[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26068]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 

Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Single Engine-IMC-with 
passengers ARAC Working Group.

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SUMMARY: Notice is given of the establishment by the Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee of an ARAC working group to examine the 
feasibility of conducting single-engine passenger carrying operations 
in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) under Part 135 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations. This notice informs the public of the 
activities of the ARAC and seeks the public's participation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Quentin J. Smith, Jr., Executive 
Director for Air Carrier Operations Issues, Flight Standards Service 
(AFS-200), 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone 
(202) 267-8166, FAX: (202) 267-5230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
has established an Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) (56 FR 
2190, January 22, 1991; and 58 FR 9230, February 19, 1993). One area 
that the ARAC deals with is air carrier operations. Other working 
groups in this area have dealt with issues such as autopilot takeoff 
minimum altitudes, fuel requirements, controlled rest on the flight 
deck, noise abatement, and flight crewmember flight/rest/duty 
requirements. The Single Engine-IMC-with passengers Working Group is 
being established to evaluate the safety aspects and overall 
feasibility of allowing passenger carrying operations in IMC with 
single engine aircraft. The Single Engine-IMC-with passengers Working 
Group will forward its recommendations to the ARAC, which will then 
determine whether to forward them to the FAA.
    Specifically, the Working Group's task is as follows:
    (1) Review the Canadian policy authorizing single engine IMC 
operations in turbine-powered airplanes and make recommendations for 
adoption.
    (2) Re-examine existing policies for commercial IMC and/or night 
operations by single-engine aircraft.
    (3) Determine the conditions and/or limitations which should be met 
before commercial air transport IMC and/or night operations by single-
engine aircraft could be permitted.
    (4) When considering the applicability of such operations, include 
both airplanes and helicopters (both turbine and reciprocating 
engines), passenger carriage (FAA), passenger/cargo carriage (JAA).
    (5) Consider and dispose of any petitions for rulemaking or 
exemption on this subject.
    (6) If, after completing the review, changes are recommended, 
develop and submit any needed advisory material or notice of proposed 
rulemaking in final form.
    The Working Group should recommend time line(s) for completion of 
the task, including the rationale, for consideration at the meeting of 
the ARAC to consider air carrier operations issues held following 
publication of this notice.
    The Working Group will give a status report on the task at each 
meeting of the ARAC held to consider air carrier operations issues.
    The Single Engine-IMC-with passengers Working Group will be 
comprised of experts from those organizations having an interest in the 
tasks assigned. A Working Group member need not necessarily be a 
representative of one of the member organizations of the ARAC. 
Individuals who have expertise in the subject and wish to become a 
member of the Working Group should write the person listed under the 
caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT expressing that desire, 
describing their interest in the task, and the expertise they would 
bring to the Working Group. The request will be reviewed with the ARAC 
Assistant Chair for Air Carrier Operations and the Chair of the Single 
Engine-IMC-with passengers Working Group, and the individual will be 
advised whether or not the request can be accommodated.
    The Secretary of Transportation has determined that the formation 
and use of the ARAC are necessary in the public interest in connection 
with the performance of duties of the FAA by law. Meetings of the ARAC 
to consider air carrier operations issues will be open to the public 
except as authorized by section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act. Meetings of the Single Engine-IMC-with passengers Working Group 
will not be open to the public except to the extent that individuals 
with an interest and expertise are selected to participate. No public 
announcement of Working Group meetings will be made.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 13, 1994.
Quentin J. Smith, Jr.,
Assistant Executive Director for Air Carrier Operations Issues, 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 94-26068 Filed 10-19-94; 8:45 am]
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