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After several e-mails from readers inquiring about Part 139 airports, I figured it was time to give Airport Chronicles some much needed attention with a new blog.
Under 14 CFR Part 139, the FAA is required to issue airport operating certificates to airports that:
- Serve scheduled and unscheduled air carrier aircraft with more than 30 seats;
- Serve scheduled air carrier operations in aircraft with more than 9 seats but less than 31 seats; and
- The FAA Administrator requires to have a certificate.
The list above is what will require an airport to become Part 139 certified, but any airport that requests certification can obtain an operating certificate if they choose to, however they will subject to the same requirements and annual inspections by the FAA.
If you have ever glanced out the window during a landing, you may have noticed that the runway bears long black streaks of rubber, predominately around the aiming point markers. The reason for this is because when a plane touches down the tires are not spinning and the time it takes for the tires to get up to speed is known as the “spin up time.” During this time the tires are dragging along the runway and being put under pressure by the weight of the aircraft. The friction built up causes the rubber to polymerize and harden to the runway surface. This hardened rubber decreases friction which increases the chance for aircraft to hydroplane, which is a large safety concern. The airport has a choice of methods to remove the build up of rubber.
Congressional representative Charlie Dent (R-PA) has introduced a bill on June 26th, the General Aviation Security Enhancement Act of 2009 that would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work with the general aviation community to modify their absurd Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). In October of last year, the TSA had GA operators in a frenzy over their proposed regulations requiring aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds to be treated as if they were commercial airliners. The regulations would include a criminal history background check for required crew, matching passengers to TSA no-fly and watch lists, screening passengers and baggage for weapons or banned items, and paying for biennial audits.
The Acting Administrator for the TSA, Gale Rossides, has released a new security directive that will override SD-08F. Effective on June 1st, security directive 08G (SD-08G) will allow transient pilots to come and go freely without a costly background check or the need to obtain an airport badge. The only catch is that the flight crew must remain in the vicinity of their aircraft unless under escort by a badged employee. Ken Bertucci, FBO owner, says “I’m thankful that the aviation community has an organization such as AOPA to help fight for general aviation. It would be difficult to hire additional personnel to obtain transient customer information, escort them to our airport’s training center for a two hour long AOA knowledge test (required for a badge), and finally to the airport security department for fingerprinting.” Fortunately, SD-08G will not adversely affect many airports, because they already have a badge system in place and FBO employees escort flight crews accordingly. The next time the TSA creates a security directive, I would suggest a period of time to allow public criticism before passing such absurd regulations.