Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee-New Task, 2772-2773 [2015-00749]

Download as PDF 2772 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 20, 2015 / Notices a constitutional presence in the United States would render ineffectual the blocking and other measures authorized in the Order because of the ability to transfer funds instantaneously,’’ I determine that no prior notice needs to be provided to any person subject to this determination who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, because to do so would render ineffectual the measures authorized in the Order. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register. Dated: January 9, 2015. John F. Kerry, Secretary of State. [FR Doc. 2015–00790 Filed 1–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–10–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee—New Task Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of a continuation of task assignment for the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). AGENCY: The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a continuation of task to a previously established working group. This continuation of task requests the working group to provide cost and benefit data for the proposed implementation of the ARAC recommendations submitted in 2012 regarding the FAA’s approach to update, reorganize and improve the level of safety requirements for the flammability of materials for transport category airplanes. This notice informs the public of a continuation to a previous ARAC activity, reinstates the Materials Flammability Working Group, and does not solicit membership. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Gardlin, Airframe/Cabin Safety Branch, ANM–115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057, telephone (425) 227–2136, facsimile (425) 227– 1149; email jeff.gardlin@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: ARAC Acceptance of Task As a result of the December 18, 2014, ARAC meeting, the FAA assigned and ARAC accepted and designated this task to the Transport Airplane and Engine (TAE) Subcommittee, reinstating the VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:47 Jan 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 Materials Flammability Working Group. The Materials Flammability Working Group will serve as staff to the ARAC, through the TAE Subcommittee, and will provide advice and recommendations on the assigned task. The TAE Subcommittee will review and approve the recommendation report and will send the approved recommendation report to the ARAC for acceptance. After ARAC accepts the recommendation report, it will submit the recommendation report to the FAA. Background The FAA established the ARAC to provide information, advice, and recommendations on aviation related issues that could result in rulemaking to the FAA Administrator, through the Associate Administrator of Aviation Safety. On August 27, 2010 [75 FR 52807], the FAA tasked ARAC to consider the merits and make recommendations for improvement of an approach drafted by the FAA that would simplify compliance demonstrations, and upgrade the level of safety for flammability throughout the airplane. The objective of the proposed approach was to completely revisit the flammability requirements and take advantage of the wealth of data available from FAA research and advances in material fire safety to provide a simpler regulation that provides a higher level of safety for transport category airplanes. The flammability requirements for interior materials on transport category airplanes have evolved significantly over the years to become more threatbased. By ‘‘threat-based,’’ the FAA means the flammability requirements use a more realistic test method based on the type of fire hazard most critical for the components in question. Historically, these requirements have been based on an analysis of the type of threat, the usage of the potentially flammable material (e.g., sidewall), and the material type (e.g., elastomeric materials). This approach has led to problems, including multiple requirements applying to the same component; conflicting requirements for the same component depending on what material it is made from; and ambiguous requirements for components not explicitly listed in § 25.853 or Appendix F part I of part 25. These ambiguous requirements for components not explicitly listed have resulted in the requirements of § 25.853 or Appendix F, part I of part 25 becoming obsolete whenever materials change, or incomplete when components have been developed after the regulation and Appendix F of part 25 were issued. PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Materials Flammability Working Group completed the task, and the ARAC submitted the recommendations to the FAA in August 2012. The Materials Flammability Working Group believed the proposed threat-based organization for the flammability regulations was logical, practical and a more effective framework for regulation going forward than the current published regulations. The Materials Flammability Working Group believed the resulting regulation draft, along with appropriate advisory material, would ultimately be simpler and more easily understood and enforced. In order to proceed with rulemaking to implement the recommendations, the FAA is tasking the ARAC to provide cost and benefit data associated with implementation. The Task The Materials Flammability Working Group will provide advice and recommendations to the ARAC, through the TAE Subcommittee, on the costs and benefits of implementing the recommendations previously submitted by the Materials Flammability Working Group in August 2012. The recommendation report can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_ policies/rulemaking/committees/arac/. The Materials Flammability Working Group is tasked to: 1. Review the Materials Flammability Working Group Recommendation Report dated July 9, 2012 and submitted in August 2012, along with subsequent research results to be provided to the Materials Flammability Working Group by the FAA. 2. Provide quantitative cost data for each recommendation, if applicable, along with assumptions and rationale for the cost data. The FAA will provide key assumptions to assist with cost estimation. 3. Provide quantitative economic benefit data for each recommendation, if applicable. 4. Provide service data regarding incidents (precursors) or accidents related to materials flammability that would be mitigated in the future by implementation of each recommendation. 5. Develop a report containing recommendations on the findings and results of the tasks explain above. a. The recommendation report should document both majority and dissenting positions on the findings and the rationale for each position. b. Any disagreements should be documented, including the rationale for position and the reasons for the disagreements. E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM 20JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 20, 2015 / Notices 6. The Materials Flammability Working Group may be reinstated to assist the ARAC, through the TAE Subcommittee, by responding to the FAA’s questions or concerns after the recommendation report has been submitted. Schedule The recommendation report should be submitted to the FAA for review and acceptance no later than 8 months from publication of the tasking statement in the Federal Register. rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Working Group Activity The Materials Flammability Working Group must comply with the procedures adopted by the ARAC and are as follows: 1. Conduct a review and analysis of the assigned tasks and any other related materials or documents. 2. Draft and submit the recommendation report based on the review and analysis of the assigned tasks. 3. Present the recommendation report at the TAE Subcommittee meeting. Participation in the Working Group The reinstated Materials Flammability Working Group is comprised of technical experts having an interest in the assigned task. A working group member need not be a member representative of the ARAC or the TAE Subcommittee. The FAA is not soliciting membership for the reinstated Materials Flammability Working Group. The provisions of the August 13, 2014, Office of Management and Budget guidance, ‘‘Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions’’ (79 FR 47482), continues the ban on registered lobbyists participating on Agency Boards and Commissions if participating in their ‘‘individual capacity.’’ The revised guidance now allows registered lobbyists to participate on Agency Boards and Commissions in a ‘‘representative capacity’’ for the ‘‘express purpose of providing a committee with the views of a nongovernmental entity, a recognizable group of persons or nongovernmental entities (an industry, sector, labor unions, or environmental groups, etc.) or state or local government.’’ (For further information see Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) as amended, 2 U.S.C 1603, 1604, and 1605.) The members of the Materials Flammability Working Group must actively participate by attending all meetings, and providing written VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:47 Jan 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 comments when requested. The members must devote the resources necessary to support the Materials Flammability Working Group in meeting any assigned deadlines. The members must keep management and those represented advised of the Materials Flammability Working Group activities and decisions to ensure the proposed technical solutions does not conflict with the position of the member’s represent. The Secretary of Transportation determined the formation and use of the ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law. ARAC meetings are open to the public. However, meetings of the Materials Flammability Working Group are not open to the public. The FAA will make no public announcement of working group meetings. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2015. Lirio Liu, Designated Federal Officer, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee. [FR Doc. 2015–00749 Filed 1–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Summary Notice No. PE–2014–145] Petition for Exemption; Summary of Petition Received; Freight Runners Express Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public’s awareness of, and participation in, the FAA’s exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition. SUMMARY: Comments on this petition must identify the petition docket number and must be received on or before February 9, 2015. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA–2014–1029 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 2773 the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: 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: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202–493–2251. Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to https://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.dot.gov/ privacy. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keira Jones (202) 267–4024, Office of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591. This notice is published pursuant to 14 CFR 11.85. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2015. Lirio Liu, Director, Office of Rulemaking. Petition for Exemption Docket No.: FAA–2014–1029. Petitioner: Freight Runners Express, Inc. Section(s) of 14 CFR Affected: § 121.571. Description of Relief Sought: Freight Runners Express requests relief to operate under § 121.571 in lieu of § 135.117 when conducting passenger carrying operations under part 135 in aircraft with more than 19 seats installed. [FR Doc. 2015–00746 Filed 1–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM 20JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2772-2773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00749]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee--New Task

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of a continuation of task assignment for the Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
(ARAC) a continuation of task to a previously established working 
group. This continuation of task requests the working group to provide 
cost and benefit data for the proposed implementation of the ARAC 
recommendations submitted in 2012 regarding the FAA's approach to 
update, reorganize and improve the level of safety requirements for the 
flammability of materials for transport category airplanes. This notice 
informs the public of a continuation to a previous ARAC activity, 
reinstates the Materials Flammability Working Group, and does not 
solicit membership.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Gardlin, Airframe/Cabin Safety 
Branch, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057, 
telephone (425) 227-2136, facsimile (425) 227-1149; email 
jeff.gardlin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

ARAC Acceptance of Task

    As a result of the December 18, 2014, ARAC meeting, the FAA 
assigned and ARAC accepted and designated this task to the Transport 
Airplane and Engine (TAE) Subcommittee, reinstating the Materials 
Flammability Working Group. The Materials Flammability Working Group 
will serve as staff to the ARAC, through the TAE Subcommittee, and will 
provide advice and recommendations on the assigned task. The TAE 
Subcommittee will review and approve the recommendation report and will 
send the approved recommendation report to the ARAC for acceptance. 
After ARAC accepts the recommendation report, it will submit the 
recommendation report to the FAA.

Background

    The FAA established the ARAC to provide information, advice, and 
recommendations on aviation related issues that could result in 
rulemaking to the FAA Administrator, through the Associate 
Administrator of Aviation Safety.
    On August 27, 2010 [75 FR 52807], the FAA tasked ARAC to consider 
the merits and make recommendations for improvement of an approach 
drafted by the FAA that would simplify compliance demonstrations, and 
upgrade the level of safety for flammability throughout the airplane. 
The objective of the proposed approach was to completely revisit the 
flammability requirements and take advantage of the wealth of data 
available from FAA research and advances in material fire safety to 
provide a simpler regulation that provides a higher level of safety for 
transport category airplanes.
    The flammability requirements for interior materials on transport 
category airplanes have evolved significantly over the years to become 
more threat-based. By ``threat-based,'' the FAA means the flammability 
requirements use a more realistic test method based on the type of fire 
hazard most critical for the components in question. Historically, 
these requirements have been based on an analysis of the type of 
threat, the usage of the potentially flammable material (e.g., 
sidewall), and the material type (e.g., elastomeric materials). This 
approach has led to problems, including multiple requirements applying 
to the same component; conflicting requirements for the same component 
depending on what material it is made from; and ambiguous requirements 
for components not explicitly listed in Sec.  25.853 or Appendix F part 
I of part 25. These ambiguous requirements for components not 
explicitly listed have resulted in the requirements of Sec.  25.853 or 
Appendix F, part I of part 25 becoming obsolete whenever materials 
change, or incomplete when components have been developed after the 
regulation and Appendix F of part 25 were issued.
    The Materials Flammability Working Group completed the task, and 
the ARAC submitted the recommendations to the FAA in August 2012. The 
Materials Flammability Working Group believed the proposed threat-based 
organization for the flammability regulations was logical, practical 
and a more effective framework for regulation going forward than the 
current published regulations. The Materials Flammability Working Group 
believed the resulting regulation draft, along with appropriate 
advisory material, would ultimately be simpler and more easily 
understood and enforced. In order to proceed with rulemaking to 
implement the recommendations, the FAA is tasking the ARAC to provide 
cost and benefit data associated with implementation.

The Task

    The Materials Flammability Working Group will provide advice and 
recommendations to the ARAC, through the TAE Subcommittee, on the costs 
and benefits of implementing the recommendations previously submitted 
by the Materials Flammability Working Group in August 2012. The 
recommendation report can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/arac/.
    The Materials Flammability Working Group is tasked to:
    1. Review the Materials Flammability Working Group Recommendation 
Report dated July 9, 2012 and submitted in August 2012, along with 
subsequent research results to be provided to the Materials 
Flammability Working Group by the FAA.
    2. Provide quantitative cost data for each recommendation, if 
applicable, along with assumptions and rationale for the cost data. The 
FAA will provide key assumptions to assist with cost estimation.
    3. Provide quantitative economic benefit data for each 
recommendation, if applicable.
    4. Provide service data regarding incidents (precursors) or 
accidents related to materials flammability that would be mitigated in 
the future by implementation of each recommendation.
    5. Develop a report containing recommendations on the findings and 
results of the tasks explain above.
    a. The recommendation report should document both majority and 
dissenting positions on the findings and the rationale for each 
position.
    b. Any disagreements should be documented, including the rationale 
for position and the reasons for the disagreements.

[[Page 2773]]

    6. The Materials Flammability Working Group may be reinstated to 
assist the ARAC, through the TAE Subcommittee, by responding to the 
FAA's questions or concerns after the recommendation report has been 
submitted.

Schedule

    The recommendation report should be submitted to the FAA for review 
and acceptance no later than 8 months from publication of the tasking 
statement in the Federal Register.

Working Group Activity

    The Materials Flammability Working Group must comply with the 
procedures adopted by the ARAC and are as follows:
    1. Conduct a review and analysis of the assigned tasks and any 
other related materials or documents.
    2. Draft and submit the recommendation report based on the review 
and analysis of the assigned tasks.
    3. Present the recommendation report at the TAE Subcommittee 
meeting.

Participation in the Working Group

    The reinstated Materials Flammability Working Group is comprised of 
technical experts having an interest in the assigned task. A working 
group member need not be a member representative of the ARAC or the TAE 
Subcommittee. The FAA is not soliciting membership for the reinstated 
Materials Flammability Working Group. The provisions of the August 13, 
2014, Office of Management and Budget guidance, ``Revised Guidance on 
Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and 
Commissions'' (79 FR 47482), continues the ban on registered lobbyists 
participating on Agency Boards and Commissions if participating in 
their ``individual capacity.'' The revised guidance now allows 
registered lobbyists to participate on Agency Boards and Commissions in 
a ``representative capacity'' for the ``express purpose of providing a 
committee with the views of a nongovernmental entity, a recognizable 
group of persons or nongovernmental entities (an industry, sector, 
labor unions, or environmental groups, etc.) or state or local 
government.'' (For further information see Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (LDA) as amended, 2 U.S.C 1603, 1604, and 1605.)
    The members of the Materials Flammability Working Group must 
actively participate by attending all meetings, and providing written 
comments when requested. The members must devote the resources 
necessary to support the Materials Flammability Working Group in 
meeting any assigned deadlines. The members must keep management and 
those represented advised of the Materials Flammability Working Group 
activities and decisions to ensure the proposed technical solutions 
does not conflict with the position of the member's represent.
    The Secretary of Transportation determined the formation and use of 
the ARAC is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the 
performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law.
    ARAC meetings are open to the public. However, meetings of the 
Materials Flammability Working Group are not open to the public. The 
FAA will make no public announcement of working group meetings.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2015.
Lirio Liu,
Designated Federal Officer, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 2015-00749 Filed 1-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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