Many Of The Challenges That Existed When The FAA First Issued The SFAR In April Remain Today

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a final rule on September 30, 2020, that further amends Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 118. Aviation activity continues to increase, and the industry is beginning to address the backlog of required training, checking and testing requirements.

However, many of the challenges that existed when the FAA first issued the SFAR in April remain today as the public health emergency continues. SFAR 118-2 is effective on October 1, 2020, and is available for public display in the Federal Register. It will publish on October 6, 2020.

The chart contained within this final rule provides a summary of each affected regulation; the original SFAR relief provided on April 29, 2020; the amended SFAR relief from June 25, 2020; and the second amended relief provided in this SFAR update.

Those who may be affected by this amendment should carefully review the eligibility, conditions and duration of each section of relief to ensure compliance. The FAA has revised the FAQs (see third link below in the FMI section) to help explain the amended regulatory relief.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/06/2020-22004/second-limited-extension-of-relief-for-certain-persons-and-operations-during-the-coronavirus-disease, www.faa.gov/coronavirus/regulatory_updates/media/SFAR-COVID-FAQs.pdf