FAA NEWS

US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) Monthly Safety Report February 2025   USHST Vision:  A civil registered helicopter community without fatal accidents Days since last Fatal helicopter accident:  50 Days : 22 Hours : 34 Minutes : 56 Seconds   US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) Calendar Year Metrics - The USHST began tracking its new goals for the CY2025-2029 (5 year) timeframe. The goals are by 14 CFR Operating Part, tracking the 5 year average fatal accident rates per 100K hours.   14 CFR Part Baseline, CY2018-2022 (per 100K hours) Goal, CY2025-2029 (per 100K hours) Progress, CY2021-2025 (per 100K hours) 91 0.81 0.73 (10% reduction) 0.58 133 1.73 1.56 (10% reduction) 0.43 135 0.33 0.17 (50% reduction) 0.35 137 1.11 1.00 (10% reduction) 1.49 USHST uses the following as conditions for the fatal accidents included in rate calculations:  U.S. registered aircraft, Operating in the U.S./U.S. territories (includes offshore), Not operating as Public Aircraft (public use).      Helicopter - Safety Enhancement (H-SE) Details   H-SE 2023-05, Training on effects of adverse wind situations. The goal of this H-SE is to better illustrate the hazards posed by adverse winds on rotorcraft performance, especially when operating at low airspeeds. As an example, similar, but unrelated efforts, have been undertaken in the fixedwing world around loss of control events and the use of Angle-of-Attack (AOA) indicators. Vertical flight operations at low airspeed are predictable when the air-circulation through the rotor system is able to maintain a steady-state. It can be visualized as a bubble of air circulating around the rotor system. If this bubble is disrupted, or “popped”, a corresponding loss of lift can result. This creates a performance scenario that is not indicated by any instruments and is not able to be planned through a chart, but rather is managed by the pilot through a combination of forethought, experience, knowledge of wind directions and intensity around the aircraft, distance from obstacles and power reserves available. Given that it is not currently possible to provide rotorcraft pilots with an indicator that shows an impending loss of lift, this H-SE seeks to promote effective training solutions for pilot decision making and more effective risk assessment during operations. Please refer to USHST.org to view this entire safety report. For any questions regarding the information within this notice please contact Clarke Pleasants, Assistant Professor of Aerospace, MTSU, at 615-898-2054 or email at clarke.pleasants@mtsu.edu
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FLIGHT ADVISORY National Special Security Event 2025 Joint Session of Congress Washington, D.C. The entire flight advisory may be accessed and downloaded at the following address: https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2025/Feb/2025_Joint_Session_FAA_ADV_Final.pdf  At the request of the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for the Washington, D.C., area to provide appropriate security measures for the Joint Session of Congress event. The TFR will increase the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA) and Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ) restrictions for March 04, 2025.   The FAA will publish increased security restrictions for the DC SFRA and DC FRZ airspace by NOTAM no later than February 26, 2025: Additional DC SFRA Flight Restrictions: DOD, Law Enforcement and Air Ambulance operations authorized by the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) are permitted within the DC SFRA. Prior coordination and approval must be obtained from the ASOC at 866-598-9524. Coordination calls will not be accepted more than 48 hours in advance of the NOTAM effective time. Part 135 and Part 91 aircraft on an active IFR flight plan may arrive and/or depart Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Manassas Regional/Davis Airport (HEF) ONLY. Part 135 and part 91 IFR/VFR flights are not authorized to transit through the DC SFRA, with the exception of IFR aircraft landing BWI, IAD or HEF. The provisions of 14 CFR 93.345 and letters of agreement which authorize egress procedures for the following airports will be suspended: A. Barnes (MD47) B. Flying M Farms (MD77) C. Mountain Road (MD43) D. Robinson (MD14) E. Skyview (51VA)   LOAs covering ingress/egress for Maples Field (VG57) and Goose Hunt Farm (3VA5) will be suspended. The provisions of 14 CFR Part 93.339 which authorize VFR traffic pattern operations at SFRA airports will be suspended. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 4/1789, which authorize ingress/egress procedures for Leesburg Airport (JYO) will be suspended. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 4/1783, UAS operations in the SFRA will be suspended. Washington DC FRZ Restrictions:  DOD, Law Enforcement and Air Ambulance operations authorized by the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) will be permitted within the DC FRZ. Prior coordination and approval must be obtained from the ASOC at 866-598-9524. Coordination calls will not be accepted more than 48 hours in advance of the NOTAM effective time. Operations on or near Helicopter Route 1 from the Cabin John Bridge to the Prince Georges Center and within Zone 1 and 2 should be lifesaving or national security missions ONLY. All aircraft, except approved Diplomatic flights, arriving and/or departing from Joint Base Andrews (ADW) or Davison Army Airfield (DAA) MUST coordinate with and receive approval from the ASOC at 866-598-9524. Coordination calls will not be accepted more than 48 hours in advance of the NOTAM effective time. An airport Prior Permission Required (PPR) does not authorize flight into or out of the DC FRZ. Foreign aircraft issued a Department of State diplomatic clearance are authorized to land or depart ADW ONLY. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 4/2565 and 14 CFR Part 93, which authorize operations at the Maryland 3 airports known as Potomac Airfield (VKX) and College Park Airport (CGS), will be suspended.   Prohibited Operations ANYWHERE within the SFRA/FRZ: Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft (UAS), Aerobatic Maneuvers, Glider Operations, Parachute Operations, Ultralights, Lighter than Air/Balloon/Moored Balloon, Agricultural/Crop Dusting/Spraying, Animal Population Control, Banner Towing, Utility/Pipeline Patrols, Aircraft/Helicopters operating from a ship or private/corporate yacht, Model Rockets, or Maintenance Flights. Flight Training/Practice Approaches are prohibited.   All flight waivers to operate within the SFRA/FRZ will be temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM, except waivers beginning with LEA, LFG, ELO, GOV, SPO, and UFR.   The NOTAM discussed in this advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area. Pilots are strongly advised to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMS.   The FAA point of contact for the 2025 Presidential Address to the Joint Session of Congress is the National Capital Region Coordination Center (NCRCC), which can be reached at 866-598-9522.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Van Nuys Tower 7550 Hayvenhurst Place Van Nuys, CA 91406     Issued: 01/28/2025 2200 (UTC)                                                                                                Effective: 02/06/2025 1400 (UTC) Van Nuys Tower                                          Letter to Airmen: LTA-VNY-13 Subject: Taxiway Construction At Van Nuys Airport (VNY) Cancellation: 09/13/2025 1400 (UTC) A multi-phase construction project to repave multiple taxiways on the airport will continue through September 12, 2025. Concurrent with construction progress, RWY16L/34R will be closed, and the closure of associated taxiways D, E, F, and Q, RWY16R/34L will be temporarily shortened. The project impacts the following aircraft operations: VNY airport will be operating with a single shortened runway. Taxiway/Runway signage will temporarily change. Pilots should remain vigilant for non-standard taxi routes and when checking NOTAMs as they will change frequently. Pattern availability will be severely limited. ILS approaches will be unavailable. Updates on VNY runway and taxiway status will also be broadcast on the VNY Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS). The Airport Diagram on link in this Notice shows closed surfaces during some or all of the construction process.  CHECK NOTAMs FREQUENTLY   IMPORTANT: Use extreme caution for construction personnel and flagmen. Please refer to the linked information for diagrams regarding construction.  Forward questions or comments about this notice to the Van Nuys Tower Manager at 7550 Hayvenhurst Place, Van Nuys, CA 91406 or phone 818-904-6166.    Sean Johnson     Air Traffic Manager, Van Nuys Tower
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration San Juan Tower FAA San Juan ATCT Luis Munoz Marin Int'l Arpt. 14th Floor Carolina, PR 71110 Issued: 02/05/2025 2100 (UTC)        Effective: 02/05/2025 2100 (UTC) San Juan Tower                                 Letter to Airmen: LTA-SJU-10 Subject: SJU RWY8/26 Airport Diagram Changes Cancellation: 04/15/2025 1200 (UTC) Issued: 02/05/2025 2100 (UTC)         Effective: 02/05/2025 2100 (UTC) San Juan Tower Letter to Airmen: LTA-SJU-9 Subject: SJU RWY 8/26 Airport Diagram Changes SAN JUAN ATCT LETTER TO AIRMEN NO.LTA-SJU- 9 Issued: 02/05/2025                              Effective: 02/05/2025 SUBJECT: SJU RWY8/26 AIRPORT DIAGRAM CHANGES BACKGROUND: The Runway 8/26 Rehabilitation Project included adjacent taxiway configuration changes and taxiway renaming to comply with airport regulations. Please review the advance updated Airport Diagram included herein for use until published formally on April 17, 2025.  Connector Taxiway Sierra between parallel Taxiway S and the Runway 8 approach threshold has been renamed Sierra 1 (S1). Connector Taxiway Sierra 1 has been renamed Sierra 2 (S2). Connector Taxiway Sierra 2 has been renamed Sierra 3 (S3). Connector Taxiway Sierra 3 has been renamed Sierra 4 (S4).   Connector Taxiways Sierra 5 and Sierra 6 have NOT been renamed. Previous connector Taxiway Sierra 4 and Taxiway Sierra 7 between Runway 8/26 and parallel Taxiway Sierra have been closed permanently. Runway 8/26 parallel Taxiway Sierra has NOT been renamed. For further detailed information and charting refer to LTA-SJU-10 at: https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2025/Feb/LTA-SJU-10_02-05-2025.pdf   Marluan Diaz SJU ATCT Operations Supervisor 787-253-8948 marluan.diaz@faa.gov Carlos Perez Air Traffic Manager, San Juan Tower carlos.i.perez@faa.gov    
prev next

DRONE DJ

prev next

SUAS NEWS

prev next

DRONELIFE

prev next