regulations

NOTAMS: Know Before You Go

The summer flying season is upon us, which means air traffic within the general aviation community will be picking up. To ensure a safe and orderly flight, it is imperative that pilots check the NOTAMs before every flight for information on TFRs, runway or airport closures, drone operations, etc. NTAP Discontinued in June If you are are planning a flight, be aware that the Notices to Airmen ...
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FAA Issues SFAR for COVID-19 Relief

April 29, 2020 - The FAA issued a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) titled “Relief for Certain Persons and Operations during the COVID 19 Outbreak.” The relief extends the expiration dates of certain types of certificate and operating privileges for airman and part 141 flight schools. This SFAR is valid from April 30th 2020 to March 31st 2021, however, most of the provisions are effective...
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Sharing Flight Expenses

The FAA published Advisory Circular 61-142, on February 25, 2020, with guidance for pilots who may share flight expenses with passengers consistent with the Federal Aviation Regulations. The new AC 61-142 expands on the previously issued AC 120-12A, Private Carriage vs. Common Carriage, to clarify some ambiguities and provide modern applications. Private Carriage vs. Common Carriage Common c...
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Preventive Maintenance

Do you know what type of preventive maintenance you can do on the aircraft you own or operate? If you’re in flight training, you’ll likely need to talk about it with your examiner, but if it’s been a while, or if you rent and preventive maintenance is handled by the mechanics, it is important to recognize what pilots are allowed to do when it comes to preventive maintenance. What is preventive ...
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Managing Cockpit Distractions

Q. When is a convenient time to deal with distractions on the flight deck? A. There isn’t one—that’s why they’re called “distractions.” From passengers talking loudly to trying to figure out how to use your favorite electronic flight bag app, pilots constantly encounter distractions. Recognizing that they can be dealt with in a methodical way and prioritizing safety are paramount to ensuring...
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Guide to Student Pilot Endorsements

Flight instructors carry one of the most important responsibilities when it comes to pilot certification – single-pilot endorsements. A CFI represents the FAA when they serve as an evaluator, and their role is crucial. A CFI’s pen carries the ability to authorize student pilots to exercise their solo privileges for the first time and operate as pilot in command. Beyond solo flight, CFIs endorse pi...
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FAA Proposes Rules for Remote Identification and Tracking of Drones

On December 31, 2019, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a remote identification system for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flights. Remote identification can help to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace system (NAS). The rules would apply to nearly all drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs, including UAS flown for recreation and commercial operations. I...
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Revised Advisory Circular on “Instructions for Completion of FAA Form 337” Issued

On November 1, 2019, the FAA issued AC 43.9-1G, “Instructions for Completion of FAA Form 337.” This advisory cancels the existing AC 43.9-1F originally issued on January 25, 2007. In addition to new formatting, the most significant change is to the paragraph titled “Purpose of FAA Form 337.” Historically, the purpose of Form 337 has been: To provide aircraft owners and operators with a rec...
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Recreational Drone Pilots Rejoice! Get Instant Controlled Airspace Authorization with LAANC

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability ( LAANC) is a collaboration between the FAA and private industry to streamline the approval process for operating drones in controlled airspace. LAANC directly supports UAS integration into the airspace, providing remote pilots access to controlled airspace at or below 400 ft. and gives Air Traffic Control visibility of where and when drones o...
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FAA Announces New Requirements for Recreational Drones

The FAA released new information on May 16, 2019 affecting recreational drone flight as mandated by Congress in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The change modifies how drone flyers request authorization to fly near airports and in any controlled airspace. It also requires drone flyers to pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test, maintain proof that they passed, and make it available to ...
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