The FAA has issued a NPRM on fuel tank inerting on transport aircraft.
http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf94/371876_web.pdf
Comment period closed last year. While there is a deadline on the comment period, there is no requirement for the FAA to respond or make a decision in a timely manner (more time for the lobbyists to work their magic).
Airborne system works well, little weight or performance penalty.
I believe the 787 will have a fuel tank inerting system standard.
Here is more info:
http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/...fm?newsId=7318
......by the way...the Wall Street Journal reported that the NPRM went to the White House for review not excluding freighter aircraft. Came out of White House review excluding frieighters.
......now I wonder how that happened????
