Document ID: FAA-2011-0246-0005
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Prohibition against Certain Flights within the Tripoli (HLLL) Flight Information Region: Extension of Expiration Date
Posted Date: 2015-03-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15503-15507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06697]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 56 / Tuesday, March 24, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 15503]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 91

[Docket No.: FAA-2011-0246; Amdt. No. 91-321B]
RIN 2120-AK70

Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the Tripoli (HLLL) 
Flight Information Region (FIR); Extension of Expiration Date

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule and extension of expiration date.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action extends the prohibition of flight operations 
within the Tripoli (HLLL) Flight Information Region (FIR) by all: U.S. 
air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the 
privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such 
persons are operating a U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air 
carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except 
operators of such aircraft that are foreign air carriers. The extension 
of the expiration date is necessary to address a potential hazard to 
persons and aircraft engaged in such flight operations. Additionally, 
the FAA is amending the prohibition to make clear that operations by 
sub-contractors under a U.S. Government department, agency, or 
instrumentality's contract, grant, or cooperative agreement may be 
included in an approval request and to remove an obsolete reference to 
paragraph 8 of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. 
The FAA is also revising the approval conditions that will apply to 
operations authorized by other U.S. Government departments, agencies, 
and instrumentalities that are approved by the FAA, and the information 
about requests for exemption, to reflect the termination of statutory 
authorization for the FAA premium war risk insurance program.

DATES: The final rule is effective March 20, 2015. This action extends 
the period during which Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 
112, scheduled to expire on March 20, 2015, will remain in effect. The 
expiration date is extended until March 20, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Will Gonzalez, Air Transportation Division, AFS-
220, Flight Standards Service Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone 202-267-8166; 
email will.gonzalez@faa.gov.
    For legal questions concerning this action, contact Mary Mason, 
Office of the Chief Counsel, AGC-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
8018; email mary.mason@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Good Cause for Immediate Adoption

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of title 5, U.S. Code, authorizes agencies to 
dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency 
for ``good cause'' finds that those procedures are ``impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' In this instance, 
the FAA finds that notice and public comment to this immediately 
adopted final rule, as well as any delay in the effective date of this 
rule, are contrary to the public interest due to the immediate need to 
address the continued potential hazard to civil aviation that exists in 
the Tripoli (HLL) FIR, as described in the Background section of this 
rule.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA is responsible for the safety of flight in the United 
States (U.S.) and for the safety of U.S. civil operators, U.S.-
registered civil aircraft, and U.S.-certificated airmen throughout the 
world. The FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found 
in title 49, U.S. Code. Subtitle I, section 106(f), describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII of title 49, Aviation 
Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. 
Section 40101(d)(1) provides that the Administrator shall consider in 
the public interest, among other matters, assigning, maintaining, and 
enhancing safety and security as the highest priorities in air 
commerce. Section 40105(b)(1)(A) requires the Administrator to exercise 
his authority consistently with the obligations of the U.S. Government 
under international agreements.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, subpart III, section 44701, General requirements. 
Under that section, the FAA is charged broadly with promoting safe 
flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing, among other 
things, regulations and minimum standards for practices, methods, and 
procedures that the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air 
commerce and national security. This regulation is within the scope of 
that authority, because it extends the prohibition against the persons 
subject to paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 112, 14 CFR 91.1603, conducting 
flight operations in the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR due to the continued 
potential hazard to the safety of such persons' flight operations, as 
described in the Background section of this document.

I. Executive Summary

    This action extends the prohibition of flight operations in the 
Tripoli (HLLL) FIR by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial 
operators; persons exercising the privileges of a U.S. airman 
certificate, except when such persons are operating a U.S.-registered 
aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered 
civil aircraft, except when such operators are foreign air carriers. 
The FAA finds this action necessary to address potential hazards to 
persons and aircraft engaged in such flight operations. The 
prohibition, which is scheduled to expire on March 20, 2015, is hereby 
extended to March 20, 2017.

II. Background

    As a result of safety and national security concerns regarding 
flight operations in the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR, the FAA issued Sec.  
91.1603 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, SFAR No. 112, in 
March 2011 (76 FR 16238, March 23, 2011). SFAR No. 112 prohibits all 
U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the 
privileges of an airman

[[Page 15504]]

certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating a 
U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of 
U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except operators of such aircraft that 
are foreign air carriers, from conducting flight operations in the 
Tripoli (HLLL) FIR, except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of the 
SFAR.
    When SFAR No. 112 was issued, an armed conflict was ongoing in 
Libya and presented a potential hazard to civil aviation. The FAA was 
concerned that runways at Libya's international airports, including the 
main international airports serving Benghazi (HLLB) and Tripoli (HLLT), 
might be damaged or degraded. There was also concern that air 
navigation services in the Tripoli FIR might be unavailable or 
degraded. In addition, the proliferation of air defense weapons, 
including Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS), and the presence 
of military operations, including Libyan aerial bombardments and 
unplanned military flights entering and departing the Tripoli (HLLL) 
FIR, posed a potential hazard to U.S. operators, U.S.-registered 
aircraft, and FAA-certificated airmen that might operate within the 
Tripoli (HLLL) FIR. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council 
adopted Resolution 1973 on March 18, 2011, which mandated a ban on all 
flights in the airspace of Libya, with certain exceptions.
    By March 2014, although the Gadhafi regime had been overthrown and 
the UN-mandated ban on flights in Libyan airspace had been lifted, the 
FAA continued to have significant security concerns for Libya and for 
the safety of U.S. civil aviation operations in that country. On March 
20, 2014, the FAA extended the expiration date of SFAR No. 112, Sec.  
91.1603, to March 20, 2015. The FAA considered that, on December 12, 
2013, the Department of State had issued a Travel Warning strongly 
advising against all non-essential travel to Libya. Various groups had 
called for attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in Libya. 
Many military-grade weapons remained in the hands of private 
individuals and groups, among them anti-aircraft weapons that could be 
used against civil aviation, including MANPADS. The Travel Warning also 
warned that closures or threats of closures of the international 
airports occurred regularly for maintenance, labor, or security-related 
reasons. For those reasons, on March 21, 2014, the FAA published a 
final rule (79 FR 15679; corrected at 79 FR 19288, April 8, 2014) 
extending the expiration date of SFAR No. 112, Sec.  91.1603, to March 
20, 2015.
    The FAA continues to have significant concerns regarding the safety 
of U.S. civil aviation operations in the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR at all 
altitudes due to the hazardous situation created by the ongoing 
fighting involving various militant groups and Libyan military forces 
in various areas of Libya, including some near Tripoli and Benghazi. 
Islamist militant groups hold and control significant portions of 
Western Libya, including Tripoli International Airport (HLLT). Militant 
groups, such as Libyan Dawn, possess a variety of anti-aircraft 
weapons, which give them the capability to target aircraft upon landing 
and departure and at higher altitudes.
    Civil aviation infrastructure is at risk from indirect fire from 
mortars and rockets targeting Libyan airports during the ongoing 
fighting. Civil aviation in the Tripoli FIR is also at risk from aerial 
combat operations and other military activity conducted by Libyan 
forces.
    Furthermore, the security situation in the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR 
continues to be unpredictable and unstable. Therefore, since there is a 
significant continuing risk to the safety of U.S. civil aviation in the 
Tripoli (HLLL) FIR, the FAA hereby extends the expiration date of SFAR 
No. 112, Sec.  91.1603, for an additional two years.
    The FAA will continue to actively evaluate the area to determine to 
what extent U.S. civil operators may be able to safely operate therein. 
Adjustments to this SFAR may be appropriate if the risk to aviation 
safety and security changes. The FAA may amend or rescind this SFAR as 
necessary prior to its expiration date.
    Additionally, the FAA is amending paragraph (c), Permitted 
operations, of SFAR No. 112, Sec.  91.1603, to make clear that 
operations by sub-contractors under a U.S. Government department, 
agency, or instrumentality's contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
may be included in an approval request and to remove an obsolete 
reference to paragraph 8 of UNSCR 1973. UNSCR 2016 (2011) terminated 
paragraphs 6 to 12 of UNSCR 1973, effective 23:59 p.m. Libyan local 
time on October 31, 2011. The FAA is also revising the approval 
conditions that will apply to operations authorized by other U.S. 
Government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and approved by 
the FAA, and the information about requests for exemption, to reflect 
the termination of statutory authorization for the FAA premium war risk 
insurance program. Section 102 of Division L of the Consolidated and 
Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235, 
December 16, 2014, inter alia, amended 49 U.S.C. 44302(f) and 44310(a) 
to specify the termination dates in those sections as December 11, 
2014. The effect was to terminate coverage under FAA's premium war risk 
insurance program as of December 11, 2014.
    Because the circumstances described herein warrant immediate action 
by the FAA, I find that notice and public comment under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B) are impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
Further, I find that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making 
this rule effective immediately upon issuance. I also find that this 
action is fully consistent with the obligations under 49 U.S.C. 40105 
to ensure that I exercise my duties consistently with the obligations 
of the United States under international agreements.

Revised Approval Conditions

    As noted above, Congress terminated coverage under FAA's premium 
war risk insurance program as of December 11, 2014. Consequently, the 
FAA is revising the approval conditions that will apply to any 
approvals that the FAA may grant for flight operations authorized by 
another U.S. Government department, agency or instrumentality in the 
Tripoli (HLLL) FIR to remove material related to this program. When the 
FAA approves such operations, the FAA's Aviation Safety Organization 
(AVS) will send a letter to the requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality confirming that the FAA's approval is subject to the 
following conditions:
    (1) Any approval will stipulate those procedures and conditions 
that limit, to the greatest degree possible, the risk to the operator, 
while still allowing the operator to achieve its operational 
objectives.
    (2) Before any approval takes effect, the operator must submit to 
the FAA:
    (a) a written release of the U.S. Government from all damages, 
claims, and liabilities, including without limitation legal fees and 
expenses; and
    (b) the operator's agreement to indemnify the U.S. Government with 
respect to any and all third-party damages, claims, and liabilities, 
including without limitation legal fees and expenses, relating to any 
event arising from or related to the approved operations in the Tripoli 
(HLLL) FIR; and
    (3) Other conditions that the FAA may specify, including those that 
may be imposed in OpSpecs.
    The release and agreement to indemnify do not preclude an operator 
from raising a claim under an applicable non-premium war risk insurance 
policy

[[Page 15505]]

issued by the FAA under chapter 443 of title 49, United States Code.
    If the proposed operation or operations are approved, the FAA will 
issue OpSpecs to the certificate holder authorizing these operations 
and will notify the department, agency, or instrumentality that 
requested FAA approval of civil flight operations to be conducted by 
one or more persons described in paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 112, Sec.  
91.1603, of any additional conditions beyond those contained in the 
approval letter. The requesting department, agency, or instrumentality 
must have a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement (or its prime 
contractor must have a subcontract) with the person(s) described in 
paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 112, Sec.  91.1603, on whose behalf the 
department, agency, or instrumentality requests FAA approval.

Requests for Exemption

    Any operations not conducted under the approval process set forth 
above must be conducted under an exemption from SFAR No. 112, Sec.  
91.1603. A request by any person covered under this SFAR for an 
exemption must comply with 14 CFR part 11 and will require exceptional 
circumstances beyond those contemplated by the approval process set 
forth above. In addition to the information required by 14 CFR 11.81, 
at a minimum, the requestor must describe in its submission to the 
FAA--
     The proposed operation(s), including the nature of the 
operation;
     The service to be provided by the person(s) covered by the 
SFAR;
     The specific locations within the Tripoli FIR where the 
proposed operation(s) will be conducted; and
     The method by which the operator will obtain current 
threat information, and an explanation of how the operator will 
integrate this information into all phases of its proposed operations 
(e.g., the pre-mission planning and briefing, in-flight, and post-
flight phases).
    Additionally, the release and agreement to indemnify, as referred 
to above, will be required as a condition of any exemption issued under 
this SFAR. The FAA recognizes that operations that may be affected by 
SFAR No. 112, Sec.  91.1603, may be planned for the governments of 
other countries with the support of the U.S. Government. While these 
operations will not be permitted through the approval process, the FAA 
will process exemption requests for such operations on an expedited 
basis and prior to any private exemption requests.

III. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct that each 
Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned 
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its 
costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354), 
as codified in 5 U.S.C. 603 et seq., requires agencies to analyze the 
economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the 
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended, 19 U.S.C. 
Chapter 13, prohibits agencies from setting standards that create 
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. In 
developing U.S. standards, the Trade Agreements Act requires agencies 
to consider international standards and, where appropriate, that they 
be the basis of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), as codified in 2 U.S.C. 1532, requires 
agencies to prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and 
other effects of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate 
likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more annually (adjusted for inflation with a base year of 
1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's analysis of 
the economic impacts of this final rule.
    Department of Transportation (DOT) Order 2100.5 prescribes policies 
and procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of regulations. 
If the expected cost impact is so minimal that a proposed or final rule 
does not warrant a full evaluation, this order permits that a statement 
to that effect and the basis for it to be included in the preamble if a 
full regulatory evaluation of the cost and benefits is not prepared. 
Such a determination has been made for this final rule. The reasoning 
for this determination follows:
    This rule extends, by an additional two years, the prohibition by 
SFAR No. 112 of flight operations within the Tripoli (HLLL) Flight 
Information Region (FIR) by all: U.S. air carriers, U.S. commercial 
operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate 
issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating a U.S.-
registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-
registered civil aircraft, except operators of such aircraft that are 
foreign air carriers. Because of the civil war that was ongoing in 
Libya when SFAR No. 112 was issued, the FAA believed that few, if any, 
operators were operating in the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR. Consequently, the 
FAA found the costs of SFAR No. 112 to be minimal. Given the continuing 
threats to civil aviation in the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR described in the 
Background section of this final rule, including but not limited to 
ongoing fighting involving various groups, the FAA has determined that 
the costs of continuing to prohibit U.S. civil flights in the Tripoli 
FIR are still minimal. These minimal costs are exceeded by the benefits 
of avoiding the significant hazards to civil aviation detailed above in 
the Background section of this preamble.
    In conducting these analyses, FAA has determined this final rule is 
a ``significant regulatory action,'' as defined in section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866, because it raises novel policy issues 
contemplated under that executive order. The rule is also 
``significant'' as defined in DOT's Regulatory Policies and Procedures. 
The final rule, if adopted, will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities, will not create unnecessary 
obstacles to international trade and will not impose an unfunded 
mandate on state, local, or tribal governments, or on the private 
sector.

A. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354, ``RFA'') 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required 
to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain 
the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration.'' The RFA covers a wide-range of small entities, 
including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA.
    However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that

[[Page 15506]]

the head of the agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility 
analysis is not required. The certification must include a statement 
providing the factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning 
should be clear.
    As discussed above, the FAA estimates the costs of this rule will 
be minimal. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the head of the 
FAA certifies that this rulemaking will not result in a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

B. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended, 
prohibits Federal agencies from establishing standards or engaging in 
related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign 
commerce of the United States. Pursuant to this Act, the establishment 
of standards is not considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign 
commerce of the United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate 
domestic objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not 
operate in a manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The 
statute also requires consideration of international standards and, 
where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. The FAA 
has assessed the potential effect of this final rule and determined 
that its purpose is to protect the safety of U.S. civil aviation from 
potential hazards outside the U.S. Therefore, the rule is in compliance 
with the Trade Agreements Act.

C. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $151.0 million in lieu of $100 
million.
    This final rule does not contain such a mandate; therefore, the 
requirements of Title II of the Act do not apply.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. The FAA has determined that 
there is no new requirement for information collection associated with 
this immediately adopted final rule.

E. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to conform to 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
determined that there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices 
that correspond to this regulation.

F. Environmental Analysis

    FAA Order 1050.1E identifies FAA actions that are categorically 
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has 
determined this rulemaking action qualifies for the categorical 
exclusion identified in paragraph 312f of this order and involves no 
extraordinary circumstances.
    The FAA has reviewed the implementation of the SFAR and determined 
it is categorically excluded from further environmental review 
according to FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 312f. The FAA has examined possible 
extraordinary circumstances and determined that no such circumstances 
exist. After careful and thorough consideration of the action, the FAA 
finds that this Federal action does not require preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement in 
accordance with the requirements of NEPA, Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1E.

IV. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this immediately adopted final rule under the 
principles and criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The 
agency has determined that this action would not have a substantial 
direct effect on the States, or the relationship between the Federal 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government, and, 
therefore, would not have Federalism implications.

B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this immediately adopted final rule under 
Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations that 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (May 18, 
2001). The agency has determined that it would not be a ``significant 
energy action'' under the executive order and would not be likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy.

C. Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation

    Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation, (77 FR 26413, May 4, 2012) promotes international 
regulatory cooperation to meet shared challenges involving health, 
safety, labor, security, environmental, and other issues and to reduce, 
eliminate, or prevent unnecessary differences in regulatory 
requirements. The FAA has analyzed this action under the policies and 
agency responsibilities of Executive Order 13609, and has determined 
that this action would have no effect on international regulatory 
cooperation.

V. Additional Information

A. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
Internet by--
     Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
     Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at 
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
     Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at 
http://www.fdsys.gov.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Please 
identify the docket or amendment number of this rulemaking in your 
request.
    All documents the FAA considered in developing this rule, including 
economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed from the 
Internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced above.

B. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

[[Page 15507]]

(SBREFA) requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for 
information or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations 
within its jurisdiction. A small entity with questions regarding this 
document may contact its local FAA official, or the person listed under 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the 
preamble. To find out more about SBREFA on the Internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91

    Air traffic control, Aircraft, Airmen, Airports, Aviation safety, 
Freight, Libya.

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES

0
1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 1155, 40101, 40103, 40105, 
40113, 40120, 44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 
44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506-46507, 
47122, 47508, 47528-47531, 47534, articles 12 and 29 of the 
Convention on International Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 
Stat. 11).

0
2. In Sec.  91.1603, revise paragraphs (c) and (e) to read as follows:

Sec.  91.1603  Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 112--Prohibition 
Against Certain Flights Within the Tripoli (HLLL) Flight Information 
Region (FIR).

* * * * *
    (c) Permitted operations. This section does not prohibit persons 
described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight 
operations within the Tripoli (HLLL) FIR under the following 
conditions:
    (1) Flight operations are conducted under a contract, grant, or 
cooperative agreement with a department, agency, or instrumentality of 
the U.S. government (or under a subcontract between the prime 
contractor of the department, agency, or instrumentality, and the 
person described in paragraph (a) of this section), with the approval 
of the FAA, or under an exemption issued by the FAA. The FAA will 
process requests for approval or exemption in a timely manner, with the 
order of preference being: First, for those operations in support of 
U.S. government-sponsored activities; second, for those operations in 
support of government-sponsored activities of a foreign country with 
the support of a U.S. government department, agency, or 
instrumentality; and third, for all other operations.
    (2) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (e) Expiration. This Special Federal Aviation Regulation will 
remain in effect until March 20, 2017. The FAA may amend, rescind, or 
extend this Special Federal Aviation Regulation as necessary.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 
106(f), 40101(d)(1), 40105(b)(1)(A), and 44701(a)(5), on March 19, 
2015.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-06697 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P