[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31741-31743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13244]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of new tasks for the Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ATSRAC).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the new tasks assigned to and accepted 
by the ATSRAC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Huber, Manager, Safety 
Management Branch, ANM--117, Executive Director of ATSRAC, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98055; 
telephone (425) 227-2589; fax (425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In response to the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and 
Security, the FAA formed the Aging Non-Structural Systems Study Team, 
to develop the FAA's approach to improving management of aging wire 
systems. To help fulfill the actions specified in the Aging Non-
Structural Systems Plan, the FAA set up an Aging Transport Systems 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) to give recommendations on 
airplane system safety issues.
    In 1998, the FAA assigned five tasks to the ATSRAC. These tasks 
included collecting data on aging wiring systems through airplane 
inspections, reviewing airplane manufacturers' service information, 
reviewing operators' maintenance programs, and providing the FAA with 
recommendations to enhance the safety of those systems. The FAA held a 
public meeting on January 20, 1999, to discuss the Committee's 
operations and their assigned tasks.
    The ATSRAC found that problems associated with systems on aging 
airplanes are not entirely related to the degradation overtime of wire 
systems. The review of these systems also found inadequate installation 
and maintenance practices could lead to what is commonly referred to as 
an ``aging system'' problem. Therefore, the scope of the ATSRAC's work 
includes, not only age-related issues, but also involves improving the 
continued airworthiness of airplane systems (i.e., wire systems).
    The FAA accepted the ATSRAC recommendations from the first five 
tasks and subsequently assigned five additional tasks to get the 
Committee's help in implementing the safety enhancements from their 
earlier recommendations. The FAA is now considering the ATSRAC 
recommendations on the second set of tasks. These recommendations 
include rulemaking and other actions. Implementation of the ATSRAC 
recommendations is a major part of the FAA's Enhanced Airworthiness 
Program for Airplane Systems (EAPAS), a program that addresses the 
safety of wiring systems.
    The FAA recognizes the knowledge and experience the ATSRAC 
provides. Because ATSRAC members represent a large cross-section of 
industry, they will supply the FAA with an invaluable resource of 
technical expertise in a variety of areas. Therefore, the FAA has 
assigned three new tasks to the ATSRAC to help carry out the EAPAS 
objectives.
    This notice announces the new tasks, which the ATSRAC has accepted. 
These tasks will allow the FAA to get the Committee's continuing help 
to carry out their recommendations. ATSRAC has chosen to form 
harmonization working groups (HWG) to provide technical support to 
develop their recommendations on these tasks. A discussion of the new 
tasks and harmonization working groups (HWG) follows.

I. EAPAS Rulemaking Advisory HWG

    To promote efficient rulemaking and compliance with this 
rulemaking, the FAA tasks ATSRAC to provide, when specifically sought 
by the FAA, recommendations about the issues discussed in items I-1 
through I-3 of this section. The ATSRAC Executive Director will send 
each FAA task to the ATSRAC Chair to obtain the ATSRAC

[[Page 31742]]

members' decision on whether to accept the FAA's assigned task.
I-1. Alternatives to Rulemaking
    The rulemaking process requires agencies to explore alternatives to 
rulemaking. Such alternatives may include taking voluntary (or 
nonmandated) action or taking no action. Under Task I-1, the FAA may 
request recommendations from the ATSRAC on how to carry out 
alternatives, which the FAA considers reasonable, to rulemaking. This 
would include providing an estimate of the resulting improvement to 
safety. The FAA may also request recommendations on how to measure 
implementation of the alternative actions and how the FAA can best 
support these actions.
I-2. Technical and Economic Data
    Questions may arise during rulemaking where added technical and 
economic data are needed. This may include the need for such 
information to prepare responses to public comments on a proposed rule.
I-3. Disposition of Comments from an EAPAS Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM)
    Under Task I-3, the FAA may request the ATSRAC's help in 
dispositioning any comments the FAA might receive in response to an 
NPRM. Such support may include the ATSRAC's review of the FAA's 
prepared disposition of comments.

II. Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) Research and 
Development (R&D) Technology Transfer HWG

    In the past, the FAA has provided quarterly reviews of their 
research and development program to the ATSRAC. These reviews have 
resulted in a useful exchange of information and in the formation of 
research partnerships and other cooperative research. As the EAPAS 
program continues, it would be helpful to have the ATSRAC explore FAA 
and other R&D products and results that may be valuable to the aviation 
industry. As appropriate, the FAA will seek the ATSRAC's help in--
    [sbull] Developing strategies for technology transfer to the 
aviation community in a manner that optimizes their transfer and 
optimizes the benefits resulting from their transfer; and
    [sbull] Achieving optimal compliance with existing and anticipated 
FAA electrical systems rules.
    To achieve the two R&D objectives, the HWG would complete the 
following tasks:
    II-1. Develop effective strategies to transfer and set up, in the 
aviation community, R&D products. This includes providing 
recommendations for the best way to carry out these goals (e.g., 
through rulemaking, advisory circulars, or other means).
    II-2. Review and screen FAA and other R&D products (e.g., R&D 
prototypes), as appropriate, and devise strategies to further develop 
these products into commercially viable tools that support the two R&D 
objectives referenced in this section. Such strategies may include 
recommendations for added FAA research and development; however, the 
strategies should mainly address industry activity to achieve a desired 
end product.
    II-3. Explore opportunities to promote cooperative efforts and 
partnerships valuable to achieving the two R&D objectives.

III. Small Transport Airplane Enhanced Wiring Inspection HWG

    Criteria for upgrading and developing enhanced wiring inspection 
procedures should be developed for use by manufacturers of small 
transport airplanes. These criteria should be based on the results of 
previously conducted inspections and tests and recommendations from 
ATSRAC.
    The tasks for this HWG are as follows:
    III-1. Review existing small transport airplane manufacturers' 
wiring inspection procedures.
    III-2. Identify and prepare, as necessary, criteria for upgrading 
and developing enhanced procedures for inspection, cleaning, reduction 
of combustible material (e.g., lint and chemical contamination), 
reduction of potential ignition sources (e.g., cracked wiring), and 
maintenance of the electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) on 
small transport airplanes.
    III-3. Develop and recommend compliance means to adopt the criteria 
referenced in III-2 and incorporate the enhanced wiring inspection 
procedures in operators' maintenance programs.

ATSRAC Acceptance of Tasks

    ATSRAC has accepted Tasks I through III with an expected completion 
date of all tasks by January 2005. However, certain specific tasks may 
require an earlier completion date.

Working Group Activity

    The working groups serve as staff to the ATSRAC to help the 
Committee in writing technical reports that will allow the FAA to 
complete actions related to the EAPAS program. Working group documents 
will be reviewed, deliberated, and approved by the ATSRAC. If the 
ATSRAC accepts the working group's documents, the Committee will 
forward them to the FAA as ATSRAC recommendations.
    The working groups are expected to comply with the procedures 
adopted by the ATSRAC. As part of the procedures, the working groups 
are expected to:
    1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the task, including the 
rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration by the ATSRAC, 
after setting-up the working groups and selecting members.
    2. Give a detailed conceptual presentation of proposed 
recommendations before starting the work stated in item 3 of this 
section.
    3. Draft a report and any other collateral documents the working 
group finds proper and send them to the ATSRAC for review and approval.
    4. Provide a status report at each meeting of the ATSRAC.

Participation in the Working Group

    Each of the working groups will be composed of experts with an 
interest in a particular task. Working group participants should be 
prepared to devote a significant portion of their time and resources to 
the ATSRAC task. A working group member need not be a representative or 
a member of the ATSRAC. Experts in the task area who want to become a 
member of one of the working groups should contact Charles Huber (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section) and explain their interest in 
the task and the expertise they would bring to the working group. All 
requests to take part in the working groups must be received no later 
than June 27, 2003. The ATSRAC Chair, Executive Director, and the 
working group chair will review requests for membership and will advise 
individuals whether their requests can be accommodated.
    The Secretary of Transportation has determined the formation and 
use of the ATSRAC are necessary and in the public interest as related 
to duties imposed on the FAA by law. Meetings of the ATSRAC will be 
open to the public. Meetings of the individual working groups will not 
be open to the public, except for individuals selected as working group 
members. No public announcement of working group meetings will be made.


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    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2003.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 03-13244 Filed 5-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P