The NTSB’s direct final rule amending its Part 830 notification requirements concerning certain Airborne Collision and Avoidance System (ACAS) conflict resolution advisories issued to an aircraft operating in Class A airspace is effective February 16. On December 15, the Safety Board published the rule asking for any negative comments; none were submitted by the January 16 comment deadline.
Currently, all ACAS advisories within Class A airspace must be reported. After the change takes effect, operators will be required to report ACAS resolution advisories when an aircraft is being operated on an IFR flight plan and compliance with the advisory is “necessary to avert a substantial risk of collision between two or more aircraft.” The Safety Board said that an assessment of notifications received under the current rule has shown that the scope of the requirement can be reduced “while still providing the NTSB notice of events that may benefit from an independent safety review.”