Significant changes to the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) have continued to roll out, and are scheduled to take effect, after the commercial  publication in October of the FAR/AIM.

Aviation Supplies & Academics has sent out this list of changes that occurred after they printed a copy of the FAR/AIM. It includes upcoming changes early next year, as well.

For student pilots, note that the reference to “60 days” has changed to 2 calendar months. This is important for your 61.39 endorsement attesting to recency of training before a checkride.

The changes:

Effective February 1, 2010

Parts 91 and 135: The FAA is removing certain provisions in its regulations that allow for operations with “polished frost” (i.e., frost polished to make it smooth) on the wings and stabilizing and control surfaces of aircraft. The rule is expected to increase safety by not allowing operations with “polished frost,” which the FAA has determined increases the risk of unsafe flight.

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October 20, 2009

Part 61: The FAA is correcting the final rule published on August 21, 2009 to include standardizing certain time period duration from “60 days” to “2 calendar months,” along with other omissions and errors.

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October 16, 2009

Effective April 14, 2010

Parts 1 and 43: The FAA is amending its certification procedures and identification requirements for aeronautical products and articles.

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September 16, 2009

49 CFR Part 1544: This rule establishes a program under which TSA will certify cargo screening facilities located in the U.S. that volunteer to screen cargo prior to tendering it to aircraft operators for carriage on passenger aircraft.

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September 10, 2009

Part 71: This action amends regulations relating to airspace designations to reflect the approval by the Director of the Federal Register of the incorporation by reference of FAA Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points. This action also explains the procedures the FAA will use to amend the listings of Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; air traffic service routes; and reporting points incorporated by reference.

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September 2, 2009

Part 1: Section 1.1 is amended by adding the definition of “Maximum engine overtorque.”

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August 27, 2009

Aeronautical Information Manual: Change 3 to the Basic Manual is effective August 27, 2009 and is included in ASA’s 2010 FAR/AIM book.

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August 21, 2009

Effective October 20, 2009

Parts 61, 91, and 141: Training and qualification rule changes were made for pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and pilot schools.

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August 4, 2009

Part 135: A minor technical change was made to 135.427 (a final rule published on February 2, 2005). This final rule established new manual requirements for aging aircraft under 14 CFR Part 135.

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August 3, 2009

Part 25 (available as a free download from www.asa2fly.com/farupdate):

Airworthiness standards applicable to transport category airplanes certified for flight in icing conditions are amended.

Note: Use only the FAR for Flight Crew book for the following changes for July 2, 2009 through July 15, 2009. The regulations printed in ASA’s FAR/AIM book are current through July 27, 2009 (and therefore it already includes these changes).

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July 15, 2009

Part 121: This action amends the regulation to conform with recent legislation raising the upper age limit from 60 to 65 for pilots serving in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations.

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July 9, 2009

Parts 25*, 121, and 135: The FAA is amending a final rule published on March 7, 2008. That final rule amended cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder regulations affecting certain air carriers, operators, and aircraft.

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July 9, 2009

Part 91: The FAA is making minor technical changes to alcohol and drug regulations.

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July 2, 2009

Part 121 Section 1117: The FAA is correcting inadvertent errors that appeared in a previously-published final rule that require operators and manufacturers of transport category airplanes to take steps that, in combination with other required actions, should greatly reduce the chances of a catastrophic fuel tank explosion.

*Part 25 is available as a free download from ASA’s FAR/AIM Update webpage:

www.asa2fly.com/farupdate

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• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) online »