Airlines and overseas airports will struggle to meet deadlines for implementing broad new security requirements on flights to the US, airline industry groups and consultants say. Airports have a short timeline to comply with a few of the directives the Department of Homeland Security issued Wednesday, according to a memo from IATA. Some technology and even bomb-sniffing dogs required under the measures aren’t readily available in each of the 280 airports affected. “Getting the right equipment is one thing -- whether it’s canines or X-ray machines. Training people to support those is another,” said Michael O’Neill, CE of MSA Security, which provides security, training and other services. “Then it’s going to come down to costs. None of this stuff is cheap. And who is going to be responsible for that?” <br/>
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Airbus's pursuit of deployable flight recorder marks a greater confidence in prospects for the concept than the airframer had expressed a year ago. The manufacturer indicated last year that operators were not showing particular interest in deployable recorders, despite the attention generated by such events as the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in 2014. Airbus had signalled that the use of pyrotechnics as an ejection mechanism appeared to have prompted concerns. But a deployable recorder unveiled by the airframer during the Paris air show appears to address these doubts by using a spring-loaded release system instead. Airbus says it views such recorders as the solution which is "easily compatible" with the current search-and-rescue network, and one which can be introduced in a "reasonable timeframe". <br/>
The US Congress is divided over whether to privatise the nation's air traffic control system as both chambers advance bills to expand airline passenger protections. Thursday, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee adopted legislation that includes FAA reforms, but unlike a House panel, does not spin off air traffic control and leaves it with the FAA. "The support is not there," said senator Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the panel. The US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the privatisation plan Tuesday, putting air traffic control under the oversight of a non-profit corporation. President Donald Trump has said the move would modernise air traffic control and lower flying costs. Critics say it would hand control of a key asset to special interests and big airlines. <br/>
Beginning pilots could substitute “structured and disciplined” classroom training for flying experience in qualifying to work for airlines under legislation approved Thursday by a Senate panel. The provision would change minimum pilot training requirements the FAA adopted after the last fatal crash of a US passenger airline in 2009. Regional airlines, which contend there is a shortage of qualified pilots, have long sought to soften an FAA requirement after the crash that all pilots have at least 1,500 hours of flying experience. But critics said weakening the standard would mean writing new regulations in the "blood" of crash victims. Senator John Thune said the goal of his provision added to broader FAA legislation is to provide better quality training rather than a quantity of flying hours. <br/>