FAA Suspends Air Traffic Controller Use of Visual Separation for Helicopters
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has immediately suspended the use of visual separation for helicopters by air traffic controllers. This decision follows a serious near mid-air collision between two helicopters in Southern California. The now-suspended procedure allowed controllers to provide separation based on visually sighting the aircraft, rather than using standard instrument-based minima. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) had previously raised safety concerns about this practice. The suspension will remain in place while the agency conducts a thorough safety review of the procedure.
Official Source: https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/safety-ops-regulation/faa-suspends-helicopter-atc-visual-separations
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