Document ID: FAA-2010-1060-0317
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Policies Clarifying Definitions for Purposes of Inspector Authorizations: Actively Engaged
Posted Date: 2010-12-06T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75649-75650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30604]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 65

[Docket No.: FAA-2010-1060]

Policy Clarifying Definition of ``Actively Engaged'' for Purposes 
of Inspector Authorization

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed policy; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for a Notice of 
Proposed Policy that was published on November 5, 2010. The proposed 
policy would clarify the term ``actively engaged'' for the purposes of 
application for and renewal of an inspection authorization. The 
proposed policy would amend the Flight Standards Management System 
Order 8900.1.

DATES: The comment period for the Notice of Proposed Policy published 
on November 5, 2010 (75 FR 68249) was scheduled to close on December 6, 
2010, and is extended to January 17, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments identified by docket number FAA-2010-
1060 using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send Comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room 
W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Hall, Aircraft Maintenance General 
Aviation Branch, AFS-350, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (804) 222-
7494 ext. 240; e-mail: ed.hall@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to submit written comments, 
data, or views concerning this proposal. 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, please send only one copy 
of written comments, or if you are filing comments electronically, 
please submit your comments only one time.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposal. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will 
consider all comments received on or before the closing date for 
comments and any late-filed comments if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of comments received.

Availability of This Proposed Policy

    You can get an electronic copy using the Internet by--
    (1) Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
    (2) Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/; or
    (3) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    You can also get a copy by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking,

[[Page 75650]]

ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by 
calling (202) 267-9680. Make sure to identify the docket number or 
notice number of this proposal.

Background

    On November 5, 2010 the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Policy, 
entitled Policy Clarifying Definition of ``Actively Engaged'' for the 
Purpose of Inspector Authorization. (75 FR 68249, Docket No. FAA-2010-
1060.) Comments to that document were to be received on or before 
December 6, 2010.
    By letter dated November 16, 2010, the Experimental Aircraft 
Association (EAA) requested an extension of the comment period to 
January 17, 2011. By letter dated November 22, 2010, the Aircraft 
Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) requested a 60-day extension of 
the comment period. Both petitioners stated the additional time is 
necessary to fully investigate the proposal's potential negative impact 
on the industry and because of the impact of upcoming holidays on their 
opportunity to provide meaningful comments.

Extension of Comment Period

    In accordance with Sec.  11.47(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the petitions for extension by EAA 
and AOPA. The FAA agrees with the petitioners that an opportunity for 
meaningful comment is in the public interest. However, the FAA does not 
support extending the comment period by 60 days. This proposed policy 
does not constitute a significant change from current FAA policy 
regarding inspector authorization but is merely a clarification of that 
policy as stated in the Notice of Proposed Policy.
    The FAA supports an extension to January 17, 2011 to allow 
additional time to investigate and develop meaningful comments in light 
of the holiday schedule. The FAA has determined that an extension of 
the comment period is consistent with the public interest, and that 
good cause exists for taking this action.
    Accordingly, the comment period for this Notice of Proposed Policy 
is extended until January 17, 2011. Absent unusual circumstances, the 
FAA does not anticipate any further extension of the comment period.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 2, 2010.
Carol Giles,
Manager, Aircraft Maintenance Division of Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30604 Filed 12-3-10; 8:45 am]
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