MOSAIC Comments Show Support
The future of the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) is in the hands of the FAA after a six-month comment period generated over 1300 responses. MOSAIC proposes to greatly expand the size, performance, and types of aircraft in the Light Sport category. Comments reflected overwhelming support for MOSAIC, which would eliminate the 1320-pound weight limit and replace it with a 54-knot maximum clean stall and a top speed of 250 knots. Most groups recommended increasing that further to as high as 61 knots, which would include aircraft in the 3500-pound range. Most aviation groups aligned with EAA’s comments but the General Aviation Manufacturers Association wrote its own, calling for more study on the safety of increasing the size and performance of aircraft in the category.
NetJets Imposes Age 70 Retirement
NetJets established a mandatory retirement age of 70 for pilots and about 100 were terminated as a result. The compulsory retirement option was contained in a Congressional omnibus bill passed in 2022 and gave Part 135 companies the choice of whether to implement it. If they did, the change is permanent. NetJets pilots’ union challenged the limit but an arbitrator ruled against it. A group of eight pilots requested an injunction that was rejected by a federal court. Business Jet Traveler reported the court’s decision, “Because the court concludes that the pilots failed to establish that any of their claims is likely to succeed on the merits, and this case does not warrant the exceptionally rare preliminary injunction under the [Railway Labor Act], the court denies the motion for preliminary injunction.”
Archer, Atlantic Start EVTOL Charging Network
Archer Aviation and FBO chain Atlantic Aviation have teamed up to build a small network of charging stations and associated services for Advanced Air Mobility aircraft. The deal covers four of Atlantic’s more than 100 FBOs to start with but includes a charging station that should give a rapid charge to most of the eVTOLs vying for the new market, including Archer’s Midnight. “These initial eVTOL vertiport locations will provide a launching pad for future expansion across Atlantic’s portfolio and ensure that our Midnight aircraft has safe, centrally located landing facilities for our future passengers.”
Phillips “Pauses” Unleaded Fuel Development
Phillips 66 has—at least temporarily—disengaged from developing an unleaded 100-octane aviation gasoline through the FAA’s Piston Engine Aviation Fuels Initiative. “We can confirm that PAFI evaluation has been paused on the Phillips 66/Afton Chemical 100M unleaded fuel,” the oil giant said. “Phillips 66 is committed to its vision of developing an unleaded aviation fuel offering and is currently evaluating this product’s development and all viable alternative options.” The company did not say why it withdrew but the FAA said it was because of “durability issues.” There are now three prospective unleaded avgas alternatives being assessed: Lyondell Basell/VP Racing is also going through the PAFI process while Swift Fuels and General Aviation Modifications Inc. are using the Supplemental Type Certificate route.
Some Carriers Cutting Pilot Hiring
Some airlines are cutting pilot training goals for the coming year as their staff shortages ease. Delta Airlines announced it was going to hire half the number of pilots in 2024 as it did in 2023. Other carriers have also announced they’re cutting their hiring. Delta reminded staff in a memo that even though it was reducing its hiring goal for pilots from 2200 to 1100, that’s still a lot of pilots compared to previous years. “Remember that any other year, hiring 1100 pilots would be considered an incredibly high number,” the memo said.
NOTAMs
FAA approves AerAware wearable enhanced-vision system … India is graduating record numbers of female pilots … Van’s says laser cut parts meet durability tests … First King Air with autoland delivered … Walmart and Google team up on drone deliveries … Signature Flight Support acquired Meridian FBOs … Some in congress call for detachable floating flight recorders … Find breaking news in general aviation at AVweb.com.
