Feathering Propeller Systems for Light-Sport Aircraft Powered Gliders, 9495 [2011-3777]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3777]



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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 34 / Friday, February 18, 2011 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 9495]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 1

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0812; Amdt. No. 1-66]
RIN 2120-AJ81


Feathering Propeller Systems for Light-Sport Aircraft Powered 
Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; notice of confirmation of effective date.

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SUMMARY: This action confirms the effective date of the final rule 
published on January 3, 2011. The final rule amends the definition of 
light-sport aircraft by removing ``auto'' from the term 
``autofeathering'' as it applies to powered gliders. This amendment 
will allow both manual and autofeathering propeller operation for 
powered gliders that qualify as light-sport aircraft.

DATES: The effective date for the final rule published January 3, 2011, 
at 76 FR 5, is confirmed as March 4, 2011.

ADDRESSES: For information on where to obtain copies of rulemaking 
documents and other information related to this action, see ``How to 
Obtain Additional Information'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Terry Chasteen, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-114, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4147; 
fax: (816) 329-4090; e-mail: terry.chasteen@faa.gov. For legal 
questions concerning this action, contact Paul Greer, Office of Chief 
Counsel, AGC-210, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-7930; fax: 
(202) 267-7971; e-mail: paul.g.greer@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Before publication of this final rule on January 3, 2011 (76 FR 5), 
Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) specified that powered 
gliders that were light-sport aircraft (LSA) had a fixed or 
autofeathering propeller system. The restriction to ``autofeathering'' 
had resulted in confusion to LSA designers. The FAA has determined that 
a propeller on an LSA powered glider can be safely feathered using 
either a manual or automatic feathering propeller system, which 
justifies replacing the term ``autofeathering'' with ``feathering.''

Discussion of the Comments

    The FAA received comments from eight individual commenters. All 
commenters supported the rule change. The commenters generally stated 
that the rule change removes an unnecessary restriction to the 
definition of a light-sport aircraft with no adverse safety effect.

Conclusion

    After consideration of the comments submitted in response to the 
final rule, the FAA has determined that no further rulemaking action is 
necessary. Therefore, Amendment 1-66 remains in effect.

How To Obtain Additional Information

A. Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of a rulemaking document my be obtained by using 
the Internet--
    1. Search the Federal eRulemaking Portal (https://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visit the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ or
    3. Access the Government Printing Office's Web page at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request (identified by 
amendment or docket number of this rulemaking) to the Federal Aviation 
Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680.

B. Comments Submitted to the Docket

    Comments received may be viewed by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions to search the 
docket number for this action. Anyone is able to search the electronic 
form of all comments received into any of the FAA's dockets by the name 
of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 
1996 requires the 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 
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2011.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Deputy Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3777 Filed 2-17-11; 8:45 am]
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