Type Certificates for Surplus Aircraft of the Armed Forces

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 21

[Docket No. 27699; Notice No. 94-12A]

RIN 2120-AE41

Type Certificates for Surplus Aircraft of the Armed Forces

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rulemaking, reopening of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the reopening of the comment period for

the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) No. 94-12, Type Certificates

for Surplus Aircraft of the Armed Forces. The reopening of the comment

period responds to requests by some members of Congress and several

companies in the aircraft industry for additional time for the public

to comment on the proposal. Because of the unanticipated public

interest in the proposed rule change, the FAA has decided to provide

the public additional time to develop and submit comments responsive to

the NPRM.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 26, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice should be mailed, or delivered in

triplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of the

Chief Counsel, Att: Rules Docket (AGC-10), Docket No. 27699, 800

Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments may be examined

in the Rules Docket, Room 915G, weekdays, except Federal holidays,

between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Kaseote, Aircraft Engineering

Division (AIR-100), Policy and Procedures Branch, Federal Aviation

Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591,

telephone (202) 267-8541.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to submit such written data, views,

or arguments as they may desire concerning NPRM 94-12. Comments

relating to the environmental, energy, federalism, or economic impact

that might result from adopting the proposals in this notice are also

invited. Substantive comments should be accompanied by cost estimates.

Comments should identify the regulatory docket or notice number and

should be submitted in triplicate to the Rules Docket address specified

above. All comments received on or before the closing date for comments

specified will be considered by the Administrator before taking further

rulemaking action. The proposals contained in this notice may be

changed in light of comments received. All comments received, both

before and after the closing date for comments, will be available in

the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. Anyone wishing

the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response

to this proposed rule, must submit a self-addressed stamped postcard

with their comments on which the following statement is made:

``Comments to Docket 27699.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

mailed to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM

Any person may obtain a copy of this notice and Notice 94-12 by

submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of

Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center (APA-200), 800

Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-

3484. Communications must identify the appropriate notice numbers.

Persons interested in being placed on the mailing list for future

NPRM's should request from the above office, a copy of Advisory

Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System,

which describes the application procedure.

Background

On April 21, 1994, the FAA issued Notice 94-12, entitled ``Type

Certificates for Surplus Aircraft of the Armed Forces'' (59 FR 19114,

April 21, 1994) proposing changes that would remove the regulations for

issuing type certificates for surplus aircraft of the Armed Forces. The

purpose of the proposed removal is to eliminate references to obsolete

airworthiness standards that are no longer appropriate for type

certification of surplus airworthiness standards that are no longer

appropriate for type certification of surplus military aircraft.

Surplus aircraft of the Armed Forces may still be certificate in

normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport, and restricted

categories when compliance with the applicable regulations is shown.

This proposal, if a adopted as final, would become effective on April

21, 1994, and is intended to provide a greater level of assurance that

the appropriate airworthiness standards are met before standard

airworthiness certificates are issued for surplus military aircraft.

Several telephone and written requests received between June 13 and

14, 1994, asked that the comment period be extended for up to 60 days.

In view of these comments and the unanticipated level of public

interest in the proposed rule change, the comment period for this

notice needs to be reopened to accommodate the requests. Copies of the

written requests are available in the docket.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that the reopening of the comment period

will allow several companies in the aircraft industry additional time

for a more thorough review of applicable issues and questions raised by

the NPRM, and the drafting of responsive comments. Accordingly, the FAA

finds that it is in the public interest to reopen the comment period

until August 26, 1994.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 21

Aircraft, Aviation safety, Exports, Imports, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 1994.

Daniel P. Salvano,

Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-16411 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-M