Title 14—Aeronautics and Space--Volume 1
PART 129—OPERATIONS: FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS AND FOREIGN OPERATORS OF U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN COMMON CARRIAGE
§ 129.1   Applicability and definitions.
(a) Foreign air carrier operations in the United States. This part prescribes rules governing the operation within the United States of each foreign air carrier holding the following:
(1) A permit issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation under 49 U.S.C. 41301 through 41306, or
(2) Other appropriate economic or exemption authority issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
(b) Operations of U.S.-registered aircraft solely outside the United States. In addition to the operations specified under paragraph (a) of this section, §§ 129.5, 129.7, 129.9, 129.11, 129.14, 129.20 and 129.24, and subpart B of this part also apply to operations of U.S.-registered aircraft operated solely outside the United States in common carriage by a foreign person or foreign air carrier.
(c) Definitions. For the purpose of this part—
(1) Foreign person means any person who is not a citizen of the United States and who operates a U.S.-registered aircraft in common carriage solely outside the United States.
(2) Regional Safety Oversight Organization means an association or organization that comprises a group of member States, which—
(i) Has provided notification to the International Civil Aviation Organization of the scope of tasks and functions delegated or transferred to the Regional Safety Oversight Organization, including but not limited to: sharing common or harmonized aviation regulations, licensing, certification, authorization, approval, and surveillance of civil aviation activities, and any legal authority delegated or transferred by a member State to the Regional Safety Oversight Organization; and
(ii) Has stipulated the specific tasks, functions, delegations, and transfers by member States discussed in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, and any other collective understandings of member States in Regional Safety Oversight Organization formation documentation, such as an agreement, treaty, or informal record, that is available for review by the Administrator.
(3) State of the operator means the State in which the operator's principal place of business is located or, if there is no such place of business, the operator's permanent residence.
(4) Years in service means the calendar time elapsed since an aircraft was issued its first U.S. or first foreign airworthiness certificate.
§ 129.5   Operations specifications.
(a) Each foreign air carrier conducting operations within the United States, and each foreign air carrier or foreign person operating U.S.-registered aircraft solely outside the United States in common carriage must conduct its operations in accordance with operations specifications issued by the Administrator under this part.
(b) Each foreign air carrier conducting operations within the United States must conduct its operations in accordance with the Standards contained in Annex 1 (Personnel Licensing), Annex 6 (Operation of Aircraft), Part I (International Commercial Air Transport—Aeroplanes) or Part III (International Operations—Helicopters), as appropriate, and in Annex 8 (Airworthiness of Aircraft) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
(c) No foreign air carrier may operate to or from locations within the United States without, or in violation of, appropriate operations specifications.
(d) No foreign air carrier or foreign person shall operate U.S.-registered aircraft solely outside the United States in common carriage without, or in violation of, appropriate operations specifications.
(e) Each foreign air carrier must keep each of its employees and other persons used in its operations informed of the provisions of its operations specifications that apply to that employee's or person's duties and responsibilities.
(f) Operations specifications issued under this part are effective until—
(1) The foreign air carrier or foreign person surrenders them to the FAA;
(2) The Administrator suspends or terminates the operations specifications; or
(3) The operations specifications are amended as provided in § 129.11.
(g) Within 30 days after a foreign air carrier or foreign person terminates operations under part 129 of this subchapter, the operations specifications must be surrendered by the foreign air carrier or foreign person to the responsible Flight Standards office.
(h) No person operating under this part may operate or list on its operations specifications any airplane listed on operations specifications issued under part 125 of this chapter.
§ 129.7   Application, issuance, or denial of operations specifications.
(a) A foreign air carrier or foreign person applying to the FAA for operations specifications under this part must submit an application—
(1) In a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator; and
(2) At least 90 days before the intended date of operation.
(b) An authorized officer or employee of the applicant, having knowledge of the matters stated in the application, must sign the application and certify in writing that the statements in the application are true. The application must include two copies of the appropriate written authority issued to that officer or employee by the applicant.
(c) A foreign applicant may be issued operations specifications, if after review, the Administrator finds the applicant—
(1) Meets the applicable requirements of this part;
(2) Holds the economic or exemption authority required by the Department of Transportation, applicable to the operations to be conducted;
(3) Complies with the applicable security requirements of 49 CFR chapter XII;
(4) Is properly and adequately equipped to conduct the operations described in the operations specifications; and
(5) Holds a valid air operator certificate, if acceptable to the Administrator, issued by:
(i) The State of the Operator; or
(ii) A Regional Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO) if the State of the Operator is a member State of that RSOO.
(d) An application may be denied if the Administrator finds that the applicant does not meet one or more of the criteria listed in paragraph (c) of this section.
§ 129.9   Contents of operations specifications.
(a) The contents of operations specifications issued to a foreign air carrier conducting operations within the United States under § 129.1(a) shall include:
(1) The specific location and mailing address of the applicant's principal place of business in the State of the Operator and, if different, the address that will serve as the primary point of contact for correspondence between the FAA and the foreign air carrier;
(2) Within 1 year after February 10, 2011, the designation of an agent for service within the United States, including the agent's full name and office address or usual place of residence;
(3) The certificate number and validity of the foreign air carrier's air operator certificate;
(4) Each regular and alternate airport to be used in scheduled operations;
(5) The type of aircraft and registration markings of each aircraft;
(6) The approved maintenance program and minimum equipment list for United States registered aircraft authorized for use; and
(7) Any other item the Administrator determines is necessary.
(b) The contents of operations specifications issued to a foreign air carrier or foreign person operating U.S.-registered aircraft solely outside the United States in common carriage in accordance with § 129.1(b) shall include—
(1) The specific location and mailing address of the principal place of business in the State of the Operator and, if different, the address that will serve as the primary point of contact for correspondence between the FAA and the foreign air carrier or foreign person;
(2) Within 1 year after February 10, 2011, the designation of an agent for service within the United States, including the agent's full name and office address or usual place of residence;
(3) In the case of a foreign air carrier, the certificate number and validity of the foreign air carrier's air operator certificate;
(4) Any other business names under which the foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate;
(5) The type, registration markings, and serial number of each United States registered aircraft authorized for use;
(6) The approved maintenance program and minimum equipment list for United States registered aircraft authorized for use; and
(7) Any other item the Administrator determines is necessary.
§ 129.11   Amendment, suspension and termination of operations specifications.
(a) The Administrator may amend any operations specifications issued under this part if—
(1) The Administrator determines that safety in air commerce and the public interest require the amendment; or
(2) The foreign air carrier or foreign person applies for an amendment, and the Administrator determines that safety in air commerce and the public interest allows the amendment.
(b) The Administrator may suspend or terminate any operations specifications issued under this part if the Administrator determines that safety in air commerce and the public interest require the suspension or termination;
(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section, when the Administrator initiates an action to amend, suspend or terminate a foreign air carrier or foreign person's operations specifications, the following procedure applies:
(1) The responsible Flight Standards office notifies the foreign air carrier or foreign person in writing of the proposed amendment, suspension or termination.
(2) The responsible Flight Standards office sets a reasonable period (but not less than 7 days) within which the foreign air carrier or foreign person may submit written information, views, and arguments on the amendment, suspension or termination.
(3) After considering all material presented, the responsible Flight Standards office notifies the foreign air carrier or foreign person of—
(i) The adoption of the proposed amendment, suspension or termination;
(ii) The partial adoption of the proposed amendment, suspension or termination; or
(iii) The withdrawal of the proposed amendment, suspension or termination.
(4) If the responsible Flight Standards office issues an action to amend, suspend or terminate the operations specifications, it becomes effective not less than 30 days after the foreign air carrier or foreign person receives notice of it unless—
(i) The responsible Flight Standards office finds under paragraph (g) of this section that there is an emergency requiring immediate action with respect to safety in air commerce; or
(ii) The foreign air carrier or foreign person petitions for reconsideration of the amendment, suspension or termination under paragraph (e) of this section.
(d) When the foreign air carrier or foreign person applies for an amendment to its operations specifications, the following procedure applies:
(1) The foreign air carrier or foreign person must file an application to amend its operations specifications—
(i) At least 90 days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective in cases of mergers; acquisitions of airline operational assets that require an additional showing to Department of Transportation for economic authority; major changes in the type of operation; and resumption of operations following a suspension of operations as a result of bankruptcy actions, unless a shorter time is approved by the Administrator.
(ii) At least 30 days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective in all other cases.
(2) The application must be submitted to the responsible Flight Standards office in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
(3) After considering all material presented, the responsible Flight Standards office notifies the foreign air carrier or foreign person of—
(i) The adoption of the applied for amendment;
(ii) The partial adoption of the applied for amendment; or
(iii) The denial of the applied for amendment.
(4) If the responsible Flight Standards office approves the amendment, following coordination with the foreign air carrier or foreign person regarding its implementation, the amendment is effective on the date the responsible Flight Standards office approves it.
(e) The foreign air carrier or foreign person may petition for reconsideration of a full or partial adoption of an amendment, a denial of an amendment or a suspension or termination of operations specifications.
(f) When a foreign air carrier or foreign person seeks reconsideration of a decision from the responsible Flight Standards office concerning the amendment, suspension or termination of operations specifications, the following procedure applies:
(1) The foreign air carrier or foreign person must petition for reconsideration of that decision within 30 days after the date that the foreign air carrier or foreign person receives a notice of the decision.
(2) The foreign air carrier or foreign person must address its petition to the Executive Director, Flight Standards Service.
(3) A petition for reconsideration, if filed within the 30-day period, suspends the effectiveness of any amendment, suspension or termination issued by the responsible Flight Standards office unless the responsible Flight Standards office has found, under paragraph (g) of this section, that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety in air transportation or air commerce.
(g) If the responsible Flight Standards office finds that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety in air commerce or air transportation that makes the procedures set out in this section impracticable or contrary to the public interest, that office may make the amendment, suspension or termination effective on the day the foreign air carrier or foreign person receives notice of it. In the notice to the foreign air carrier or foreign person, the responsible Flight Standards office will articulate the reasons for its finding that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety in air transportation or air commerce or that makes it impracticable or contrary to the public interest to stay the effectiveness of the amendment, suspension or termination.
§ 129.13   Airworthiness and registration certificates.
(a) No foreign air carrier may operate any aircraft within the United States unless that aircraft carries a current registration certificate and displays the nationality and registration markings of the State of Registry, and an airworthiness certificate issued or validated by:
(1) The State of Registry; or
(2) The State of the Operator, provided that the State of the Operator and the State of Registry have entered into an agreement under Article 83 bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation that covers the aircraft.
(b) No foreign air carrier may operate a foreign aircraft within the United States except in accordance with the limitations on maximum certificated weights prescribed for that aircraft and that operation by the country of manufacture of the aircraft.
§ 129.14   Maintenance program and minimum equipment list requirements for U.S.-registered aircraft.
(a) Each foreign air carrier and each foreign person operating a U.S.-registered aircraft within or outside the United States in common carriage must ensure that each aircraft is maintained in accordance with a program approved by the Administrator in the operations specifications.
(b) No foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate a U.S.-registered aircraft with inoperable instruments or equipment unless the following conditions are met:
(1) A master minimum equipment list exists for the aircraft type.
(2) The foreign operator submits for review and approval its aircraft minimum equipment list based on the master minimum equipment list, to the responsible Flight Standards office for the operator. The foreign operator must show, before minimum equipment list approval can be obtained, that the maintenance procedures used under its maintenance program are adequate to support the use of its minimum equipment list.
(3) For leased aircraft maintained and operated under a U.S. operator's continuous airworthiness maintenance program and FAA-approved minimum equipment list, the foreign operator submits the U.S. operator's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program and approved aircraft minimum equipment list to the FAA office prescribed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section for review and evaluation. The foreign operator must show that it is capable of operating under the lessor's approved maintenance program and that it is also capable of meeting the maintenance and operational requirements specified in the lessor's approved minimum equipment list.
(4) The FAA operations specification permitting the operator to use an approved minimum equipment list is carried aboard the aircraft. An approved minimum equipment list, as authorized by the operations specifications, constitutes an approved change to the type design without requiring recertification.
(5) The approved minimum equipment list provides for the operation of the aircraft with certain instruments and equipment in an inoperable condition.
(6) The aircraft records available to the pilot must include an entry describing the inoperable instruments and equipment.
(7) The aircraft is operated under all applicable conditions and limitations contained in the minimum equipment list and the operations specification authorizing the use of the list.
§ 129.15   Flightcrew member certificates.
Each person acting as a flightcrew member must hold a certificate or license that shows the person's ability to perform duties in connection with the operation of the aircraft. The certificate or license must have been issued or rendered valid by:
(a) The State in which the aircraft is registered; or
(b) The State of the Operator, provided that the State of the Operator and the State of Registry have entered into an agreement under Article 83 bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation that covers the aircraft.
§ 129.17   Aircraft communication and navigation equipment for operations under IFR or over the top.
(a) Aircraft navigation equipment requirements—General. No foreign air carrier may conduct operations under IFR or over the top unless—
(1) The en route navigation aids necessary for navigating the aircraft along the route (e.g., ATS routes, arrival and departure routes, and instrument approach procedures, including missed approach procedures if a missed approach routing is specified in the procedure) are available and suitable for use by the aircraft navigation equipment required by this section;
(2) The aircraft used in those operations is equipped with at least the following—
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, two approved independent navigation systems suitable for navigating the aircraft along the route to be flown within the degree of accuracy required for ATC;
(ii) One marker beacon receiver providing visual and aural signals; and
(iii) One ILS receiver; and
(3) Any RNAV system used to meet the navigation equipment requirements of this section is authorized in the foreign air carrier's operations specifications.
(b) Aircraft communication equipment requirements. No foreign air carrier may operate an aircraft under IFR or over the top, unless it is equipped with—
(1) At least two independent communication systems necessary under normal operating conditions to fulfill the functions specified in § 121.347(a) of this chapter; and
(2) At least one of the communication systems required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section must have two-way voice communication capability.
(c) Use of a single independent navigation system for operations under IFR or over the top. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, the aircraft may be equipped with a single independent navigation system suitable for navigating the aircraft along the route to be flown within the degree of accuracy required for ATC if:
(1) It can be shown that the aircraft is equipped with at least one other independent navigation system suitable, in the event of loss of the navigation capability of the single independent navigation system permitted by this paragraph at any point along the route, for proceeding safely to a suitable airport and completing an instrument approach; and
(2) The aircraft has sufficient fuel so that the flight may proceed safely to a suitable airport by use of the remaining navigation system, and complete an instrument approach and land.
(d) VOR navigation equipment. If VOR navigation equipment is required by paragraph (a) or (c) of this section, no foreign air carrier may operate an aircraft unless it is equipped with at least one approved DME or suitable RNAV system.
§ 129.18   Collision avoidance system.
Effective January 1, 2005, any airplane you, as a foreign air carrier, operate under part 129 must be equipped and operated according to the following table:
Collision Avoidance Systems
§ 129.19   Air traffic rules and procedures.
(a) Each pilot must be familiar with the applicable rules, the navigational and communications facilities, and the air traffic control and other procedures, of the areas to be traversed by him within the United States.
(b) Each foreign air carrier shall establish procedures to assure that each of its pilots has the knowledge required by paragraph (a) of this section and shall check the ability of each of its pilots to operate safely according to applicable rules and procedures.
(c) Each foreign air carrier shall conform to the practices, procedures, and other requirements prescribed by the Administrator for U.S. air carriers for the areas to be operated in.
§ 129.20   Digital flight data recorders.
No person may operate an aircraft under this part that is registered in the United States unless it is equipped with one or more approved flight recorders that use a digital method of recording and storing data and a method of readily retrieving that data from the storage medium. The flight data recorder must record the parameters that would be required to be recorded if the aircraft were operated under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter, and must be installed by the compliance times required by those parts, as applicable to the aircraft.
§ 129.21   Control of traffic.
(a) Subject to applicable immigration laws and regulations, each foreign air carrier must furnish sufficient personnel necessary to provide two-way voice communications between its aircraft and stations at places where the FAA finds that communication is necessary but cannot be maintained in a language with which station operators are familiar.
(b) Each person furnished by a foreign air carrier under paragraph (a) of this section must be able to speak English and the language necessary to maintain communications with its aircraft and must assist station operators in directing traffic.
§ 129.22   Communication and navigation equipment for rotorcraft operations under VFR over routes navigated by pilotage.
(a) No foreign air carrier may operate a rotorcraft under VFR over routes that can be navigated by pilotage unless the rotorcraft is equipped with the radio communication equipment necessary under normal operating conditions to fulfill the following:
(1) Communicate with at least one appropriate station from any point on the route;
(2) Communicate with appropriate air traffic control facilities from any point within Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace, or within a Class E surface area designated for an airport in which flights are intended; and
(3) Receive meteorological information from any point en route.
(b) No foreign air carrier may operate a rotorcraft at night under VFR over routes that can be navigated by pilotage unless that rotorcraft is equipped with—
(1) Radio communication equipment necessary under normal operating conditions to fulfill the functions specified in paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) Navigation equipment suitable for the route to be flown.
§ 129.23   Transport category cargo service airplanes: Increased zero fuel and landing weights.
(a) Notwithstanding the applicable structural provisions of the transport category airworthiness regulations, but subject to paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section, a foreign air carrier may operate (for cargo service only) any of the following transport category airplanes (certificated under part 4b of the Civil Air Regulations effective before March 13, 1956) at increased zero fuel and landing weights—
(1) DC-6A, DC-6B, DC-7B, and DC-7C; and
(2) L-1049 B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, and the L-1649A when modified in accordance with supplemental type certificate SA 4-1402.
(b) The zero fuel weight (maximum weight of the airplane with no disposable fuel and oil) and the structural landing weight may be increased beyond the maximum approved in full compliance with applicable rules only if the Administrator finds that—
(1) The increase is not likely to reduce seriously the structural strength;
(2) The probability of sudden fatigue failure is not noticeably increased;
(3) The flutter, deformation, and vibration characteristics do not fall below those required by applicable regulations; and
(4) All other applicable weight limitations will be met.
(c) No zero fuel weight may be increased by more than five percent, and the increase in the structural landing weight may not exceed the amount, in pounds, of the increase in zero fuel weight.
(d) Each airplane must be inspected in accordance with the approved special inspection procedures, for operations at increased weights, established and issued by the manufacturer of the type of airplane.
(e) A foreign air carrier may not operate an airplane under this section unless the country of registry requires the airplane to be operated in accordance with the passenger-carrying transport category performance operating limitations in part 121 or the equivalent.
(f) The Airplane Flight Manual for each airplane operated under this section must be appropriately revised to include the operating limitations and information needed for operation at the increased weights.
(g) Each airplane operated at an increased weight under this section must, before it is used in passenger service, be inspected under the special inspection procedures for return to passenger service established and issued by the manufacturer and approved by the Administrator.
§ 129.24   Cockpit voice recorders.
No person may operate an aircraft under this part that is registered in the United States unless it is equipped with an approved cockpit voice recorder that meets the standards of TSO-C123a, or later revision. The cockpit voice recorder must record the information that would be required to be recorded if the aircraft were operated under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter, and must be installed by the compliance times required by that part, as applicable to the aircraft.
§ 129.25   Airplane security.
Foreign air carriers conducting operations under this part must comply with the applicable security requirements in 49 CFR chapter XII.
§ 129.28   Flightdeck security.
(a) After August 20, 2002, except for a newly manufactured airplane on a non-revenue delivery flight, no foreign air carrier covered by § 129.1(a), may operate:
(1) A passenger carrying transport category airplane within the United States, except for overflights, unless the airplane is equipped with a door between the passenger and pilot compartment that incorporates features to restrict the unwanted entry of persons into the flightdeck that are operable from the flightdeck only; or
(2) A transport category all-cargo airplane within the United States, except for overflights, that has a door installed between the pilot compartment and any other occupied compartment on or after June 21, 2002, unless the door incorporates features to restrict the unwanted entry of persons into the flightdeck that are operable from the flightdeck only.
(b) To the extent necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, the requirements of § 129.13(a) to maintain airworthiness certification are waived until April 9, 2003. After that date, the requirements of § 129.13(a) apply in full.
(c) After April 9, 2003, except for a newly manufactured airplane on a non-revenue delivery flight, no foreign air carrier covered by § 129.1(a) may operate a passenger carrying transport category airplane, or a transport category all-cargo airplane that has a door installed between the pilot compartment and any other occupied compartment on or after June 21, 2002, within the United States, except for overflights, unless the airplane's flightdeck door installation meets the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) and(2) of this section or an alternative standard found acceptable to the Administrator.
(1) Except for a newly manufactured airplane on a non-revenue delivery flight, no foreign air carrier covered by § 129.1(a) may operate:
(i) After April 9, 2003, a passenger carrying transport category airplane within the United States, except on overflights, unless the airplane's flightdeck door installation meets the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section or an alternative standard found acceptable to the Administrator.
(ii) After October 1, 2003, a transport category all-cargo airplane that had a door installed between the pilot compartment and any other occupied compartment on or after June 21, 2002, within the United States, except on overflights, unless the airplane's flightdeck door installation meets the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section or an alternative standard found acceptable to the Administrator; or the operator must implement a security program approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the operation of all airplanes in that operator's fleet.
(2) The door must resist forcible intrusion by unauthorized persons and be capable of withstanding impacts of 300 joules (221.3 foot-pounds) at the critical locations on the door, as well as a 1,113-newton (250 pounds) constant tensile load on the knob or handle, and
(3) The door must resist penetration by small arms fire and fragmentation devices to a level equivalent to Level IIIa of the National Institute of Justice Standard (NIJ) 0101.04.
(d) After August 20, 2002, no foreign air carrier covered by § 129.1 may operate a passenger carrying transport category airplane, or a transport category all-cargo airplane that has a door installed between the pilot compartment and any other occupied compartment on or after June 21, 2002, within the United States, except for overflights, unless the carrier has procedures in place that are acceptable to the civil aviation authority responsible for oversight of the foreign air carriers operating under this part to prevent access to the flightdeck except as authorized as follows:
(1) No person other than a person who is assigned to perform duty on the flight deck may have a key to the flight deck door that will provide access to the flightdeck.
(2) Except when it is necessary to permit access and egress by persons authorized in accordance with paragraph (d)(3) of this section, a pilot in command of an airplane that has a lockable flight deck door in accordance with § 129.28(a) and that is carrying passengers shall ensure that the door separating the flight crew compartment from the passenger compartment is closed and locked at all times when the airplane is being operated.
(3) No person may admit any person to the flight deck of an airplane unless the person being admitted is—
(i) A crewmember,
(ii) An inspector of the civil aviation authority responsible for oversight of the part 129 operator, or
(iii) Any other person authorized by the civil aviation authority responsible for oversight of the part 129 operator.
(e) The requirements of paragraph (a) through (d) except (d)(3), do not apply to transport category passenger carrying airplanes originally type certificated with a maximum passenger seating configuration of 19 seats or less, or to all-cargo airplanes with a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less.
§ 129.29   Smoking prohibitions.
(a) No person may smoke and no operator may permit smoking in any aircraft lavatory.
(b) Unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of Transportation, no person may smoke and no operator may permit smoking anywhere on the aircraft (including the passenger cabin and the flight deck) during scheduled passenger foreign air transportation or during any scheduled passenger interstate or intrastate air transportation.
§ 129.101   Purpose and definition.
(a) This subpart requires a foreign person or foreign air carrier operating a U.S. registered airplane in common carriage to support the continued airworthiness of each airplane. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, revising the maintenance program, incorporating design changes, and incorporating revisions to Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 129.103   [Reserved]
§ 129.105   Aging airplane inspections and records reviews for U.S.-registered multiengine aircraft.
(a) Operation after inspection and records review. After the dates specified in this paragraph, a foreign air carrier or foreign person may not operate a U.S.-registered multiengine airplane under this part unless the Administrator has notified the foreign air carrier or foreign person that the Administrator has completed the aging airplane inspection and records review required by this section. During the inspection and records review, the foreign air carrier or foreign person must demonstrate to the Administrator that the maintenance of age sensitive parts and components of the airplane has been adequate and timely enough to ensure the highest degree of safety.
(1) Airplanes exceeding 24 years in service on December 8, 2003; initial and repetitive inspections and records reviews. For an airplane that has exceeded 24 years in service on December 8, 2003, no later than December 5, 2007, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 years.
(2) Airplanes exceeding 14 years in service but not 24 years in service on December 8, 2003; initial and repetitive inspections and records reviews. For an airplane that has exceeded 14 years in service, but not 24 years in service, on December 8, 2003, no later than December 4, 2008, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 years.
(3) Airplanes not exceeding 14 years in service on December 8, 2003; initial and repetitive inspections and records reviews. For an airplane that has not exceeded 14 years in service on December 8, 2003, no later than 5 years after the start of the airplane's 15th year in service and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 years.
(b) Unforeseen schedule conflict. In the event of an unforeseen scheduling conflict for a specific airplane, the Administrator may approve an extension of up to 90 days beyond an interval specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(c) Airplane and records availability. The foreign air carrier or foreign person must make available to the Administrator each U.S.-registered multiengine airplane for which an inspection and records review is required under this section, in a condition for inspection specified by the Administrator, together with the records containing the following information:
(1) Total years in service of the airplane;
(2) Total time in service of the airframe;
(3) Total flight cycles of the airframe;
(4) Date of the last inspection and records review required by this section;
(5) Current status of life-limited parts of the airframe;
(6) Time since the last overhaul of all structural components required to be overhauled on a specific time basis;
(7) Current inspection status of the airplane, including the time since the last inspection required by the inspection program under which the airplane is maintained;
(8) Current status of applicable airworthiness directives, including the date and methods of compliance, and if the airworthiness directive involves recurring action, the time and date when the next action is required;
(9) A list of major structural alterations; and
(10) A report of major structural repairs and the current inspection status for those repairs.
(d) Notification to Administrator. Each foreign air carrier or foreign person must notify the Administrator at least 60 days before the date on which the airplane and airplane records will be made available for the inspection and records review.
§ 129.107   Repairs assessment for pressurized fuselages.
(a) No foreign air carrier or foreign persons operating a U.S. registered airplane may operate an Airbus Model A300 (excluding −600 series), British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11, Boeing Model 707, 720, 727, 737, or 747, McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8, DC-9/MD-80 or DC-10, Fokker Model F28, or Lockheed Model L-1011 beyond the applicable flight cycle implementation time specified below, or May 25, 2001, whichever occurs later, unless operations specifications have been issued to reference repair assessment guidelines applicable to the fuselage pressure boundary (fuselage skin, door skin, and bulkhead webs), and those guidelines are incorporated in its maintenance program. The repair assessment guidelines must be approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office for the type certificate for the affected airplane.
(1) For the Airbus Model A300 (excluding the -600 series), the flight cycle implementation time is:
(i) Model B2: 36,000 flights.
(ii) Model B4-100 (including Model B4-2C): 30,000 flights above the window line, and 36,000 flights below the window line.
(iii) Model B4-200: 25,500 flights above the window line, and 34,000 flights below the window line.
(2) For all models of the British Aerospace BAC 1-11, the flight cycle implementation time is 60,000 flights.
(3) For all models of the Boeing 707, the flight cycle implementation time is 15,000 flights.
(4) For all models of the Boeing 720, the flight cycle implementation time is 23,000 flights.
(5) For all models of the Boeing 727, the flight cycle implementation time is 45,000 flights.
(6) For all models of the Boeing 737, the flight cycle implementation time is 60,00 flights.
(7) For all models of the Boeing 747, the flight cycle implementation time is 15,000 flights.
(8) For all models of the McDonnell Douglas DC-8, the flight cycle implementation time is 30,000 flights.
(9) For all models of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9/MD-80, the flight cycle implementation time is 60,000 flights.
(10) For all models of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, the flight cycle implementation time is 30,000 flights.
(11) For all models of the Lockheed L-1011, the flight cycle implementation time is 27,000 flights.
(12) For the Fokker F-28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000, the flight cycle implementation time is 60,000 flights.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 129.109   Supplemental inspections for U.S.-registered aircraft.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to U.S.-registered, transport category, turbine powered airplanes with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958 that as a result of original type certification or later increase in capacity have—
(1) A maximum type certificated passenger seating capacity of 30 or more; or
(2) A maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or more.
(b) General requirements. After December 20, 2010, a certificate holder may not operate an airplane under this part unless the following requirements have been met:
(1) Baseline Structure. The certificate holder's maintenance program for the airplane includes FAA-approved damage-tolerance-based inspections and procedures for airplane structure susceptible to fatigue cracking that could contribute to a catastrophic failure. For the purpose of this section, this structure is termed “fatigue critical structure.”
(2) Adverse effects of repairs, alterations, and modifications. The maintenance program for the airplane includes a means for addressing the adverse effects repairs, alterations, and modifications may have on fatigue critical structure and on inspections required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The means for addressing these adverse effects must be approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office.
(3) Changes to maintenance program. The changes made to the maintenance program required by paragraph (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, and any later revisions to these changes, must be submitted to the Principal Maintenance Inspector for review and approval.
§ 129.111   Electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) maintenance program.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, this section applies to transport category, turbine-powered airplanes with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, that, as a result of original type certification or later increase in capacity, have—
(1) A maximum type-certificated passenger capacity of 30 or more, or
(2) A maximum payload capacity of 7500 pounds or more.
(b) After March 10, 2011, no foreign person or foreign air carrier may operate a U.S.-registered airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this section unless the maintenance program for that airplane includes inspections and procedures for EWIS.
(c) The proposed EWIS maintenance program changes must be based on EWIS Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) that have been developed in accordance with the provisions of Appendix H of part 25 of this chapter applicable to each affected airplane (including those ICA developed for supplemental type certificates installed on each airplane) and that have been approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office.
(1) For airplanes subject to § 26.11 of this chapter, the EWIS ICA must comply with paragraphs H25.5(a)(1) and (b).
(2) For airplanes subject to § 25.1729 of this chapter, the EWIS ICA must comply with paragraph H25.4 and all of paragraph H25.5.
(d) After March 10, 2011, before returning a U.S.-registered airplane to service after any alterations for which EWIS ICA are developed, the foreign person or foreign air carrier must include in the maintenance program for that airplane inspections and procedures for EWIS based on those ICA.
(e) The EWIS maintenance program changes identified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section and any later EWIS revisions must be submitted to the Principal Inspector or Flight Standards office responsible for review and approval.
(f) This section does not apply to the following airplane models:
(1) Lockheed L-188
(2) Bombardier CL-44
(3) Mitsubishi YS-11
(4) British Aerospace BAC 1-11
(5) Concorde
(6) deHavilland D.H. 106 Comet 4C
(7) VFW-Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werk VFW-614
(8) Illyushin Aviation IL 96T
(9) Bristol Aircraft Britannia 305
(10) Handley Page Herald Type 300
(11) Avions Marcel Dassault—Breguet Aviation Mercure 100C
(12) Airbus Caravelle
(13) Lockheed L-300
§ 129.113   Fuel tank system maintenance program.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, this section applies to transport category, turbine-powered airplanes with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, that, as a result of original type certification or later increase in capacity, have—
(1) A maximum type-certificated passenger capacity of 30 or more, or
(2) A maximum payload capacity of 7500 pounds or more.
(b) For each U.S.-registered airplane on which an auxiliary fuel tank is installed under a field approval, before June 16, 2008, the foreign person or foreign air carrier operating the airplane must submit to the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office proposed maintenance instructions for the tank that meet the requirements of Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (SFAR 88) of this chapter.
(c) After December 16, 2008, no foreign person or foreign air carrier may operate a U.S.-registered airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this section unless the maintenance program for that airplane has been revised to include applicable inspections, procedures, and limitations for fuel tank systems.
(d) The proposed fuel tank system maintenance program revisions must be based on fuel tank system Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) that have been developed in accordance with the applicable provisions of SFAR 88 of this chapter or § 25.1529 and part 25, Appendix H, of this chapter, in effect on June 6, 2001 (including those developed for auxiliary fuel tanks, if any, installed under supplemental type certificates or other design approval) and that have been approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office.
(e) After December 16, 2008, before returning a U.S.-registered airplane to service after any alteration for which fuel tank ICA are developed under SFAR 88, or under § 25.1529 in effect on June 6, 2001, the foreign person or foreign air carrier must include in the maintenance program for the airplane inspections and procedures for the fuel tank system based on those ICA.
(f) The fuel tank system maintenance program changes identified in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section and any later fuel tank system revisions must be submitted to the Principal Inspector or Flight Standards office responsible for review and approval.
(g) This section does not apply to the following airplane models:
(1) Bombardier CL-44
(2) Concorde
(3) deHavilland D.H. 106 Comet 4C
(4) VFW-Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werk VFW-614
(5) Illyushin Aviation IL 96T
(6) Bristol Aircraft Britannia 305
(7) Handley Page Herald Type 300
(8) Avions Marcel Dassault—Breguet Aviation Mercure 100C
(9) Airbus Caravelle
(10) Lockheed L-300
§ 129.115   Limit of validity.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to foreign air carriers or foreign persons operating any U.S.-registered transport category, turbine-powered airplane with a maximum takeoff gross weight greater than 75,000 pounds and a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, regardless of whether the maximum takeoff gross weight is a result of an original type certificate or a later design change. This section also applies to foreign air carriers or foreign persons operating any other U.S.-registered transport category, turbine-powered airplane with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, regardless of the maximum takeoff gross weight, for which a limit of validity of the engineering data that supports the structural maintenance program (hereafter referred to as LOV) is required in accordance with § 25.571 or § 26.21 of this chapter after January 14, 2011.
(b) Limit of validity. No foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate a U.S.-registered airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this section after the applicable date identified in Table 1 of this section, unless an Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) approved under Appendix H to part 25 or § 26.21 of this chapter is incorporated into its maintenance program. The ALS must—
(1) Include an LOV approved under § 25.571 or § 26.21 of this chapter, as applicable, except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section; and
(2) Be clearly distinguishable within its maintenance program.
(c) Operation of airplanes excluded from § 26.21. No certificate holder may operate an airplane identified in § 26.21(g) of this chapter after July 14, 2013, unless an ALS approved under Appendix H to part 25 or § 26.21 of this chapter is incorporated into its maintenance program. The ALS must—
(1) Include an LOV approved under § 25.571 or § 26.21 of this chapter, as applicable, except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section; and
(2) Be clearly distinguishable within its maintenance program
(d) Extended limit of validity. No foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate an airplane beyond the LOV or extended LOV specified in paragraph (b)(1), (c), (d), or (f) of this section, as applicable, unless the following conditions are met:
(1) An ALS must be incorporated into its maintenance program that—
(i) Includes an extended LOV and any widespread fatigue damage airworthiness limitation items (ALIs) approved under § 26.23 of this chapter; and
(ii) Is approved under § 26.23 of this chapter;
(2) The extended LOV and the airworthiness limitation items pertaining to widespread fatigue damage must be clearly distinguishable within its maintenance program.
(e) Principal Maintenance Inspector approval. Foreign air carriers or foreign persons must submit the maintenance program revisions required by paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section to the Principal Maintenance Inspector or Flight Standards office for review and approval.
(f) Exception. For any airplane for which an LOV has not been approved as of the applicable compliance date specified in paragraph (c) or Table 1 of this section, instead of including an approved LOV in the ALS, an operator must include the applicable default LOV specified in Table 1 or Table 2 of this section, as applicable, in the ALS.
Table 1—Airplanes Subject to § 26.21
1 Type certificated as of January 14, 2011.
Note: Airplane operation limitation is stated in the Airworthiness Limitation section.
Airplane operation limitation is stated in the Airworthiness Limitation section.
Table 2—Airplanes Excluded From § 26.21
§ 129.117   Flammability reduction means.
(a) Applicability. Except as provided in paragraph (o) of this section, this section applies to U.S.-registered transport category, turbine-powered airplanes with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, that as a result of original type certification or later increase in capacity have:
(1) A maximum type-certificated passenger capacity of 30 or more, or
(2) A maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or more.
(b) New Production Airplanes. Except in accordance with § 129.14, no foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate an airplane identified in Table 1 of this section (including all-cargo airplanes) for which application is made for original certificate of airworthiness or export airworthiness approval after December 27, 2010 unless an Ignition Mitigation Means (IMM) or Flammability Reduction Means (FRM) meeting the requirements of § 26.33 of this chapter is operational.
Table 1
(c) Auxiliary Fuel Tanks. After the applicable date stated in paragraph (e) of this section, no foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate any airplane subject § 26.33 of this chapter that has an Auxiliary Fuel Tank installed pursuant to a field approval, unless the following requirements are met:
(1) The foreign air carrier or foreign person complies with 14 CFR 26.35 by the applicable date stated in that section.
(2) The foreign air carrier or foreign person installs Flammability Impact Mitigation Means (FIMM), if applicable, that are approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office.
(3) Except in accordance with § 129.14, the FIMM, if applicable, are operational.
(d) Retrofit. After the dates specified in paragraph (e) of this section, no foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate an airplane to which this section applies unless the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section are met.
(1) IMM, FRM or FIMM, if required by §§ 26.33, 26.35, or 26.37 of this chapter, that are approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office, are installed within the compliance times specified in paragraph (e) of this section.
(2) Except in accordance with § 129.14, the IMM, FRM or FIMM, as applicable, are operational.
(e) Compliance Times. Except as provided in paragraphs (k) and (l) of this section, the installations required by paragraph (d) of this section must be accomplished no later than the applicable dates specified in paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section.
(1) Fifty percent of each foreign air carrier or foreign person's fleet identified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section must be modified no later than December 26, 2014.
(2) One hundred percent of each foreign air carrier or foreign person's fleet of airplanes subject to paragraph (d)(1) or this section must be modified no later than December 26, 2017.
(3) For those foreign air carriers or foreign persons that have only one airplane for a model identified in Table 1, the airplane must be modified no later than December 26, 2017.
(f) Compliance after Installation. Except in accordance with § 129.14, no person may—
(1) Operate an airplane on which IMM or FRM has been installed before the dates specified in paragraph (e) of this section unless the IMM or FRM is operational.
(2) Deactivate or remove an IMM or FRM once installed unless it is replaced by a means that complies with paragraph (d) of this section.
(g) Maintenance Program Revisions. No foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate an airplane for which airworthiness limitations have been approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service office in accordance with §§ 26.33, 26.35, or 26.37 of this chapter after the airplane is modified in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section unless the maintenance program for that airplane is revised to include those applicable airworthiness limitations.
(h) After the maintenance program is revised as required by paragraph (g) of this section, before returning an airplane to service after any alteration for which airworthiness limitations are required by §§ 25.981, 26.33, 26.35, or 26.37 of this chapter, the foreign person or foreign air carrier must revise the maintenance program for the airplane to include those airworthiness limitations.
(i) The maintenance program changes identified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section must be submitted to the operator's responsible Flight Standards office or Principal Inspector for review and approval prior to incorporation.
(j) The requirements of paragraph (d) of this section do not apply to airplanes operated in all-cargo service, but those airplanes are subject to paragraph (f) of this section.
(k) The compliance dates specified in paragraph (e) of this section may be extended by one year, provided that—
(1) No later than March 26, 2009, the foreign air carrier or foreign person notifies its responsible Flight Standards office or Principal Inspector that it intends to comply with this paragraph;
(2) No later than June 24, 2009, the foreign air carrier or foreign person applies for an amendment to its operations specifications in accordance with § 129.11 to include a requirement for the airplane models specified in Table 2 of this section to use ground air conditioning systems for actual gate times of more than 30 minutes, when available at the gate and operational, whenever the ambient temperature exceeds 60 degrees Fahrenheit; and
(3) Thereafter, the certificate holder uses ground air conditioning systems as described in paragraph (k)(2) of this section on each airplane subject to the extension.
Table 2
(l) For any foreign air carrier or foreign person for which the operating certificate is issued after December 26, 2008, the compliance date specified in paragraph (e) of this section may be extended by one year, provided that the foreign air carrier or foreign person meets the requirements of paragraph (k)(2) of this section when its initial operations specifications are issued and, thereafter, uses ground air conditioning systems as described in paragraph (k)(2) of this section on each airplane subject to the extension.
(m) After the date by which any person is required by this section to modify 100 percent of the affected fleet, no person may operate in passenger service any airplane model specified in Table 2 of this section unless the airplane has been modified to comply with § 26.33(c) of this chapter.
Table 3
(n) No foreign air carrier or foreign person may operate any airplane on which an auxiliary fuel tank is installed after December 26, 2017 unless the FAA has certified the tank as compliant with § 25.981 of this chapter, in effect on December 26, 2008.
(o) Exclusions. The requirements of this section do not apply to the following airplane models:
(1) Convair CV-240, 340, 440, including turbine powered conversions.
(2) Lockheed L-188 Electra.
(3) Vickers VC-10.
(4) Douglas DC-3, including turbine powered conversions.
(5) Bombardier CL-44.
(6) Mitsubishi YS-11.
(7) BAC 1-11.
(8) Concorde.
(9) deHavilland D.H. 106 Comet 4C.
(10) VFW—Vereinigte Flugtechnische VFW-614.
(11) Illyushin Aviation IL 96T.
(12) Bristol Aircraft Britannia 305.
(13) Handley Page Herald Type 300.
(14) Avions Marcel Dassault—Breguet Aviation Mercure 100C.
(15) Airbus Caravelle.
(16) Fokker F-27/Fairchild Hiller FH-227.
(17) Lockheed L-300.
§ 129.119   Fuel tank vent explosion protection.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to transport category, turbine-powered airplanes with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, that have:
(1) A maximum type-certificated passenger capacity of 30 or more; or
(2) A maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or more.
(b) New production airplanes. No certificate holder may operate an airplane for which the State of Manufacture issued the original certificate of airworthiness or export airworthiness approval after August 23, 2018 unless means, approved by the Administrator, to prevent fuel tank explosions caused by propagation of flames from outside the fuel tank vents into the fuel tank vapor spaces are installed and operational.
§ 129.201   SFAR No. 111—Lavatory Oxygen Systems.
The requirements of § 121.1500 of this chapter also apply to this part.