[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70184-70185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29646]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 1, 60, 61, 63, 141, and 142

[Docket No. FAA-2002-12461; Notice No. 02-11]
RIN 2120-AH07


Flight Simulation Device Initial and Continuing Qualification and 
Use

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of on-line public forum.

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SUMMARY: On September 25, 2002, the FAA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM), which proposes requirements to establish flight 
simulation device qualification requirements in a new part. (67 FR 
60284; Notice No. 02-11). The comment period closes on February 24, 
2003. To supplement the traditional comment period, we are announcing 
an on-line public forum, allowing you to answer specific questions we 
will ask on the Internet. We are offering the forum to assist us in 
providing a clear and comprehensive final rule. You can continue to 
submit comments to the docket during the public forum, as outlined 
below and in the NPRM.

DATES: You may access the on-line public forum beginning December 2, 
2002, at 9 a.m. e.s.t. until December 13, 2002, at 4:30 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: You may access the on-line public forum at http://www2.faa.gov/avr/arm/rulemakingforum.cfm?nav=part. Under the ``View 
Docket/Comments'' column, click once on ``Enter Public Forum.'' Follow 
the instructions to access the questions.
    If you are unable to participate in the on-line public forum and 
wish to submit written comments, address your comments to the Docket 
Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 
400 Seventh St., SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the 
docket number FAA-2002-12461 at the beginning of your comments, and you 
should submit two copies of your comments.
    You may also submit comments through the Internet to http://dms/
dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing comments to these 
proposed regulations in person in the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Dockets 
Office is on the plaza level at the Department of Transportation 
building at the address above. Also, you may review public dockets on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Cook, National Simulator 
Program Staff (AFS-205), Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone 
(404) 305-6100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

On-Line Public Forum

    We are soliciting on-line discussion and written comments on the 
questions below. You will be able to read the questions on-line and 
submit your answers and comments electronically. We will monitor your 
responses throughout the 2-week forum and may ask you clarifying 
questions. While we have selected topics that we are particularly 
interested in, we still welcome all of your comments and suggestions. 
We will not make any commitments or draw any conclusions while the 
docket is open for public comment.

On-Line Questions

    The questions that will appear on the Internet for the on-line 
public forum are as follows:
    1. The FAA would like to assist any reader who may have had 
difficulty understanding the proposed rule. If you need clarification 
on the proposed rule (in general or in a specific section), please 
describe what you would like clarified here.

    Note: We will exert every effort to post our reply below your 
description in as short a time as possible.

    2. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on the format of the part 60 
appendices ``A'' through ``D.'' Specifically, does this format aid the 
reader in determining the context of the material being read (i.e., 
awareness that the text is rule language, additional requirements, or 
information)? If not, what are your recommendations for modifying the 
format?
    3. The FAA seeks the public's recommendations for additions, 
modifications, and/or deletions to the definitions of terms used in the 
proposed rule (as found in the dedicated section of the rule and the 
dedicated attachment in each appendix to the rule). The recommendations 
we are seeking are strictly to make the proposed rule clearer.
    4. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on where the National 
Simulator Program (NSP) should publish the Statement of Qualification?* 
The options are as follows:
    (a) Shared with the public on the NSP's Internet website;
    (b) Shared only among NSP staff, FAA personnel (for example, 
Principal Operations Inspector (POI) or Training Center Program Manager 
(TCPM)) and the sponsor; or
    (c) Shared only between NSP staff and the sponsor.

    \*\ Note: The Statement of Qualification consists of the 
following three parts:
    (a) A Certificate--names the sponsor; the aircraft being 
simulated; the category of Flight Simulation Device (FSD); the FAA 
identification number; and the qualification level for the device.
    (b) A Configuration List--outlines the aircraft configuration; 
types of visual, motion, or other simulator systems installed; the 
aircraft equipment being simulated; alternative configurations 
available for engines, instrumentation, and other equipment; and 
includes the date each above item was qualified.

[[Page 70185]]

    (c) Qualifications/Restrictions to Qualifications List--lists 
the flight tasks flown by the sponsor (or the sponsor's 
representative) in preparation for the sponsor's request for initial 
evaluation (see Sec.  60.15). It also lists and describes the flight 
tasks and the Flight Simulation Device (FSD) systems for which 
qualification is or is not originally sought and is or is not 
granted.
    5. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on whether to continue the 
practice of ``grandfathering.'' Please include whether this practice 
should have an end point either in general or for some specific aspects 
of the practice. If you believe ``grandfathering'' should be 
discontinued, include suggestions on the conditions for instituting an 
end point.

    Note: The term ``grandfathering'' is used to allow standards, in 
effect at the time of original qualification of a specific Flight 
Simulation Device (FSD), to continue to apply to that specific FSD 
regardless of subsequent modification to those standards. This 
provision addresses areas such as visual systems, motion systems, 
aerodynamic data, required tests, and individual test tolerances.

    6. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on whether the current list 
of objective tests is practicable and viable and on whether this list 
may be modified by either reducing or expanding the number of objective 
tests. The resulting list of tests must not compromise the overall 
objective review of the performance and handling of the simulator in 
comparison to the simulated airplane.
    7. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on the effectiveness of using 
an Internet website (to discuss aspects of flight simulation device 
evaluation and qualification and explain National Simulator Program 
(NSP) policy and/or the proposals and suggestions for alteration of 
those policies). Do you have additional suggestions on how FAA's 
communication with the aviation industry and the public in general may 
be promoted through this or similar media?
    8. Please identify which affiliation you are associated with.

    Note: Select one of the following categories:
    (a) Airlines or Training Centers.
    (b) Pilots or Pilot Organizations.
    (c) Simulator or FTD Manufacturers.
    (d) Airplane Manufacturers.
    (e) Academic Institutions.
    (f) U.S. Agencies (such as NASA, NTSB, Customs, etc.).
    (g) U.S. or Foreign Military.
    (h) Foreign Regulatory Authorities.
    (i) Other.


    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2002.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 02-29646 Filed 11-18-02; 3:50 pm]
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