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News and Updates – FAA Begins Scoping Period for Environmental Review at SpaceX Launch Site

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is holding a public scoping period for the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) related to plans by SpaceX to apply for licenses for suborbital and orbital launches of its Starship/Super Heavy project at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

The scoping period will help the FAA in determine the scope of issues for analysis in the draft EA. The FAA requests public comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and identification of any relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. The FAA also invites comments on its consideration of preparing a Programmatic EA for this effort.

The deadline to submit comments is January 22, 2021, and may be submitted to the following email address: spacexbocachica@icf.com.

The proposed update to Starship/Super Heavy operations falls outside of the scope of the existing final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision for the Boca Chica launch site and requires additional environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). SpaceX is working with the FAA to prepare a draft EA which will be subject to the FAAs evaluation and approval.

The EA will allow the FAA to determine the appropriate course of action: preparation of an EIS because the proposed actions environmental impacts would be significant; issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); or issuance of a Mitigated FONSI providing for mitigation measures to address the proposed actions environmental impacts. The FAA may determine which course of action it will take during the EA process or after SpaceX presents a draft EA for FAA approval.

As part of the application process, SpaceX must also complete a safety review and develop agreements in addition to the environmental review.

Information about the FAA environmental review process as it relates to commercial space transportation is posted at faa.gov/space/environmental.

News and Updates – Updated Runway to Recovery Framework Released

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WASHINGTON Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its government partners released an update to Runway to Recovery: The United States Framework for Airlines and Airports to Mitigate the Public Health Risks of Coronavirus framework. Version 1.1, referred to as R2R 1.1, which updates, refines, and expands upon the recommended risk mitigation practices outlined in the previous Runway to Recovery framework issued in July 2020. R2R 1.1 is informed by the U.S. Governments evolving understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the current level of community spread in the U.S. and other countries, as well as the effectiveness of certain risk mitigation strategies.

The framework provides guidance that helps mitigate the health risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for the traveling public and airline and airport workers when using the air transportation system. Like the original version, this document highlights the importance of educating passengers on healthy travel practices, such as wearing a mask, social distancing and COVID-19 testing. Version 1.1 delves deeper into these mitigation strategies as well as addresses the importance of not traveling while ill and how testing can support risk reduction in air transportation and at destination.

Air transportation has an important role in the overall health of the economy, moving the vital good and services U.S. citizens need and allowing essential and personal travel for the public. Continually providing clear updated guidance on how to safely use the nations airports is vital during this public health emergency.

The Runway to Recovery framework will continue to be an evolving document as new information about preventing the transmission of the virus is discovered and data is collected on the success of mitigation strategies.

News and Updates – Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers May Receive Moderna Vaccine, With Appropriate Precautions

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WASHINGTON Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Modernas COVID-19 vaccine, the FAA has determined that pilotsmay receive the vaccineunder the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification. FAA Air Traffic Controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may also receive the vaccine.

To maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace System, the agency will require pilots with medical certifications or air traffic controllers with medical clearances to observe a period of 48 hours following the administration of each dose of this vaccine before conducting safety-sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic.

The required waiting period applies to those holding an Airman Medical Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 67 or a Medical Clearance issued under FAA Order 3930.3C.

Because the vaccine requires two doses, 28 days apart for maximum effectiveness, the waiting period applies after each dose. The Pfizer vaccine, which was approved last week, requires two doses 21 days apart, but the waiting period after each dose applies to both brands.

The FAA anticipates taking no additional measures to ensure safety after the initial window for side effects closes. However, the agencys medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the novel vaccine and documented clinical results and will adjust these recommendations as needed.

The FAA will evaluate vaccines from other manufacturers as they receive FDA authorization in the coming weeks and months and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any waiting periods required for those vaccines.

The FAA applies similar brief waiting periods after administration of other vaccines, including those for tuberculosis and typhoid.

The FAA encourages Americans to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as authorized by FDA. This policy announcement pertains to a specialized group of FAA-certificated persons who perform safety-sensitive aviation duties.

For more information, please visit the Medical Certification page atfaa.gov.

News and Updates – Keep Holiday Laser Lights Out of the Sky

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WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning today that holiday laser-light displays can be dangerous for flights when aimed into the sky. The agency receives reports from pilots who are distracted or temporarily blinded by residential laser-light displays. This creates a serious safety risk.

The concentrated laser beams reach much farther than homeowners may realize. The FAA will ask homeowners with laser-light displays that affect pilots to adjust or turn off the displays. A refusal to do so could lead to a civil penalty.

Laser incidents from other sources such as laser pointers also pose a serious risk throughout the year. In 2019, the agency recorded 6,136 laser events. From January 1 to November 30, 2020, the FAA recorded 6,079 laser events.

Intentionally aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk and violates federal law. The FAA works with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against people who purposely aim a laser at an aircraft. The agency may impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation.

News and Updates – FAA Working with Nation's Airports to Prepare for COVID-19 Vaccine Arrivals

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WASHINGTON Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided planning considerations to assist the nations airports to facilitate the safe and efficient transportation of COVID-19 vaccines.

Airport operators have a unique role in the transport of vaccines to the American public, said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. Each airport is different, and we are here to support them and make sure they have the information they need as vaccines move through our nations transportation network.

Airports should consider the following aspects of their operating environment to ensure they are fully prepared for aircraft carrying COVID-19 vaccines. This includes both those airports identified for shipments that will transition at airports as well as those that that may serve as alternate/divert airports, even if they will not be a primary destination for aircraft carrying COVID-19 vaccines.

Considerations include:

  • Aircraft rescue and firefighting coverage. Part 139 certificated airports will generally have adequate personnel and equipment for aircraft transporting COVID-19 vaccines. However, some aircraft used for vaccine shipment may be larger than the aircraft used for passenger-carrying flights that typically serve that airport. Therefore, an airport operator may opt to have extra aircraft rescue and firefighting coverage available.
  • Adequate snow removal equipment and procedures. The airport operator may consider having additional equipment and personnel available to assist with timely snow removal operations, to clear runway(s)/taxiway(s) for aircraft transporting vaccines.
  • Adequate aircraft parking areas. Airport operators may want to coordinate with other users so that appropriate parking locations to support the type(s) and numbers of aircraft involved are available for vaccine transport aircraft when needed.
  • Coordination with local air traffic control facilities. Airport operators should work with their local air traffic control facilities before and during any vaccine transport flights movement on the airfield.
  • Priority access to the airfield for freight vehicles. Airport operators may consider landside vehicle control and a possible staging area for freight vehicles awaiting their cargo to quickly and safely move shipments of COVID-19 vaccines off-airport.
  • Engagement of federal security and local law enforcement. Airport operators should consider advance coordination with the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and/or local law enforcement, as necessary for security needs, minimizing customs clearance delays and inspections, and vehicle traffic control.

The FAA works around the clock to keep air traffic moving and will prioritize flights carrying essential cargo, such as vaccines, and personnel critical to the nations response to COVID-19. Visit FAA.gov for updates on the agencys response to COVID-19.