[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5488-5489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2416]



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Part VI





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Parts 125 and 135



Notice of Regulatory Review; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 22 / Monday, February 3, 2003 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 125 and 135


Notice of Regulatory Review

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: By this document, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
announces a comprehensive regulatory review of 14 CFR parts 135 and 
125. This review will also encompass related portions of parts 91, 119, 
121, and other regulations, as appropriate. The FAA will establish a 
part 135/125 Aviation Rulemaking Committee to conduct this review and 
provide advice and recommendations to:
    a. Resolve current issues affecting this part of the industry.
    b. Enable new aircraft types, size and design and new technologies 
in air transportation operations.
    c. Provide safety and applicability standards that reflect the 
current industry, industry trends and emerging technologies and 
operations.
    d. Address international harmonization and ICAO standards.
    e. Potentially, rescind part 125 from 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    The FAA invites persons interested in serving on this committee or 
work groups to request membership in accordance with this document. The 
FAA will select members to provide a balance of viewpoints, interests, 
and expertise. Membership on the committee may be limited to facilitate 
discussions and to maintain a balance of interests.
    In addition, the FAA invites interested persons to submit specific, 
detailed written comments, or provide input on the affected regulatory 
sections. These comments will be considered in the committee 
discussions and will assist in determining future regulatory action.

DATES: Membership: Persons interested in participating on committees or 
work groups should submit their request on or before March 5, 2003. 
Selected members will be advised in writing of their participation and 
meeting details. In addition meeting information will be posted on the 
Office of Rulemaking's web site under the heading of ``Advisory 
Committees.''
    Comments: The FAA will consider all comments on this regulatory 
review filed on or before June 3, 2003. We will consider comments filed 
late if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.

ADDRESSES: Membership: Persons requesting membership or participation 
on the part 135/125 Aviation Rulemaking Committee and/or associated 
work groups should make the request in writing to the person listed 
below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Comments: Address your comments to the Docket Management System, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW. Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify docket number FAA-
2002-13923 at the beginning of your comments, and you should submit two 
copies of your comments. If you wish to receive confirmation that FAA 
received your comments, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard on 
which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the postcard 
and mail it to you.
    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 of the NASSIF Building at the 
Department of Transportation at the above address. Also, you may review 
comments made to this public docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Perfetti, AFS-200, 800 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591 (202) 267-3760, facsimile 
at (202) 267-5229, or by email: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Industry dynamics, new technologies, new aircraft types and 
configurations, and current operating issues and environment mandate a 
comprehensive review and rewrite of parts 135 and 125. This review will 
also include related portions of parts 91, 119, 121, and other 
regulations. Issues under review include:
    a. Design and manufacture of new aircraft that current regulations 
do not address adequately (for example, large airships, powered lift 
aircraft).
    b. Certain large airplanes with modifications to payload capacity 
and passenger seat configuration operating under part 91 or 135.
    c. New equipment and technologies not adequately addressed in 
current regulations.
    d. International harmonization, ICAO commercial standards, and 
increased international operations.

Public Participation in the Regulatory Review Process

    Membership. The FAA invites members of the public to serve on the 
part 135/125 Aviation Rulemaking Committee and/or work groups. The 
committee will provide advice and recommendations to the FAA to assist 
the agency in establishing a regulatory framework that will address 
industry trends and dynamics and issues, and to enhance safety in this 
segment of the industry. The committee acts solely in an advisory 
capacity. The committee will discuss and present whatever input, 
guidance, and recommendations considered relevant to the ultimate 
disposition of issues.
    Because of the diversity and complexities of the part 135/125 
industry and issues, the committee will be structured with a steering 
committee and specialized work groups. The steering committee will 
consist of approximately 25 members selected by the FAA representing 
aviation associations, industry representatives, employee groups, FAA 
and other government entities, and other participants to provide a 
balance of views, interests, and expertise. Membership on the steering 
committee will be limited to facilitate discussions. Priority will be 
given to those applicants representing an identified part of the 
aviation community who are empowered to speak for those interests.
    Additional participation is provided through the specialized work 
groups. At this time, the FAA is considering the establishment of work 
groups comprised of subject matter experts, in the following subject 
areas:

--Operations
--Maintenance
--International operations
--Training
--Part 119 Applicability and Definitions
--Equipment and New Technologies
--Rotorcraft
--New aircraft (e.g., powered lift aircraft, airships)
--Other work groups may be established if required.

    All non-government representatives serve without government 
compensation and bear all costs related to their participation on the 
steering committee or work groups. Members and participants should be 
available to attend all scheduled committee or work group meetings for 
the duration of the review.
    It is anticipated that this committee will meet approximately 3-5 
times a

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year, for 2-3 days for each meeting. Work groups will be scheduled as 
determined by the steering committee and work group members to provide 
information and meet schedule requirements.
    Make your request to participate on the steering committee or 
specialized work groups in writing on or before March 5, 2003. Your 
request should provide the following information:

--Contact information (name, company and position, address, phone, 
facsimile, and email)
--Segment(s) of the industry or organization/association you represent
--Experience, subject expertise or other background information

    The FAA will notify all selected members and participants in 
writing in advance of the first meeting. Additional information on the 
committee, membership, dates, and other information may be obtained on 
the Office of Rulemaking web site under the heading ``Advisory 
Committees''.
    Comments. As noted above, persons wishing to comment on this review 
may do so until June 3, 2003. In order to proceed with rulemaking, the 
FAA requests that commenters be timely in their comments.
    Commenters should be as specific as possible and provide as much 
detail in comments as necessary to facilitate regulatory decision 
making. Comments should address the specific section of the regulation 
at issue, a detailed explanation of what needs to be changed and why, 
and the proposed regulatory change. Information on costs and benefits 
of the proposed change are particularly helpful.
    Comments provided in response to this review will assist the FAA 
and committee in their review and deliberation.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 27, 2003.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2416 Filed 1-31-03; 8:45 am]
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