[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46123-46132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21092]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2017 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 46123]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 36 and 91

[Docket No.: FAA-2015-3782; Amdt. Nos. 36-31; 91-349]
RIN 2120-AK52


Stage 5 Airplane Noise Standards

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new noise standard for certain newly 
certificated subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category 
large airplanes. This noise standard, known as Stage 5, applies to any 
person submitting an application for a new airplane type design with a 
maximum certificated takeoff weight of 121,254 pounds (55,000 kg) or 
more on or after December 31, 2017; or with maximum certificated 
takeoff weight of less than 121,254 pounds (55,000 kg) on or after 
December 31, 2020. This change will set a lower noise limit for newly 
certificated airplanes and harmonize the noise certification standards 
for those airplanes certificated in the United States with those 
certificated under international standards.

DATES: This rule is effective November 3, 2017. The incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of November 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For information on where to obtain copies of rulemaking 
documents and other information related to this final rule, see ``How 
To Obtain Additional Information'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mehmet Marsan, Office of Environment 
and Energy, AEE-100, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-7703; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in 
title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes 
the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation 
Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44715 Controlling aircraft 
noise and sonic boom. Under that section, the FAA is charged with 
prescribing regulations to measure and abate aircraft noise. This 
regulation is within the scope of that authority since it would 
establish stricter noise limits for certain newly certificated 
airplanes. Applicants for type certificates and changes in type design 
made after the dates in this rulemaking will be required to comply with 
the new regulation.

I. Overview of Final Rule

    This rulemaking adopts a new noise standard for newly certificated 
subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes. 
By lowering the noise limit, this standard requires quieter designs and 
encourages manufacturers to adopt the latest available noise reduction 
technology into their aircraft designs. This rulemaking adopts new 
noise certification standards for airplanes certificated in the United 
States (known as Stage 5) that are equivalent to the International 
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 16, Volume I standard known as 
Chapter 14.

II. Background

    In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled Stage 5 Airplane 
Noise Standards, the FAA proposed a new noise standard for certain 
aircraft to (81 FR 1923, January 14, 2016). A brief history of the 
FAA's regulation of aircraft noise since 1969 was presented in the 
preamble to that NPRM.
    The new Stage 5 noise standard applies to any person submitting an 
application for a new airplane type design that has a maximum 
certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) of 121,254 pounds (maximum 
certificated takeoff mass (MTOM) 55,000 kg) or more on or after 
December 31, 2017; or that has a MTOW of less than 121,254 pounds (MTOM 
less than 55,000 kg) on or after December 31, 2020. This change reduces 
the noise that may be produced by newly certificated airplanes and 
harmonizes the noise certification standards for airplanes certificated 
in the United States with the standard adopted by the International 
Civil Aviation Organization in Annex 16, Volume 1 Chapter 14, effective 
July 14, 2014.
    Much of the development of a Stage 5 noise standard took place in 
the international arena through ICAO. The Committee on Aviation 
Environmental Protection (CAEP) is a technical committee of the ICAO 
Council. The CAEP assists the Council specifically in formulating new 
policies and adopting new standards for aircraft noise and emissions, 
and more generally on matters of the environmental impacts of aviation. 
The development of ICAO standards follows a structured, transparent and 
multi-staged process involving a number of technical and non-technical 
working groups. These working groups are either part of the ICAO or 
closely associated with it. The activities of the CAEP working groups 
are guided by the CAEP Steering Group as their oversight committee.
    The United States is an active member in CAEP, and has at least one 
member on each of the five working groups of CAEP. These working groups 
are named for their focus areas: WG1 for Noise, WG2 for Airports and 
Operations, WG3 for Emissions, MDG for Modeling and Databases, and FESG 
for Forecast Economic Analysis Support.
    In 2010, the CAEP Working Group for Noise (WG1) was tasked to 
develop options that would further reduce permissible airplane noise 
levels. The group met several times over the following two years. 
Representatives from WG3, the MDG, and the FESG participated in the WG1 
meetings to become familiar with the noise stringency options that 
would be considered when future noise standards were set, and to assist 
WG1 in setting up databases for comparing the options for costs and 
benefits.
    In coordination with the other participating working groups, WG1 
chose five options for reduced noise limits that were more stringent 
than Chapter 4. The group noted that the stringencies of earlier 
Chapter 2 and

[[Page 46124]]

Chapter 3 standards could be described as based on the ``traditional'' 
concept of specified reductions at each noise certification measurement 
point (flyover, lateral, and approach). Chapter 4, however, had adopted 
a ``cumulative margin'' concept under which reduction was expressed as 
a total and could be spread across the three measurement points as 
chosen by an applicant. The stringency options presented to CAEP for 
analysis continued to be based on the ``cumulative margin'' concept of 
Chapter 4. The options analyzed were cumulatively 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 
decibels lower than Chapter 4 levels. As the lead technical working 
group, WG1 prepared the results for the 2014 CAEP meeting. In reaching 
a recommendation for a new noise standard for subsonic jet and large 
transport airplanes, the CAEP considered estimates of comprehensive 
costs and benefits associated with the five options.
    The activities of the working groups were overseen by the CAEP 
Steering Group. The Steering Group met in July 2012 to review the 
results of the analyses prepared by the working groups in order to 
formulate specific recommendations on the new standard, and on 
applicability options that were forwarded to the full CAEP.
    In February 2013, the comprehensive costs and benefits analyses for 
the five stringency options that were prepared by the working groups, 
as well as a parallel analysis of the same five options prepared by the 
United States, were presented at the ninth meeting of CAEP (CAEP9). 
After lengthy discussion, the CAEP9 agreed to an increase in stringency 
of 7 EPNdB \1\ (cumulative) relative to Chapter 4 levels. The new 
standard, known as Chapter 14,\2\ introduced a condition in addition to 
the cumulative stringency requirement, one that requires a margin of 
not less than 1.0 dB below Chapter 3 \3\ limits at each certification 
point.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Effective Perceived Noise Level in decibels as described in 
ICAO Annex 16, Volume 1, Appendix 2, Section 4 or section A36.4.1 of 
appendix A to part 36.
    \2\ The ICAO publishes its aircraft noise standards in the 
Standards and Recommended Practices of Annex 16, Volume 1. Each new 
ICAO standard is published as a new chapter, and the chapter number 
becomes the shorthand designation of the new stringency. In the 
United States, the adoption of a new standard in 14 CFR part 36 is 
identified as the next `Stage' number in sequence. Using this 
system, the U.S. and ICAO stringency levels tracked each other 
numerically, e.g., Stage 3 was the equivalent of Chapter 3, and 
Stage 4 was the equivalent of Chapter 4. However, ICAO had already 
used Chapter 5 for a different standard, and the next number 
available was Chapter 14. Accordingly, while these noise stringency 
standards are known as Chapter 14 by ICAO, they are being adopted in 
the United States as Stage 5.
    \3\ As discussed, while Chapter 4 increased stringency, it did 
not contain a requirement for a minimum reduction at any of the 
measurement points; the gains could have been at one, two or all 
three points. Chapter 14 includes a minimum reduction of 1dB at each 
point (7dB overall), but since it was not a requirement in Chapter 
4, the base level for decrease is referenced at Chapter 3 levels.
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    Similar to Chapter 4 requirements, the noise margins for Chapter 14 
are calculated by subtracting the measured noise levels at the three 
microphone locations from the three corresponding noise limits in 
Chapter 3. However, Chapter 14 includes a mandatory minimum reduction 
in the noise limits applicable to subsonic jet airplanes with MTOM less 
than 8,618 kg (MTOW 19,000 pounds). Figure 1 is a graphical 
representation of the reduction of noise limits at MTOM lower than 
8,618 kg for each of the three measurement points. The figure includes 
the modified Chapter 3 noise limits that use the same gradient of the 
limit line at lower masses as the higher masses, and transitions to a 
flat limit line for airplanes with MTOM less than 2,000kg (MTOW 4,409 
pounds). This figure is not included in the regulation since the actual 
limits are calculated based on the MTOM of the aircraft at 
certification. This figure is an illustration of how the noise limits 
compare for airplanes of different weights under Chapter 14.

[[Page 46125]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR04OC17.009

    In March 2014, the 201st Session of the ICAO Council adopted the 
Chapter 14 noise standards for new airplane type designs. Chapter 14 
will apply to new type certificates for airplanes with an MTOM of 
55,000 kg (MTOW of 121,254 pounds) or more for which applications are 
submitted on and after December 31, 2017. For airplanes with an MTOM of 
less than 55,000 kg (MTOW less than 121,254 pounds) the limits apply to 
certification applications submitted on and after December 31, 2020.
    It was noted in the NPRM, and restated for emphasis here, that the 
adoption of the Stage 5 noise standard for new airplane type designs 
does not signal the start of any action by the FAA to change the 
current operational noise limits for any aircraft in the United States. 
The current U.S. operating rules require that jet aircraft meet at 
least Stage 3 noise limits (see 14 CFR 91.853 and 91.881). The current 
noise limit applicable to new type designs is Stage 4 (see Sec.  
36.103(c)). The adoption of the Stage 5 noise standard for new airplane 
type designs does not affect either of these requirements. Changes to 
the noise operating rules in the United States would be subject to full 
notice and comment rulemaking procedures, and have not been proposed. 
The adoption of Stage 5 does not affect either the operation of the 
current U.S. fleet or new type designs submitted before the applicable 
compliance date for Stage 5.

A. Summary of the NPRM

    On January 14, 2016, the FAA proposed a new noise standard for 
certain subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large 
airplanes, to be known as Stage 5. As proposed, the new certification 
standard would apply to any person submitting an application for a new 
airplane type design that has an MTOW of 121,254 pounds (MTOM 55,000 
kg) or more on and after December 31, 2017; or with an MTOW of less 
than 121,254 pounds (MTOM 55,000 kg) on and after December 31, 2020. 
The change is intended to reduce the noise produced by new airplanes 
and harmonize the noise certification standards for those airplanes 
certificated in the United States with the new Chapter 14 ICAO noise 
standard that was effective July 14, 2014. Failure to harmonize the 
standards could result in a certification applicant having to show 
compliance with two different standards, unnecessarily adding to the 
cost of noise certification without any benefit.
    The proposed rule also included a change to appendix B to part 36, 
section B36.1(b), which allows the use of Annex 16 standards as an 
alternative for noise testing. The FAA found that the regulation 
adopted in 2005 inadvertently omitted the phrase ``to paragraph (a) of 
this section'' to designate what the Annex was an alternative to. This 
phrase is added into section B36.1(b) in this rule so that paragraph 
(b) and the new paragraph (c) (the alternative for Stage 5) will read 
the same.
    The NPRM invited interested persons to participate in the 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. It also 
invited comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or 
federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in the 
NPRM.

B. Response to Comments

    The FAA received seven comments in response to the NPRM. Two 
commenters supported the rule as proposed, four suggested changes to 
the rule, and one identified a typographical error in the NPRM.

[[Page 46126]]

    The Boeing Company and Airlines for America (A4A), an association 
of U.S. air carriers, supported all aspects of the proposal, with A4A 
including extensive comments supporting the process of working with 
ICAO in setting noise standards.
    Two organizations, the Los Angeles International Airport/Community 
Roundtable (Roundtable) and the City of Culver City, California 
requested that the FAA include a phaseout of existing Stage 3 airplanes 
as part of the adoption of the new Stage 5 noise standards. The 
Roundtable is a voluntary organization with members from civil 
associations and government that work to identify and mitigate noise 
issues that affect the residential communities surrounding Los Angeles 
International Airport (LAX). Culver City is a municipality in close 
proximity to LAX.
    Culver City considered the lack of a phaseout for Stage 3 airplanes 
a notable omission from the NPRM, stating that the Airport Noise and 
Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA) mandated the implementation of Stage 3 
technology by the end of 1999 along with the phase-out of all Stage 2 
aircraft over 75,000 pounds. Culver City requested that the FAA 
promulgate a staged phaseout of Stage 3 aircraft beginning 
contemporaneously with the implementation of Stage 5 regulations.
    The Roundtable requested the same action as Culver City, stating 
that a phaseout would reduce aircraft noise in a shorter time frame.
    The FAA considers the requests to initiate a phaseout of Stage 3 
jet aircraft to be beyond the scope of the proposed rule. The NPRM 
indicated that the proposed certification action was not to be 
considered a harbinger of a new operational standard. The previous 
eliminations of Stage 2 jet operations in the contiguous United States 
were required under two separate statutory provisions by Congress. For 
larger jets, the phaseout and ultimate prohibition on operation were 
mandated in ANCA. For jets under 75,000 pounds, Congress mandated a 
cessation of operations as of January 1, 2015; that statutory ban did 
not include a phaseout nor did it require any action by the FAA other 
than to enforce the operational prohibition. The NPRM noted for this 
rule that the proposal was limited to the adoption of a Stage 5 
certification standard, in part to harmonize domestic U.S. 
certification standards with those of ICAO. These certification actions 
are sequential, reflect advances in technology, and serve to prevent 
backsliding by manufacturers. An operational phaseout, such as the one 
that took place in the 1990's following Congressional direction, is a 
significant undertaking affecting a different segment of the aviation 
industry. The ANCA phaseout had no effect on the noise certification 
basis of airplanes--Stage 3 had been adopted as the noise certification 
standard effective in 1975 (see Sec.  36.106(b)) and was the standard 
included by Congress in the 1990 statute. The comments suggesting a new 
phaseout of Stage 3 jets did not address the significant differences 
between certification changes and operational restrictions, the length 
of time any suggested phaseout should take, nor did they present any 
indication of the significant costs and benefits that would necessarily 
form the basis of such an action. The proposed Stage 5 rule does not 
provide any basis to attach an operational restriction, and none is 
included in the final rule.
    An individual commenter suggested five changes to the proposed 
rule. First, the commenter suggested that section B36.6 of appendix B 
to part 36 specify that noise tradeoffs are available only for Stage 1, 
2 and 3 airplanes. The FAA disagrees in part. For a Stage 1 airplane, 
tradeoffs would be available only after recertification to Stage 2 (or 
higher) noise levels; there were no noise levels established for Stage 
1 airplanes from which there could be tradeoffs. While the FAA agrees 
that the notation might be a helpful clarification for Stage 2 and 3 
airplanes, the suggestion is outside the scope of the changes proposed 
in the NPRM. The FAA will keep note of the comment as a suggested 
change for any future cleanup rule for part 36.
    The second suggestion, which was also made by an anonymous 
commenter, stated that regardless of the applicable noise stringency 
level, part 36 should specify the latest versions of referenced 
documents instead of one or more earlier versions.
    The FAA disagrees. There are legal requirements attached to the use 
of non-FAA standards such as ICAO Annex 16. These requirements for 
Incorporation by Reference (IBR) allow for a specific document to be 
incorporated, and it must be submitted at the time IBR is requested. It 
must be identifiable, dated, and meet a certain level of availability. 
This ensures that a standard can be referenced as complete at the time 
a regulation is adopted. The IBR rules of the Office of the Federal 
Register do not allow for a nebulous ``current version'' to be 
referenced, since it would then depend on the time a person read a 
regulation and would present a shifting requirement. Changes to 
standards based on incorporated documents, such as a later version, can 
only be made by rulemaking. While this final rule makes changes to the 
IBR section of part 36 as discussed in the following section, no 
changes have been made to the final rule based on this comment. Persons 
interested in how IBR works can learn more by consulting the Office of 
the Federal Register's handbook that explains the process at https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/write/handbook.
    The third suggestion by the individual commenter is to remove the 
proposed requirement in Sec.  36.106 to include a Chapter 14 
equivalency statement in an Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The comment 
did not include any justification for this suggested change, nor state 
any reason it is inappropriate or ineffective in U.S. regulations. 
Starting with Stage 4, the equivalency statement became standard in the 
AFM pages. Over the years, noise-related information in the AFM 
(including the equivalency statements and other supporting documents) 
developed into an effective resource in demonstrating certificated 
noise levels of a U.S. registered aircraft operating outside the United 
States. The FAA plans to keep the equivalency statements for both Stage 
4 and 5. No change was made based on this comment.
    For reasons unrelated to this comment, we are amending Sec.  36.105 
to remove the reference to an IBR at the end of the paragraph. The 
required language for the flight manual, indicated by quotes in the 
rule, is not itself an IBR.
    The fourth and fifth comments by the individual commenter requested 
changes to Sec.  36.6, the IBR section for part 36 for matters of 
``presentation'' and identification of ICAO Annex 16. The FAA is 
adopting a change to the format of Sec.  36.6 as required by the Office 
of the Federal Register to update its use as a centralized IBR section. 
As adopted, the content of the IBR paragraph, including the order of 
the material as stated, complies with the publication requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register. The FAA anticipates that the 
required update of the section will address the commenters concerns.
    An anonymous commenter noted that the Web site address given for 
the availability of ICAO documents no longer works. The FAA will 
replace the Web site address in the final rule. The updated address for 
the ICAO Web site is: http://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/default.aspx.
    The same anonymous commenter asked why Chapter 4 and Stage 4 (or 
Chapter 14 and Stage 5) do not have the same definitions in part 91, 
suggesting that they should all be referenced ``as described in part 36 
of this chapter.''

[[Page 46127]]

    The U.S. regulations cannot be used to determine what Chapter 4 or 
Chapter 14 contains or requires. Since the standards are incorporated 
by reference, their definitions necessarily cite back to the official 
source in ICAO Annex 16. Further, the FAA is not authorized to make 
findings of legal compliance to Chapter 4 or Chapter 14; it only 
certificates aircraft to Stage 4 or 5 (for example). This has led to 
the IBR references and eventually to the equivalency statements in AFMs 
since the U.S. does not make findings under ICAO standards. These 
equivalency statements are meant to assist operators of U.S.-
certificated aircraft when they operate in ICAO countries and need to 
show the noise compliance of their aircraft.
    However, we did find that the addition of the definition of Chapter 
14 to part 91 is not necessary since part 91 is limited to domestic 
operating rules and references aircraft by stage. Accordingly, we are 
adding that definition only to part 36.
    Other than the corrections noted, no changes are being made in this 
final rule based on the comments received. The rule is adopted as 
proposed.

C. Changes From the NPRM

    The FAA was notified by the Office of the Federal Register that the 
centralized IBR section for part 36 (Sec.  36.6) needed to be updated 
to the new format published in 2016. Accordingly, this final rule 
includes format changes to Sec.  36.6 and to various sections of part 
36 and its appendices that reference incorporated documents. In no case 
is the content or intent of any regulation to be considered changed by 
this reformatting. Any changes to the substantive effect of any rule 
would be preceded by full notice and comment rulemaking.
    In revising Sec.  36.6 we discovered materials that are no longer 
referenced in the regulations and have removed them from that section. 
Within the text of regulations, we have reformatted the identified 
documents, removed two IBR references that were incorrect, updated Web 
site references where available and corrected other minor formatting 
errors discovered on review.
    Also, as part of this review, the FAA discovered that Sec.  36.5 
contained an outdated reference to statutory authority. That section is 
amended to replace the old citation to the authority with the current 
one.

D. Incorporation by Reference

    This final rule incorporates by reference the aircraft noise 
standards for Chapter 14 of the International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO) Annex 16, Volume 1, Aircraft Noise, Seventh 
Edition, July 2014, Amendment 11-B, applicable January 1, 2015. These 
standards are incorporated into Sec.  36.6, and are referenced in 
various sections as noted in the amendments. As explained in this 
document, these standards were developed by the ICAO with the 
participation of the United States. Airplanes that meet Stage 5 noise 
standards in the United States are considered equivalent of airplanes 
that meet the Chapter 14 standards.
    The incorporated document is available for purchase through the 
ICAO Web site: http://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/default.aspx. 
Contact information for ICAO is also available on that Web site. The 
document may be inspected at FAA Headquarters, Office of Environment 
and Energy. Please contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT in this document.

IV. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 direct 
that each Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon 
a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation 
justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. 
L. 96-354) requires agencies to analyze the economic impact of 
regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the Trade Agreements Act 
(Pub. L. 96-39) (Trade Act) prohibits agencies from setting standards 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. In developing U.S. standards, the Trade Act requires agencies 
to consider international standards and, where appropriate, that they 
be the basis of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies to prepare a written 
assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects of proposed or 
final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to result in the 
expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more annually (adjusted 
for inflation with the base year of 1995).
    Department of Transportation Order DOT 2100.5 prescribes policies 
and procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of regulations. 
If the expected impact is so minimal that a proposed or final rule does 
not warrant a full evaluation, this order permits that a statement to 
that effect and the basis for it being included in the preamble if a 
full regulatory evaluation of the costs and benefits is not prepared. 
Such a determination has been made for this final rule. The reasoning 
for that that determination follows.
    Based on the requirements in Executive Order (EO) 13771, the FAA 
has completed a further analysis of this rule and determined that this 
action is expected to be an EO 13771 deregulatory action as it will 
result in cost-savings. Without this rule, the industry will have to 
show compliance with two different noise standards--one in the United 
States and the other in EASA. This double noise certification standard 
will require revising type certification records, aircraft flight 
manuals, airline operational specifications that will generate 
unnecessary costs for both industry and the FAA.
    This final rule will establish a new Stage 5 noise standard for 
subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes. 
The final noise standard will apply to new type designs for 
applications made on or after December 31, 2017, for airplanes with an 
MTOW of 121,254 pounds (MTOM of 55,000 kilograms) or more; and after 
December 31, 2020, for airplanes with an MTOW of less than 121,254 
pounds (MTOM 55,000 kilograms).
    The final noise standard will provide more stringent noise 
certification standards for Stage 5 airplanes certificated in the 
United States and will be consistent with those for airplanes 
certificated under the new ICAO Annex 16 Chapter 14 noise standards. 
Documents describing the development of the new ICAO rule in more 
detail, including cost analyses used by ICAO, are available in the 
docket. These documents include:

1. Cost-benefit Analysis of CAEP9 Noise Stringency Options, 
presented by U.S. CAEP Member, COMMITTEE ON AVIATION ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION (CAEP), NINTH MEETING, Montreal, 4 to 15 February 2013.
2. Report of the Ninth Meeting, COMMITTEE ON AVIATION ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION (CAEP), NINTH MEETING, Montreal, 4 to 15 February 2013.

    Several airplanes currently in production that have an MTOW of more 
than 121,254 pounds already meet the final Stage 5 noise limits. These 
airplanes include the Airbus models A-380 and A-350, and Boeing models 
747-8 and 787. The FAA received a comment from Boeing supporting the 
proposed rule.

[[Page 46128]]

    The applicability date of December 31, 2020, for airplanes with an 
MTOW of less than 121,254 pounds (MTOM 55,000 kg) was adopted by the 
ICAO to accommodate the requests of the manufacturers of lighter jet 
and propeller-driven airplanes for more time to meet the new 
requirements. For many of the proposed airplane programs announced 
prior to CAEP9 (2013), analysis shows that such airplanes will be able 
to meet the proposed Stage 5 standard without any additional cost.
    Technological advances that decrease noise are already being 
adopted on airplanes in the lower weight class, including the geared 
turbofan engine and quieter control surfaces. These technological 
advances support the FAA expectation that all manufacturers will be 
able to meet the new standards after the December 31, 2020, date. This 
expectation was crucial to the minimal cost determination in the 
proposed rule, and the FAA specifically requested comments regarding 
whether existing and expected technological advancements would be 
sufficient to achieve compliance with the provisions after December 31, 
2020. The FAA received no comments on these regulatory estimates for 
any size airplanes. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that the final 
rule will have minimal cost and due to the reduced requirements from a 
single accepted noise certification standard, rather than two 
standards, this rule will lower industry and government costs. As these 
cost savings are clearly evident, the cost estimate of these future 
actions is too uncertain to provide quantified estimate.

B. Final Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the business, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject 
to regulation.'' To achieve this principle, agencies are required to 
solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the 
rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration. The RFA covers a wide range of small entities, 
including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA. 
However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the agency may so 
certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. The 
certification must include a statement providing the factual basis for 
this determination, and the reasoning should be clear.
    In either 2017 or 2020, depending on the maximum certificated 
takeoff weight of the airplane, when the more stringent noise 
certification requirements in this final rule become effective, all new 
type design subsonic transport category jet airplanes and transport 
category large airplanes will be required to meet the Stage 5 noise 
limits. In the proposed rule, the FAA stated that all manufacturers of 
subsonic transport category jet airplanes and transport category large 
airplanes would be able to meet the new noise standards at minimal 
cost. The FAA invited industry comments on this determination and 
requested that all comments be accompanied with clear and detailed 
supporting data. The FAA received no responses to this request for 
comments on this determination. Accordingly, the FAA has determined 
that this rule will result in minimal cost.
    If an agency determines that a rulemaking will not result in a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
the head of the agency may so certify under section 605(b) of the RFA. 
Therefore, as provided in section 605 (b), the head of the FAA 
certifies that this rulemaking will not result in a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

C. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended by the 
Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Pursuant to these Acts, the establishment of standards is not 
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic 
objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a 
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also 
requires consideration of international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards.
    The FAA has assessed the potential effect of this final rule and 
determined that it will reduce impediments to international trade by 
aligning United States standards with ICAO standards.

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $155 million in lieu of $100 
million.
    For the reasons stated above regarding the expected minimal cost of 
complying with these standards, this final rule does not contain such a 
mandate. Therefore, the requirements of Title II of the Act do not 
apply.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. The more stringent noise 
requirements adopted in this final rule will not require any new 
collection of information and none is associated with this final rule. 
The FAA has determined that there will be no new requirement for 
information collection associated with this final rule.

F. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
reviewed the corresponding ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices and 
has identified no differences with these regulations.

G. Environmental Analysis

    FAA Order 1050.1F identifies FAA actions that are categorically 
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy 
Act in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has 
determined this

[[Page 46129]]

rulemaking action qualifies for the categorical exclusion identified in 
paragraph 5-6.6d of the Order and involves no extraordinary 
circumstances.

H. Regulations Affecting Intrastate Aviation in Alaska

    The agency did not receive any comments, and has determined, based 
on the administrative record of this rulemaking, that there is no need 
to make any regulatory distinctions applicable to intrastate aviation 
in Alaska.

V. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    Executive Order (EO) 13771 titled ``Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' directs that, unless prohibited by law, 
whenever an executive department or agency publicly proposes for notice 
and comment or otherwise promulgates a new regulation, it shall 
identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed. In addition, 
any new incremental costs associated with new regulations shall, to the 
extent permitted by law, be offset by the elimination of existing 
costs. Only those rules deemed significant under section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' are subject 
to these requirements.
    This rule is expected to be an EO 13771 deregulatory action. 
Details on the estimated costs savings of this rule can be found in the 
rule's economic analysis.

B. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this final rule under the principles and 
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency determined 
that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on the 
States, or the relationship between the Federal Government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government, and, therefore, does not have Federalism 
implications.

C. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it 
is not a ``significant energy action'' under the executive order and it 
is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy.

VI. How To Obtain Additional Information

A. Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of a rulemaking document may be obtained by 
using the Internet--
    1. Search the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visit the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ or
    3. Access the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request (identified by 
notice, amendment, or docket number of this rulemaking) to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9677.

B. Comments Submitted to the Docket

    Comments received may be viewed by going to http://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions to search the 
docket number for this action. Anyone is able to search the electronic 
form of all comments received into any of the FAA's dockets by the name 
of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 
1996 requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for information 
or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations within its 
jurisdiction. A small entity with questions regarding this document, 
may contact its local FAA official, or the person listed under the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the preamble. 
To find out more about SBREFA on the Internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

List of Subjects

14 CFR Part 36

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Life-limited 
parts, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

14 CFR Part 91

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Life-limited 
parts, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 36--NOISE STANDARDS: AIRCRAFT TYPE AND AIRWORTHINESS 
CERTIFICATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 36 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 
44701-44702, 44704, 44715; sec. 305, Public Law 96-193, 94 Stat. 50, 
57; E.O. 11514, 35 FR 4247, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 902.


0
2. Amend Sec.  36.1 by adding paragraphs (f)(12) through (14) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  36.1  Applicability and definitions.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (12) A ``Stage 5 noise level'' means a noise level at or below the 
Stage 5 noise limit prescribed in section B36.5(e) of appendix B to 
this part.
    (13) A ``Stage 5 airplane'' means an airplane that has been shown 
under this part not to exceed the Stage 5 noise limit prescribed in 
section B36.5(e) of appendix B to this part.
    (14) A ``Chapter 14 noise level'' means a noise level at or below 
the Chapter 14 maximum noise level prescribed in Chapter 14 of the ICAO 
Annex 16, Volume 1, Seventh Edition, Amendment 11-B (Incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  36.6).
* * * * *


Sec.  36.5  [Amended]

0
3. Amend Sec.  36.5 by removing ``49 U.S.C. 1431 (b)(4)'' and adding 
``49 U.S.C. 44715'' in its place.


0
4. Revise Sec.  36.6 to read as follows:


Sec.  36.6  Incorporation by reference.

    (a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part 
with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved material is available for 
inspection at the locations in this paragraph (a) and may be obtained 
from the sources detailed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (12) of this 
section.
    (1) The U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    (2) Federal Aviation Administration New England Regional 
Headquarters, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01801.
    (3) Federal Aviation Administration Eastern Region Headquarters, 
Federal

[[Page 46130]]

Building, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.
    (4) Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region Headquarters, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.
    (5) Federal Aviation Administration Great Lakes Region 
Headquarters, O'Hare Lake Office Center, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, IL 60018.
    (6) Federal Aviation Administration Central Region Headquarters, 
Federal Building, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.
    (7) Federal Aviation Administration Southwest Region Headquarters, 
2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76137.
    (8) Federal Aviation Administration Northwest Mountain Region 
Headquarters, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98055.
    (9) Federal Aviation Administration Western Pacific Region 
Headquarters, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, CA 92007.
    (10) Federal Aviation Administration Alaskan Region Headquarters, 
222 West 7th Avenue, #14, Anchorage, AK 99513.
    (11) Federal Aviation Administration European Office Headquarters, 
15 Rue de la Loi, Third Floor, B-1040, Brussels, Belgium.
    (12) The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this information at NARA, call 202-
741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (b) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Document 
Sales Unit, 999 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 5H7, Canada. 
http://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/default.aspx.
    (1) International Standards and Recommended Practices, Annex 16 to 
the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Environmental 
Protection, Volume I, Aircraft Noise, Third Edition, July 1993, 
Amendment 7 effective March 21, 2002, IBR approved for Sec.  36.1(f), 
and appendices A and B to part 36.
    (2) International Standards and Recommended Practices, Annex 16 to 
the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Environmental 
Protection, Volume I, Aircraft Noise, Seventh Edition, July 2014, 
Amendment 11-B, applicable January 1, 2015, IBR approved for Sec.  
36.1(f) and appendices A and B to part 36.
    (c) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 3 Rue de 
Varembe, Case Postale 131, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications/?ref=menu.
    (1) Publication No. 179, Precision Level Sound Meters, (IEC 179) 
1973, IBR approved for appendix F to part 36.
    (2) Publication No. 561, Electro-acoustical Measuring Equipment for 
Aircraft Noise Certification, first edition, 1976, (IEC 561), IBR 
approved for appendices G and J to part 36.
    (3) Publication No. 651, Sound Level Meters, first edition, 1979, 
(IEC 651), IBR approved for appendices G and J to part 36.
    (4) Publication No. 804, Integrating-averaging Sound Level Meters, 
first edition, 1985, (IEC 804), IBR approved for appendix J to part 36.
    (5) Publication No. 61094-3, Measurement Microphones--Part 3: 
Primary Method for Free-Field Calibration of Laboratory Standard 
Microphones by the Reciprocity Technique, edition 1.0, 1995 (IEC 61094-
3) IBR approved for appendix A to part 36.
    (6) Publication No. 61094-4, Measurement Microphones--Part 4: 
Specifications for Working Standard Microphones, edition 1.0, 1995, 
(IEC 61094-4) IBR approved for appendix A to part 36.
    (7) Publication No. 61260, Electroacoustics-Octave-Band and 
Fractional-Octave-Band Filters, edition 1.0, 1995, (IEC 61260), IBR 
approved for appendix A to part 36.
    (8) Publication No, 60942, Electroacoustics-Sound Calibrators, 
edition 2.0, 1997, (IEC 60942) IBR approved for appendix A to part 36.
    (d) Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. (SAE), 400 Commonwealth 
Drive, Warrentown, PA 15096, http://www.sae.org/pubs/.
    (1) ARP 866A, Standard Values at Atmospheric Absorption as a 
Function of Temperature and Humidity for use in Evaluating Aircraft 
Flyover Noise, March 15, 1975, IBR approved for appendix H to part 36.
    (2) [Reserved]


0
5. Amend Sec.  36.7 by adding paragraph (e)(5), revising paragraph (f), 
and adding paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  36.7  Acoustical change: Transport category large airplanes and 
jet airplanes.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) If an airplane is a Stage 3 airplane prior to a change in type 
design, and becomes a Stage 5 airplane after the change in type design, 
the airplane must remain a Stage 5 airplane.
    (f) Stage 4 airplanes. (1) If an airplane is a Stage 4 airplane 
prior to a change in type design, the airplane must remain a Stage 4 
airplane after the change in type design.
    (2) If an airplane is a Stage 4 airplane prior to a change in type 
design, and becomes a Stage 5 airplane after the change in type design, 
the airplane must remain a Stage 5 airplane.
    (g) Stage 5 airplanes. If an airplane is a Stage 5 airplane prior 
to a change in type design, the airplane must remain a Stage 5 airplane 
after the change in type design.

0
6. Amend Sec.  36.103 by revising paragraph (c) and adding paragraphs 
(d) and (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  36.103  Noise limits.

* * * * *
    (c) Type certification applications between January 1, 2006, and 
the date specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, as 
applicable for airplane weight. If application is made on or after 
January 1, 2006, and before the date specified in paragraph (d) or (e) 
of this section (as applicable for airplane weight), it must be shown 
that the noise levels of the airplane are no greater than the Stage 4 
noise limit prescribed in section B36.5(d) of appendix B of this part. 
If an applicant chose to voluntarily certificate an airplane to Stage 4 
prior to January 2006, then the requirements of Sec.  36.7(f) apply to 
that airplane.
    (d) For airplanes with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 
121,254 pounds (55,000 kg) or more, type certification applications on 
or after December 31, 2017. If application is made on or after December 
31, 2017, it must be shown that the noise levels of the airplane are no 
greater than the Stage 5 noise limit prescribed in section B36.5(e) of 
appendix B of this part. Prior to December 31, 2017, an applicant may 
seek voluntary certification to Stage 5. If Stage 5 certification is 
chosen, the requirements of Sec.  36.7(g) will apply.
    (e) For airplanes with a maximum certificated take[hyphen]off 
weight of less than 121,254 pounds (55,000 kg), type certification 
applications on or after December 31, 2020. If application is made on 
or after December 31, 2020, it must be shown that the noise levels of 
the airplane are no greater than the Stage 5 noise limit prescribed in 
section B36.5(e) of appendix B of this part. Prior to December 31, 
2020, an applicant may seek voluntary certification to Stage 5. If 
Stage 5 certification is chosen, the requirements of Sec.  36.7(g) will 
apply.


Sec.  36.105  [Amended]

0
7. Amend Sec.  36.105 by removing ``[Incorporated by reference, see 
Sec.  36.6].'' from the end of the paragraph.


0
8. Add Sec.  36.106 to subpart B to read as follows:

[[Page 46131]]

Sec.  36.106  Flight Manual statement of Chapter 14 noise level 
equivalency.

    For each airplane that meets the requirements for Stage 5 
certification, the Airplane Flight Manual or operations manual must 
include the following statement: ``The following noise levels comply 
with part 36, appendix B, Stage 5 maximum noise level requirements and 
were obtained by analysis of approved data from noise tests conducted 
under the provisions of part 36, Amendment [insert part 36 amendment 
number to which the airplane was certificated]. The noise measurement 
and evaluation procedures used to obtain these noise levels are 
considered by the FAA to be equivalent to the Chapter 14 noise levels 
required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 
Annex 16, Volume 1, Aircraft Noise, Seventh Edition, July 2014, 
Amendment 11-B, applicable January 1, 2015.''


0
9. Amend appendix A by revising paragraph A36.1.4, adding paragraph 
A36.1.5, and revising paragraphs A36.3.1.3. A36.3.7.3, and A36.3.8.1 to 
read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 36--Aircraft Noise Measurement and Evaluation Under 
Sec.  36.101

* * * * *

Section A36.1 Introduction

* * * * *
    A36.1.4 For Stage 4 airplanes, an acceptable alternative for 
noise measurement and evaluation is Appendix 2 to ICAO Annex 16, 
Volume I, Amendment 7 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6).
    A36.1.5 For Stage 5 airplanes, an acceptable alternative for 
noise measurement and evaluation is Appendix 2 to ICAO Annex 16, 
Volume 1, Amendment 11-B (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
36.6).
* * * * *

Section A36.3 Measurement of Airplane Noise Received on the Ground

* * * * *
    A36.3.1.3 Sound incidence angle means in degrees, an angle 
between the principal axis of the microphone, as defined in IEC 
61094-3 and IEC 61094-4, as amended and a line from the sound source 
to the center of the diaphragm of the microphone (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  36.6).
* * * * *
    A36.3.7.3 The minimum standard for the one-third octave band 
analysis system is the class 2 electrical performance requirements 
of IEC 61260 as amended, over the range of one-third octave nominal 
midband frequencies from 50 Hz through 10 kHz inclusive 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6).

    Note: IEC 61260 specifies procedures for testing of one-third 
octave band analysis systems for relative attenuation, anti-aliasing 
filters, real time operation, level linearity, and filter integrated 
response (effective bandwidth).

* * * * *

A36.3.8 Calibration Systems

    A36.3.8.1 The acoustical sensitivity of the measurement system 
must be determined using a sound calibrator generating a known sound 
pressure level at a known frequency. The minimum standard for the 
sound calibrator is the class 1L requirements of IEC 60942 as 
amended (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6).
* * * * *

0
10. In appendix B:
0
a. Amend section B36.1 by revising paragraph (b) and adding paragraph 
(c); and
0
b. Amend section B36.5 by adding paragraph (e).
    The revision and additions read as follows:

Appendix B to Part 36--Noise Levels for Transport Category and Jet 
Airplanes Under Sec.  36.103

* * * * *

Section B36.1 Noise Measurement and Evaluation

* * * * *
    (b) For Stage 4 airplanes, an acceptable alternative to 
paragraph (a) of this section for noise measurement and evaluation 
is Appendix 2 to ICAO Annex 16, Volume I, Amendment 7 (Incorporated 
by reference, see Sec.  36.6).
    (c) For Stage 5 airplanes, an acceptable alternative to 
paragraph (a) of this section for noise measurement and evaluation 
is Appendix 2 to ICAO Annex 16, Volume 1, Amendment 11-B 
(Incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6).
* * * * *

Section B36.5 Maximum Noise Levels

* * * * *
    (e) For any Stage 5 airplane, the flyover, lateral, and approach 
maximum noise levels are prescribed in Chapter 14, Paragraph 14.4, 
Maximum Noise Levels of ICAO Annex 16, Volume I, Amendment 11-B 
(Incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6).
* * * * *

0
11. In appendix F, amend section F36.105 by revising paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:

Appendix F to Part 36--Flyover Noise Requirements for Propeller-Driven 
Small Airplane and Propeller-Driven Commuter Category Airplane 
Certification Tests Prior to December 22, 1988

* * * * *

Section F36.105 Sensing, Recording and Reproducing Equipment

* * * * *
    (b) The characteristics of the system must comply with the 
recommendations in IEC 179 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
36.6).
* * * * *

0
12. In appendix G, amend section G36.105 by revising paragraphs (b), 
(c), and (e) to read as follows:

Appendix G to Part 36--Takeoff Noise Requirements for Propeller-Driven 
Small Airplane and Propeller-Driven Commuter Category Airplane 
Certification Tests On or After December 22, 1988

* * * * *

Section G36.105 Sensing, Recording and Reproducing Equipment

* * * * *
    (b) The characteristics of the complete system must comply with 
the requirements in IEC 651 and IEC 561 (incorporated by reference, 
see Sec.  36.6). Sound level meters must comply with the 
requirements for Type 1 sound level meters as specified in IEC 651.
    (c) The response of the complete system to a sensibly plane 
progressive sinusoidal wave of constant amplitude must be within the 
tolerance limits specified in IEC 651, over the frequency range 45 
to 11,200 Hz.
* * * * *
    (e) The output noise signal must be read through an ``A'' filter 
with dynamic characteristics designated ``slow'' as defined in IEC 
651. A graphic recorder, sound level meter, or digital equipment may 
be used.
* * * * *

0
13. In appendix H, amend section H36.113 by revising paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:

Appendix H to Part 36--Noise Requirements for Helicopters Under Subpart 
H

* * * * *

Section H36.113 Atmospheric Attenuation of Sound

* * * * *
    (b) Attenuation rates. The procedure for determining the 
atmospheric attenuation rates of sound with distance for each one-
third octave bands must be determined in accordance with SAE ARP 
866A (Incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6). The atmospheric 
attenuation equations are provided in both the International and 
English systems of units in section A36.7 of appendix A to this 
part.
* * * * *

0
14. In appendix J, amend section J36.109 by revising paragraphs 
(d)(1)(i) through (iv) and by adding reserved paragraph (d)(2) to read 
as follows:

Appendix J to Part 36--Alternative Noise Certification Procedure for 
Helicopters Under Subpart H Having a Maximum Certificated Takeoff 
Weight of Not More Than 7,000 Pounds

* * * * *

[[Page 46132]]

Section J36.109 Measurement of Helicopter Noise Received on the 
Ground

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) The SEL values from each flyover test may be directly 
determined from an integrating sound level meter complying with the 
standards of IEC 804 (Incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6) for 
a Type 1 instrument set at ``slow'' response.
    (ii) The acoustic signal from the helicopter, along with the 
calibration signals specified under paragraph (e) of this section 
and the background noise signal required under paragraph (f) of this 
section, may be recorded on a magnetic tape recorder for subsequent 
analysis for an integrating sound level meter identified in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section. The record/playback system 
(including the audio tape) of the tape recorder must conform to the 
requirements prescribed in section A36.3.6 of appendix A to this 
part. The tape recorder shall comply with the specifications of IEC 
561 (Incorporated by reference, see Sec.  36.6).
    (iii) The characteristics of the complete system shall comply 
with the recommendations given in IEC 651 (Incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  36.6) with regard to the specifications 
concerning microphone, amplifier, and indicating instrument 
characteristics.
    (iv) The response of the complete system to a sensibly plane 
progressive wave of constant amplitude shall lie within the 
tolerance limits specified in Table IV and Table V for Type 1 
instruments in IEC 651 for weighting curve ``A'' over the frequency 
range of 45 Hz to 11500 Hz.
    (2) [Reserved]

PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES

0
15. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 1155, 40103, 40113, 40120, 
44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 44715, 44716, 
44717, 44722, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506-46507, 47122, 47508, 
47528-47531, 47534, articles 12 and 29 of the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11).

0
16. Amend Sec.  91.851 by adding in alphabetical order definitions for 
the terms ``Stage 5 airplane'' and ``Stage 5 noise level'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  91.851  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Stage 5 airplane means an airplane that has been shown not to 
exceed the Stage 5 noise limit prescribed in part 36 of this chapter. A 
Stage 5 airplane complies with all of the noise operating rules of this 
part.
    Stage 5 noise level means a noise level at or below the Stage 5 
noise limit prescribed in part 36 of this chapter.

0
17. Revise Sec.  91.853 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.853  Final compliance: Civil subsonic airplanes.

    Except as provided in Sec.  91.873, after December 31, 1999, no 
person shall operate to or from any airport in the contiguous United 
States any airplane subject to Sec.  91.801(c), unless that airplane 
has been shown to comply with Stage 3, Stage 4, or Stage 5 noise 
levels.

0
18. Amend Sec.  91.855 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  91.855  Entry and nonaddition rule.

* * * * *
    (a) The airplane complies with Stage 3, Stage 4, or Stage 5 noise 
levels.
* * * * *

0
19. Amend Sec.  91.858 by revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  91.858  Special flight authorizations for non-revenue Stage 2 
operations.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Obtain modifications to meet Stage 3, Stage 4, or Stage 5 noise 
levels.
* * * * *

0
20. Revise Sec.  91.859 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.859   Modification to meet Stage 3, Stage 4, or Stage 5 noise 
levels.

    For an airplane subject to Sec.  91.801(c) of this subpart and 
otherwise prohibited from operation to or from an airport in the 
contiguous United States by Sec.  91.855, any person may apply for a 
special flight authorization for that airplane to operate in the 
contiguous United States for the purpose of obtaining modifications to 
meet Stage 3, Stage 4, or Stage 5 noise levels.

0
21. Revise Sec.  91.881 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.881   Final compliance: Civil subsonic jet airplanes weighing 
75,000 pounds or less.

    Except as provided in Sec.  91.883, after December 31, 2015, a 
person may not operate to or from an airport in the contiguous United 
States a civil subsonic jet airplane subject to Sec.  91.801(e) of this 
subpart that weighs less than 75,000 pounds unless that airplane has 
been shown to comply with Stage 3, Stage 4, or Stage 5 noise levels.

0
22. Amend Sec.  91.883 by revising paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  91.883  Special flight authorizations for jet airplanes weighing 
75,000 pounds or less.

    (a) * * *
    (3) To obtain modifications to the airplane to meet Stage 3, Stage 
4, or Stage 5 noise levels.
* * * * *

    Issued under authority of 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), and 44715 
in Washington, DC, on September 11, 2017.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-21092 Filed 10-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P