FAA's new Dynamic Regulatory System

midlifeflyer

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The FAA recently announced the availability of its new "Dynamic Regulatory System" (DRS). The goal is a central location for searching "all regulatory guidance material from the Office of Aviation Safety." It is part of the FAA's regulatory consistency initiative. FAA personnel are expected to use it to answer questions, but it is also available to the public.
General description with links to a FAQ page and the DRS search itself are at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/programs/drs/

Whether the goal is met, of course, remains to be seen.
 
The title sounds more like a "we will change the rules at a moments notice in order to screw pilots over" system than what it actually is. :D

They are still working on an official name and acronym for that system.
 
So crass humor aside, let’s say I want to find the letter where the FAA overturned the regional interpretation of known icing conditions that included “high humidity”. I don’t remember the name of the guy who was silly enough to ask for the interpretation, but I’m working with somebody who really wants to fly non-FIKIairplanesin sub-freezing clouds like Bob Miller did. Can that interpretation be found with the limited no-name information I have using this system? If so, what parameters would you enter into the search engine?
 
Can that interpretation be found with the limited no-name information I have using this system?
It's my understanding the AGC Chief Counsel opinions and legal interpretations were not included in the DRS framework. There was a feasibility study to include this during the planning stage in 2016 but I was told the AGC database was not linked at this time. And I haven't read anything recent when that may happen.
 
It's my understanding the AGC Chief Counsel opinions and legal interpretations were not included in the DRS framework. There was a feasibility study to include this during the planning stage in 2016 but I was told the AGC database was not linked at this time. And I haven't read anything recent when that may happen.
Ok, so specifically what guidance is included, or more specifically how do I determine what’s actually worth looking for?
 
so specifically what guidance is included
Theres a reference on the DRS page which databases it acceses but it basically provides a single search portal for CFRs, ACs, Orders, FSIMS, SAIBs, CARs, CAMs, etc vs having to search each separately which required using multiple search engines and in the case of the CARs/CAMs using a different DOT website.
how do I determine what’s actually worth looking for
Don't know for you. But for me, if I DRS search for "major alteration" you'll get every hit regardless of source. With so much data now the key will be your search string and filters to keep from getting 9 pages of references. But keep in mind this is first a FAA tool that the public has access to.
 
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So long as they don't require all pilots to subscribe for $250/yr I'm all for it. But if it comes with a mandate it will be the next new ADSB in my heart.
 
Seems like a step in the right direction. FSDO shopping and variations in application of rules has been a problem for years.
This seems like a good first step to address it, and for the first time gives public access to the information the FAA operates (or should) from.
This is not a panacea but is a required first step.

Tim

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for the first time gives public access to the information the FAA operates (or should) from.
FYI: the FAA information/guidance accessible through the DRS has been available to the general public for quite some time. The new part is that information is now available via one search screen.
 
FYI: the FAA information/guidance accessible through the DRS has been available to the general public for quite some time. The new part is that information is now available via one search screen.

Could be. However I was under the impression that DRS not only consolidates the information, but presents information which was not accessible before to the general public.

Tim
 
Could be. However I was under the impression that DRS not only consolidates the information, but presents information which was not accessible before to the general public.

Tim

Nope. It's always been accessible.
 
Could be. However I was under the impression that DRS not only consolidates the information, but presents information which was not accessible before to the general public.
There is also additional FAA guidance/information available to the public that is not found through the DRS as it only covers material from the AVS. This other guidance still requires you to search from their respective internal websites.
 
Seems like a step in the right direction.

Problem is, as noted by the silly “feasibility study” that numerous things were left out.

So this thing goes in for a while, never gets finished with those other things “de-scoped” until it all gets forgotten...

Then someone comes along, starts another “new” plan to build a proper complete document management system...

Touted as a great idea...

Then another “feasibility study” and something else is left out of the new one...

And the “step in the right direction” does a reverse to zero and starts right back here again.

Unless you drop the “feasibility study” and just MAKE something the ONE document repository or search place for them, it’ll never ever end.

Has to be pushed top-down as a customer-facing priority to ALL departments.

“Get your documents in the single document management system or else. Anyone building another one shall be terminated immediately.”

It really does take that, and I’ve been placed where it was amazing how motivated people get when it’s “the rules”. All of a sudden documents are all where they belong, like magic.
 
Problem is, as noted by the silly “feasibility study” that numerous things were left out.

So this thing goes in for a while, never gets finished with those other things “de-scoped” until it all gets forgotten...

Then someone comes along, starts another “new” plan to build a proper complete document management system...

Touted as a great idea...

Then another “feasibility study” and something else is left out of the new one...

And the “step in the right direction” does a reverse to zero and starts right back here again.

Unless you drop the “feasibility study” and just MAKE something the ONE document repository or search place for them, it’ll never ever end.

Has to be pushed top-down as a customer-facing priority to ALL departments.

“Get your documents in the single document management system or else. Anyone building another one shall be terminated immediately.”

It really does take that, and I’ve been placed where it was amazing how motivated people get when it’s “the rules”. All of a sudden documents are all where they belong, like magic.

And if you enforce it for a while (typically takes about 2 years to fully transform) it will transform the culture so that this is "just how it's done" and the efficiencies actually begin to accumulate.
 
@denverpilot

lmao, I have actually seen that happen. On the flip side, I have actually been involved projects which make life better for the user take on a life of their own and still have the title of feasibility study twenty years later.
the key is either provide real value to the user, or have top management have enough chutzpah to enforce it. DRS seems like it is more in the first camp. As long as the search capability is actually there, it may last. I did a couple searches on the site, and I got better and more pertinent results than when i tried on a couple of the native systems.

@jsstevens

Two years? You are kidding right? More like ten! In reality, it is more about taking away the other choices so there is no option. How long that takes varies by department and culture.

Tim
 
Well, @tspear, 2 years assuming that 1) it actually adds value and 2) the organization actually values value.

YMMV
 
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