[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5012-5013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2262]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Advisory Circulars (AC) 25.981-1X, Fuel Tank Ignition 
Source Prevention Guidelines; and AC 25.981-2X, Fuel Tank Flammability 
Minimization

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of proposed advisory circulars.

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SUMMARY:  The Federal Aviation Administration invites public comment on 
draft advisory material that provides guidelines for demonstrating 
compliance with proposed certification requirements for preventing 
ignition sources within the fuel tanks of transport category airplanes, 
as well as minimizing the formation of flammable vapors in the fuel 
tanks of those airplanes.

DATES:  Comments must be received on or before March 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Send all comments on the proposed advisory circulars to the 
Federal Aviation Administration, Attention: Mike Dostert, Propulsion/
Mechanical Systems Branch, ANM-112, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton, WA 98055-
4056. Comments may also be submitted electronically to the following 
address: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mike Dostert at the above address, 
telephone (425) 227-2132; facsimile (425) 227-1320, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Do I Obtain a Copy of the Proposed Advisory Circulars?

    You may obtain an electronic copy of the advisory circulars 
identified in this notice at the following Internet address: 
www.faa.gov/avr/air/airhome. htm. If you do not have access to the 
Internet, you may request a copy by contacting Domonique Adams, Program 
Management Branch, ANM-114, FAA Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2111.

How Do I Submit Comments on the Advisory Circulars?

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed advisory 
material by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments must identify the title of the AC and be submitted 
in duplicate to the address specified above. The Transport Airplane 
Directorate will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date for comments before issuing the final advisory material.

Discussion

    In Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 99-18, published in the Federal 
Register on October 29, 1999 (64 FR 58656), the FAA requested public 
comment on a proposal to require design approval holders of certain 
turbine-powered transport category airplanes to submit substantiation 
to the FAA that the design of the fuel tank system of previously 
certificated airplanes precludes the existence of ignition sources 
within the airplane fuel tanks. The proposed rule would also require 
the affected design approval holders to develop specific fuel tank 
system maintenance and inspection instructions for any items in the 
fuel tank system that re determined to require repetitive inspections 
or maintenance, to assure the safety of the fuel tank system. In 
addition, the proposed rule would require certain operators of those 
airplanes to incorporate FAA-approved fuel tank system maintenance and 
inspection instructions into their current maintenance or inspection 
program.
    In addition to the amendments proposed in Notice 99-18, the FAA 
announced the development of advisory material to supplement the 
proposals. This notice announces the availability of that advisory 
material for public comment.
    The first advisory circular, AC 25.981-1X, Fuel Tank Ignition 
Source Prevention Guidelines, provides

[[Page 5013]]

guidance on how to substantiate that ignition sources will not be 
present in airplane fuel tank systems following failures or 
malfunctions of airplane components or systems. Also included is 
guidance for developing any limitations for the instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness that may be generated by the fuel tank system 
safety assessment identified in Notice 99-18.
    The second advisory circular, AC 25.981-2X, Fuel Tank flammability 
Minimization, provides information and guidance concerning compliance 
with the standards proposed in Notice 99-18 pertaining to minimizing 
the formation of flammable vapors in the fuel tanks, or mitigation of 
any hazards if ignition does occur.

    Issued in Renton, WA, on January 14, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting manager, Transport Airplane Directorate Aircraft Certification 
Service, ANM-100.
[FR Doc. 00-2262 Filed 2-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M