Federal Aviation Administration November 18, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule implements, without interpretation, the provisions of sections 815 and 828 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ("the Act"). To conform the FAA's regulations to the self- enacting provisions in the Act, this final rule amends certain regulations to: align aircraft conditions and limitations with the term "covered aircraft" as defined in section 2307(j) of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 to increase the number of allowable passengers from 5 to 6, increase the number of occupants from 6 to 7, and increase the maximum takeoff weight from 6,000 pounds to 12,500 pounds, while excluding certain transport category rotorcraft. This final rule facilitates updates to current standards the medical form a State-licensed physician uses in completing a comprehensive medical examination. Further, this final rule amends regulations to incorporate the statutory expansion of BasicMed medical eligibility to examiners conducting practical tests or proficiency checks if they meet the requirements for operating covered aircraft under BasicMed, as provided in the Act.

The FAA is proposing to amend requirements applicable to meteorological towers and permanent wind energy systems. This rule would require any person that owns (sponsor) any proposed, altered, or existing meteorological tower to file notice with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if the highest point of the structure is at least 50 feet above ground level (AGL) up to and including 200 feet AGL at its site. The FAA is also proposing marking requirements for meteorological towers constructed or altered after the effective date of a final rule if the highest point of the structure is at least 50 feet AGL up to and including 200 feet AGL at its site. Additionally, the FAA proposes making certain pertinent information about any meteorological tower with the highest point of the structure at least 50 feet AGL up to and including 200 feet AGL at its site available on the FAA's official database. The FAA expects these changes to lower the collision risk for aircraft during low-altitude operations. Moreover, these requirements would partially address two statutory mandates and two National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations.