Part 135 News
FAA Issues ETOPS Guidance for Part 135 Operators
April 21, 2008
The FAA has released an Information for Operators (InFO) message to provide guidance to Part 135 operators who are attempting to determine the applicability of Extended Operations (ETOPS) guidance. On January 16, 2007, FAA published a final rule that broadened ETOPS to include all multiengine turbine aircraft operated under Part 135. The ETOPS rule is applicable when these aircraft, at approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed, are more than 180 minutes flying time from an airport meeting the requirements of Part 135. There is a mandatory compliance date of August 13, 2008 for those Part 135 operators who determine that ETOPS regulations are applicable to their operations. For additional information, visit NBAA's ETOPS resource.
NBAA Concerned with FAA Guidance on Use of Part 142 Training Centers
April 14, 2008
The FAA recently issued notice 8900.37, which provides principal operations inspectors (POI) with guidance for use in reviewing the training programs of commercial air carriers authorized to contract for training, checking or testing services with Part 142 training centers. NBAA is concerned about the FAA’s guidance with respect to the use of contract instructors and contract check airmen who do not serve as required air carrier crewmembers. The notice states that operators must adhere to line observation requirements applicable to their operating rules when utilizing contract instructors or contract check airmen. NBAA believes that this guidance will cause concern for commercial operators who have been using Part 142 training centers for the past ten years. NBAA is working with the FAA to identify a reasonable solution. For additional information, contact NBAA’s Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org, or download the notice.
FAA Issues SAFO on Use of Non-Safety Personnel
April 14, 2008
The FAA has issued a safety alert for operators (SAFO) regarding the accomplishment of safety-related functions for Part 135 operations. The SAFO recommends that operators clearly identify to passengers those crewmembers who are safety-qualified and those who are not. For Part 135, a flight attendant (trained and qualified in safety-related functions) is required when the aircraft has more than 19 passenger seats. According to the SAFO, all personnel performing cabin services onboard do not necessarily need to be trained and qualified in safety-related functions. In situations where no safety-qualified flight attendant is onboard, pilots must perform all safety functions. For additional information, review the SAFO.
FAA Provides Guidance on Operational Control FAQs
February 11, 2008
NBAA posed a number of frequently asked questions to the FAA as part of its ongoing effort to seek clarification on key areas of concern and confusion regarding operational control requirements for Part 135 operators. The FAA has now provided answers in response to these industry questions. While these responses address areas of common concern, each operator's situation may be unique. It remains critical that Part 135 operators develop agreements with aircraft owners, insurance companies, financial institutions and pilots to meet the FAA's operational control requirements. Consultation with qualified aviation counsel regarding operational control issues is strongly encouraged.
NBAA Offers New Operational Control Audit Checklist
October 15, 2007
The FAA’s significant focus on the on-demand charter industry has led some in the industry to question how to determine if any particular flight meets the specific regulatory requirements for operational control. NBAA has created a compliance checklist that identifies areas of importance and focus for the FAA and can be used by Part 135 air carriers as a quick means to audit a flight or series of flights to verify, or identify gaps in, compliance with regulations and OpSpec A008. Download the Word version (104 KB) | Download the PDF version (52 KB)
FAA Revises OpSpec for Basic Instrument Approach Authorization
April 23, 2007
The FAA has issued Notice 8000.360, which revises Operations Specification C052 issued to Part 91K, 121, 135, and 125 operators for basic instrument approach procedures. The OpSpec now provides principal operations inspectors with guidance on authorizing operators to conduct certain types of non-precision approaches using GPS or GPS WAAS. Operators should review the notice to ensure that they are in compliance with the new section of the OpSpec dealing with GPS approaches. Download FAA Notice 8000.360 (107 KB, PDF)
Should Part 135 Operators File "T" Before Tail Number on Flight Plans?
March 14, 2007
According to Section 4-2-4 of the Aeronautical Information Manual, "air taxi or other commercial operators not having FAA-authorized call signs should prefix their normal identification with the phonetic word 'Tango.'" Operators also should list their aircraft ID on the flight plan form as TN123AB for tail number N123AB. Air taxi or other commercial operators that have a company call sign should file the call sign and flight number; for example, Flight Options Flight 904 would file OPT904 in Block 2 of the flight plan and identify their flight over the radio as Options 904, no "Tango" required. For more information, contact the NBAA Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org or view a Frequently Asked Question on the topic.
FAA Issues Revised OpSpec for Carriage of Hazardous Materials
March 1, 2007
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Notice 8000.352 which provides a revised Operations Specification (OpSpec) A055 for the carriage of hazardous materials by Part 135 and Part 121 air carriers. The revised OpSpec requires both will-carry and will-not carry certificate holders to specifically authorize or prohibit the carriage of hazardous materials within their OpSpecs. In addition, the notice makes revisions to hazmat training requirements. Download FAA Notice 8000.352 (126 KB, PDF)
NBAA Requests Modifications to New FAA Charter Aircraft Policy
January 16, 2007
NBAA sent a letter to the FAA requesting that the agency modify its policy (published in Notice 8000.343 32KB, PDF) on adding aircraft to a charter operator's operations specifications. The current notice requires principle operations inspectors (POIs) to request approval from FAA headquarters prior to adding the aircraft to the certificate. NBAA believes that this requirement will unnecessarily burden both FAA staff and charter operators and unnecessarily delay the addition of aircraft to the on-demand charter fleet. NBAA believes that a more reasonable approach would include only a notification of FAA headquarters staff by the POI when a charter operator adds a new aircraft. Download NBAA’s letter (76KB, PDF)
Braking Action Common Terms Recommended by Industry-FAA Workgroup
October 2, 2006
Due in part to industry requests for standardized guidance and concerns over adequately maintained winter runways, last August the FAA hosted a Runway Condition Determination, Reporting and Report Dissemination Workshop. The workshop's Common Terms and Definition Working Group developed a braking action document of standardized definitions and estimated correlations based on runway surface conditions and runway friction Mu values. The workgroup has requested all operators to voluntarily incorporate these definitions into their operations manuals for this winter season. The FAA continues its work with landing-distance issues. Turbojet fractional and charter operators have been encouraged by the FAA to review a safety alert for operators (SAFO) related to landing performance assessments at time of arrival, and to voluntarily comply with a new OpSpec/MSpec C382 on the same topic. Review the braking action terms and the SAFO (27KB, PDF)
FAA Drops Landing Distance Assessment OpSpec to Pursue Rulemaking
September 1, 2006
The FAA has issued a safety alert for operators (SAFO) regarding "Landing Performance Assessment at Time of Arrival" for turbojet aircraft. The SAFO is based on the FAA policy statement on this topic that was published on June 7, 2006, and applies to air carriers, including business aviation operating under Part 135, Part 91 Subpart K or Part 125. While not mandatory, the FAA strongly encourages operators to voluntarily comply with a new C382 Operations Specification (OpSpec), which is similar to the draft C082 that will no longer be mandatory this year. NBAA will continue to press FAA to obtain answers to questions that the industry posed this summer, and NBAA will participate in the rulemaking process. Read the SAFO (53 KB, PDF)
Guidance for Part 135 Special Flight Permit Program
August 28, 2006
The FAA has issued Flight Standards Handbook Bulletin for Airworthiness (HBAW) 06-03, effective August 14, 2006, which provides significant relief for Part 135 (nine seats or less) certificate holders. The FAA received concerns from Part 135 operators regarding the availability of the FAA to issue special flight permits outside of normal business hours. In light of these concerns, FAA's Flight Standards Service has made several changes to ensure that these operators can effectively operate while continuing to provide airworthy, safe aircraft. This concern was addressed by the Airworthiness Working Group of the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee, and the HBAW is consistent with the ARC's recommendations. Download HBAW 06-03 (17 KB, PDF)
Additional Part 135 Tips and Resources
Articles
Tips for Certificate Holders: Managing and Enhancing Your FSDO Relationship
Underage Children and Chartered Aircraft: Considerations for Operators (31 KB, PDF)
IOPSS for the Part 135 Operator- Moving your OpSpecs into the 21st Century
Certification of Commercial Aircraft Operations- Which Rules Apply? (912 KB, PDF)
This publication provides insight into the requirements for certification as a commercial operator under Part 119 as well as the differences between operations conducted under Parts 135, 125 and 121.
Simplified Part 135: An Option for Corporate Operators?
Resources
FAA Part 135 Certification Information
FAA Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook
FAA Notice on Distribution of SAFO and InFO Messages
The FAA intends to use the e-mail addresses provided in OpSpec A007 to distribute its publications to affected operators and FAA personnel. Notice 8000.341 (97 KB, PDF) provides additional information for certificate holders. NBAA encourages all Part 135, 91K and 125 aircraft operators to ensure the correct e-mail addresses are current in their A007 OpSpec paragraph.
FAA Notice Addresses New Part 135 Weight and Balance Requirement
Notice 8400.84 (49 KB, Word) addresses Weight and Balance Operations Specifications for Part 121 and 135 certificated operators. The Notice states that certificated operators must comply with the newest revision of the weight and balance Advisory Circular (AC 120-27E) (1 MB, PDF) and develop an approved weight and balance program.
FAA Training Notice Affects Part 91K and 135 Operators and 142 Training Centers
In response to confusion caused by Notice 8400.294 (135 KB, PDF), the FAA developed a list of frequently asked questions regarding air carrier, air operator, and fractional ownership program training conducted by 14 CFR Part 142 training centers.
Industry Group Briefs FAA on Part 135 Rest and Duty Proposal
The Flight and Rest Subgroup of the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee briefed senior FAA officials on the subgoup's flight and rest proposal. NBAA's Doug Carr chaired the flight and rest subgroup and presented the subgroup's proposal along with representatives from NATA, Aviation Charter Services, Netjets, CJ Systems Aviation Group and ALPA. Download the Flight and Rest Subgroup's presentation (541 KB, PowerPoint)
FAA Publishes SFAR for Portable Oxygen on 135 Flights
The FAA has published SFAR 106 to permit the use of certain portable oxygen concentrator devices on aircraft, subject to certain conditions.
FAA Publishes Holdover Time Tables for 2007-2008 Winter Season
Eligible On-Demand Operations
In addition to creating Subpart K of Part 91, the Final Rule "Regulation of Fractional Aircraft Ownership Programs and On-Demand Operations" changes certain Part 135 regulations. 14 CFR 135.4 defines a new type of operator known as an "eligible on-demand operation." An eligible on-demand operation is allowed more lenient destination airport effective runway length performance and the opportunity to conduct an instrument approach at an airport with no weather reporting with certain qualifiers. These alternatives are only available to an eligible on-demand operation. One requirement of an eligible on-demand operation is that the flightcrew must consist of at least two qualified pilots. Part 135 operations choosing to not meet these requirements can still operate under Part 135, but will not be able to use these alternatives.
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