[Avionics Today 12-21-2015] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a Direct Final Rule to better narrow the focus of the notification requirement in 49 C.F.R. § 830.5(a)(10) concerning certain resolution advisories.
NTSB Investigator-in-Charge Dan Bower documenting damaged section of Delta flight 1086 that skidded off the runway at LaGuardia Airport. Photo: NTSB.
Currently NTSB requires operators to report all Airborne Collision and Avoidance System (ACAS) resolution advisories issued to an aircraft operating in class A airspace, as well as any other resolution advisory where compliance with the advisory is required to avert a substantial risk of collision between two or more aircraft.
After reviewing notifications received under the rule as it is currently structured, the board has learned that the scope of the requirement can be reduced while still providing NTSB notice of events that may benefit from an independent safety review.
Therefore, after the change takes effect, operators will only be required to report ACAS resolution advisories issued when an aircraft is being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan and compliance with the advisory is necessary to avert a substantial risk of collision between two or more aircraft. NTSB used its direct final rulemaking procedure to make the change. Under this procedure, the public has the opportunity to comment by Jan. 14, 2016. Following the public comment period, barring receipt of any adverse comments, the new rule will become effective Feb. 16, 2016.