Associations Respond to Part 61 Proposal
As the industry digests the more than 100 changes to Part 61 the FAA has proposed, some associations are taking positions on the more substantial changes. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and AOPA oppose the proposed additional tasks required to remain instrument current. Specifically, AOPA believes the requirement to conduct a hold at both an intersection and a radio station could prove difficult in the future as VORs and NDBs are decommissioned. The association said it does not believe the requirement should be based on technology. AOPA and NATA do, however, feel that many of the proposed changes are positive. NATA said the creation of 61.64, which combines simulator training requirements from two separate parts, would address the use of flight simulators and flight training devices for additional aircraft ratings and ratings at the ATP level. Comments are due by May 8. More than 40 had been posted to the docket at press time.

Bidder Squabble Could Delay ADS-B Launch
Industry observers expect protests from Lockheed Martin and ITT claiming that Raytheon enjoys an unfair advantage in the FAA’s reported $1.5 billion nationwide ADS-B program, following the agency’s  announcement that all three qualified as bidders. Lockheed Martin and ITT have reportedly prepared comprehensive offers for the “performance-based” FAA contract under which the winner would design, build, install, operate and maintain 500 dual-frequency ADS-B ground stations to handle separate GA UAT and airline 1090 ADS-B transmissions, and provide the certified service to the FAA on a fee basis. Raytheon’s proposal calls for eliminating UAT, transitioning GA to 1090 and requiring only single-frequency stations. Unofficial estimates suggest the FAA could save more than $200 million if the agency chooses Raytheon’s plan. Lockheed Martin and ITT at this point can claim that in qualifying Raytheon, the FAA gave tacit approval to a proposal that does not comply with the agency’s original concept, or that the Request for Offers planned for March be delayed by several months so they can prepare competitive bids.

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Comment Period Extended on Repair Station Proposal
The FAA announced today a 45-day extension to the comment period on a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for repair stations that would revise the system of ratings and require Part 145-certified repair stations to establish a quality assurance program. The agency also proposes requiring a repair station to maintain a capability list, designating a chief inspector and having permanent housing for its facilities, equipment, materials and personnel. In addition, this proposal specifies those instances in which the FAA can deny a repair station certificate. Lastly, the agency proposes to clarify recent revisions to the repair station regulations. At press time, about 35 comments had been submitted by individuals, repair stations and parts manufacturers. To date, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association was the only trade group to comment, requesting the comment period extension. The new deadline for comments is April 16.


Proposed Canadian ADS-B Network Detailed
More details about Canada’s proposed ADS-B network have been disclosed. As reported last week, Sensis of Syracuse, N.Y., won a Nav Canada contract covering up to 200 ADS-B stations for selective deployment across the country. Six dual installations are planned around Hudson Bay, currently non-radar airspace. The Sensis units support either ADS-B or multilateration, an alternative technique that accurately positions aircraft by triangulating their transponder responses. An eight-station multilateration network will cover Fort St. John, in northern British Columbia, and 11 stations will serve Vancouver’s Inner Harbor and its approaches. Both locations lose radar coverage at lower altitudes, due to intervening mountains and, at Vancouver, downtown high-rise buildings. Fort St. John is an oil drilling center, with increasing low-level fixed-wing and helicopter operations, while Vancouver has extensive private and commercial seaplane and helicopter operations that cross the approach and departure paths of its international airport.