The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Jan. 13, 2020, will launch improvements to the way it tests all applicants for an FAA airman certificate. This applies to all certified pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft.

One of the most important changes is the requirement that applicants obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test. IACRA is the web-based certification/rating application that guides the user through the FAA’s airman application process. The five-minute process enables the agency to rely on the name in the profile for all actions associated with that applicant.

The FTN enables the applicant and any certifying officer the ability to pull up airman information in a consistent format, leaving little room for errors associated with an applicants name. Previously, name inconsistencies could lead to returned files and lengthy delays in the certification process.

To help educate those who will take an FAA Knowledge Test beginning on Jan. 13, 2020, the FAA will host four webinars, two on Thursday, Dec. 19, and two on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to explain the new testing system, including the FTN requirement. Please use one of the links below to register for a webinar.

The FAAs Airman Testing Branch posted information about the new testing system and changesto their web page.

If you have any questions, please contact the Airman Testing Branch at AirmanKnowledgeTesting@faa.gov.