[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44320-44321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16999]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 27 and 29


Interest in Restructure of Rotorcraft Airworthiness Standards

ACTION: Notice of Disposition of Comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice disposes of public comments received by the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in response to a Federal Register 
notice published on February 22, 2013, requesting comments on a 
potential restructuring of the rotorcraft airworthiness standards of 
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 27 (normal 
category rotorcraft) and 29 (transport category rotorcraft). 
Specifically, the agency sought comments on the necessity of updates to 
parts 27 and 29, including whether to change the existing weight- and 
seat-based applicability standards for normal and transport rotorcraft. 
Based on the comments received, the FAA is terminating this docket. 
Commenters indicated a substantial interest in revising or 
restructuring the certification standards for parts 27 and 29, and the 
FAA's Rotorcraft Directorate will begin establishing the appropriate 
forums to involve interested parties.

DATES: The docket is terminated as of July 31, 2014.

ADDRESSES: FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group 
(ASW-111), 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Regulations and Policy Group (ASW-111), 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; facsimile (817) 222-5961. The 
primary contacts are: John VanHoudt (telephone: 817-222-5167, email: 
[email protected]) or ASW-111 Manager Jorge R. Castillo (telephone: 
817-222-5110, email: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Discussion

    Currently, rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 7,000 pounds or less 
and nine passenger seats or less are certificated as normal category 
rotorcraft under part 27; rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 
7,000 pounds or with 10 or more passenger seats are certificated as 
transport category rotorcraft under part 29.
    The FAA and rotorcraft industry have discussed potential revisions 
to the ``applicability'' rules for rotorcraft certificated under parts 
27 and 29 since the early 1990s. In February 1994, the FAA held a 
public meeting to determine a course of action in the best interest of 
the public and the aviation community. An Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee working group was established with representatives from the 
FAA, the Joint Aviation Authorities, and Transport Canada Civil 
Aviation, as well as from U.S. and European helicopter manufacturers. 
In February 1995, the committee established the Rotorcraft Gross Weight 
and Passenger Issues Working Group, and tasked the group with 
recommending new or revised requirements for increasing the gross 
weight and passenger limitations for normal category rotorcraft. There 
was agreement within the group to increase the gross weight limitation 
of part 27 from 6,000 to 7,000 pounds with added passenger safety 
requirements. The FAA implemented this regulatory change in a 1999 
final rule (64 FR 45092, August 18, 1999).
    We continue to recognize that the evolution of parts 27 and 29 has 
not kept pace with technology and the capability of rotorcraft produced 
currently. The FAA is therefore interested in investigating new 
approaches that would make the rotorcraft airworthiness regulations 
more efficient and adaptable to future technology. Additionally, the 
FAA has found that, without a rulemaking effort to extensively revise 
the rotorcraft standards, we are left with the option of issuing 
multiple special conditions for the same technologies.
    The FAA published a Federal Register notice on February 22, 2013 
(78 FR 12254), requesting comments on ``Interest in Restructure of 
Rotorcraft Airworthiness Standards.'' Specifically, we requested 
comment on (1) to what extent commenters believed the certification 
standards need to be changed in order to remain relevant; (2) whether 
the current standards need to be completely changed, as opposed to more 
targeted changes; (3) whether the applicability rules should be changed 
from weight- and passenger-based standards, and, if so, how; and (4) 
commenters' willingness to participate in a rulemaking committee. We 
received 48 comments to the docket number FAA-2013-0144.

Comments Summary

    Of the 48 comments received, the majority were from operators and 
their affiliates. There were also comments from another civil aviation 
authority (Transport Canada Civil Aviation); various rotorcraft-
affiliated organizations (including the Aerospace Industries 
Association, the American Helicopter Society International, the 
Association of Air Medical Services, the General Aviation Manufacturers 
Association, and Helicopter Association International); vendors and 
manufacturers (including Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter, and Marenco 
Swisshelicopter); and others. These comments indicated a substantial 
interest in favor of some form of revision or restructure of the 
rotorcraft design certification standards in parts 27 and 29 and 
expressed that the current regulatory scheme is outdated by technology 
and impedes the development of new rotorcraft models. Only three 
commenters stated the weight and passenger thresholds of the current 
regulations should remain unchanged. Most commenters recommended that 
the FAA approach this effort in a deliberate and methodical manner, 
including forming a group in coordination with industry to evaluate 
parts 27 and 29 and provide recommendations to the FAA prior to 
initiating a formal rulemaking action. Commenters also expressed a need 
to coordinate this effort with other civil aviation authorities. 
Additionally, many commenters expressed interest in participating in 
the process of updating the regulations.

Termination of This Docket and Future Agency Action

    Based on these comments, the FAA has determined that there is 
sufficient interest in the rotorcraft community to pursue further 
collaboration towards possible revisions to parts 27 and 29. The FAA is 
therefore terminating this docket. The Rotorcraft Directorate will 
begin establishing the appropriate forum(s) and involving interested

[[Page 44321]]

parties. The FAA will also reach out to our bilateral partners (i.e., 
Transport Canada Civil Aviation and the European Aviation Safety 
Agency) and invite their participation in this effort. Parties 
interested in this initiative may look forward to future public 
announcements on upcoming developments.

    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on July 10, 2014.
Kimberly K. Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-16999 Filed 7-30-14; 8:45 am]
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