[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 11158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05662]
[[Page 11158]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed New Restricted Category Aircraft--Special Purpose
Operations
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests comment
on the proposed addition of several new restricted category special
purpose operations pursuant to Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations. These include Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, and
An expansion of Patrolling to include patrolling of railroads,
waterways and harbors.
Comments Invited: Interested persons are invited to comment on the
proposed new special purpose operations for restricted category by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, in favor or opposed.
Please forward you comments to Federal Aviation Administration,
Aircraft Certification Service, Policy & Innovation Division,
Certification Procedures Section (AIR-6C1), 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW,
Washington, DC 20024. ATTN: Mr. Graham Long. Comments must be received
on or before April 24, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Aviation Administration,
Aircraft Certification Service, Policy & Innovation Division,
Certification Procedures Section (AIR-6C1) at 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW,
Washington, DC 20024.
ATTN: Mr. Graham Long. You may contact Mr. Long at (202) 267-1624,
Fax (202) 267-1813, or Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA is considering several new
restricted category aircraft--special purpose operations pursuant to 14
CFR 21.25(b)(7). Approval of these new special purpose operations would
improve the usability of restricted category aircraft and support the
public welfare. The proposed new special purpose operations are: (1)
Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, and (2) an expansion of
Patrolling to include patrolling of Railroads, Waterways and Harbors.
These operations are intended to be performed within the scope of
``aerial work operations.'' Note, pursuant to Sec. 91.313, the
operating limitations and the noise requirements pursuant to 14 CFR
part 36, will apply to these special purpose operations in restricted
category, unless otherwise waived.
1. Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief: Recent natural
disasters in the United States (notably Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and
multiple hurricanes in 2017) have prompted the FAA to consider allowing
restricted category aircraft to operate under these types of
circumstances to make available additional aviation resources to
provide humanitarian assistance and/or disaster relief. The proposed
mission involves bringing in needed materials and supplies (i.e., cargo
only--no passengers) to the affected area, or moving materials and
supplies within the area. This approval is intended to be performed
within the scope of ``aerial work operations'' and would be available
to both rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft. In addition, this
operation would potentially include aerial delivery/airdropping of
supplies. FAA is considering limiting this approval to periods when a
government agency has made a declaration of a state of emergency, or
similar declaration.
2. Patrolling Railroads, Waterways and Harbors: Restricted category
aircraft, both rotary wing and fixed wing, are currently able to be
used for patrolling pipelines, power lines, and canals. We are
considering expanding Patrolling to include patrolling railroads,
waterways and harbors to enable the use of restricted category aircraft
in these missions. FAA further wants to clarify that patrolling
operations are to be for inspection, security, and safety purposes, and
are intended to be performed within the scope of ``aerial work
operations.''
Issued in Washington, DC.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, AIR-601, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05662 Filed 3-22-19; 8:45 am]
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