FAAST Blast — August 26, 2010
Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update
FAA Announces Changes to SFRA Operating Rules
Effective September 1, 2010, FAA will make changes to the NOTAMs governing the Special Flight Restriction Area (SFRA) surrounding Washington, DC. The changes should not have much effect on GA pilots since they primarily deal with access to the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Andrews Air Force Base, and Davison Army Airfield. One change affecting GA concerns lost com -- if an aircraft cannot maintain radio contact with ATC and is within 5 nautical miles of the departure point the pilot may return to the departure point by the most direct route instead of exiting the SFRA.
The SFRA training has been updated to reflect these changes. This is a good opportunity to refresh your currency! Check out the training at http://www.faasafety.gov/.
Non-Enforcement Period for Pilot Antidepressant Use Ends Sept. 30, 2010
On April 5, 2010, FAA began offering pilots who take one of four antidepressant medications—Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), or Escitalopram (Lexapro), the ability to apply (on a case-by-case basis) for special issuance medical certification. The FAA also decided not to take civil enforcement action against pilots who take advantage of a six-month opportunity to share any previously non-disclosed diagnosis of depression or use of these antidepressants. However, after September 30, 2010, pilots who have failed to disclose use of antidepressants on previous medical applications will once again be subject to enforcement action.
“These policy-change announcements were intended encourage those pilots to come forward without fear of civil enforcement action,” said FAA Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Fred Tilton. “We are confident these changes will enhance our ability to make the airspace safer for everyone.” For more information, see the Federal Register notice at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7527.pdf.
Diversion Decisions: What Can ATC Do for You?
There is a saying among pilots who fly airplanes with retractable gear, which says, “There are those who have and those who will.” It refers to landing with the gear up since there are chances that a pilot flying an airplane with retractable gear will, at some point, land with the gear up. The same principle holds for flight into adverse weather. You could find yourself in weather conditions that were not forecast or expected, and you should be prepared. In the July/August 2010 issue of FAA Safety Briefing, pilot and former air traffic controller, Ellen Crum provides some guidance that—importantly—outlines what services ATC can and cannot provide in adverse conditions.
Produced by the editors, FAA Safety Briefing, www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
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