Fwd: "FAAST Blast" - FAASafety.gov

FAAST Blast Notice Number: NOTC5097 FAAST Blast — Week of Dec 09 to Dec 15, 2013 Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update Small Plane Revitalization Plan Signed Into Law             On November 27, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Small Airplane Revitalization Act (SARA). The bill gives the FAA until Dec. 15, 2015, to issue a final rule that advances the safety and continued development of small airplanes by adopting changes to 14 CFR part 23. Among the objectives of the future rule are to (1) establish a regulatory regime for small airplanes that will improve safety and reduce the regulatory cost burden for the FAA and the aviation industry, (2) establish broad, outcome-driven safety objectives that will spur innovation and technology adoption, (3) replace current, prescriptive requirements under part 23 with performance-based regulations, and (4) use consensus standards to clarify how the safety objectives of part 23 may be met using specific designs and technologies. To view the bill, go to: www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1848/text.    Airman Testing Web Page Updated             The Airman Testing Standards Branch of the FAA's Regulatory Support Division launched a new web page that streamlines the process of getting information regarding airman testing. Some of the site's features include:     A "What's New and Upcoming in Airman Testing" section;     A "Submit an Airman Knowledge Test Question" button;     A "Questions & Answer" section; and,     A "Contact Us" button  The site (http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/) also includes a subscription feature which will notify you anytime there is an update to a handbook or the practical test standards.   The Basics of Buying a Bird             How great would it be to buy that new airplane for the holidays? If you're in the market for buying a new or used aircraft, be sure to have a look at Sabrina Woods' article "From Aeronca to Zenair: The Basics of Buying a Bird" on page 18 of the Nov/Dec 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. It is chock full of helpful tips to guide you during the buying process. Find it online at http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/. Searching for that Last Minute Holiday Gift?             Then consider signing up that pilot or mechanic on your holiday shopping list for a free digital subscription to FAA Safety Briefing. Just go to http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/ and click the green subscribe link at the top of the page. You'll be directed to enter contact and email information into the GovDelivery system which manages the subscription and provides reminder emails whenever a new issue is published.   Produced by the FAA Safety Briefing editors, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/ Address questions or comments to: SafetyBriefing@faa.gov. Follow us on Twitter @FAASafetyBrief or www.twitter.com/FAASafetyBrief