Fwd: "FAAST Blast" - FAASafety.gov

FAAST Blast Notice Number: NOTC5163 FAAST Blast — Week of Feb 03 – Feb 09, 2014 Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update FAA Hosts General Aviation Safety Summit             On Jan. 27, 2014, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta hosted a GA Safety Summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss how to jumpstart safety initiatives for this year’s flying season. Representatives from across industry and government attended including those associated with manufacturing, safety, agriculture, parachuting, experimental aircraft, pilots, and helicopters.             In line with the NTSB’s recommendations for GA safety in its latest “Most Wanted List,” summit attendees agreed to work together to raise awareness to prevent weather related accidents. The FAA is also working with industry on a prototype program to use de-identified GA operations data to help identify risks before they become accidents. Also announced at the meeting was a policy that streamlines the process for granting approval to use Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM). The new policy establishes a more flexible and efficient process that will allow the FAA to customize its evaluation for RVSM based on the circumstances of the applicant. For more, go to: www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=75826.   New Airman Certification Systems Working Group Formed             In support of its initiative to improve airman testing and training, the FAA recently announced plans to form the Airman Certification Systems Working Group (ACSWG). Under the auspices of the industry-led Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, the new working group will provide expert assistance and industry views to the FAA's Flight Standards Service (AFS) on the development, modification, and continued alignment of the major components of the airman certification system. This includes ACS documents for certification and ratings, associated training guidance material, test management (e.g., test question development), and reference materials (e.g., inspector guidance, FAA orders, Advisory Circulars). The FAA is accepting requests for participation in the working group through February 28, 2014. The ACSWG is expected to develop a report describing its work on each of the listed elements no later than December 31, 2015. For more information, see the Federal Register notice published on Jan. 29, 2014, at http://go.usa.gov/BBSH.   Brushing Back the Dark             We humans have always adapted to our environment and our circumstances through technological means. In other words, we use technology to bridge the gap between what we would like to achieve (such as flight), and what our bodies will allow.             In his article about the latest strides in night vision technology, author James Williams “brushes back the dark” by comparing and contrasting the two most prominent types of vision enhancements — light amplification and alternate wavelength — and what this might mean for the future of general aviation. Our advancements “[have] enabled us to do what we couldn’t 100 years ago — see clearly or, for that matter, fly in the dark.” To learn more about it, check out page 20 of the latest FAA Safety Briefing at http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/. 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