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Press Release – FAA Proposes Requiring Pilot Certificates to Include Photos

For Immediate Release
November 18, 2010

Phone: 202-267-3461

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today it is proposing that all pilot certificates include photos of the certificate holder.

This action follows a requirement that all pilot certificates be made of plastic and contain security features, such as a hologram and an ultraviolet-sensitive layer, to prevent tampering, altering and counterfeiting.

“The Department of Transportation is committed to keeping the traveling public safe,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is an important safeguard to help make sure individuals can’t pose as pilots, whatever their intentions.”

Under the new FAA proposal, pilots would obtain new certificates on which their photograph would appear with a proposed expiration date of eight years. At the end of that time period, pilots would need to update their photo and obtain a new certificate.
“Our current certificates are plastic and tamper-resistant, but this proposal will make them even more secure,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

If the proposal is finalized as proposed, all new airman certificates would have to include a photograph. Existing pilots with a current commercial pilot certificate would have four years to comply, while a pilot with an airline transport pilot rating would have three years to obtain a new certificate with a photo. Existing private, recreational or sport pilot certificate holders would have five years to comply with the new requirement.

If finalized, the resulting final regulation will fulfill a provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which requires the FAA to issue plastic, tamper-resistant pilot certificates with photos.

Under the proposal, the cost of the new pilot certificate would be $22. That amount is comparable to drivers’ license fees in many states and would have to be renewed every eight years.

The comment period for the proposed rule ends February 17, 2011. The rule is on display at the Federal Register: http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx#reg_F. It will be published in the Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/
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    Press Release – FAA Proposes Comprehensive New Helicopter Safety Rules

    For Immediate Release
    October 7, 2010

    WASHINGTON–The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today proposed broad new rules for helicopter operators, including air ambulances, which, if finalized, would require stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications and training, and additional on-board safety equipment.

    “This is a significant proposal that will improve the safety of many helicopter flights in the United States,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The FAA’s initiatives have helped the helicopter industry make progress on many safety issues, but it’s time to take steps towards mandating these major safety improvements.”

    Under the proposed rules, operators would use the latest on-board technology and equipment to avoid terrain and obstacles. The proposal also contains provisions which, if finalized, would require operators to use enhanced procedures for flying in challenging weather, at night, and when landing in remote locations.

    “We can prevent accidents by preparing pilots and equipping helicopters for all of the unique flying conditions they encounter,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “These new rules are designed to protect passengers, patients, medical personnel, and pilots.”

    The FAA document includes new proposals covering a variety of helicopter operators.

    The proposed rules would require air ambulance operators to:

    • Equip with Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS).
    • The proposal seeks comments on requirements for light-weight aircraft recording systems (LARS).
    • Conduct operations under Part 135, including flight crew time limitation and rest requirements, when medical personnel are on board.
    • Establish operations control centers if they are certificate holders with 10 or more helicopter air ambulances.
    • Institute pre-flight risk-analysis programs.
    • Conduct safety briefings for medical personnel.
    • Amend their operational requirements to include Visual Flight Rules (VFR) weather minimums, Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at airports/heliports without weather reporting, procedures for VFR approaches, and VFR flight planning.
    • Ensure their pilots in command hold an instrument rating.

    Under the proposal, all commercial helicopter operators would be required to:

    • Revise IFR alternate airport weather minimums.
    • Demonstrate competency in recovery from inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions.
    • Equip their helicopters with radio altimeters.
    • Change the definition of “extended over-water operation” and require additional equipment for these operations.

    The proposed rules would require all Part 135 aircraft, i.e. helicopter and fixed wing on-demand operators, to:

    • Prepare a load manifest.
    • Transmit a copy of load manifest documentation to their base of operations, in lieu of preparing a duplicate copy.
    • Specify requirements for retaining a copy of the load manifest in the event that the documentation is destroyed in an aircraft accident.

    In addition, the proposal would require Part 91 general aviation helicopter operators to revise the VFR weather minimums.

    Since August 2004, the FAA has promoted initiatives to reduce risk for helicopter air ambulance operations. While accidents did decline in 2005 and 2006, 2008 proved to be the deadliest year on record with six accidents that claimed 24 lives. Overall, from 1992 through 2009, 135 helicopter air ambulance accidents claimed 126 lives. From 1994 through 2008, there were also 75 commercial helicopter accidents (excluding air ambulances) that resulted in 88 fatalities.

    The estimated cost of the proposal in present value for the air ambulance industry is $136 million with a total benefit of $160 million over 10 years. The cost for other commercial operators is $89 million with a total benefit of $115 million over 10 years.

    The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is on display at the Federal Registerat www.archives.gov?federal-register. It’s also available at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published/ and will be published in the Federal Register on October 12. A fact sheet on the FAA’s past initiatives is available at www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets

    The 90-day public comment period closes on January 10, 2011.

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  • FAA: Cockpit distractions

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    NTSB 2013 Most Wanted List


    November 13, 2012
    Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a press conference at the National Press Club to unveil its 2013 Most Wanted List of transportation safety issues.

    Event: Press Conference

    Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

    Location: National Press Club
    529 14th Street, NW 13th Floor (Zenger Room)
    Washington, DC 20045

    Participants: NTSB Board Members

    NTSB Board Members will be available for interviews following the event.

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    FAA Penalty against Chem-Tronics


    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a civil penalty of $359,350 against GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics, Inc., an El Cajon, Calif.-based aircraft repair station,for allegedly violating FAA drug and alcohol testing regulations.
    The FAA alleges GKN failed to conduct required pre-employment drug tests and receive verified negative drug test results before hiring 17 people to perform safety-sensitive functions. The alleged violations took place between May and December, 2011.
    The FAA also alleges the company failed to test four randomly-selected individuals for alcohol use in January, April and July, 2011; failed to carry out all the required drug and alcohol testing for two employees as part of the return-to-duty process; and conducted inappropriate post-accident drug testing for two employees.
    The FAA discovered the alleged violations during an inspection of GKN’s testing program, Jan. 23-27, 2012.

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    Essential Air Services Shutdown Pending

    The 20th temporary extension of the Federal Aviation Administration expires in days.

    The House passed a bill threatened by a presidential veto, and the FAA may be shut down midnight Friday, and end “Essential Air Service” to 13 cities.

    Thirteen airports are targeted to lose their EAS subsidies.

    Press Release – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Urges Swift Action by Congress on FAA Bill

    July 20, 2011

    WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt called on Congress today to pass a clean extension of the FAA’s authorization in order to avoid airport project construction delays and employee furloughs. The current FAA reauthorization expires at midnight this Friday, July 22, 2011. LaHood and Babbitt said they oppose the House bill because it includes controversial provisions that needlessly threaten critical FAA programs and jeopardize thousands of public and private sector jobs.

    “Congress needs to stop playing games, work out its differences, and pass a clean FAA bill immediately. There is no excuse for not getting this done,” said Secretary LaHood. “Important programs and construction projects are at stake. This stalemate must be resolved.”

    Secretary LaHood also said, “I want to reassure the flying public that, during this period, safety will not be compromised.”

    “We are going to be forced to furlough valuable FAA employees unless this situation is resolved quickly,” said FAA Administrator Babbitt. “These employees do everything from getting money out the door for airport construction projects, to airport safety planning and NextGen research. We need them at work.”

    If Congress does not extend the FAA’s authorities approximately 4,000 employees will be furloughed beginning Saturday July 23, 2011. Without the appropriate authority, taxes will not be deposited into the Trust Fund to pay some FAA employees. Employees who are paid out of the Trust Fund handle a variety of functions including: airport safety and engineering standards; airport safety planning; the Airport Improvement Program, which administers construction project grants to airports; and Research, Engineering, and Development, which includes NextGen research and testing.

    Congress has extended the FAA’s authorization 20 separate times.

    Without a full year extension, FAA will be unable to move forward on more than $600 million in airport construction projects that include good paying jobs for local communities across the country. Some of these projects include:

    GulfportBiloxi International Airport: proceed with construction of a terminal building expansion, rehabilitation runway lighting, rehabilitation of a taxiway, and rehabilitation of an access road.
    RichmondInternational Airport: proceed with construction of a new apron for terminal concourse A.
    Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: proceed with construction of taxiway Y and Z rehabilitation.
    LaredoInternational Airport: proceed with the rehabilitation of the Engineered Material Arresting System which will help protect passengers if an aircraft leaves the runway.

    Additionally, during each of the previous 20 short term extensions, the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program has only received small portions of its $3.5 billion in grant money.

    As a result, states and airports have been left waiting to plan projects or begin construction since the total amount available is unknown. Some projects that are already underway are being constructed in stages and the total cost of the project will likely be higher as a result of that approach.

    For example, in Wisconsin, the state has delayed accepting construction bids until officials know how much federal funding is available. Unless the FAA receives a longer extension, projects in Wisconsin could be delayed into next year since the construction season will start to wind down at the end of the summer.

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    S7 Airlines is Now Part of oneworld

    • World’s premier airline alliance adds Russia’s leading domestic carrier
    • Group’s network in Commonwealth of Independent States tripled
    • Double miles offer to frequent flyer to celebrate
    • Moscow ceremony marks latest landmark in oneworld’s breakthrough year

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — S7 Airlines today became part of oneworld®, adding Russia’s leading domestic carrier to the world’s premier global airline alliance. Its subsidiary Globus joined at the same time, as an affiliate member of oneworld.

    They now offer oneworld’s full range of services and benefits, joining an alliance of best-in-class airline partners from every region around the world – American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana, Qantas and Royal Jordanian and almost 20 affiliated airlines.

    Customers benefit from expanded global network

    S7 and Globus between them serve 90 destinations and 28 countries. They add 55 destinations in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States to the oneworld schedule, plus nine countries, in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This has almost tripled the number of destinations served by oneworld in Russia, the CIS and other parts of East Europe to a total 84 destinations in 26 countries.

    It expands oneworld’s global coverage to a total of more than 750 destinations in almost 150 countries, served by 8,500 departures a day operated by a combined fleet of some 2,250 aircraft, carrying 300 million passengers a year, with annual revenues of more than US$85 billion. When oneworld member designates airberlin, Europe’s fifth largest airline, and Kingfisher Airlines, India’s leading carrier, join in the coming 18 months, that will grow further to some 900 destinations, served by 9,500 daily departures operated by 14 airlines and 20 affiliates, carrying 340 million passengers a year on a combined fleet of 2,500 aircraft, generating annual revenues of US$90 billion.

    Extended frequent flyer benefits – with ‘double miles’ offer to celebrate

    Members of the S7 Priority frequent flyer program have now, in effect, had the privileges they receive when flying with S7 extended to cover travel using any oneworld member airline worldwide.

    They can now earn and redeem mileage awards on any oneworld flight – and to celebrate the airline’s addition to the group, they will receive double the normal mileage awards when flying on S7’s oneworld partners for the next two months. (See notes below.)

    S7 Priority Platinum and Gold cardholders have oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status respectively, gaining them access to some 550 airport lounges worldwide offered by the alliance’s airlines. S7 Priority Silver cardholders will have oneworld Ruby status.

    The 100 million members of the established oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programs can now earn and redeem awards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits on S7. Members of oneworld airlines’ loyalty programs will receive double the normal mileage awards when flying on S7 until Jan. 15, to mark its addition to the alliance. (See notes below.)

    Most extensive network in Russia and CIS now covered by market-leading alliance fares

    S7’s network – the most extensive in the region – is now covered by oneworld’s market-leading range of alliance fares and sales products, including oneworld Explorer, the most popular round-the-world fare globally.

    Its Russian domestic market is the world’s largest country in terms of land mass, the ninth most populous and with the eighth largest gross domestic product. It is predicted to be one of the world’s fastest growing regions for air travel demand.

    Currently seven of oneworld’s established airlines – British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian – serve Moscow, plus St, Petersburg and Ekaterinburg in Russia.

    Completion of one of its biggest yet projects strengthens S7’s position

    For S7, joining oneworld will strengthen its competitive and financial position, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.

    Its addition to the alliance completes what has been one of the biggest projects in the airline’s history, with working groups covering some 35 streams of activity.

    British Airways has been supporting S7 through its 18-month alliance implementation project, as its oneworld sponsor airline.

    S7’s IT systems have now been linked to those of oneworld’s established members and various internal processes and procedures brought into line with the alliance’s requirements. An extensive employee training and communications program has been completed to ensure employees at S7 and throughout the alliance are ready to provide oneworld’s customer services and benefits across the expanded alliance.

    As part of an extensive marketing communications program, all S7 Priority Platinum, Gold and Silver cardholders have been sent new membership cards, bearing the oneworld logo, to ensure they receive their alliance benefits from today.

    S7 check-in desks, sales counters and other facilities at airports throughout its network have been specially decorated with balloons and banners today to celebrate its addition to oneworld.

    Senior representatives from all oneworld airlines gather in Moscow for joining ceremony

    Senior representatives from all oneworld’s established and designate member airlines – led by British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh, airberlin Chief Executive Joachim Hunold and oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch – gather in Moscow today for a formal joining ceremony hosted by S7 Group Chief Executive Vladislav Filev.

    S7 Group Chief Executive Vladislav Filev said: “Today represents the start of a new and exciting era for S7, as we take one of the most significant steps in our airline’s history. It is a real honor to be part of what is very clearly the world’s pre-eminent global airline alliance, flying alongside some of the most distinguished names in our industry. We move S7 into the next phase of its development as part of the highest quality grouping of airlines. oneworld gives S7 the best quality partners, the best worldwide network, the best alliance services for our customers and the best opportunity to put our airline firmly on the global stage.

    “Getting to this position has required a great deal of hard work, and I would like to take this opportunity to give my personal thanks to everyone who has been involved in this project – at S7, at our oneworld sponsor British Airways, at the central oneworld team and at all of our partner airlines.”

    Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of British Airways, S7’s oneworld sponsor, said: “Our aim has always been to establish oneworld as the world’s pre-eminent and most successful global airline alliance, with an unrivalled collection of quality carriers, offering the best coverage of the places our key target customers really want to reach and delivering unmatched benefits to customers and member airlines.

    “Our focus on quality means that we are particularly selective and demanding in the airlines we invite to join us. We only consider carriers who match the quality of our existing members – in their approach to customer service, innovation, safety and security. Today, oneworld has added another great airline, the best, we firmly believe, in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States – S7.”

    oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch added: “S7 will expand oneworld’s network substantially in a key region of growing travel demand, with a carrier that matches our demanding quality requirements, while enabling S7 to offer its customers a truly global network on quality partners. We are delighted to be welcoming them to the oneworld alliance.”

    Latest landmark in oneworld’s breakthrough year

    The addition of S7 is the latest landmark for oneworld in what is turning into a breakthrough year for the alliance. In other key milestones so far in 2010:

    • India’s leading carrier Kingfisher Airlines became a oneworld member elect in June – followed by airberlin, Europe’s fifth biggest airline, in July.
    • American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian in July received long-awaited final approval for their application for anti-trust immunity across the Atlantic, with American, BA and Iberia launching their trans-Atlantic joint business in October.
    • Japan Airlines has been expanding its co-operation with its oneworld partners since reaffirming its membership of the alliance in February. It has now gained final approval from authorities in both Japan and the United States to launch a joint business with American Airlines between Asia and North America beginning early next year. JAL has also substantially expanded codesharing with many other oneworld partners.
    • British Airways and Iberia are on track to complete their merger by the end of the year.
    • LAN Airlines celebrated its 10th anniversary as a oneworld member on June 1. Since joining, it has added to the grouping its affiliates in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.
    • oneworld’s biggest airport co-location project in Asia was completed at the end of October, with British Airways moving alongside all the other online oneworld airlines in Terminal 2 at JAL’s Tokyo Narita international base. At the same time, oneworld positioned itself as the leading alliance at Tokyo Haneda, as it opened to scheduled international services, offering the airport’s widest international network and biggest domestic operation.
    • oneworld last week retained the World’s Leading Airline Alliance title in the World Travel Awards for the eighth year running after being named the World’s Leading Airline Alliance in Skytrax’s World Airline Awards earlier in the year.

    Watch S7’s oneworld joining ceremony online

    You can watch S7’s oneworld joining ceremony in Moscow today on-line on demand via a webcast. To view it:

    In English, go to http://www.s7.ru/en/S7oneworldjoining.html
    In Russian, go to http://www.s7.ru/ru/S7oneworldjoining.html

    Notes

    S7 Priority members will earn double the normal miles when flying on eligible flights on American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev, Qantas and Royal Jordanian until Jan. 15, 2011. Members of American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev, Qantas and Royal Jordanian frequent flyer programs will earn double the normal miles when flying on eligible S7 flights until Jan. 15, 2011. For full details, see each airline’s frequent flyer program website.

    About S7 Airlines

    S7 is Russia’s leading airline in terms of network, domestic passenger carryings, customer service quality and innovation.

    It is the first carrier in Russia to convert to an all Western-built Airbus and Boeing fleet and the first to adopt full electronic ticketing and online reservations and sales. It holds the internationally recognized IOSA (International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit) certification, renewed in October 2008 and gained by its Globus subsidiary in October 2010.

    S7 offers a two-class product to international standards on all departures – Business Class and Economy.

    Its fleet, decorated in a distinctive bright green livery, includes 28 Airbus A320 family types, one Airbus A310, two Boeing 767s, four Boeing 737-400s and four Boeing 737-800s, with an average age of nine years.

    S7 and Globus carried 5.6 million passengers in 2009, with a bigger share of the domestic Russian air travel market than any other airline. Including its international network, it is Russia’s second biggest carrier.

    Its main hub Moscow Domodedovo is the capital’s most modern airport. Its secondary hubs are Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. Its international destinations include oneworld hubs Madrid and Bangkok.

    S7 is one the most progressive airlines in Russia giving passengers new standards of service, supported by the use of latest technology. Tracing its origins back to 1957, it changed its brand name from Sibir Airlines to S7 Airlines five years ago with a radical rebranding to make it stand out from its competitors as customer-friendly, quality, modern carrier – winning the annual national award “People’s mark / Brand No 1 in Russia.”

    Since its election as a oneworld member designate in May 2009, S7 has launched codesharing with alliance partners Iberia and Royal Jordanian. S7 also code-shares with oneworld member elect airberlin.

    The airline generated profits of US$151 million (operating) and US$18 million (net) in 2009 on revenues of US$1.1 billion. S7 employs 2,596 staff and uses SITA as its main IT platform. It is 75 percent privately owned.

    S7’s English-language website is www.s7.ru/en/index.html

    About oneworld

    oneworld enables its members to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. These include a broader route network, opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined oneworld network and more airport lounges. oneworld offers more alliance fares than any of its competitors.

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