[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49943-49944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25070]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and 
Engine Issues, New Tasks

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of new task assignments for the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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SUMMARY: Notice is given of new tasks assigned to and accepted by the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). This notice informs the 
public of the activities of ARAC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stewart R. Miller, Transport Standards 
Staff (ANM-110), Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; phone (425) 227-1255; fax (425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA has established an Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
to provide advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator, through 
the Associate Administrator for Regulation and Certification, on the 
full range of the FAA's rulemaking activities with respect to aviation-
related issues. This includes obtaining advice and recommendations on 
the FAA's commitment to harmonize its Federal Aviation Regulations 
(FAR) and practices with its trading partners in Europe and Canada.
    One area ARAC deals with is Transport Airplane and Engine Issues. 
These issues involve the airworthiness standards for transport category 
airplanes and engines in 14 CFR parts 25, 33, and 35 and parallel 
provisions in 14 CFR parts 121 and 135.

The Tasks

    This notice is to inform the public that the FAA has asked ARAC to 
provide advice and recommendation on the following harmonization tasks.

Task 8: Casting Factors

    Review the current standards of Sec. 25.621 and those proposed for 
the corresponding JAR 25.621 in NPA 25C-272 (circulated for public 
consultation by JAA on 16 November 1997) as they pertain to the 
strength of structural castings. Review also any available FAA and JAA 
advisory material. In the light of this review, recommend changes to 
harmonize this section and the corresponding JAR paragraph, recommend 
new harmonized standards, and develop related advisory material as 
necessary.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by July 31, 2001.

Task 9: Fuel Tank Access Doors

    Review the current standards of FAR 25.963(e) and JAR 25.963(g) as 
they pertain to the requirements for fuel tank access doors impact and 
fire resistance. Review also the related FAA and JAA advisory material. 
In the light of this review, recommend changes to harmonize these 
sections and the corresponding JAR paragraphs, recommend new harmonized 
standards, and develop related advisory material as necessary.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by July 31, 2001.

Task 10: Strength of Windshields and Windows

    Review the current standards of Sec. 25.775 and those for 
corresponding JAR 25.775 as they pertain to the strength of windshields 
and windows. Review also any related FAA and JAA advisory material. In 
the light of this review, recommend changes to harmonize this section 
and the corresponding JAR paragraph, recommend new harmonized 
standards, and develop related advisory material as necessary.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by March 31, 2001.
    The FAA requests that ARAC draft appropriate regulatory documents 
with supporting economic and other required analyses, and any other 
related guidance material or collateral documents to support its 
recommendations. If the resulting recommendation(s) are one or more 
notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published by the FAA, the FAA may 
ask ARAC to recommend disposition of any substantive comments the FAA 
receives.

Working Group Activity

    The General Structures Harmonization Working Group is expected to 
comply with the procedures adopted by ARAC. As part of the procedures, 
the working group is expected to:

[[Page 49944]]

    1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the tasks, including the 
rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration at the meeting of 
ARAC to consider transport airplane and engine issues held following 
publication of this notice.
    2. Give a detailed conceptual presentation of the proposed 
recommendations, prior to proceeding with the work stated in item 3 
below.
    3. Draft appropriate regulatory documents with supporting economic 
and other required analyses, and/or any other related guidance material 
or collateral documents the working group determines to be appropriate; 
or, if new or revised requirements or compliance methods are not 
recommended, a draft report stating the rationale for not making such 
recommendations. If the resulting recommendation is one or more notices 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published by the FAA, the FAA may ask 
ARAC to recommend disposition of any substantive comments the FAA 
receives.
    4. Provide a status report at each meeting of ARAC held to consider 
transport airplane and engine issues.
    The Secretary of Transportation has determined that the formation 
and use of ARAC are necessary and 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. Meetings of the 
General Structures Harmonization 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 September 14, 1998.
Joseph A. Hawkins,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 98-25070 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
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