Story ID: 
Alphabets React to FAA Landing Distance Policy
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: NBAA and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) expressed concern about the FAA’s June notice requiring the addition of a 15-percent landing-di
Word Count: 146
NBAA and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) expressed concern about the FAA’s June notice requiring the addition of a 15-percent landing-distance safety margin. NBAA and NATA believe that the FAA is bypassing the normal regulatory process. Instead of improving safety, the requirement “could reduce safety,” according to NBAA, “and negatively impact fractional and charter operations.” NATA sent a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey on August 10 asking for a 60-day delay in implementing the new notice, now scheduled for October 1, and urging the agency to convene an FAA/industry working group to discuss the notice. NATA also highlighted safety implications and expressed concern about “the agency’s blatant disregard for the unique characteristics of [Part] 135 and 91(K) operations.” The FAA last week held a workshop to discuss runway contamination information-sharing problems with industry but did not use that forum to address the landing-distance issue.