The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is mulling recommendations of an international working group that would permit commercially operated, single-turbine aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions. It is expected to release a formal proposed rulemaking in the next several months. The action brings Europe the closest to permitting such operations, which have been sought by local operators for decades. It would also take a step toward operating regulations long in place in the U.S., which permits both single turbine and piston operations.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has given it assurances that he will make the petition for an exemption from third-class medical requirements a priority. AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association jointly petitioned the agency seeking the ability to use the driver's license medical standard. In a letter to AOPA, Huerta wrote it was important to “ensure that such an unprecedented change will not result in any adverse impact that could lead to degradation in safety.”

Former Flying magazine Publisher Dick Koenig, who has served on the board has been named to head the Corporate Angel Network (CAN), succeeding Peter Fleiss, who has retired after leading the charitable organization for 14 years. Koeing had been a member of the CAN board. Founded in 1981, CAN arranges free flights aboard empty seats of corporate jets for cancer patients traveling to or from treatment. More than 500 corporations participate, flying about 250 patient flights monthly. Since its founding, CAN has arranged nearly 45,000 flights.