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FAASTeam Notice
Type: General Information
Notice Date: Friday, June 13, 2014
Notice Number: NOTC5403
FAAST Blast
This notice expired on
Sunday, July 13, 2014
FAAST Blast — June 8-14, 2014
 Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update
 
FAA Approves First Commercial UAS Flights over Land
The FAA has given approval for energy corporation BP and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer AeroVironment to fly an AeroVironment Puma AE for aerial surveys in  Alaska — the first time the FAA has authorized a commercial UAS operation over land.
 
“These surveys on Alaska’s North Slope are another important step toward broader commercial use of unmanned aircraft,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The technology is quickly changing, and the opportunities are growing.”
 
The FAA issued a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization to survey BP pipelines, roads and equipment at Prudhoe Bay, AK, the largest oilfield in the United States. AeroVironment performed the first flight for BP on June 8.
 
For more information: http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=16354
 
2013 GA Survey Underway
Please help us collect accurate information on aviation activity across the United States, which is used to calculate fatal accident rates for general aviation and Part 135 aircraft. We need to hear from everyone who received the 36th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) invitation in the mail. Even if you did not fly your aircraft in 2013, we still need a completed survey.
 
The surveys have been sent to approximately 85,000 aircraft owners/operators from the categories of turbine aircraft (turboprops and turbojets), rotorcraft, special light-sport aircraft, aircraft operating on-demand Part 135, aircraft registered in Alaska, and aircraft manufactured since 2008. Because this study is a random sample, only those who receive an invitation can participate. If you have already completed this year’s survey, thank you!
 
Be assured that your responses are confidential. The information is used only for statistical purposes and will not be released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. Tetra Tech, an independent research firm, is conducting the GA Survey on behalf of the FAA. If you have questions, please contact Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email at infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.
 
Does Your Airplane Need Some “Senior Care”?
Editor Tom Hoffmann offers some advice and resources to make sure your plane receives the care it needs in his article “Growing Old Gracefully” (P. 8) in the latest edition of the FAA Safety Briefing. Hoffmann covers topics like fatigue and corrosion which can accumulate in older aircraft. He also offers suggestions on how to get proper maintenance for your old friend. The issue is available at: http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
 
 
 
Produced by the editors, FAA Safety Briefing, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
Address questions or comments to:mailto:SafetyBriefing@faa.gov.


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