If enacted, HB 7660 is poised to affect aviation safety regulations significantly. It aims to facilitate pilots in managing complex flight scenarios by providing them with the discretion needed to conduct essential aviation maneuvers safely. The bill seeks to eliminate regulatory barriers that may hinder effective decision-making during go-arounds or practice approaches, which are essential for maintaining safety and preparedness in aviation operations.
Summary
House Bill 7660, also known as the Backcountry Aviation Protection Act, aims to clarify minimum altitude requirements for specific aviation maneuvers including go-arounds, inspection passes, practice approaches, and qualified instrument approaches. The bill mandates that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revise current regulations within 180 days of enactment to allow qualified pilots to perform these actions without strict adherence to previously established minimum altitudes. This would provide pilots with greater flexibility during critical flight operations where altitude regulations may inadvertently impede safety and operational efficiency.
Contention
Despite its intent to enhance operational flexibility, HB 7660 may face scrutiny over potential safety implications. Critics could argue that reducing altitude restrictions for go-arounds and other maneuvers might lead to increased risks if not properly regulated. The bill also includes a provision that prevents the FAA from enforcing altitude requirements for these maneuvers unless new regulations are published, raising concerns about enforcement and the standards pilots must meet. This creates a debate on maintaining rigorous safety standards versus providing pilots with more autonomy in their flying decisions.
Aviation-Impacted Communities ActThis bill increases access to noise mitigation measures for aviation-impacted communities. Under the bill, an aviation-impacted community is a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.The bill expands noise mitigation program funding under the Airport Improvement Program to include aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community. A designated community must form a community board to provide information to airport operators and the FAA concerning aviation impacts (e.g., aircraft noise).A community board may petition the FAA to conduct a community assessment and, based on the assessment, the FAA must devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the community’s concerns.In addition, the FAA must enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and provide the FAA with a framework and diagnostic tool for conducting community assessments.The FAA must provide grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship. Further, the FAA and airport operators must provide (1) noise mitigation grants for communities subject to significant frequency of overhead flights, and (2) noise mitigation for residences impacted by significant nighttime aircraft noise.
Directs the state Department of Education to provide specific information in a report to the Senate committees on finance and education relative to the original Charter School Demonstration Programs Law.
Creates a task force to study and make recommendations relative to the "evidence based approaches" as required by the "Charter School Demonstration Programs Law".