[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 198 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 55290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27400]



[[Page 55289]]

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Part III





Department of Transportation





_______________________________________________________________________



Federal Aviation Administration



_______________________________________________________________________



14 CFR Parts 65, 66, and 147



Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen; 
Proposed Rule

  Federal Register /Vol. 63, No. 198 / Wednesday, October 14, 1998 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 55290]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 65, 66, and 147

[Docket No. 27863; Notice No. 98-5]
RIN 2120-AF22


Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was 
published on July 9, 1998. In that document, the FAA propose changes to 
the Federal Aviation Regulations that prescribe the certification and 
training requirements for mechanics and repairmen. This extension is a 
result of a formal request from the Professional Aviation Maintenance 
Association (PAMA) to extend the comment period to the proposal. This 
extension is necessary to afford all interested parties an opportunity 
to present their views on the proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposal may be delivered or mailed, in 
triplicate, to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, Attn: Rules Docket (AGC-200), Docket No. 27863, Room 915G, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments submitted must 
be marked: ``Docket No. 27863.'' Comments also may be sent 
electronically to the following Internet address: 9-nprm-
[email protected]. Comments may be examined in Room 915G on weekdays, 
except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Leslie K. Vipond, AFS-350, Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance 
Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as 
they may desire. Comments relating to the environmental, energy, 
federalism, or economic impact that might result from adopting the 
proposals in this notice are also invited. Substantive comments should 
be accompanied by cost estimates. Comments must identify the regulatory 
docket or notice number and be submitted in triplicate to the Rules 
Docket address specified above.
    All comments received, as well as a report summarizing each 
substantive public contact with FAA personnel on this rulemaking, will 
be filed in the docket. The docket is available for public inspection 
before and after the comment closing date.
    All comments received on or before the closing date will be 
considered by the Administrator before taking action on this proposed 
rulemaking. Late-filed comments will be considered to the extent 
practicable. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must include a pre-addressed, 
stamped postcard with those comments on which the following statement 
is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 27863.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and mailed to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the FAA regulations section 
of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321-
3339), the Government Printing Office's electronic bulletin board 
service (telephone: 202-512-1661), or the FAA's Aviation rulemaking 
Advisory Committee Bulletin Board service (telephone: (800) 322-2772 or 
(202) 267-5948).
    Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/
avr/arm/nprm/nprm.htm or the Government Printing Office's electronic 
webpage at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara for access to recently 
published rulemaking documents.
    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-9680. Communications must identify the notice number or docket 
number of this NPRM.
    Persons interested in being placed on the mailing list for future 
NPRM's should request from the above office a copy of Advisory Circular 
No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System, that 
describes the application procedure.

Background

    On June 26, 1998, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued 
Notice No. 98-5, Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and 
Repairmen (63 FR 37172, July 9, 1998). Comments to that document were 
to be received on or before November 6, 1998.
    By letter dated August 7, 1998, PAMA requested that the FAA extend 
the comment period for Notice No. 98-5 until January 8, 1999. PAMA 
stated that the proposal is a highly complex document that affects all 
aviation maintenance personnel. The association also noted difficulties 
encountered by its members in obtaining the document and related 
advisory material. PAMA stated that an extension of the comment period 
would provide the public with sufficient time to obtain and fully 
evaluate this proposal before submitting comments to the FAA.
    In accordance with Sec. 11.29(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, the FAA has reviewed PAMA's petition for extension of the 
comment period to Notice No. 98-5. PAMA has shown a substantive 
interest in the proposed rule and good cause for the extension. The FAA 
also has determined that extension of the comment period is consistent 
with the public interest.

Extension of Comment Period

    The FAA has reviewed the request for consideration of an extended 
comment period for Notice No. 98-5 and determined that an extension 
would be in the public interest, and that good cause exists for taking 
this action. Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 98-5 is 
extended to January 8, 1999. Also, the comments on draft Advisory 
Circulars (AC): AC 66-XX Part 66--The New Certification Regulations for 
Aviation Maintenance Personnel, AC 66-XX Recurrent Training for 
Aviation Maintenance Personnel, and AC 66-XX Approval of Aviation 
Maintenance Technician (Transport) Training Program Providers is 
extended until January 8, 1999.

    Issued in Washington, DC, October 7, 1998.
Richard O. Gordon,
Acting Director, Flight Standards Services.
[FR Doc. 98-27400 Filed 10-13-98; 8:45 am]
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