[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 4221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1537]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Rotorcraft Gross Weight 
and Passenger Issues Working Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Rotorcraft Gross Weight and 
Passenger Issues Working Group.

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SUMMARY: Notice is given of the establishment of the Rotorcraft Gross 
Weight and Passenger Issues Working Group and new tasks assigned to the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). This notice informs the 
public of the activities of ARAC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Mark Schilling, Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, telephone number (817) 222-5110.

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 
the ARAC deals with is rotorcraft issues. These issues involve the 
airworthiness standards for normal and transport category rotorcraft in 
parts 27 and 29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, which are the 
responsibility of the Director, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA

Task

    The Gross Weight and Passenger Issues for Rotorcraft Working Group 
is charged with recommending to ARAC new or revised requirements for 
increasing the gross weight and passenger limitations for normal 
category rotorcraft. The products of this exercise are intended to be 
harmonized standards, acceptable to both the FAA and the Joint Aviation 
Authorities.
    Specifically, the task is as follows:
    Review Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 27 and supporting 
policy and guidance material to determine the appropriate course of 
action to be taken for rulemaking and/or policy relative to the issue 
of increasing the gross weight and passenger limitations for normal 
category rotorcraft.
    ARAC recommendations to the FAA should be accompanied by 
appropriate documents. Recommendations for rulemaking should be 
accompanied by a complete draft of the notice(s) of proposed 
rulemaking, including the benefit/cost analysis and other required 
analyses. Recommendations for the issuance of guidance material should 
be accompanied by a complete draft advisory circular.
    ARAC has formed the Rotorcraft Gross Weight and Passenger Issues 
Working Group to analyze and recommend to it solutions to issues 
contained in the assigned tasks. If ARAC accepts the working group's 
recommendations, it forwards them to the FAA.
    ARAC working groups are comprised of technical experts on the 
subject matter. A working group member need not necessarily be a 
representative of one of the member organizations of ARAC. An 
individual who has expertise in the subject matter and wishes to become 
a member of the working group should write the person listed under the 
caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT expressing that desire, 
describing his or her interest in the task, and the expertise he or she 
would bring to the working group. The request will be reviewed by the 
assistant chair and working group leader, and the individual will be 
advised whether or not the request can be accommodated.

Working Group Reports

    Each working group formed to consider ARAC tasks is expected to 
comply with the procedures adopted by ARAC and given to the working 
group chair. As part of the procedures, the working group is expected 
to:
    A. Recommend time line(s) for completion of the task, including 
rationale, for consideration at the meeting of the ARAC to consider 
rotorcraft issues held following publication of this notice.
    B. Give a detailed conceptual presentation on the task to the ARAC 
before proceeding with the work stated under item C below.
    C. Give a status report on the task at each meeting of ARAC held to 
consider rotorcraft issues.
    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 imposed on the FAA by law. Meetings of 
ARAC will be open to the public except as authorized by section 10(d) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Meetings of the Rotorcraft Gross 
Weight and Passenger Issues 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 January 13, 1995.
Chris A. Christie,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 95-1537 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am]
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