[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 33758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16357]



[[Page 33758]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Aircraft Certification 
Procedures Issues--Revised Task

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of revised task assignment for the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: Notice is given of a change in a task previously assigned to 
and accepted by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). This 
notice informs the public of the activities of ARAC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Brian A. Yanez, Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft 
Certification Service (AIR-110), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, telephone: (202) 267-9588; fax: (202) 267-5340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
established an Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to provide 
advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator, through the 
Associate Administrator for Regulation and Certification, on the full 
range of the FAA's rulemaking activities with respect to aviation-
related issues. This includes obtaining advice and recommendations on 
the FAA's commitment to harmonize its Federal Aviation Regulations 
(FAR) and practices with its trading partners in Europe and Canada.
    One area of the ARAC deals with is aircraft certification 
procedures, which involve the procedures for aircraft certification 
found in 14 CFR parts 21, 39, and 183 and Special Federal Aviation 
Regulation No. 36 (SFAR 36), and which are the responsibility of the 
Director, Aircraft Certification Service.

The Revised Task

    This notice is to inform the public that the FAA has revised a task 
previously assigned to ARAC and supported by the Delegation System 
Working Group. The revision was requested by ARAC.
    Review the current system of delegation functions to determine what 
would improve the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the system, and 
making recommendations concerning new or revised rules and advisory, 
guidance, and other (including legislative and training) collateral 
materials. The FAA is seeking a comprehensive, up-to-date, systematic 
approach for delegating certification functions to both individuals and 
organizations, a smooth transition from the delegation systems 
currently used to the system recommended, and a system as compatible as 
practicable with the systems used by the civilian aviation authorities 
of other countries. Specifically, the FAA desires to consolidate the 
delegation regulations in subparts J and M of part 21, SFAR 36, and 
section 183.33, into a new subpart. Revise section 183.15 to reflect a 
change in duration of delegations and in addition, the designation 
system would be expanded to include organizations designated to issue 
operating certificates under 14 CFR parts 133 and 137, air agency 
certificates under CFR part 141, and training center certificates under 
14 CFR part 142.
    While the examiners delegation functions relative to certification 
of aircraft and operations have been added to the overall list of 
delegations, the FAA does not intend to approve designations for 
functions that are related to air carrier operations at this time. Some 
examples of functions of which delegation will not be designated 
include, (1) Training center certificates for approval of air carrier 
training programs (14 CFR part 142), (2) determination of operational 
suitability, (3) approval of master minimum equipment lists, (4) 
approval of air carrier minimum equipment lists, (5) issuance of repair 
station certificates (14 CFR part 145), (6) approval of flight crew 
operating manuals, (7) instructions for continued airworthiness which 
includes the Maintenance Review Board and associated maintenance 
documents, and other items deemed inappropriate by the Administrator.
    The Secretary of Transportation has determined that the formation 
and use of ARAC are necessary and in the public interest, in connection 
with the performance of duties of the FAA. Meetings of ARAC to consider 
aircraft certification procedures issues will be open to the public. 
Meetings of the Delegation System Working Group are not open to the 
public, except to the extent that individuals with an interest and 
expertise are selected to participate. No public announcement of 
working group meetings will be made.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 15, 1996.
Brian A. Yanez,
Assistant Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Procedures Issues, 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 98-16357 Filed 6-18-98; 8:45 am]
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