[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39242-39243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18573]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 21


Proposed New Restricted Category Special Purpose Operations

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed policy statement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments 
on the proposed inclusion of three new restricted category special 
purpose operations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR) 21.25(b)(7).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 8, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed new restricted categories 
to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Certification Procedures Branch, AIR-
110, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20024. ATTN.: 
Mr. Graham Long, Section Manager. You may hand deliver comments to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Fifth Floor, 
Washington, DC 20024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Aviation Administration, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Certification Procedures Branch (AIR 110), 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., 
Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20024. ATTN.: Mr. Graham Long, Section 
Manager. Telephone: (202) 385-6319; fax: (202) 385-6475; or by e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed new 
restricted categories for special purpose operations by submitting such 
written data, views, or arguments, as they desire to the above address. 
Comments received on the proposed new restricted categories may be 
examined, before and after the comment closing date, at 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20024, weekdays except Federal 
holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Director of the Aircraft 
Certification Service will consider all communications received on or 
before the closing date before issuing the final decision.

Background

    We are considering three new restricted category special purpose 
operations under 14 CFR 21.25(b)(7). Approval of these new special 
purpose operations would improve the usability of restricted category 
aircraft in support of the public welfare and aviation safety. The 
three proposed special purpose operations are (a) Alaskan Fuel Hauling, 
(b) Upset Recovery Training, and (c) Flying Qualities Demonstrator.
    (a) Alaskan Fuel Hauling would provide a means to transport fuel to 
isolated individuals or locations, such as villages, towns and mining 
operations, within the State of Alaska. Currently, in rural Alaska 
there are numerous remote villages, mining camps, and individuals that 
have no practical access except by air. During the winter months, 
transportation of fuel to remote locations is limited to small 
quantities hauled by ground on trail access vehicles or by aircraft 
owners carrying fuel for their own use. During the summer, where stream 
access is available, there is the option of hauling limited quantities 
of fuel by small boats. The allowance for transportation of flammable 
liquids, by aircraft, when other means of transportation are 
impractical is specified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(49 CFR) 175.310.
    (b) Upset Recovery Training would provide an avenue for the use of 
aircraft with modified flight controls to be used to train air carrier 
pilots in upset recoveries. Airborne simulation can provide aircraft 
dynamic responses that simulate larger, heavier transport aircraft, and 
result in improved safety through more-realistic upset recovery 
training for air carrier pilots. The use of large transport aircraft 
for Upset Recovery Training is costly, and would increase the risk 
level of training. It is also impractical to certificate these modified 
aircraft in compliance with the requirements of their standard category 
type certificate.
    (c) Flight control system design and development can be more-
effectively carried out using airborne simulation. The optimizations of 
flight control and feel characteristics can be conducted in a real-
world environment at an early stage in the design and development of 
the aircraft. Flying qualities of unique

[[Page 39243]]

and novel aircraft can be evaluated, and the effects of aircraft 
configuration changes may be observed and measured. A Flying Qualities 
Demonstrator would enable the use of aircraft with modified flight 
controls to be used in the demonstration and development of flying 
qualities and flight controls. It is impractical to certificate these 
modified aircraft in compliance with the requirements of their standard 
category type certificate. Approval of these flight operations will be 
in compliance with the restricted category operating limitations 
specified in 14 CFR 91.313.
    How To Obtain Copies:
    You may get a copy of our proposal from the Internet at: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/.
    You may also request a copy from Mr. Graham Long. See the section 
entitled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for the complete address.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2009.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-18573 Filed 8-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P