Global Regulatory Update, June 21-27, 2020

The National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil has issued airworthiness directive BR-2020-06-02 for Yabora ERJ 190s, requiring inspection, replacement, re-torque and modification of pylon lower link fitting inboard and outboard attaching parts, effective June 16, 2020.

The Civil Aviation Administration China announced that on June 5, China’s civil aviation sector transported 1.0367 million passengers, 61.5% that of 2019, and the first time since January 28 that passenger traffic in a single day exceeded 1 million. A total of 11,333 flights were operated, the highest number since February.

China’s Ministry of Transport has published a new edition of the Rules on the Certification of Public Air Carriers of Large Aircraft, amended to improve regulatory requirements, promote compliance and ensure safety. Amendments cover entry criteria for co-pilots, fatigue management, maintenance programs for continuous airworthiness under extended operations and communication and navigation facilities.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has authorized ST Engineering to use its in-house drone solution, DroScan, to carry out general visual inspection during aircraft maintenance at its MRO facilities in Singapore This is the first-ever authorization granted by CAAS for the use of unmanned aerial systems to perform inspections on Singapore-registered aircraft. ST Engineering can now apply DroScan on approved aircraft models such as the Airbus A320 family.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore moved on June 19 to Phase Two of its re-opening: outdoor recreational unmanned aircraft flying is allowed, but users must adhere to safe distancing measures. For unmanned operations conducted for business purposes, CAAS will only issue a permit if the applicant is operating unmanned aircraft for services that are permitted during Phase Two.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia says it is well advanced in the development of the proposed new maintenance rules for private and aerial work sectors, which will provide increased flexibility and reduced administrative costs. Over the coming weeks CASA will publish the final policy decision summary and the regulation impact statement. It will start regulatory drafting as soon as the drafting work on the new flight operations regulations is completed.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia has opened consultation on the proposed Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 121 Manual of Standards. CASA is releasing the draft for public comment in three tranches. It has released the first tranche, including document carriage, emergency and survival information operational flight plans, narrow runway width calculations and weight and balance standard weights and documentation. Subsequent tranches will include performance, flight crew and cabin crew training, alternate aerodromes and fuel requirements.

India’s Director General of Civil Aviation announced that for category G training Institutes, current students cannot complete required six months of on-the-job training by July 30, 2020, so has extended the deadline until Dec. 31, 2020, but no new batch of students will be inducted by any training institute.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-0040R1 for Airbus A319s and A320s, requiring modification of over-wing emergency exit cut-outs in section 15, effective June 23, 2020.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2017-0188R1 for Airbus A380-841s, -842s, -861s, requiring inspection of frame 94 upper shell, effective June 23, 2020.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-0111R2 for Airbus A300-600s, requiring inspection of windshield frame and closing panel and outer wing bottom skin, effective June 23, 2020.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-095 for Pilatus PC-24s, requiring replacement of cockpit and cabin evaporator air conditioning filters, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-094 for Airbus 350-1041s and -941s, requiring– inspection and modification of pneumatic bleed gimbals at wing to pylon interfaces, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-0136 - ATR42-400s and 500s, amending ding time limits and maintenance checks under certification maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations, effective July 2, 2020.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-0137 for Saab 2000s, requiring inspection of main landing gear anti-skid harness installation, effective July 2, 2020.

FAA has issued special airworthiness information bulletin NM-20-12 for Yaborã ERJ170-100s, -200s, ERJ 190-100s and -200s, on the potential for in-flight thrust loss when operating in weather conditions with high concentration of ice crystals.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-13-04 for all GEnx-1Bs and -2Bs, requires updating electronic engine control software on -1Bs and -2Bs and replacing a certain fan hub frame assembly part installed on -2Bs, effective July 24, 2020.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency continues to work on providing Russian airlines with subsidies for partial compensation of expenses due to the decrease in their revenues due to the fall in passenger traffic. FATA has received 31 applications from airlines for grants and granted 21 claims worth $135 million. Airlines received subsidies to pay off the cost of commercial transportation from February to May 2020. Currently, 19 airlines are under consideration, with $12 million in expected subsidies.

Transport Canada has issued airworthiness directive CF-2019-17R1 for MHI RJ Aviation CRJ 700s, 701s, 702s, 550s, 705s, 900s and 1000s, requiring a detailed visual inspection and rectification of the main landing gear outer cylinder assemblies and dressed shock strut assemblies, with certain part numbers and serial numbers, and other actions effective July 2, 2020.