What Do the FAA and Formula One Have in Common?
Both have systems designed to reduce drag and increase speed to gain an advantage.
The secret decoder ring. That is the term we often use when referring to FAA Order 8900.1 FSIMS. Have you heard of it? In most cases, only the most experienced pilots or management like Chief Pilots, DO’s, and DOM’s know what it is or even more importantly where to find it.
We can all agree that the Federal Aviation Regulations aren’t written for easy understanding, and that is where the 8900 comes in as an easily searchable, easy-to-understand reference. It is used to direct the activities of FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) and provide direction for tasks related to aviation accidents, incidents, investigations, compliance, administration, etc. Basically, this means it helps to explain how to apply the existing directives and guidance...a decoder ring of sorts.
So, what does this have to do with Formula One?
In 2011, the Drag Reduction System (DRS) was introduced to F1 racing. It consists of an adjustable opening in the rear wing of the car. When opened, it reduces drag and increases the speed of a trailing car to help with passing a leading car.
This Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car’s DRS is closed. Once opened, there is less drag and more speed available for passing.
Photo Credit: José Pablo Domínguez via Unsplash
In 2022, the FAA finished moving the 8900 FSIMS to its own system which will reduce the drag on your search for answers. Like F1 DRS, the FAA’s DRS (Dynamic Regulatory System) website will help you increase the speed of knowledge and pass others that may be moving too slowly. This “new” DRS is the comprehensive knowledge center of regulatory and guidance material from the FAA and includes the following plus much more:
Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
Advisory Circulars
Order 8900.1 Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS)
Master Minimum Equipment Lists (MMEL)
Advisory & Rulemaking Committee Documents
Unlike F1 DRS which is limited to use only at certain times and locations, the FAA’s new DRS is free to use all the time.
Your new one-stop-shop for as much regulatory, policy, and guidance as you can handle. It has a powerful search engine and filtering. Photo Credit: FAA DRS Website
Visit the site and try some keyword searches. We recently used it to get a refresher on the differences between requirements for Air Carrier and Air Operating Certificates. We highly recommend visiting the FAA DRS website and giving it a try. You might just learn something new.
Special thanks to Scott Armstrong for the heads-up that FSIMS had officially moved!
More Reading:
FAA Dynamic Regulatory System: https://drs.faa.gov/
FAA Dynamic Regulatory System FAQ: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/programs/drs/faq
Formula One (F1): https://www.formula1.com/
F1 Drag Reduction System (DRS): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_reduction_system
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