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EASA proposes a new set of harmonised European rules to avoid crew fatigue

EASA published today a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA 2010-14) on flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements (FTL) for commercial air transport by aeroplanes. FTL rules aim at avoiding crew fatigue by introducing limitations to the way crews can be scheduled by airlines. This NPA proposes a number of safety improvements and areas for European harmonisation.

The European Parliament and the European Commission requested EASA to conduct a scientific and medical evaluation of the current regulation which allows national provisions in areas such as augmented flight crew, split duty, time zone crossing, reduced rest and standby, and to propose a set of fully harmonised rules. The new proposal is the result of the work of a rulemaking group that includes National Aviation Authorities, Airlines and Flight and Cabin Crew representatives.

This proposal is the first step in a fully transparent public consultation process. Comments will be reviewed and a Comment Response Document (CRD) will be available for public consultation. At the end of the consultation process, EASA will present a final Opinion to the European Commission that will then launch the final process for adoption by the European Parliament and European Council in April 2012.

http://easa.europa.eu/rulemaking/docs/npa/NPA%202010-14.pdf

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    FAA and Singapore Sign Aviation Safety Agreement

    FAA and Singapore Sign Aviation Safety Agreement

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    JetSelect Aircraft Maintenance Services, LLC Obtains FAA Certification as a Part 145 Repair Station

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    Letter to Chairmen Oberstar and Costello and Ranking Members Mica and Petri Regarding FAA’s Efforts to Implement RTCA Task Force Recommendations for NextGen

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    On December 21, we (DOT OIG) issued a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Aviation Subcommittee regarding FAA’s efforts to implement the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Last September, a RTCA task force recommended mid-term actions for advancing NextGen. The task force findings and recommendations are consistent with our work, covering areas such as maximizing the use of equipment already on aircraft and new procedures, enhancing information sharing among FAA and airspace users, and reducing delays. We are reporting our results thus far with respect to (1) FAA’s progress in responding to the task force report, (2) potential barriers to implementing the task force recommendations and realizing benefits, and (3) ongoing problems with a key modernization effort that could materially affect the pace of NextGen. In summary, FAA is incorporating RTCA’s recommendations in its NextGen plans but has not specified how it will execute key initiatives for addressing delays in major metropolitan areas. For example, FAA is still working to establish definitive milestones to integrate new airspace designs and procedures at metroplex locations. FAA also has yet to establish a mechanism for integrating metroplex initiatives with programs to better manage airport surface operations. At the same time, FAA faces several organizational, policy, logistical, and training challenges that could impede NextGen implementation in the midterm; these include working across diverse agency lines of business and establishing policies on data sharing. FAA must also resolve implementation problems with critical modernization projects, such as En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM)–a $2.1 billion NextGen tool for processing flight data–which has experienced software problems and delays at key sites.

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    American Airlines and American Eagle Extend Ticketing Deadline to Help Customers Affected by Mexicana Airlines Service Suspension

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, today announced that the deadline for the special 20 percent discount off of any published fare for customers holding tickets for confirmed bookings on cancelled Mexicana flights has been extended until Sept. 12, 2010.

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    To take advantage of this special offer, customers may call American Airlines reservations:

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    1-800-433-7300 (English)
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    Mexico-based Customers

    5209-1400 (Mexico City only)
    01-800-904-6000 (Rest of Mexico)

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