[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 212 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55750-55751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27229]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 28371]

Study of FAA Regulation and Certification Capabilities
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Study and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: On July 13, 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration 
initiated Challenge 2000, a comprehensive review of the FAA's safety 
oversight mission. The purpose of Challenge 2000 is to position the 
Agency to continue providing effective safety oversight in the face of 
technological advances and other changes in the aviation operating 
environment. An independent management consultant is undertaking a 
review of the FAA's regulation, certification, and enforcement 
capabilities and plans to make recommendations for appropriate actions. 
This notice provides an opportunity for the public to participate in 
this effort and comment on the future design and goal of FAA's 
regulation and certification functions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments in triplicate to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket (AGC-
200), Docket 28371, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591. 
Comments must be marked Docket No. 28371. They will be on display in 
Room 915G weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 pm., except on Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kris Burnham, Office of Aviation 
Policy and Plans, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, (202) 267-7947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena and FAA Administrator 
David Hinson have committed to a safety goal of zero accidents for the 
aviation community. Consistent with this Zero-accident goal, the FAA 
has initiated Challenge 2000, a comprehensive review of the agency's 
safety oversight capabilities. The review and subsequent report are 
being undertaken by an independent management consultant. The FAA will 
also receive input from its Research, Engineering, and Development 
Advisory Committee (RE&D Committee), whose membership represents 
various parts of the aviation industry. A committee of AA executives is 
overseeing the effort.
    In the course of its review, the management consultant is studying 
the structure of the aviation industry, current and anticipated risks 
associated with air transportation, the structure and approach to 
safety used by aviation authorities in other countries and in other 
industries, and the FAA's safety organization. It is discussing 
pertinent issues with aviation organizations from government and the 
private sector. The RE&D Committee is evaluating the FAA's relationship 
to the technology environment and the agency's ability to respond 
strategically to rapid technological changes. A team of senior FAA 
officials is responsible for assisting the consultant and the RE&D 
Committee by providing essential expertise and perspective on the FAA 
and its current practices.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites public comments to supplement the data gathered by 
our management consultant. Taken together, the information will help 
the agency appropriately adjust its regulation, certification, and 
enforcement capabilities to respond to recent and expected changes in 
the aviation 

[[Page 55751]]
operating environment. Unlike recent regulatory reviews, this Notice 
does not seek suggestions on specific rules that commenters believe 
should be changed or altered. Rather, comments should address general 
policies, procedures, and the focus of FAA's mission and resources with 
respect to safety oversight.
    The following are examples of questions relevant to Challenge 2000 
and on which the FAA seeks comments. This list does not necessarily 
encompass all issues of interest, and commenters are invited to submit 
information on additional issues relevant to this review.
    Do you believe that the FAA's regulation, certification, and 
enforcement functions currently provide an adequate level of safety 
oversight? If not, why not? Are there safety oversight services that 
should be provided by the FAA that currently are not? What changes in 
statutory authority, resources, or process are needed to provide 
adequate in the current and future environment? Are the FAA's 
regulation and certification processes appropriate to allow the 
aviation community to reap the benefits of modern technology in a 
timely manner?
    What significant changes do you anticipate in the aviation 
environment in the next decade that may require revision, termination, 
or addition to current FAA safety oversight (e.g., technological 
advances, changing business practices, impact of international 
competition)? When possible, please provide specific examples.
    Based on the anticipated changes, do you believe that the FAA needs 
to change the manner in which it (1) regulates the industry, (2) 
enforces rules, or (3) certificates airmen, aircraft, or other elements 
of the airport and airway system? Where appropriate, please comment on 
the adequacy of existing statutory authority, anticipated need for 
process changes, the timing of services provided, and the effectiveness 
of the outcome.
    In the coming decade, do you believe that FAA should devote fewer 
or greater resources than it currently does to (1) regulation, (2) 
enforcement, and (3) certification? Why?

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 27, 1995.
Barry L. Valentine,
Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning, and International 
Aviation.
[FR Doc. 95-27229 Filed 11-1-95; 8:45 am]
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