FAA Updates NOTAM Obstacle Policy for Slacklines

The FAA has recently updated its NOTAM criteria for obstacles to specifically address highlines and slacklines. This change, in FAA Order 7930.2U CHG 2, adds a special requirement for FAA personnel to verify a sponsor calling to issue a highline/slackline NOTAM has properly completed and coordinated FAA Form 7460-1, Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration, with the Obstruction Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis (OEAAA) group. In addition, the text for these NOTAMs will now also include a remark identifying the geographical location at the end of the NOTAM.

In May, NAAA joined 19 national aviation organizations and 18 state/regional agricultural aviation associations in a letter to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to highlight several safety issues raised by the fatal helicopter slackline accident near Superior, Arizona in January of this year. This new change to NOTAM criteria seems to indicate FAA’s reception and consideration of that letter.

The issue continues to be pressed for more comprehensive steps to prevent highline/slackline accidents. In July, NAAA joined a coalition of aviation organizations in supporting the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation calling on the FAA to evaluate current policies and regulations and identify appropriate policy, operational, or technical improvements to better protect aviators operating close to the ground, including potential updates to marking requirements for slacklines. After its introduction in the House and Senate, the bill was referred to the applicable committees for review which is where it remains as of this writing.