[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4221-4222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1538]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Harmonization of 
Miscellaneous Rotorcraft Regulations Working Group

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Harmonization of Miscellaneous 
Rotorcraft Regulations Working Group.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is given of the establishment of the Harmonization of 
Miscellaneous Rotorcraft Regulations 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. [[Page 4222]] 

Tasks

    The Harmonization of Miscellaneous Rotorcraft Regulations Working 
Group is charged with recommending to ARAC new or revised requirements 
for pilot indication of autopilot operating mode; burn test for 
electrical wire; seats, berths, and litters; and other rotorcraft 
issues. The products of this exercise are intended to be harmonized 
standards, acceptable to both the FAA and the Joint Aviation 
Authorities.
    Specifically, the tasks are as follows:
    1. Review Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Secs. 27.1329 and 
29.1329, and supporting policy and guidance material for the purpose of 
determining the course of action to be taken for rulemaking and/or 
policy relative to the issue of requiring pilot indication of autopilot 
operating mode similar to parts 23 and 25 requirements.
    2. Review parts 27 and 29 to determine if clarification is needed 
for the burn test requirements for transport category rotorcraft and 
whether a new requirement for burn test for electrical wire for normal 
category rotorcraft is needed. Consider whether Sec. 29.1351(d)(3) 
should be deleted and if new Secs. 27.1365(c) and 29.1359(c) should be 
created to specify electrical wire insulation burn test requirements.
    3. Review Secs. 27.785(f)(2) and 29.785(f)(2) to determine if these 
sections should be revised to specify whether the 1.33 fitting factor 
for seats should also apply to berths and litters.
    4. Review and make recommendations regarding the disharmonizations 
introduced by the New Rotorcraft 30 Second/2 Minute One-Engine 
Inoperative Power Ratings and the Rotorcraft Crash Resistant Fuel 
Systems final rules.
    ARAC recommendations to the FAA should be accomplished 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 Harmonization of Miscellaneous Rotorcraft Regulations 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 tasks, 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 tasks to the ARAC 
before proceeding with the work stated under item C below.
    C. Give a status report on the tasks 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 Harmonization of 
Miscellaneous Rotorcraft Regulations 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. 95-1538 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M