[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42021-42022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17382]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 91


Stage 3 Compliance for Jets Weighing 75,000 Pounds or Less After 
December 31, 2015

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice reminding operators of noise compliance deadline.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration is reminding operators of 
jet airplanes weighing 75,000 pounds or less that after December 31, 
2015, operations in the contiguous United States may be conducted only 
with airplanes that comply with at least Stage 3 noise levels. 
Operators that fail to meet this requirement may be subject to civil 
penalties. Certain operations of airplanes not meeting Stage 3 may be 
conducted under special flight authorizations granted by the FAA on a 
case by case basis.

DATES: Compliance is due after December 31, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this restriction 
and its applicability may be directed to Rebecca Cointin AEE-100, 
Office of Environment and Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
4770; email: [email protected]. For legal questions, contact 
Karen Petronis, AGC-220, Regulations Division, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-3073; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The noise from smaller jet airplanes continues to have an impact on 
communities near airports. In recognition of this impact, Congress 
addressed the operations of these airplanes in Section 506 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. That section states: ``[A]fter 
December 31, 2015, a person may not operate a civil subsonic jet 
airplane with a maximum weight of 75,000 pounds or less, and for which 
an airworthiness certificate (other than an experimental certificate) 
has been issued, to or from an airport in the United States unless the 
Secretary of Transportation finds that the aircraft complies with 
[S]tage 3 noise levels.'' Stage 3 noise levels are the certificated 
noise levels as established in 14 CFR part 36.
    In 2013, the FAA codified this statutory requirement as Sec.  
91.881. The prohibition applies to all civil operations in the 48 
contiguous United States regardless of purpose (except for those 
airplanes that have an experimental airworthiness certificate). The law 
also provides for operation of otherwise prohibited airplanes after 
that date under certain circumstances. The authorized purposes were 
codified in Sec.  91.883, which includes the procedure for applying for 
a special flight authorization from the FAA.
    Operators of airplanes that do not comply with Stage 3 noise levels 
may

[[Page 42022]]

choose to replace them, or to incorporate noise-reduction technologies 
that may be available to make the airplanes Stage 3 noise compliant. 
Operators that continue to fly non-compliant airplanes after December 
31, 2015, will be subject to applicable civil penalties.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2015.
Lourdes Maurice,
Director, Office of Environment and Energy.
[FR Doc. 2015-17382 Filed 7-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P