[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 34418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13982]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and 
Engine Issues

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of task from the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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SUMMARY: This notice withdraws a task formerly assigned to the ARAC, 
Transport Airplane and Engine Issues.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kaszycki, Transport Standards 
Staff, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98055, (227) 425-2137, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 22, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
published a task in the Federal Register instructing the Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to develop recommendations for 
preventing fires related to fuel tank vent systems (66FR16087). The FAA 
requested that ARAC:
    Phase I. Review the draft part 25 final rule concerning fuel-vent 
system fire protection, including the FAA's proposed disposition of 
public comments. Prepare a report for the FAA documenting any 
recommended changes resulting from this review and any remaining 
unresolved issues.
    Phase II. Review the draft advisory material (AC 25.975) associated 
with the part 25 rule and prepare a report for the FAA similar to the 
phase I report, documenting any recommended changes as well as any 
remaining unresolved issues.
    The ARAC assigned the task to the Powerplant Installation 
Harmonization Working Group (PPIHWG). The schedule for Phase I called 
for the working group to submit their report no later than 60 days 
after receiving the draft document from the FAA. The schedule for Phase 
II called for the working group to submit their report no later than 6 
months after receiving the draft document from the FAA.

Withdrawal of the Task

    As a result of industry resource issues and FAA rulemaking 
prioritization activities, no work was done on this tasking. The PPIHWG 
chair reported that the necessary industry specialists were focused on 
other fuel tank safety initiatives and not available to begin work on 
this tasking. At the same time, industry was expressing a general 
concern about ARAC's impact on its resources. It challenged the FAA and 
Joint Aviation Authorities through the Harmonization Management Team 
(HMT) to develop a prioritized rulemaking plan that incorporates 
resource commitments that are more consistent with the regulatory 
authorities' rulemaking capabilities.
    Subsequently, we reviewed our regulatory program, focusing on 
prioritizing rulemaking initiatives to more efficiently and effectively 
use limited industry and regulatory resources. We also issued a letter 
to the ARAC, Transport Airplanes and Engine (TAE) issues, placing a 
moratorium on low priority ARAC harmonization working group activities, 
one of which was this tasking to the PPIHWG. Our review yielded an 
internal Regulation and Certification Rulemaking Priority List that 
will guide the agency's rulemaking activities, including the tasking of 
initiatives to the ARAC. Our review also identified several taskings 
that we can withdraw and rulemaking initiatives that we can handle by 
alternative means.
    One of the tasks identified for withdrawal was the two-phase 
tasking to the ARAC, TAE issues area to develop recommendations for 
preventing fires related to fuel tank vent systems. The FAA coordinated 
its decision with both the Joint Aviation Authorities (now the European 
Aviation Safety Agency) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation.
    So, through this notice, we are withdrawing from ARAC the two-phase 
tasking to develop recommendations for preventing fires related to fuel 
tank vent systems.

    Issued in Washington DC on June 15, 2004.
Tony F. Fazio,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 04-13982 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
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