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Fact Sheet – Regulating and Licensing Commercial Space Transportation Activities

Background

The FAA is responsible for regulating and licensing U.S. private companies and individuals involved in commercial space transportation. To date, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation has licensed over 200 successful launches.

Licensing Requirements

  • An FAA license is required for any launch or reentry, or the operation of any launch or reentry site, as carried out by U.S. citizens anywhere in the world, or by any individual or entity within the United States.
  • An FAA license is not required for space activities the government carries out for the government, such as most NASA or Department of Defense launches.
  • Once the FAA determines a license application package is complete, the FAA has 180 days to complete an evaluation and issue or deny a license.
  • The FAA evaluation includes a review of: public safety issues; the activity’s environmental impact; any payload to be flown; any national security or foreign policy concerns, and whether or not the commercial space operator is appropriately insured.

Experimental Permits

  • To help facilitate in the eventual licensing process, the FAA can issue experimental permits, rather than licenses, for the launch or reentry of reusable suborbital rockets.
  • Experimental permits are issued for research and development; demonstrating compliance with requirements leading to licensing; or crew training prior to obtaining a license.
  • No person may operate a reusable suborbital rocket under a permit for carrying any property or human being for compensation or hire.

Oversight

  • When an FAA licensed space activity is scheduled, FAA safety inspectors will attend even if it takes place outside the United States.
  • The FAA has the authority to suspend or revoke any license or issue fines when a commercial space operator is not in compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements.
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    Phillips Service Industries Acquires Skytronics, Inc.


    LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Phillips Service Industries, Inc. (PSI), a global manufacturing and service corporation that serves a wide variety of industries with its diverse collection of technology-based companies, announced today that it has acquired Skytronics, Inc., a leading aircraft component manufacturer and maintenance repair organization located in El Segundo, CA.

    Skytronics specializes in the manufacturing, repair, overhaul and sales of aircraft ball screw and actuator assemblies and the transmissions that drive them. Skytronics is an OEM that also holds license parts manufacturing authority on stabilizer ball screws installed on Boeing 727/737/747/757/767 aircraft, as well as a distributor of both new and overhauled aircraft components.

    Established in 1956, Skytronics has been an FAA-approved Repair Station for over 50 years, with current FAA, EASA, CAAC and Boeing approvals. Skytronics has expanded its capabilities to include Boeing flight controls, horizontal stabilizer trim actuators (HSTAs), trim tab actuators, flap transmissions and leading-edge actuators. Skytronics also manufactures, repairs, overhauls and sells ignition harnesses, alternators, regulators and ignition lead conduits that are used in general aviation.

    The Skytronics acquisition further expands PSI’s reach into the aerospace market. Other PSI subsidiaries that serve the aerospace industry include Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Sciaky, Inc., Mountain Secure Systems, Evana Automation Specialists and PSI Repair Services.

    “The aerospace industry is very significant to PSI,” said Scott Phillips, CEO and President of Phillips Service Industries, Inc. “The Skytronics acquisition provides additional products and services to our valued customers.”

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    American’s Reply to FAA

    These events happened more than two years ago, and we believe this action is unwarranted. We plan to follow the FAA’s process and will challenge any proposed civil penalty. We are confident we have a strong case and the facts will bear this out. Receipt of the FAA proposed penalty will give us the chance to present the facts, which will support our actions taken back in early 2008. American Airlines has always maintained its aircraft to the highest standards, and we continue to do so. We assure our customers there was never a safety of flight issue surrounding these circumstances more than two years ago.

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  • Cooperation to Keep Flying Secure


    December 30, 2009

    Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reiterated that the security of passengers and employees is a top priority for the aviation industry. IATA urged the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to partner with industry to identify the most effective and efficient ways to address the evolving security challenge in light of the foiled terrorist plot to down a Detroit-bound aircraft.

    In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, IATA’s Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani appreciated the swift reaction of DHS to maintain the confidence of the flying public and airline employees.

    Bisignani noted the need for short-term temporary and extra-ordinary security measures until the immediate threat has abated. But he cautioned Secretary Napolitano that long-term solutions must include improved technology and effective risk assessment techniques. “The air transport system cannot support 100% pat-down searches over the long term.” IATA is recommending a smaller percentage of intensive pat downs accompanied by technologies or proportionate screening procedures as a means to achieve near-term security requirements with reduced delays.

    While security is a government responsibility, it is a shared priority with industry. Bisignani urged DHS to allow the current short-term measures to be urgently followed-up by a comprehensive DHS/industry review of security systems to address existing and evolving security threats.

    The failed Detroit terror plot emphasized two key realities: the global nature of the threat and the need for effective cooperation and information sharing among and within intelligence organizations. “Effective security needs a system that is built on global harmonization, effective information exchange, industry/government cooperation, risk assessment and efficient technology. This is how we made flying the safest way to travel. We must take the same approach with security,” said Bisignani.

    Numbers illustrate the scale of the challenge. In the 12 months to September 2009, air transport connected 2.2 billion passengers safely and securely. This includes 820 million international travelers of which 140 million were international travelers on US routes. Another component is the US domestic market which accounts for 620 million travelers. “We live on an interconnected planet. Effective security cannot be achieved with a silo-approach,” said Bisignani.

    As governments, with industry, review security in the days and weeks ahead, Bisignani urged a long-term re-think of the security model. “Instead of looking for bad things—nail clippers and rogue bottles of shampoo—security systems need to focus on finding bad people. Adding new hardware to an old system will not deliver the results we need. It is time for governments to invest in a process built around a check point of the future that combines the best of screening technology with the best of intelligence gathering. Such a system would give screeners access to important passenger data to make effective risk assessments. The data is being collected. The technology exists. Industry is supportive. Now ICAO and governments must work together to make such a process a reality with global harmonization and data-sharing,” said Bisignani.

    Each year airlines and their passengers invest US$5.9 billion in security measures.

    IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.

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  • IATA Press Release: Priorities for Indonesian Aviation

    Date: 4 August 2010

    Jakarta – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) outlined the priorities for Indonesia’s aviation industry. “Now is the time to plan and build for the future. With 240 million people living on thousands of islands and great world-class tourist attractions, the potential for aviation to grow and drive economic development is enormous. Coordinated government policies to ensure safety, cost-efficient and effective infrastructure and environmental sustainability are needed,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

    “Indonesia has a remarkable story to tell. The country weathered the global financial crisis better than most with a 4.5% GDP growth in 2009. And the turnaround at Garuda has been dramatic. While the world’s airlines were generating losses, Garuda’s passenger demand grew by 3% and they improved net profits by over 50% in 2009. Everyday brings new challenges and Garuda is well-placed to face them,” said Bisignani.

    “The good news for Indonesia is that Asia Pacific is expected to be the most profitable region this year,” said Bisignani. Asia Pacific is leading the recovery with forecast profits of $2.2 billion and strong traffic growth. June passenger and cargo traffic for the region grew at 15.5% and 29.8% respectively, above the global average.

    While in Jakarta, Bisignani met with Indonesian Vice President Prof. Dr Boediono, airlines and infrastructure operators and ASEAN leaders.

    IATA laid out three priorities for Indonesian aviation: safety; cost-efficient and effective infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

    Safety: “Safety is always the top priority. Safety issues require constant attention and commitment. There have been three non fatal accidents involving Indonesian airlines this year. And there were 5 accidents involving Indonesian operators in 2009, and 24 over the past 5 years. The situation is improving, but the damage done to Indonesia’s safety reputation will not be solved with short-term measures. A long-term strategic commitment is needed from both industry and government. I encourage the Indonesian government to make the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) a national requirement. It will ensure best practice in operational safety with global standards. And it will be a strong signal to the world that Indonesian aviation safety is moving in the right direction,” said Bisignani. Garuda and Mandala Airlines are the only two Indonesian airlines currently on the IOSA registry.

    IATA is also working with the Indonesian government to improve safety by sharing global best practices through safety seminars and by supporting Indonesia’s implementation of the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan.

    Infrastructure: Bisignani identified infrastructure as being critical to support Indonesia’s traffic growth. “With the completing of Terminal 3, Jakarta’s airport has the capacity to handle 38 million passengers a year. But passenger numbers are already topping 36.5 million with the government predicting 10% annual growth. Jakarta’s airport infrastructure will not be able to cope. There is no time to waste. Planning and implementation of the next stage of development is critical. It is very important that airport operators engage airlines in meaningful consultation to make the most of the current infrastructure and to plan for future developments,” said Bisignani.

    “We do not see the cost-efficiency improvements in Indonesian aviation infrastructure that we see in other parts of the region. We appreciate that the increases announced in 2001 have not been enforced. But to remain competitive, the focus must be on cost-reduction. I encouraged the government to challenge Angkasa Pura 1 and Angkasa Pura 2 to deliver greater cost-efficiency,” said Bisignani.

    Environment: The aviation industry has agreed to three targets: (1) improving fuel efficiency by 1.5% a year to 2020; (2) capping emissions with carbon neutral growth from 2020, (3), cutting emissions in half by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. “All growth must be environmentally sustainable. I encourage the Indonesian government to support aviation’s aggressive and responsible approach to climate change,” said Bisignani.

    “We need a global approach for aviation, not local excuses for governments to gain access to new sources of taxes. We must also take a strong stand against regional schemes like the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. I hope Indonesia will be a strong voice against Europe’s unfair and ineffective plans,” said Bisignani.

    Bisignani praised Garuda for taking the lead in implementing the IATA industry standard carbon offset program – an industry-wide management service that delivers best practice, standard methodologies and quality control. He also suggested that Indonesia explore the possibilities of producing biofuels source crops such as camelina, jatropha, and algae.

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    Dassault’s Enhanced Vision System (EVS) Receives FAA Certification for the Falcon 7X

    SAINT-CLOUD, France, February 11, 2011 — Dassault Falcon has received operational certification from the FAA for the Falcon 7X Enhanced Vision System (EVS). This follows certification received from EASA in July, 2010.

    Dassault’s EVS provides an image on the Head-Up Display (HUD) and flight deck displays that enables the pilots to see the terrain and airport environment in low visibility situations such as in fog, haze, snow or at night. It incorporates LCD HUD technology and offers a high quality, brighter video presentation with a unique two-mode setting that optimizes the video for either an approach configuration (to enhance approach and runway lights), or a general purpose configuration. It also takes advantage of special IR video processing developed specifically to minimize visual artifacts and distortion.

    “Incorporating technology that enhances safety and situational awareness is a prime goal in the continuing development of all our programs,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “This additional certification is further affirmation that we are achieving this goal. Our fully integrated EVS offers advanced features not available on any other system, and has already generated a great deal of interest among the Falcon family,” Rosanvallon added. EVS significantly improves situational awareness, not only during take-off, approach and landing, but also during ground maneuvering.

    In addition to enhanced situational awareness, the Falcon 7X EVS system provides operational credit towards reduced minima in low visibility landing conditions from the published IFR minima down to a minimum of 100 feet above the threshold elevation. This provides minima equivalent to Cat II minimums even on Cat I standard instrument approaches and on non-precision approaches.
    A one day pilot training course, consisting of ground instruction and full flight simulator training (including at least six approaches) is required for operators using EVS.

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    FAA Airworthiness Directive Regarding Boeing 787-8

    All Boeing 787 Dreamliners currently in service are being required to confirm that fuel line connectors have been properly installed. Fuel leaks in Dreamliners were traced to a manufacturing flaw at Boeing plants.

    The FAA said “A safety order mandated inspection of fuel line couplings in the engine pylons to verify the couplings are correctly assembled and installed”

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