2011 Year in Review: New safety measures, innovations take flight at FAA

With 2012 here, we're sharing some of the top accomplishments from each of DOT's agencies over the last year. Today, we look at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Each year, millions of Americans travel safely through our skies thanks in large part to the work being done by the Federal Aviation Administration. The dedicated professionals at the FAA work tirelessly to ensure that America's aviation system is--and remains--the very best in the world.  The FAA strives constantly to reach the next level of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. And in 2011, that effort paid great dividends for air travelers.

Here is a brief sample of highlights:

• The FAA took a no-nonsense approach to cockpit laser strikes.  In 2010, the number of reports of someone on the ground shining a laser into the cockpit of an airplane overhead increased.  So, to protect passengers, flight crews, and people on the ground, the agency used a long-standing federal statute to impose civil penalties against those who point a laser into an aircraft.  As part of the ongoing effort to prevent these safety threats, the FAA also launched a new website with statistics, research on the dangers lasers pose, and links for reporting laser incidents.
• The CAAFI program worked to reduce commercial jet fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Because traditional fuel price fluctuations create industry uncertainty, the FAA established the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative partnership with government, industry, and academia working together to make alternative fuels a reality for commercial air travel.  CAAFI has been working diligently to find efficient, cost-effective ways of powering aircraft, and in November, they reached a major milestone when United Airlines and Alaska Airlines flew the first-ever commercial domestic flights using a blend of biofuel and traditional jet fuel.

• Finalized new measures to prevent pilot fatigue.  In December, the FAA overhauled outdated flight and duty rules to give commercial passenger pilots the opportunity to get the sleep they need to operate safely.  Incorporating the latest research on alertness, sleep and fatigue, the new rule sets different requirements for pilot flight time, duty period, and rest based on the time of day pilots begin their first flight, the number of scheduled flight segments, and the number of time zones they cross.


• Continued developing NextGen procedures and technologies.  The FAA continues making progress in the roll-out of NextGen, which is transforming our national airspace from a ground-based system to satellite-based navigation and air traffic control.  This year, we made great strides toward implementing performance-based navigation, and operators continue to save time and fuel at airports across the country. In Seattle, the first phase of the Greener Skies project was completed, and the next phase of implementation is underway to bring additional NextGen benefits.

2011 was another strong year for aviation safety. And I know that everyone at the FAA--in Washington and around the country--will stay laser-focused on ensuring the continued safety and success of our aviation system in 2012.

Comments

[Jeff Wilson]

I was very pleased to hear that the FAA had finally decided to do something about pilot fatigue. I've had personal testimony from a pilot about sleeping at the wheel because they've had to pull multiple back to back flights. Not to mention the fact that they knew they could sleep after take-off, so they disregarded the sleep requirements for the night before. I'm not saying that they couldn't stay awake and perform their duties, but the state of awareness and the ability to react to a an emergency from a dead sleep is not up to par. I think the next step now would be to install cameras in the cockpits. If the pilots new they couldn't sleep on the job, they'd be more apt to make sure they get the rest they need to ensure they stay alert.

[Raney's Truck Parts]

I'm all for the improvement of our aviation system but can we really expect the big corporations to listen without further regulation? I pay a fortune in fees if I'm not careful.