Stage: Final Publications

Regulatory Agency Final Publications

FAA AC_120-117 Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Date: 12/20/17 AC No: 120-117 Program for Apparent Violations Initiated by: AAM-800 Change: of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations

Any employer or contractor regulated under Title 14 ofthe Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 120 may voluntarily disclose to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) violations ofthe drug and alcohol testing regulations under the
voluntary disclosure reporting program (VDRP) described in this Advisory Circular
(AC). This AC provides the information and guidance material an employer or contractor
needs in order to voluntarily disclose an apparent violation ofthe drug and alcohol testing
regulations listed in paragraph 3 ofthis AC.

FAA AC 90-80C Approval of Offshore Standard Approach Procedures, Airborne Radar Approaches, and Helicopter En Route Descent Areas

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for instrument operations to offshore landing
facilities. This AC includes application and procedures to show an alternate means authorized by
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for compliance with the regulations contained in
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, which address instrument
approach requirements. Specifically, this AC provides guidance for obtaining approval for
Offshore Standard Approach Procedures (OSAP), Airborne Radar Approaches (ARA), and
Helicopter En Route Descent Areas (HEDA). This AC retains the ARA, parallel offset OSAP,
Delta 30° OSAP and the HEDA along with Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation for the
OSAP and HEDA operations contained in AC 90-80B. Approvals issued to U.S. operators may
be used as a basis for authorization by other state authorities to conduct equivalent operations.

FAA PS-AIR-21-1901 Remote Test Witnessing

In March 2020 the FAA published PS-AIR-21-1901 ‘Use of Remote Technology During the Performance of Inspections and Tests’.  This policy provides information on the use of remote technology to perform prototype conformity inspections, engineering and ground tests, engineering compliance inspections, production conformity inspections, and inspections for the issuance of an Authorized Release Certificate, FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag. Its publication was fast tracked for issuance so that it could be immediately available as a tool to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 to perform prototype conformity inspections, engineering and ground tests, engineering compliance inspections, production conformity inspections, and inspections for the issuance of an Authorized Release Certificate, FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tags.

In June 2020 GAMA submitted a GAMA whitepaper that reflects the industry’s perspective on appropriate and acceptable use of remote technologies consistent with the considerations contained within the policy statement, and historical application of existing regulations. The whitepaper also included a section containing questions and recommendations for certain areas within the policy that would benefit from clarification to help promote a more consistent interpretation and application.

In August 2020 the FAA issued its response to GAMAs whitepaper and recommendations by publishing an FAQ page that includes corresponding clarifying guidance and answers to GAMA’s recommendations.

AC 121-40; 14 CFR Part 121 and Part 135 Dangerous Goods Transportation Operations

This Advisory Circular (AC) provides certificate holders with recommended contents for a dangerous goods training program and manual designed to guide and manage dangerous goods operations. Developing and using the comprehensive guidance in this document will promote the establishment of a safe and efficient dangerous goods operation. This AC establishes guidance for all part 119 certificate holders operating in accordance with part 121 or part 135 under operations specifications (OpSpec) to carry dangerous goods (Will Carry), prohibiting the transport of dangerous goods (Will Not Carry) and/or authorized to transport passengers and their baggage. Specifically, this AC sets forth suggestions for establishing a comprehensive dangerous goods training program and manual, regardless of the certificate holder’s OpSpec.

Dangerous goods are known to have been involved in, and the cause of, incidents and accidents associated with air transportation. A certificate holder’s dangerous goods program constitutes the foundation for safely transporting dangerous goods by air. This AC provides guidance on designing and implementing a dangerous goods program to include managing the risks entering the aviation system from declared and undeclared dangerous goods. Passengers and shippers of cargo routinely introduce hazards associated with dangerous goods into the air transport system, often unknowingly. This includes dangerous goods associated with baggage, cargo, and COMAT. Improperly prepared and mismanaged dangerous goods can increase the risks to passengers, crew, aircraft, property, and environment. The hazards posed by these materials are often varied and difficult to specifically identify. Therefore, the risks are best addressed by individual certificate holders within the context of their own systems. This AC is not mandatory, and does not constitute a regulation. This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, of complying with applicable regulations to manage dangerous goods operations.