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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38798-38799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16558]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Alaska: Fixed Wing Aircraft External Loads as a Restricted 
Category Special Purpose Flight Operation

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 request comments 
on the proposed authorization of Alaska Fixed Wing External Loads 
(FWEL) as a new restricted category special purpose operation, pursuant 
to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.25(b)(7), 
for operations within the State of Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 6, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Aviation Administration, 
Design Manufacturing and

[[Page 38799]]

Airworthiness Division, Design Certification Section (AIR-111), 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. ATTN: Mr. Graham Long. 
Telephone (202) 267-1624, fax 202-267-1813, email to: 
graham.long@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Reauthorization Act of 1966 
(110 Sat. 3213) SEC. 1205., Regulations Affecting Intrastate Aviation 
in Alaska, modifying regulations contained in Title 14 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, in a manner affecting intrastate aviation in 
Alaska became law. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration considered the extent to which Alaska is not served by 
transportation modes other than aviation, established such regulatory 
distinctions as deemed appropriate.
    The Design, Manufacturing and Airworthiness Division (AIR-100) 
proposes Alaskan Fixed Wing External Loads (FWEL) as a recognized 
special purpose operation in the restricted category, under Title 14 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Sec.  21.25(b)(7). Alaskan 
FWEL is the carriage of external loads temporarily attached to small, 
fixed-wing aircraft operating within the state of Alaska. This approval 
is issued with the following requirements:
    1. Alaskan FWEL must be performed in conjunction with the 
procedures contained in FAA Notice N8900.272 (or its successor policy).
    2. An airplane eligible for the carriage of external loads must:
    a. Be a small propeller-driven airplane type-certificated in 
accordance with 14 CFR part 23 (or its predecessor regulations) in the 
normal, utility, or acrobatic category, and have a valid airworthiness 
certificate in that category.
    b. Have a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or 
less.
    3. The airworthiness limitations issued with the airworthiness 
certificate must include a requirement for training in the carriage of 
FWEL. The pilot must have sufficient knowledge of (1) external load 
attaching methods; (2) the airplane operating limitations issued for 
the external load operation; and (3) how the external load may affect 
the flight characteristics of the airplane.

    Note: Airplane Handling and Flight Characteristics: When 
carrying external loads, aerodynamic forces and the weight of an 
external load change an airplane's handling and flight 
characteristics. These forces can negatively affect airplane 
performance (takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing), airplane 
stability, flight control effectiveness, vibration, fuel 
consumption, and engine cooling, among other characteristics. The 
operator must take care when selecting and mounting an external load 
and also exercise prudence to avoid operation outside the airplane's 
approved weight & balance envelope, and to avoid aerodynamic effects 
that make operations unsafe.

    4. The aircraft must be operated in accordance with the gross 
weight and flight envelope limitations when in the restricted category.
    5. No passengers are permitted on board when in restricted 
category. All persons onboard must be flight crew members, flight crew 
member trainees, persons who perform an essential function in 
connection with the special purpose operation, or persons necessary to 
accomplish the work activity directly associated with the special 
purpose operation.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 2015.
Susan J.M. Cabler,
Acting Manager, Design, Manufacturing and Airworthiness Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16558 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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