[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53281-53282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26460]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Air Carrier and General 
Aviation Maintenance Issues--New Tasks

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of new tasks assigned to the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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SUMMARY: The FAA has assigned two new tasks to the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee. The tasks are related to aeronautical repair 
station regulations. The first task involves evaluating the current 
system of ratings and classes for aeronautical repair stations and, if 
appropriate, recommending a new system. The second task involves 
evaluating the current requirements for quality assurance programs for 
aeronautical repair stations and recommending whether the FAA should 
include such systems in the regulations. The Committee has elected to 
work these tasks itself rather than establish working groups to develop 
recommendations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James J. Ballough, Manager, Continuous 
Airworthiness Maintenance Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, (202) 267-3546.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA established the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to 
provide advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator on the 
FAA's rulemaking activities with respect to aviation-related issues. 
The Committee addresses a wide range of aviation issues. The committee 
will address these tasks under Air Carrier and General Aviation 
Maintenance Issues.
    On July 30, 2001, the FAA issued a final rule that revised part 145 
of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (66 FR 41088). In Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking No. 99-09 (64 FR 33142; June 21, 1999), the FAA 
proposed a new system of rating and classes and solicited comments on 
requirements for a quality assurance program for aeronautical repair 
stations. Commenters overwhelmingly objected to these proposals. The 
FAA is seeking advice and recommendations from the Committee before 
promulgating additional rulemaking on these topics.

Task 1--Repair Station Ratings System Recommendations

Task Summary

    Recommend a system to rate aeronautical repair stations that 
mitigates problems associated with the existing system of ratings and 
accommodate the growth of the aviation industry.

Committee Activity

     Review the existing system of ratings and classes 
contained in the current part 145 and any other documents issued by the 
FAA pertaining to aeronautical repair stations.
     Review comments submitted to FAA in response to the public 
meetings held in 1989 and the system of ratings proposed in June 1999 
in Notice No. 99-09.
     Review challenges reported by Aviation Safety Inspectors 
(ASIs) under the existing system of ratings.
     Identify the challenges that aeronautical repair stations 
encounter under the existing system of rating and classes, including 
those pertaining to:
     Current business practices that are not regulated that may 
require some form of control;

[[Page 53282]]

     Provisions in the current regulation that prevent repair 
stations from performing desired business practices; and
     Enforcement problems associated with the current 
regulations.
     Draft a Technical Report that--
     Presents a review of the existing system of ratings and 
classes;
     Identifies various options for rating systems;
     Identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each 
option;
     Provides economic information for each of the alternative 
rating systems; and
     Recommends a preferred system of ratings.

Task 2--Repair Station Quality Assurance Program Recommendations

Task Summary

    Recommend a quality assurance program that reflects the industry 
requirements of aeronautical repair stations and accounts for the 
varying scope of repair station operations.

Committee Activity

     Review the discussion about quality assurance in the June 
1999 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice No. 99-09).
     Review comments relating to quality assurance submitted to 
FAA in response to the public meetings held in 1989 and the quality 
assurance program requirements proposed in Notice No. 99-09.
     Review current industry practices relating to quality 
assurance issues to--
     Identify quality assurance systems currently used by some 
repair stations, and
     Analyze the elements of the systems used by the aviation 
industry.
     Develop a Technical Report that--
     Presents a review of regulatory requirements that comprise 
a quality assurance program;
     Identifies various options for regulating quality 
assurance programs;
     Identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each 
option;
     Provides information on the economic impacts of applying a 
quality assurance system to various segments of the repair station 
industry; and
     Recommends a preferred quality assurance program/system.
    Delivery Date: The Committee must complete this task by February 
28, 2002.

ARAC Acceptance of Task

    The Committee has accepted these tasks and elected not to establish 
working groups to assist in analyzing these tasks because the tasks are 
time critical.
    The new tasks and a plan for accomplishing these tasks will be 
discussed at the next meeting on Air Carrier and General Aviation 
Maintenance Issues. The Committee may be required to meet every 4 to 6 
weeks to accomplish the tasks within the scheduled completion date. 
Meeting attendance is open to the interested public but space may be 
limited. The FAA will arrange teleconference capability for individuals 
wishing to participate in meetings if we receive notification within 
the time specified in each notice of meeting.
    The Secretary of Transportation determined that the information and 
use of the ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection 
with the performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law.

    Issued in Washington DC, on October 15, 2001.
James Ballough,
Assistant Executive Director, Air Carrier and General Aviation 
Maintenance Issues, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 01-26460 Filed 10-18-01; 8:45 am]
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