[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 54651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21826]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Study on the Use of Cell Phones On Board Aircraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-95) 
directed the Administrator of the FAA to conduct a study on the impact 
of the use of cell phones for voice communications in an aircraft 
during a flight in scheduled air transportation. A draft report on this 
study is currently available for review and public comment at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 5, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified as Cell Phone Study Comments using 
any of the following methods:
     E-Mail: Send comments to [email protected].
     Mail: Send comments to Avionics Maintenance Branch, AFS-
360, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591.
     Fax: Fax comments to (202) 385-6474.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning this action, 
contact David B. Walen, Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for 
Aircraft Electromagnetic Compatibility, Aviation Safety, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057; telephone (425) 917-6586; facsimile (425) 917-6590; email 
[email protected].

Background

    The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 \1\ directed the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study on the impact 
of the use of cell phones for voice communications in scheduled 
passenger air transportation and provide a 60-day opportunity for 
public comment. The Act also requires the FAA to report to Congress on 
the results of the study by Nov 10, 2012. Air carriers do not allow the 
use of cell phones on their airplanes in flight in US airspace, because 
Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit the use of 
certain classes of cell phones while airborne.\2\ FAA guidance \3\ 
supports this airborne restriction because of the potential for cell 
phone interference to aircraft systems and equipment.
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    \1\ FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, H.R. 658.
    \2\ 47 CFR 22.925.
    \3\ FAA Advisory Circular 91.21-1B, Use of Portable Electronic 
Devices Aboard Aircraft, August 25, 2006.
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    The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 section 410 directed 
the FAA to conduct a study on the impact of the use of cell phones for 
voice communications in scheduled passenger air transportation. The 
study included--
    (1) A review of foreign government and air carrier policies on the 
use of cell phones during flight;
    (2) A review of the extent to which passengers use cell phones for 
voice communications during flight; and
    (3) A summary of any impacts of cell phone use during flight on 
safety, the quality of the flight experience of passengers, and flight 
attendants.
    FAA requested information on these subjects from the national 
aviation authorities that have approved the installation of on-board 
cell phone base stations, and allowed the use of cell phones in flight 
on aircraft equipped with these base stations. The responses from these 
national aviation authorities were documented in the FAA report to 
address the requirements of FAA Modernization and Reform Act section 
410.
    In accordance with the Congressional direction, a report on this 
study is available for review and public comment at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/.

Considerations for Comment

    The FAA Modernization and Reform Act section 410 does not direct 
FAA or FCC to change the existing policies and regulations that govern 
the use of cell phones in flight. However, this study provides factual 
information on the experience of airlines and the national aviation 
authorities that allow the use of cell phones in flight. Any future 
rulemaking related to airborne cell phone use will consider this study.
    The FAA is interested in obtaining comments on the report that 
documents the study on the use of cell phones on passenger aircraft. We 
are soliciting comments in the following general areas:
     Information from aircraft operators that may not have been 
provided in the responses from the national aviation authorities;
     Flight attendant and pilot experience with cell phone use 
on aircraft equipped with on-board cell phone base stations;
     Passenger experience on aircraft equipped with on-board 
cell phone base stations.

Request for Comments

    The FAA invites interested persons to submit written comments, 
data, or views. The agency also invites comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from changes in our current policy. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific area of concern, explain the reason for any 
recommended change, and include supporting data. Commenters should 
submit their comment(s) only once, in either written or electronic 
form, to ensure there is no duplication.
    The FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the 
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after 
the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA will summarize the comments 
received in a final revision of the cell phone study.
    Proprietary or Confidential Business Information: Proprietary or 
confidential business information must be sent or delivered directly to 
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document, and marked as proprietary or confidential. If submitting 
information on a disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD 
ROM, and identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific 
information that is proprietary or confidential.
    Under 14 CFR 11.35(b), the FAA is aware of proprietary information 
filed with a comment and does not make it publically available. It is 
held in a separate file to which the public does not have access. If 
the FAA receives a request to examine or copy this information, it 
treats it as any other request under the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552). The FAA processes such a request under Department of 
Transportation procedures found in 49 CFR part 7.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 30, 2012.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Asst. Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-21826 Filed 9-4-12; 8:45 am]
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