[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 194 (Friday, October 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25421]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 91

[Docket No. 28690; Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 76]
RIN 2120-AG-28


Removal of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the 
Territory and Airspace of Iran

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; removal.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 
No. 76, which prohibits flight operations within the territory and 
airspace of Iran by any United States air carrier or commercial 
operator, by any person exercising the privileges of an airman 
certificate issued by the FAA except persons operating U.S.-registered 
aircraft for foreign air carriers, or by an operator using an aircraft 
registered in the United States unless the operator of such aircraft is 
a foreign air carrier. This action is taken in response to the decrease 
in certain military operations in northwest Iran, including the removal 
of equipment from a missile site near the Iran-Turkey border, which has 
reduced the threat of hostile actions against persons and aircraft 
engaged in flight operations within Iran's territory and airspace.

DATES: Effective Date: September 27, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 Mark W. Bury, International Affairs and Legal Policy Staff, AGC-7, 
Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20591. Telephone: (202) 267-
3515. Any person may obtain a copy of this document by submitting a 
request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, 
Attention: ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20591, 
or by calling (202) 267-9677. Communications must identify the number 
of this SFAR. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for 
future rules should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, 
which describes the application procedure.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 17, 1996, the FAA issued a 
final rule prohibiting certain aircraft operations within the territory 
and airspace of Iran. In the exercise of its statutory responsibility 
for the safety of U.S.-registered aircraft and U.S. operators, the FAA 
determined that an I-HAWK surface-to-air missile site established by 
Iran in close proximity to civilian air corridors near the Iran-Turkey 
border posed a threat to civil aviation, and therefore justified the 
imposition of certain measures to ensure the safety of U.S.-registered 
aircraft and operators conducting flight operations within Iran's 
territory and airspace. SFAR 76 prohibits flight operations within the 
territory and airspace of Iran by any United States air carrier or 
commercial operator, by any person exercising the privileges of an 
airman certificate issued by the FAA except persons operating U.S.-
registered aircraft for foreign air carriers, or by an operator using 
an aircraft registered in the United States unless the operator of such 
aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
    The FAA has determined that the threat to civil aviation posed by 
the I-HAWK surface-to-air missile site and related military operations 
has ended. The I-HAWK missile equipment has been removed and the 
related military operations terminated. There now appears to be no 
continuing threat to civil aviation arising out of, or related to, 
Iranian military operations in that area.
    On the basis of the foregoing information, I have determined that 
the immediate removal of SFAR 76 from 14 CFR Part 91 is appropriate. 
The Department of State has been advised of, and has no objection to, 
the action taken herein.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91

    Air traffic control, Aircraft, Airmen, Airports, Aviation safety, 
Freight, Iran.

The Amendment

    For the reasons set forth above, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR Part 91 by removing SFAR 76 as follows:

PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES

    1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120, 44101, 44111, 
44701, 44709, 44711, 44712, 44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 
46315, 46316, 46502, 46504, 46506-46507, 47122, 47508, 47528-47531.

    2. Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 76 is removed.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 27, 1996.
David R. Hinson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-25421 Filed 9-30-96; 3:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M