[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13120-13121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5141]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee: Emergency Evacuation 
Issues

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) DOT.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Occupant Safety Issues, Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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SUMMARY: Notice is given that the issue of Emergency Evacuation has 
been changed to Occupant Safety to reflect a broader range of 
rulemaking activity that may be considered by the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee. This notice informs the public of the change in 
scope for this ARAC activity.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John McGraw, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Northwest Mountain Region Headquarters, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055, (425) 227-2111, FAX (425) 227-
1320, or E-Mail, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 14, 1991, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
announced the establishment of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee (56 FR 2190, January 22, 1991). The committee held its first 
meeting at Baltimore, MD, on May 23, 1991 (56 FR 20492, May 3, 1991). 
At that meeting the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee accepted 
Emergency Evacuation as an issue on which it would provide advice and 
recommendations to the FAA. With respect to this issue, the Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee would provide advice and recommendations 
on enhancing the ability of passengers to quickly and safety evacuate 
an aircraft in an emergency.
    The Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee has provided several 
recommendations on issues involving Emergency Evacuation, and the FAA 
has determined it appropriate to now expand activities of this issue to 
include tasks associated with occupant safety and protection. As such, 
the name has been changed to reflect this broader scope. The Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee on Occupant Safety will provide advice 
and recommendations to the FAA and Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) on 
a range of rulemaking activities concerning occupant safety and 
protection and emergency evacuation. Recommendations should consider 
harmonizing Federal Aviation Regulations and guidance material with 
Joint Aviation Requirements and advisory circulars joint.
    The leadership and operating procedures for Occupant Safety will be 
similar to that which supported activities concerning Emergency 
Evacuation and consistent with the terms of the ARAC charter.
    Recommendations concerning Occupant Safety may include reports, 
proposed rules, and guidance and advisory materials and should be 
harmonized to the maximum extent practicable. The ARAC may choose to 
establish working groups to provide technical support in carrying out 
the tasks assigned.

Participation

    The ARAC Occupant Safety issues area is composed of representatives 
from organizations who have interest in an can provide the technical 
expertise needed to develop recommendations on tasks assigned by the 
FAA. ARAC members who previously expressed interest in an support 
activities concerning Emergency Evacuation and members who are now 
interested in supporting Occupant Safety are asked to validate your 
interest by contacting the person listed under the caption FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. All requests for validation and participation must 
be received no later than March 30, 2001. The Assistant Chair and 
Assistant Executive Director for Occupant Safety Issues will review the 
requests and advise the individuals whether or not their request will 
be accommodated.
    Organizations chosen to support Occupant Safety are expected to 
provide a primary representative who will represent that segment of the 
aviation industry/community and actively participate in activities 
associated with this issue. Member organizations are expected to 
support the actions of this issue area to ensure that deadlines are 
met.
    The Secretary of transportation has determined that the formation 
and use of ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection 
with the performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law.

[[Page 13121]]

    Meetings of ARAC on Occupant Safety Issues will be open to the 
public. The FAA will make a public announcement of each meeting of this 
issue area.

    Issued in Washington, DC on February 27, 2001.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 01-5141 Filed 3-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M