[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 59 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 15925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6750]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Policy Statement No. PS-ANM100-2004-10021]


Installation of ``No Stowage'' Placards on a Surface Not Designed 
or Intended To Be Used for Stowage

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of proposed policy; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the 
availability of proposed policy on installation of ``no stowage'' 
placards on surfaces not designed or intended to be used for stowage.

DATES: Send your comments on or before April 26, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Address your comments to the individual identified under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael T. Thompson, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Transport Standards 
Staff, Airframe and Cabin Safety Branch, ANM-115, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1157; fax (425) 227-
1232; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The proposed policy is available on the Internet at the following 
address: http://www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. If you do not have access to 
the Internet, you can obtain a copy of the policy by contacting the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The FAA invites your comments on this proposed policy. We will 
accept your comments, data, views, or arguments by letter, fax, or e-
mail. Send your comments to the person indicated in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. Mark your comments, ``Comments to Policy Statement 
No. PS-ANM100-2004-10021.''
    Use the following format when preparing your comments:
     Organize your comments issue-by-issue.
     For each issue, state what specific change you 
are requesting to the proposed policy.
     Include justification, reasons, or data for each 
change you are requesting.
    We also welcome comments in support of the proposed policy.
    We will consider all communications received on or before the 
closing date for comments. We may change the proposed policy because of 
the comments received.

Background

    If has been brought to the attention of the Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Transport Standards Staff that an aircraft certification 
office has, in some instances, required an applicant to install ``No 
Stowage'' or ``No Stowage During Taxi, Takeoff and Landing'' placards 
on some surfaces that were not designed or intended to be used for 
stowage. Although not designed for stowage, these surfaces could, 
because of their shapes and locations, accommodate the placement of 
articles upon them. The placards were intended to address a concern 
that carry-on or other articles, not on the airplane type design, could 
be inappropriately stowed there and, in case of an accident or severe 
turbulence, become injurious projectiles. The Staff has investigated 
this practice and determined that the part 25 regulations relating to 
the stowage of cargo, baggage, carry-on articles and equipment do not 
require the installation of these placards for surfaces such as these. 
Therefore, while an applicant may be encouraged to install such 
placards, they cannot be required to install the placards.
    This policy memorandum is meant to address surfaces that are 
clearly not intended to be stowage compartments, which must meet the 
requirements of Sec.  25.787.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 16, 2004.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-6750 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M