Refurbishments to ADS-B, General Aviation, Privacy, and More

The FAA's next reauthorization legislation is available for reading, with the usual collection of nips and tucks to existing FARs accompanied by some interesting tidbits that could affect quality of live for the average airman.

Some items of interest include a few items regarding ADS-B integration on the GA side, with a GAO report on the technology, a "safety enhancement incentive program', and alternative ADS-B technologies for some small aircraft. Also of interest is a study into the "technical challenges, impact to international aviation operations, benefits, and costs of encrypting ADS-B signals to provide a safer and more secure environment for national airspace system users." A similar tack can be seen in mention of enhanced privacy throughout the bill, both in a GAO study on the Pilot's Bill of Rights and a ban on ADS-B data as the starting point for an investigation.

A good chunk of the bill concerts the advancement of future personnel in the industry, as well as a raft of "improvements" to FAA services. "Improving Training and Rebuilding Talent Pipelines" is the next big thing, with a working group to be formed to assess the current state of the training pipeline and career retention over the life of a professional. The transition from military to civilian aviation is also to be studied, with yearly reports to congress to be made throughout the group's anticipated 4-year working span.

Airman knowledge testing will see some added throughput, too. Expect to see increased utilization of "alternative proctoring methods" along with increased Part 141 school utilization.

That's just a handful of the changes on the way, should it pass as currently drafted. Which parts stand out, and which ones foster the most controversy, should be pretty apparent as the industry prepares its responses. 

FMI: www.transportation.house.gov