AOPA Action: FAA looks to next step in simplifying certification
AOPA pushed for right-size standards to lower cost
Although companies such as Dynon and Garmin have introduced non-TSO products for certified aircraft recently, the process for the approvals has been tedious and difficult for others to follow. AOPA encouraged the FAA to create a pathway that is easier for any company to follow, and the agency has been listening.
Companies manufacturing products for the Experimental market told AOPA that the complexities of software certification, meeting the certification requirements to ensure the products function properly in an electromagnetic high-intensity radiated field environment, and showing that the product’s electrical components can function properly after being exposed to lightning are among the challenges to entering the certified market. While meeting standards within those categories is important, those standards have been virtually the same whether the product was going into a light piston single or a Part 25 jumbo jet. Meeting those stringent standards is difficult and expensive. The cost and complexity of demonstrating compliance made it difficult for a small company only selling in the Experimental world to even consider moving into the certified market.
Hearing the challenges, the FAA has been looking at solutions. The agency is in the process of finalizing policies that are expected to address the complexity challenges and make them commensurate and appropriate for the light GA market. These changes leverage the experience and knowledge gained from recent Dynon and Garmin certification efforts. The FAA also has introduced a risk-based parts manufacturer approval (PMA) program, which will pave the way for elimination of the one-size-fits-all quality system for parts manufacturers. The Trio autopilot STC approved in April (see “Pilot Briefing: Trio Pro Pilot Install Approved,” page 37) is a direct result of those efforts.
“The FAA’s shift in policy is nothing short of monumental,” said Justin Barkowski, AOPA director of regulatory affairs. “This is a banner moment that AOPA has been advocating for years.” www.aopa.org/pilot/simplifycertificationIn Brief
AOPA, owners’ groups, FAA discuss mandatory service bulletins
AOPA and several other aircraft owners’ groups will document to the FAA their concerns and recommendations about an airworthiness concern sheet and corresponding mandatory service bulletin that calls for owners of many Continental Motors IO-520, IO-550, and some IO-470 engines to replace certain camshaft gears—a costly and invasive procedure—before the next engine overhaul.
Baker testifies on GA airports, safety, pilot community
The nation’s 2,950 federally funded general aviation airports boost local economies and can serve as a community’s lifeline in a natural disaster or other emergency—but billions of dollars from the federal program that funds most GA airport projects has been reallocated to other projects in the past 10 years, AOPA President Mark Baker testified in April before a Senate subcommittee.
ICAO form changes in June
The FAA has set June 5 as the date when use of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) flight plan format will be required for all civil flight plans filed with flight service for flights within the National Airspace System and to Canada. The FAA’s original implementation date of October 2015 was revised at AOPA’s request to allow time to communicate the change to pilots and accommodate automation enhancements and test schedules for the three flight service vendors.
BasicMed course and checklist now available
Pilots are cleared to start process
BAKER ON THE NEWS
“We fought long and hard for this on behalf of our members, and we’re excited that pilots can now start the BasicMed process. You’re now cleared to take the necessary steps to get in the air.”
—AOPA President Mark Baker
After years of AOPA advocating for an alternative to the recurrent medical certification that bogs many pilots down in costly tests and special issuance documentation, Congress in July 2016 passed third class medical reform, which the FAA termed BasicMed. Now the agency has released the official BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist that pilots who wish to fly under BasicMed need to fill out and have completed by the state-licensed physician performing the medical examination.
The agency also published the link to AOPA’s Medical Self-Assessment: A Pilot’s Guide to Flying Healthy online aeromedical course that satisfies the requirement for pilots to complete a medical education course prior to operating under BasicMed.
Pilots may now make their doctor’s appointment, have the FAA checklist filled out by the physician, and complete the free AOPA online medical course. Pilots must retain the completed exam checklist with their logbook, along with the certificate of completion from the online medical course. Once these requirements are met, pilots may exercise the privileges of BasicMed.
For more detailed information on BasicMed, see “Membership News & Notes,” on page 100.
www.aopa.org/pilot/BasicMedcourse
ACTION IN THE STATES
Tax exemption facing repeal in Pennsylvania
AOPA is working with Pennsylvania aviation advocates to defend a sales-tax exemption for aviation parts and maintenance. Repealing the exemption on aircraft maintenance performed in the state “is the equivalent of creating an up to 8-percent penalty (6-percent state sales tax locality tax in certain areas) on any person or business who wants to acquire maintenance services” in Pennsylvania, said AOPA.
AOPA opposes Alaska restricted airspace plan
AOPA believes that a U.S. Army proposal to establish restricted airspace in airspace south and east of Allen Army Airfield in Delta Junction/Fort Greely, Alaska, would “significantly and adversely impact general aviation,” and AOPA has opposed the plan in formal comments.
Texas airport hosts GA, border surveillance drones
AOPA is working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FAA to help pilots share airspace safely with unmanned aircraft flying border surveillance missions five days a week from San Angelo Regional/Mathis Field Airport in Texas.
Maine bill would increase fuel excise tax
A Maine bill to increase fuel excise taxes by seven cents a gallon to pay for road and bridge repairs offers no tangible benefits to the state’s general aviation airports, AOPA says. “Maine needs a defined program to reinvest excise tax revenues into its public-use airports before it should raise the tax on aviation fuels,” said AOPA Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins, who submitted testimony at the state’s Joint Committee on Transportation’s hearing.
Virginia sales tax exemption for aircraft parts becomes law
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a bill to exempt aircraft parts and components from state sales and use taxes beginning July 1, 2018. AOPA strongly backed the bill, declaring it a priority for its 2017 state legislative agenda, and sent two members of the association’s state advocacy team to testify in favor of the measure, which won a strong 91-5 vote in the House of Delegates, and unanimous backing in the state Senate.
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