Proposed Rule2023-21887
Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 4, 2023
Effective
July 24, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action extends the comment period for the NPRM titled "Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification," that was published on July 24, 2023. In that document, the FAA proposed to amend rules for the manufacture, certification, operation, maintenance, and alteration of light-sport aircraft. The proposed amendments would enable enhancements in safety and performance and would increase privileges under a number of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules. These enhancements include increasing suitability for flight training, limited aerial work, and personal travel. This proposed rule would expand what aircraft sport pilots may operate. The NPRM also proposed to amend the special purpose operations for restricted category aircraft; amend the duration, eligible purposes, and operating limitations for experimental aircraft; and add operating limitations applicable to experimental aircraft engaged in space support vehicle flights to codify statutory language. The FAA is extending the comment period for this NPRM to allow commenters additional time to analyze the proposed rule and prepare a response.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68507-68509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21887]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 1, 21, 22, 36, 43, 45, 61, 65, 91, and 119
[Docket No.: FAA-2023-1377; Notice No. 23-10]
RIN 2120-AL50
Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment
period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for the NPRM titled
``Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification,'' that was
published on July 24, 2023. In that document, the FAA proposed to amend
rules for the manufacture, certification, operation, maintenance, and
alteration of light-sport aircraft. The proposed amendments would
enable enhancements in safety and performance and would increase
privileges under a number of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft
rules. These enhancements include increasing suitability for flight
training, limited aerial work, and personal travel. This proposed rule
would expand what aircraft sport pilots may operate. The NPRM also
proposed to amend the special purpose operations for restricted
category aircraft; amend the duration, eligible purposes, and operating
limitations for experimental aircraft; and add operating limitations
applicable to experimental aircraft engaged in space support vehicle
flights to codify statutory language. The FAA is extending the comment
period for this NPRM to allow commenters additional time to analyze the
proposed rule and prepare a response.
[[Page 68508]]
DATES: The comment period for the NPRM published on July 24, 2023, at
88 FR 47650, and scheduled to close on October 23, 2023, is extended
January 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2023-1377
using any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> and
follow the online instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
<bullet> Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
<bullet> Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
<bullet> Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202)-493-2251.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system of
records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at <a href="http://dot.gov/privacy">dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning
this action, contact James Newberger, Aircraft Certification Service
(AIR-632), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-1636; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147e757971673a713a7a7163767166737166547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="771d161a12045912591912001512051012053711161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The FAA also
invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or
federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in
this document. Additionally, the FAA requests comment on whether the
FAA should remove the definition of consensus standard from Sec. 1.1
altogether or revise the definition as proposed. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
B. Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552,
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing
CBI should be sent to the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. Any commentary the FAA
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
C. Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the
internet by--
1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>;
2. Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies web page at <a href="http://faa.gov/regulations_policies/">faa.gov/regulations_policies/</a>; or
3. Accessing the Government Printing Office's web page at
<a href="http://GovInfo.com">GovInfo.com</a>.
Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680.
Commenters must identify the docket or notice number of this
rulemaking.
All documents the FAA considered in developing this proposed rule,
including economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed from
the internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in item
(1) above.
Background
On July 24, 2023, the FAA published an NPRM titled ``Modernization
of Special Airworthiness Certification,'' in the Federal Register (88
FR 47650; Notice No. 23-10). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend
rules for the manufacture, certification, operation, maintenance, and
alteration of light-sport aircraft. The proposed amendments would
enable enhancements in safety and performance and would increase
privileges under a number of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft
rules. These enhancements include increasing suitability for flight
training, limited aerial work, and personal travel. This proposed rule
would expand what aircraft sport pilots may operate. The NPRM also
proposed to amend the special purpose operations for restricted
category aircraft; amend the duration, eligible purposes, and operating
limitations for experimental aircraft; and add operating limitations
applicable to experimental aircraft engaged in space support vehicle
flights to codify statutory language. Commenters were instructed to
provide comments on or before October 23, 2023 (i.e., 90 days from the
date of publication of the NPRM).
Since publication, the FAA received 10 comments from individuals
requesting that comment period not be extended. The FAA has also
received requests from Aircraft Electronics Association, Aeronautical
Repair Station Association, Aviation Suppliers Association, Aviation
Technician Education Council, Helicopter Association International,
International Air Response, Inc., Modification and Replacement Parts
Association, and the National Air Transportation Association to extend
the comment period by an additional ninety (90) days. These
[[Page 68509]]
commenters requested more time to review the proposed rule and
associated guidance documents, and to develop comments and
recommendations.
The FAA grants the requests for an extension of the comment period.
While some commentators opposed extending the comment period, the FAA
recognizes the importance of the proposed rule and that an extension
would help commenters craft complete and thoughtful responses. With
this extension, the comment period will now close on January 22, 2024.
This will provide the public with a total of one hundred and eighty
(180) days to conduct its review and submit comments to the docket.
The FAA will not grant any additional requests to further extend
the comment period for this rulemaking.
Extension of Comment Period
In accordance with Sec. 11.47(c) of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the requests for an extension of the
comment period for this notice. Those requesting an extension have
shown a substantive interest in the proposed policy and good cause for
the extension of the comment period. The FAA has determined that an
extension of the comment period for an additional ninety (90) days to
January 22, 2024 is consistent with the public interest, and that good
cause exists for taking this action.
Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 23-10 is extended
until January 22, 2024.
Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a) and
44703 in Washington, DC.
Lirio Liu,
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21887 Filed 10-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 4, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.