[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23424-23425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10001]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 13, 91 Subpart K (Part 91K), 119, 121, 125, 133, 135,
137, 141, 142, 145, and 147
[Docket No. FAA 2025-0928]
Changes to Application for Certification Process
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Procedural update; notification of availability.
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SUMMARY: This action announces the implementation of an update to the
process for an applicant to withdraw, or for the FAA to deny, an
application for certification to better address the expectations of
applicants and the FAA with respect to certification timelines. The
change supports the FAA's mission and the Certification Services
Oversight Process (CSOP) by enhancing engagement with air carrier, air
operator, or air agency certification applicants and further
streamlining the certification process. This update is intended to
reduce wait times and better utilize FAA resources for processing
complete applications from prepared applicants, thus increasing
efficiency in accomplishing the certification process.
DATES: [DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Trudeau, Section Manager, Office
of Safety Standards (AFS-330), Flight Standards Service, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20591; (202) 267-1675.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As set forth in Title 49 of the United
States Code (49 U.S.C.), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration (Administrator) may issue air carrier, air operating,
and air agency certificates. An application for a certificate must be
under oath when the Administrator requires; and be in the form, contain
information, and be filed and served in the way the Administrator
prescribes.\1\ Only when the FAA receives a complete application in a
manner prescribed by the Administrator shall the entity be considered
an applicant.\2\ The FAA's certification offices have, in recent years,
experienced significant backlog and resource constraints related to the
timing and delay in responsiveness by
[[Page 23425]]
applicants for various types of FAA certification. The notice described
in the paragraph that follows provides updated guidance to inspectors
to ensure all certifications continue proceeding in a timely fashion.
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\1\ 49 U.S.C. 44702.
\2\ 14 CFR 91.1014, 119.35, 125.21, 133.15, 137.15, 141.13,
142.11, 145.51, 147.5
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On May 23, 2025, the FAA published updated policy on processing air
carrier, air operating, and air agency applications for certification.
As provided in the revised policy, the FAA will no longer accept
applications that are incomplete or not submitted in a form or manner
acceptable to the Administrator. In addition, an applicant may withdraw
its application at any point during the certification process and the
FAA may terminate a certification in which the applicant does not
proceed with certification requirements. The updated policy is found in
Notice 8900.735: Disposition of Incomplete or Insufficient Air Operator
and Air Agency Certification Applications.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2025.
Hugh J. Thomas,
Acting Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-10001 Filed 6-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P