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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56532-56534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23433]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee--New Task

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of a new task assignment for the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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SUMMARY: The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
(ARAC) a new task to provide recommendations on how the agency can 
utilize external training providers for its new-hire air traffic 
controller training program. The ongoing modernization of the air 
traffic control system, NextGen, will continually introduce advanced 
tools and procedures to enhance the safety and efficiency of the 
National Airspace System. Controllers will continue to need to know 
basic air traffic control skills but will also need to understand how 
to operate in the future operational environment. The FAA seeks to 
transform the air traffic controller training structure by shifting the 
Agency's focus from basic air traffic control qualification training to 
training the certified controller work force on advanced NextGen tools 
and procedures. This would mirror the changes that were required in the 
pilot community. The Agency is exploring alternative options to utilize 
external training provider capabilities that would expose prospective 
air traffic controllers to the profession. It would also provide a 
level of training commensurate to the current Air Traffic Basic 
Qualification Training, before or during the FAA controller hiring 
process. This notice informs the public of the new ARAC

[[Page 56533]]

activity and solicits membership for the new Air Traffic Controller 
Basic Qualification Training Working Group.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Price, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Technical Training Policy and Requirements Specialist, 
FAA Air Traffic Organization, AJI-232, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC, 20591, email Tony.Price@faa.gov, telephone (202) 267-
1443.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

ARAC Acceptance of Task

    As a result of the June 18, 2015 ARAC meeting, the FAA assigned and 
ARAC accepted this task establishing the Air Traffic Controller Basic 
Qualification Training Working Group. The Air Traffic Controller Basic 
Qualification Training Working Group will serve as staff to the ARAC 
and provide advice and recommendations on the assigned task. The ARAC 
will review and accept the recommendation report and will submit it to 
the FAA.

Background

    The FAA established the ARAC to provide information, advice, and 
recommendations on aviation related issues that could result in 
rulemaking to the FAA Administrator, through the Associate 
Administrator of Aviation Safety.
    The ongoing modernization of the air traffic control system, 
NextGen, will continually introduce automation tools to enhance the 
safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. Fully certified 
controllers are required to maintain proficiency while also completing 
additional training to understand how to provide service as the 
operational environment evolves. To achieve this required integration, 
the FAA seeks to transform the air traffic controller basic 
qualification training structure. The Agency is looking for 
opportunities to utilize external training provider capabilities to 
expose prospective air traffic controllers to the profession and to 
provide a basic level of training commensurate with the current level 
for Air Traffic Control Basic Qualification Training, before or during 
the FAA controller hiring process. The FAA seeks feedback from external 
stakeholders on how the agency can accomplish its goals.

The Task

    The Air Traffic Controller Basic Qualification Training Working 
Group will provide to the ARAC an analysis on options for external 
training provider solutions that restructure the FAA air traffic 
controller candidate pipeline. Additional considerations include 
whether a certificated external training program modeled after Part 141 
or Part 142 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations is a way to 
accomplish agency goals. The recommendations may propose additional 
alternatives that result in a candidate pipeline with knowledge and 
skills above the current basic qualification requirements. The Working 
Group should provide an initial report summarizing the analysis. If the 
FAA concurs with the recommendation, the tasking may be extended to 
include a cost and benefit analysis and an evaluation of any necessary 
rulemaking requirements for implementation.
    1. For background information on the topic, the Working Group 
should review:
    a. Air traffic technical training and credentialing programs (for 
example, FAA Order 3000.22, FAA Order 3120.4, FAA Order 7210.3, and FAA 
Order 8000.90).
    b. Guidance on airman testing, airmen certification, designated 
examiners, and the FAA Flight Standards Service covered in FAA Order 
8900.1, to evaluate the concept of air traffic certified training 
centers.
    c. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (for example, Parts 
61, 65, 141, and 142) for regulatory guidance on various aviation 
licenses, to include air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, and 
pilots.
    d. Associated training guidance materials to include course 
descriptions, lesson outlines, and training handbooks.
    e. FAA hiring regulations (for example, as covered in the FAA Human 
Resources Policy Manual, Office of Personnel Management job standard 
for Series 2152, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance) 
as needed to integrate a proposed solution into the FAA hiring process.
    2. The Working Group is tasked to identify possible external 
training provider solutions. At a minimum, students who complete the 
program must meet the current standard for Air Traffic Control Basic 
Qualification Training (solutions may contain options to train students 
to a higher level of competency).
    3. The Working Group may consider rulemaking and/or advisory 
materials as the solution.
    4. Provide initial qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits 
for each recommendation.
    5. Develop an interim report containing recommendations on the 
findings and results of the tasks explained above.
    a. The recommendation report should document both majority and 
dissenting positions on the findings and the rationale for each 
position.
    b. Any disagreements should be documented, including the rationale 
for each position and the reasons for the disagreement.
    6. The Working Group may be reinstated to assist the ARAC by 
responding to the FAA's questions or concerns after the interim 
recommendation report has been submitted.

Schedule

    The output of the tasking will be to complete a FAA training 
process review in order to identify possible external training provider 
solutions and make a recommendation to the FAA. The interim report is 
requested to be presented to the ARAC at its June 2016 meeting and 
submitted to the FAA for review and acceptance no later than July 15, 
2016. Should the FAA accept the recommendation of the ARAC, the Working 
Group may be tasked to evaluate costs and benefits and rulemaking 
requirements for implementation.

Working Group Activity

    The Air Traffic Controller Basic Qualification Training Working 
Group must comply with the procedures adopted by the ARAC and are as 
follows:
    1. Conduct a review and analysis of the assigned tasks and any 
other related materials or documents.
    2. Draft and submit a work plan for completion of the task, 
including the rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration by 
the ARAC.
    3. Provide a status report at each ARAC meeting.
    4. Draft and submit the interim recommendation report based on the 
review and analysis of the assigned tasks.
    5. Present the initial recommendation report at the ARAC meeting.
    6. If the Working Group is reinstated to answer questions the FAA 
had regarding the recommendation report, present the findings in 
response to the FAA's questions or concerns about the recommendation 
report at the ARAC meeting.

Participation in the Working Group

    The Air Traffic Controller Basic Qualification Training Working 
Group will be comprised of technical experts having an interest in the 
assigned task. A Working Group member need not be a member 
representative of the ARAC. The FAA would like a wide range of

[[Page 56534]]

members to ensure all aspects of the tasks are considered in 
development of the recommendations. The provisions of the August 13, 
2014, Office of Management and Budget guidance, ``Revised Guidance on 
Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and 
Commissions'' (79 FR 47482), continues the ban on registered lobbyists 
participating on Agency Boards and Commissions if participating in 
their ``individual capacity.'' The revised guidance now allows 
registered lobbyists to participate on Agency Boards and Commissions in 
a ``representative capacity'' for the ``express purpose of providing a 
committee with the views of a nongovernmental entity, a recognizable 
group of persons or nongovernmental entities (an industry, sector, 
labor unions, or environmental groups, etc.) or state or local 
government.'' (For further information see Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (LDA) as amended, 2 U.S.C 1603, 1604, and 1605.)
    If you wish to become a member of the Air Traffic Controller Basic 
Qualification Training Working Group, write the person listed under the 
caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT expressing that desire. 
Describe your interest in the task and state the expertise you would 
bring to the Working Group. The FAA must receive all requests by 
October 19, 2015. The ARAC and the FAA will review the requests and 
advise you whether or not your request is approved.
    If you are chosen for membership on the Working Group, you must 
actively participate in the Working Group, attend all meetings, and 
provide written comments when requested. You must devote the resources 
necessary to support the Working Group in meeting any assigned 
deadlines. You must keep your management and those you may represent 
advised of working group activities and decisions to ensure the 
proposed technical solutions do not conflict with the position of those 
you represent. Once the Working Group has begun deliberations, members 
will not be added or substituted without the approval of the ARAC 
Chair, the FAA, including the Designated Federal Officer, and the 
Working Group Chair.
    The Secretary of Transportation determined the formation and use of 
the ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the 
performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law.
    The ARAC meetings are open to the public. However, meetings of the 
Air Traffic Controller Basic Qualification Training Working Group are 
not open to the public, except to the extent individuals with an 
interest and expertise are selected to participate. The FAA will make 
no public announcement of Working Group meetings.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 14, 2015.
Lirio Liu,
Designated Federal Officer, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 2015-23433 Filed 9-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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