[Federal Register: November 21, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 225)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70184-70185]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no02-30]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 1, 60, 61, 63, 141, and 142
[Docket No. FAA-2002-12461; Notice No. 02-11]
RIN 2120-AH07
Flight Simulation Device Initial and Continuing Qualification and
Use
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of on-line public forum.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On September 25, 2002, the FAA published a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM), which proposes requirements to establish flight
simulation device qualification requirements in a new part. (67 FR
60284; Notice No. 02-11). The comment period closes on February 24,
2003. To supplement the traditional comment period, we are announcing
an on-line public forum, allowing you to answer specific questions we
will ask on the Internet. We are offering the forum to assist us in
providing a clear and comprehensive final rule. You can continue to
submit comments to the docket during the public forum, as outlined
below and in the NPRM.
DATES: You may access the on-line public forum beginning December 2,
2002, at 9 a.m. e.s.t. until December 13, 2002, at 4:30 p.m. e.s.t.
ADDRESSES: You may access the on-line public forum at http://
www2.faa.gov/avr/arm/rulemakingforum.cfm?nav=part. Under the ``View
Docket/Comments'' column, click once on ``Enter Public Forum.'' Follow
the instructions to access the questions.
If you are unable to participate in the on-line public forum and
wish to submit written comments, address your comments to the Docket
Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401,
400 Seventh St., SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the
docket number FAA-2002-12461 at the beginning of your comments, and you
should submit two copies of your comments.
You may also submit comments through the Internet to http://dms/
dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing comments to these
proposed regulations in person in the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Dockets
Office is on the plaza level at the Department of Transportation
building at the address above. Also, you may review public dockets on
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Cook, National Simulator
Program Staff (AFS-205), Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone
(404) 305-6100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
On-Line Public Forum
We are soliciting on-line discussion and written comments on the
questions below. You will be able to read the questions on-line and
submit your answers and comments electronically. We will monitor your
responses throughout the 2-week forum and may ask you clarifying
questions. While we have selected topics that we are particularly
interested in, we still welcome all of your comments and suggestions.
We will not make any commitments or draw any conclusions while the
docket is open for public comment.
On-Line Questions
The questions that will appear on the Internet for the on-line
public forum are as follows:
1. The FAA would like to assist any reader who may have had
difficulty understanding the proposed rule. If you need clarification
on the proposed rule (in general or in a specific section), please
describe what you would like clarified here.
Note: We will exert every effort to post our reply below your
description in as short a time as possible.
2. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on the format of the part 60
appendices ``A'' through ``D.'' Specifically, does this format aid the
reader in determining the context of the material being read (i.e.,
awareness that the text is rule language, additional requirements, or
information)? If not, what are your recommendations for modifying the
format?
3. The FAA seeks the public's recommendations for additions,
modifications, and/or deletions to the definitions of terms used in the
proposed rule (as found in the dedicated section of the rule and the
dedicated attachment in each appendix to the rule). The recommendations
we are seeking are strictly to make the proposed rule clearer.
4. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on where the National
Simulator Program (NSP) should publish the Statement of Qualification?*
The options are as follows:
(a) Shared with the public on the NSP's Internet website;
(b) Shared only among NSP staff, FAA personnel (for example,
Principal Operations Inspector (POI) or Training Center Program Manager
(TCPM)) and the sponsor; or
(c) Shared only between NSP staff and the sponsor.
\*\ Note: The Statement of Qualification consists of the
following three parts:
(a) A Certificate--names the sponsor; the aircraft being
simulated; the category of Flight Simulation Device (FSD); the FAA
identification number; and the qualification level for the device.
(b) A Configuration List--outlines the aircraft configuration;
types of visual, motion, or other simulator systems installed; the
aircraft equipment being simulated; alternative configurations
available for engines, instrumentation, and other equipment; and
includes the date each above item was qualified.
[[Page 70185]]
(c) Qualifications/Restrictions to Qualifications List--lists
the flight tasks flown by the sponsor (or the sponsor's
representative) in preparation for the sponsor's request for initial
evaluation (see Sec. 60.15). It also lists and describes the flight
tasks and the Flight Simulation Device (FSD) systems for which
qualification is or is not originally sought and is or is not
granted.
5. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on whether to continue the
practice of ``grandfathering.'' Please include whether this practice
should have an end point either in general or for some specific aspects
of the practice. If you believe ``grandfathering'' should be
discontinued, include suggestions on the conditions for instituting an
end point.
Note: The term ``grandfathering'' is used to allow standards, in
effect at the time of original qualification of a specific Flight
Simulation Device (FSD), to continue to apply to that specific FSD
regardless of subsequent modification to those standards. This
provision addresses areas such as visual systems, motion systems,
aerodynamic data, required tests, and individual test tolerances.
6. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on whether the current list
of objective tests is practicable and viable and on whether this list
may be modified by either reducing or expanding the number of objective
tests. The resulting list of tests must not compromise the overall
objective review of the performance and handling of the simulator in
comparison to the simulated airplane.
7. The FAA seeks the public's opinion on the effectiveness of using
an Internet website (to discuss aspects of flight simulation device
evaluation and qualification and explain National Simulator Program
(NSP) policy and/or the proposals and suggestions for alteration of
those policies). Do you have additional suggestions on how FAA's
communication with the aviation industry and the public in general may
be promoted through this or similar media?
8. Please identify which affiliation you are associated with.
Note: Select one of the following categories:
(a) Airlines or Training Centers.
(b) Pilots or Pilot Organizations.
(c) Simulator or FTD Manufacturers.
(d) Airplane Manufacturers.
(e) Academic Institutions.
(f) U.S. Agencies (such as NASA, NTSB, Customs, etc.).
(g) U.S. or Foreign Military.
(h) Foreign Regulatory Authorities.
(i) Other.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2002.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 02-29646 Filed 11-18-02; 3:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P