[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2679]



[[Page 5781]]

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Part VI





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Parts 119, 121 et al.



Aging Airplane Safety; Advisory Circulars, Extension of Comment Period 
to Notices of Availability; Interim Rule and Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 23 / Tuesday, February 4, 2003 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 5782]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 119, 121, 129, 135, and 183

[Dkt. No. FAA-1999-5401; Amdt. Nos. 119-6, 121-284, 129-34, 135-81, and 
183-11]
RIN 2120-AE42


Aging Airplane Safety

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Interim final rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for the interim final 
rule, Aging Airplane Safety, issued on December 6, 2002. In that final 
rule, the FAA requires airplanes operated under Title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121, U.S.-registered multiengine 
airplanes operated under 14 CFR part 129, and multiengine airplanes 
used in scheduled operations under 14 CFR part 135 to undergo 
inspections and records reviews by the Administrator or a designated 
representative. This is to occur after the airplane's 14th year in 
service and at named intervals thereafter.
    This extension results from a joint request made by the Air 
Transport Association (ATA) and the Regional Airline Association (RAA).

DATES: This interim final rule is effective December 8, 2003. The FAA 
must receive comments by May 5, 2003.

ADDRESSES: 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 the docket number FAA-
1999-5401 at the beginning of your comments, and you should send two 
copies of your comments. If you wish to receive confirmation that FAA 
received your comments, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard.
    You may also send comments and review public dockets through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The public docket containing comments 
to this interim final rule may be viewed in person in the Dockets 
Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Dockets Office is located on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building at the Department of Transportation.
    Do not send comments you consider to be of a sensitive nature to 
the docket management system. Instead, send those comments to the FAA, 
Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Sobeck, Airplane Maintenance 
Division, AFS-304, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone (202) 267-7355; facsimile (202) 267-5115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites anyone with an interest to take part in this 
rulemaking by filing written comments, data, or views. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the rule, explain the reason 
for any recommended change, and include supporting data. We ask that 
you send us two copies of written comments.
    We will file all comments received in the docket, including a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this rulemaking. The docket is available for public 
inspection before and after the comment closing date. If you wish to 
review the docket in person, go to the address in the ADDRESSES section 
of this preamble between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    Before acting on this rulemaking, we will consider all comments we 
receive by the closing date for comments. We will consider comments 
filed late if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or 
delay. We may change this interim final rule because of the comments we 
receive.
    If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this 
interim final rule, include with your comments a preaddressed, stamped 
postcard on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on 
the postcard and mail it to you.

Background

    On December 6, 2002, the FAA issued Docket No. FAA-1999-5401, Aging 
Airplane Safety (67 FR 72726, December 6, 2002). Comments to that 
document were to be received by February 4, 2003.
    By letter dated January 9, 2003, ATA and RAA asked the FAA to 
extend the comment period for this docket an extra three months. In 
their joint petition, ATA and RAA state that industry needs more time 
to address the undefined, complex, and far-reaching maintenance and 
inspection issues.
    ATA and RAA also sought a one-year extension of the rule's 
effective and related compliance dates. To justify this extension, the 
petitioners cite the time needed by the FAA to review and act upon 
comments from industry. While the FAA strives to work with industry to 
ensure this rule is effectively implemented, we do not believe more 
time is needed. In addition, the compliance dates within this rule 
offer industry adequate time to prepare and carry out all necessary 
actions. As a result, the effective and compliance dates for this rule 
will remain unchanged.

Extension of Comment Period

    In accordance with Sec.  11.47(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the petitions made by ATA and RAA for 
extension of the comment period to Docket No. FAA-1999-5401. The FAA 
finds that extension of the comment period is consistent with the 
public interest, and that good cause exists for taking this action. 
These petitioners have a substantive interest in the interim final rule 
and good cause for the extension.
    Therefore, the FAA has extended the comment period for Docket No. 
FAA-1999-5401 until May 5, 2003.

    Issued in Washington, DC, January 31, 2003.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2679 Filed 1-31-03; 1:58 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P