Federal Aviation Administration June 1, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 series airplanes. That action would have required inspecting the engine fire handles of the overhead panel in the cockpit, and replacing the engine fire handles if necessary. Since the NPRM was issued, we have received new data that the identified unsafe condition has been corrected on all airplanes that would have been subject to the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend commercial space transportation regulations by adding procedures for obtaining a safety approval. Application for a safety approval is voluntary. A safety approval is an FAA determination that a licensed launch or reentry may be conducted using a launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, safety system, process, service, or personnel approved under this part. The safety approval holder could then offer a launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, safety system, process, service, or personnel to prospective launch and reentry licensees for use within a defined and proven envelope. Those licensees would not need added FAA approval of that portion of their license application. Proposed rules are needed to establish the procedures for obtaining a safety approval from the FAA.