Significant Regulatory Activity

Air Safety Week, Jan 7, 2008

The NTSB is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of voluntary feedback regarding the public NTSB Web site. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal agencies must publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information and subsequently allow 60 days for public comment in response to each notice. This notice solicits comments concerning the NTSB's proposed collection of information and feedback, via a voluntary survey available on the NTSB Web site, concerning the navigation, utility, and site design of the NTSB Web site.

DATES: Submit written comments regarding this proposed collection of information by February 11, 2008. [See: tinyurl.com/yum7gh]

Boeing has to demonstrate that certain Boeing 787 flight critical domains - digital systems and networks that for the first time will be accessible externally via wireless and other links to airline operations and maintenance systems - cannot be tampered with. "The architecture of the Boeing Model 787-8 computer systems and networks may allow access to external systems and networks, such as wireless airline operations and maintenance systems, satellite communications, electronic mail, the internet, etc. Onboard wired and wireless devices may also have access to parts of the airplane's digital systems that provide flight critical functions," says the FAA in a special conditions document published in December. "These new connectivity capabilities may result in security vulnerabilities to the airplane's critical systems." In order to "ensure the security, integrity, and availability" of critical systems, the FAA will require Boeing to demonstrate that unauthorized access to the hardware, software and databases of the aircraft control and airline information domains is not possible. Boeing's network architecture for the 787 includes embedded software and electronics used for flight critical control and navigation systems, called the aircraft control domain, as well as for airline business and administrative support, known as the airline information domain. See tinyurl.com/34rgdu