Airmen certification: Mechanics and repairmen; certification and training requirements,

[Federal Register: October 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 198)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 55289-55290]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr14oc98-33]

[[Page 55289]]

Part III

Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 65, 66, and 147

Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen; Proposed Rule

[[Page 55290]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 65, 66, and 147

[Docket No. 27863; Notice No. 98-5]

RIN 2120-AF22

Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was published on July 9, 1998. In that document, the FAA propose changes to the Federal Aviation Regulations that prescribe the certification and training requirements for mechanics and repairmen. This extension is a result of a formal request from the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) to extend the comment period to the proposal. This extension is necessary to afford all interested parties an opportunity to present their views on the proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposal may be delivered or mailed, in triplicate, to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attn: Rules Docket (AGC-200), Docket No. 27863, Room 915G, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments submitted must be marked: ``Docket No. 27863.'' Comments also may be sent electronically to the following Internet address: 9-nprm- cmts@faa.dot.gov. Comments may be examined in Room 915G on weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie K. Vipond, AFS-350, Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. 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 must identify the regulatory docket or notice number and be submitted in triplicate to the Rules Docket address specified above.

All comments received, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel on this rulemaking, will be filedin the docket. The docket is available for public inspection before and after the comment closing date.

All comments received on or before the closing date will be considered by the Administrator before taking action on this proposed rulemaking. Late-filedcomments will be considered to the extent practicable. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must include a pre-addressed, stamped postcard with those comments on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 27863.'' The postcard will be date stamped and mailed to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the FAA regulations section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321- 3339), the Government Printing Office's electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 202-512-1661), or the FAA's Aviation rulemaking Advisory Committee Bulletin Board service (telephone: (800) 322-2772 or (202) 267-5948).

Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/ avr/arm/nprm/nprm.htm or the Government Printing Office's electronic webpage at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara for access to recently published rulemaking documents.

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Communications must identify the notice number or docket number of this NPRM.

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, that describes the application procedure.

Background

On June 26, 1998, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Notice No. 98-5, Revision of Certification Requirements: Mechanics and Repairmen (63 FR 37172, July 9, 1998). Comments to that document were to be received on or before November 6, 1998.

By letter dated August 7, 1998, PAMA requested that the FAA extend the comment period for Notice No. 98-5 until January 8, 1999. PAMA stated that the proposal is a highly complex document that affects all aviation maintenance personnel. The association also noted difficulties encountered by its members in obtaining the document and related advisory material. PAMA stated that an extension of the comment period would provide the public with sufficient time to obtain and fully evaluate this proposal before submitting comments to the FAA.

In accordance with Sec. 11.29(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the FAA has reviewed PAMA's petition for extension of the comment period to Notice No. 98-5. PAMA has shown a substantive interest in the proposed rule and good cause for the extension. The FAA also has determined that extension of the comment period is consistent with the public interest.

Extension of Comment Period

The FAA has reviewed the request for consideration of an extended comment period for Notice No. 98-5 and determined that an extension would be in the public interest, and that good cause exists for taking this action. Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 98-5 is extended to January 8, 1999. Also, the comments on draft Advisory Circulars (AC): AC 66-XX Part 66--The New Certification Regulations for Aviation Maintenance Personnel, AC 66-XX Recurrent Training for Aviation Maintenance Personnel, and AC 66-XX Approval of Aviation Maintenance Technician (Transport) Training Program Providers is extended until January 8, 1999.

Issued in Washington, DC, October 7, 1998. Richard O. Gordon, Acting Director, Flight Standards Services.

[FR Doc. 98-27400Filed10-13-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-M