Originally Posted by
Twin Wasp
The FAA (and all government agencies) have a proceedure they follow. (1) A problem is pointed out.
(2) The FAA works out a solution.
(3) A "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" is issued in the Federal Register. That opens a (normally) 60 day comment window.
(4) At the end of the 60 days, for big issues, there may be a meeting of concerned parties.
(5) After the comment are looked over and the meetings are done, there may be a "Revised Notice of Rulemaking" with another comment window.
(6) Then after a group hug the Final Rule is published in the Federal Register. This will have the effective date, say 30 days after the publication date.
We're at step 1 right now. One of the last NPRMs I saw was whether to change Part 25 to allow yellow alerting lights in the cockpit along with amber. Don't hold your breath for any quick change.
I am still waiting for step 4,5 and 6 from 1992 when Babbitt then ALPA president did nothing to push for the changes back then. My money will be on the new rules will be watered down dramatically to satisfy companies and have enough of an appearance of doing something. ALPA wont do anything in the end as it did not the last time and since then has kept quiet.