[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 63105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30093]



[[Page 63105]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Draft Advisory Circular (AC) No. 120-29A, Criteria for Approval 
of Category I and Category II Weather Minima for Approach

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft advisory circular.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of a draft AC, 
recommended by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), which 
provides information and guidance on obtaining and maintaining approval 
of Category I and II Weather Minima, including installation and 
approval of associated aircraft systems. This draft AC would replace AC 
120-29 and represents the first steps of harmonization efforts of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, the European Joint Aviation Authority, 
and other regulatory authorities. This notice solicits public comment 
on the draft AC.

DATES: Comments on the draft AC must be received on or before January 
11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the draft AC or to send comments on the 
draft AC, please contact Yolanda Hill, Flight Technologies and 
Procedures Division (AFS-410), Room 835, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-3728. The draft AC may also be accessed on the 
Internet at www.faa.gov/AVR/afs/afs410/afs410.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical questions should be 
addressed to Jim Enias, Technical Programs Division (AFS-400), Federal 
Aviation Administration, Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, Telephone (202) 267-7211.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested parties to submit comments on this draft 
AC, as recommended by the ARAC. Commenters should identify AC 120-29A 
and submit comments to the person and address listed above. The FAA 
will consider all communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments before completing its review of this ARAC recommended AC. 
The recommended draft AC and comments received may be inspected at the 
Office of Flight Standards Service, Technical Programs Division, Room 
835, Federal Aviation Administration (Federal Office Building 10A), 
between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays, except Federal 
holidays.

Background

    This draft AC was received from the ARAC in August 1998. The AC 
recommended by the ARAC would set forth an acceptable means, but not 
the only means, of obtaining and maintaining approval of operations in 
Category I and II landing weather minima and low visibility approach 
criteria including the installation and approval of associated aircraft 
systems. It includes additional or revised Category I and II criteria 
for use in conjunction with heads-up displays, use of required 
navigation performance, satellite navigation sensors, and ``engine 
inoperative'' Category II criteria.
    This draft AC should be reviewed in conjunction with the regulatory 
requirements of 14 CFR parts 121, 125, and 135, as applicable. This 
draft AC would not change, add, or delete any regulatory requirement or 
authorize any deviation from parts 121, 125, or 135.
    The FAA is currently reviewing this ARAC recommendation and may 
make revisions to this document before it is issued. These revisions 
may include editorial changes to ensure that this AC does not impose 
requirements on operators independent of the current regulations. The 
regulations themselves, referenced in the draft AC, may be reviewed for 
revisions, as appropriate. It should be noted that the draft AC 
explicitly states that nothing in it is intended to preclude an 
operator from proposing and demonstrating to the FAA its ability to 
operate to Category I and II minima with a different equipment 
configuration, or alternatively to a runway visual range minima lower 
than presently described in this document.
    If, after review of this recommendation, the FAA decides to make 
any substantive changes in the draft AC, the revised document will be 
made available again for comment before final issuance.
    This draft revision incorporates changes resulting from the first 
steps toward international all weather operations criteria 
harmonization taken by the FAA, JAA, and several other regulatory 
authorities. Subsequent revisions of this AC are planned as additional 
all weather operations harmonization items are agreed and completed by 
FAA and JAA, or internationally.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 4, 1998.
Richard O. Gordon,
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30093 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M