[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46172-46173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22973]



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Part VII





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Parts 27 and 29



Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft Regulations; Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 168, Friday, August 29, 1997 / Rules 
and Regulations  

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 27 and 29

[Docket No. 29008; Amdt. 27-34, 29-41]


Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft Regulations

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Technical amendments; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the airworthiness standards for normal 
and transport category rotorcraft under 14 CFR parts 27 and 29. As 
published, the final regulations contain some incorrect word usage and 
omissions, misspellings, and incorrect references that may prove to be 
misleading and are in need of correction.

DATES: Effective November 28, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in duplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC-200), Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 29008, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591.
    Comments may also be submitted electronically to the following 
Internet address: [email protected]. Comments submitted must be 
marked: Docket No. 29008.
    Comments may be examined in Room 915G on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m., except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary June Bruner, FAA, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5118, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action makes some nonsubstantive 
changes to various sections of parts 27 and 29. The affected parts, as 
published, contain some incorrect word usage and omissions, 
misspellings, and incorrect references. The FAA has determined that 
these changes are nonsubstantive and is not aware of any opposition to 
making these changes.
    Further, the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) has notified 
the FAA that they are issuing a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) to 
make these same changes to the Joint Aviation Regulations (JAR) 27 and 
29. Thus these changes to parts 27 and 29 will be harmonized with the 
JAA's NPA.
    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comments and therefore is issuing it as technical 
amendments with request for comments. Since the document would make 
only nonsubstantive word changes, the FAA is unaware of any opposition 
to these changes. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a 
written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is 
received within the comment period, the regulation will become 
effective on the date specified. After the close of the comment period, 
the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that 
no adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the date 
on which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive, 
within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written 
notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the 
amendments will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action was not preceded by an NPRM, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Comments should identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in duplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or 
withdrawn in light of the comments received. Factual information that 
supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in 
evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining whether 
additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each substantive FAA-public contact concerning this action 
will be filed in the docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 29008.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned 
to the commenter.

Availability

    Using a modem and suitable communications software, an electronic 
copy of this document may be downloaded from the FAA regulations 
section of the FedWorld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 
703-321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulletin board 
service (telephone: 202-512-1661).
    Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Federal Register's web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/
su__docs for access to recently published rulemaking documents.
    Any person may obtain a copy of this document by submitting a 
request to the FAA, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. 
Communications must identify the amendment number or docket number.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507(d)), there are no reporting or recordkeeping requirements 
associated with this document.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For the reasons 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (1) is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, will not have 
a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A copy of the regulatory evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the rules docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the rules docket at the location provided under the 
caption Addresses.

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International Trade Impact Statement

    The rule will not constitute a barrier to international trade, 
including the export of U.S. goods and services to foreign countries 
and the import of foreign goods and services into the United States.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (the Act), 
codified as 2 U.S.C. Secs. 1501-1571, requires each Federal agency, to 
the extent permitted by law, to prepare a written assessment of the 
effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule that 
may result in expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more 
(adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year.
    This rule does not meet the thresholds of the Act. Therefore, the 
requirements of Title I of the Act do not apply.

Conclusion

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, and based on the 
findings in the Regulatory Flexibility Determination and International 
Trade Impact Analysis, the FAA has determined that this regulation is 
not significant under Executive Order 12866. In addition, the FAA 
certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This regulation is not 
considered significant under DOT Order 2100.5, Policies and Procedures 
for Simplification, Analysis, and Review of Regulations.

List of Subjects

14 CFR Part 27

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Rotorcraft, Safety.

14 CFR Part 29

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Rotorcraft, Safety.

PART 27--AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR 
parts 27 and 29 as follows:
    1. The authority citation for part 27 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704.


Sec. 27.175  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 27.175(b)(5), remove the symbol ``VNH'' and 
add, in its place, the symbol ``VNE''.


Sec. 27.351  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 27.351, paragraphs (b)(1) and (c)(1), add the word 
``maximum'' before the words ``pilot force'' and remove the reference 
to ``Sec. 27.395(a)'' and add, in its place, ``Sec. 27.397(a)''.


Sec. 27.391  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 27.391, remove the references to ``27.401'', ``27.403'', 
and ``27.413''.


Sec. 27.621  [Amended]

    5. In Sec. 27.621(c)(1)(ii), remove the word ``penetrate'' and add, 
in its place, ``penetrant''.

PART 29--AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT

    6. The authority citation for part 29 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704.


Sec. 29.351  [Amended]

    7. In Sec. 29.351, paragraphs (b)(1) and (c)(1), remove the 
reference to ``Sec. 29.395(a)'' and, in its place, add 
``Sec. 29.397(a)''. In paragraph (b)(1), add the word ``directional'' 
between ``cockpit'' and ``control''. In paragraph (c)(1), add the word 
``maximum'' before the words ``pilot force''.


Sec. 29.391  [Amended]

    8. In Sec. 29.391, remove the reference to ``29.403'' and, in its 
place, add ``29.399'', and remove the reference to ``29.413''.


Sec. 29.562  [Amended]

    9. In Sec. 29.562(b)(3), remove the word ``floor'' between the 
words ``sidewall'' and ``attachment''.


Sec. 29.621  [Amended]

    10. In Sec. 29.621(c)(1)(ii), remove the word ``penetrate'' and, in 
its place, add the word ``penetrant''.


Sec. 29.1125  [Amended]

    11. In Sec. 29.1125(a)(4), remove the word ``Each'' and in its 
place, add the word ``No'' and add the word ``or'' between the words 
``exchanger'' and ``muff''.


Sec. 29.1521  [Amended]

    12. In Sec. 29.1521(b)(1)(i), remove the word ``be'' and, in its 
place, add the word ``by''; and remove ``deterimined'' and, in its 
place, add the word ``determined''.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 25, 1997.
Donald P. Byrne,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations.
[FR Doc. 97-22973 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
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