[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 104 (Friday, May 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 30743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12067]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Policy Statement No. PS-ANM100-2004-10029]


Process for Developing Instructions for Maintenance and 
Inspection of Fuel Tank Systems Required by SFAR88

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed policy; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the 
availability of proposed policy on the process used by holders of type 
certificates and supplemental type certificates to develop 
Airworthiness Limitations and instructions for maintenance and 
inspection of the fuel tank systems of certain transport category 
airplanes, as required by Special Federal Aviation Regulations Number 
88 (SFAR 88).

DATES: Send your comments on or before June 28, 2004.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Kammers, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Transport Standards 
Staff, Propulsion/ Mechanical Systems Branch, ANM-112, 1601 Lind Avenue 
SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2956; fax (425) 227-
1149; 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-ANM100-2004-10029.''
    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

    This proposed policy provides guidance for complying with the 
requirements in Special Federal Aviation Regulation Number 88 (SFAR 88) 
for the preparation of instructions for maintenance and inspection of 
fuel tank systems in certain transport category airplanes. Paragraph 
2(a) of SFAR 88 requires certain holders of Type Certificates (TCs) and 
Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) of large transport airplanes to 
conduct a safety review of the fuel tank systems. The purpose of the 
safety review is to identify design features that may result in 
development of ignition sources in the fuel tank systems.
    Corrective actions, such as design changes, operational procedures, 
or maintenance may be necessary to eliminate those ignition sources.
    The proposed policy relates to paragraphs 2(b) and 2(c)(2) of SFAR 
88 which require that, based upon the safety review, the TC and STC 
holders develop Airworthiness Limitations and instructions for 
maintenance and inspection of the fuel tank systems in order to 
maintain those design features which preclude the existence of the 
development of an ignition source.
    The FAA intends that operators use those instructions to propose 
changes in their maintenance programs in order to properly maintain the 
ignition-prevention features of the fuel tank system for the 
operational life of the airplane.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 24, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-12067 Filed 5-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P