Peggy Gilligan, associate administrator for aviation safety, and other FAA officials were on-hand at an NBAA-BACE education session titled “FAA’s Meet the Regulators.” The popular, standing-room-only session provided attendees with a unique opportunity to hear perspectives of top officials, getting answers to regulatory questions directly from those who make key policy decisions.

Gilligan provided updates on industry/FAA data sharing programs and the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC), which is an industry/FAA working group. GAJSC focuses on the top risks of general aviation accidents. The group’s recommendations involve both voluntary efforts implemented by the industry and changes to FAA policies and regulations. Gilligan also encouraged attendees to explore options for collecting and sharing aviation safety data.

John Duncan, director of Flight Standards Service, shared the FAA’s progress implementing its new compliance philosophy. The philosophy assumes individuals and companies want to comply but sometimes simply make a mistake.

“Where people are able and willing to comply, we can address the issue and move on,” said Duncan. “It’s not a ‘kinder and gentler’ FAA. It’s a way to address errors by improving policies and procedures with those who are able and willing to comply. For those who are unable or unwilling to comply, enforcement action can be taken. Those who are unable or unwilling to comply represent the highest risk to the NAS [National Airspace System] and need to be rehabilitated or removed from the system.”

Since the FAA rolled out its new compliance philosophy in 2015, overall enforcement actions decreased by over 50 percent, as more errors are addressed by corrective actions that mitigate overall risk in the industry.

Duncan also described restructuring currently occurring within FAA Flight Standards. The new structure will eliminate the current regional system and instead establish four specialized subject matter areas, including air carriers, general aviation and others.

Bruce DeCleene, manager of Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, provided an update on NextGen implementation and encouraged attendees to begin planning for the 2020 ADS-B equipment deadline. DeCleene said approximately 20,000 general aviation aircraft are currently equipped with about 1,000 new installations completed each month. At the current rate of equipage, demand for installations could overwhelm installer capacity as the deadline approaches.

Corey Stephens, an operations research analyst with the Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention, gave attendees a deeper look into the work of the GAJSC, including recent work on loss of control. New developments in angle of attack indicator technology is one example of the group’s successful work on loss of control. The group has also tackled the effects of over-the-counter and prescription medications on general aviation pilots and flight data monitoring for general aviation.

Jim Viola, manager of General Aviation and Commercial Division, was also available to address attendees’ questions.

Review the related article, “Pilots and Mechanics Examine FAA’s New Compliance Philosophy.”

Review NBAA ADS-B resources.