80_FR_32053 80 FR 31946 - Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and Engine Issues; New Task

80 FR 31946 - Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and Engine Issues; New Task

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 107 (June 4, 2015)

Page Range31946-31948
FR Document2015-13542

The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to provide recommendations regarding the incorporation of airframe-level crashworthiness and ditching standards into Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 and development of associated advisory material. The issue is during the development of current airworthiness standards and regulatory guidance, the FAA assumed that airframe structure for transport airplanes would be constructed predominantly of metal, using skin-stringer-frame architecture. Therefore, certain requirements either do not address all of the issues associated with nonmetallic materials, or have criteria that are based on experience with traditionally-configured large metallic airplanes. With respect to crashworthiness, there is no airframe-level standard for crashworthiness. Many of the factors that influence airframe performance under crash conditions on terrain also influence airframe performance under ditching conditions. Past studies and investigations have included recommendations for review of certain regulatory requirements and guidance material to identify opportunities for improving survivability during a ditching event; consideration of these recommendations is included in this tasking. This notice informs the public of the new ARAC activity and solicits membership for the Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31946-31948]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and 
Engine Issues; New Task

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

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

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

SUMMARY: The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
(ARAC) a new task to provide recommendations regarding the 
incorporation of airframe-level crashworthiness and ditching standards 
into Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 and 
development of associated advisory material. The issue is during the 
development of current airworthiness standards and regulatory guidance, 
the FAA assumed that airframe structure for transport airplanes would 
be constructed predominantly of metal, using skin-stringer-frame 
architecture. Therefore, certain requirements either do not address all 
of the issues associated with nonmetallic materials, or have criteria 
that are based on experience with traditionally-configured large 
metallic airplanes. With respect to crashworthiness, there is no 
airframe-level standard for crashworthiness. Many of the factors that 
influence airframe performance under crash conditions on terrain also 
influence airframe performance under ditching conditions. Past studies 
and investigations have included recommendations for review of certain 
regulatory requirements and guidance material to identify opportunities 
for improving survivability during a ditching event; consideration of 
these recommendations is included in this tasking.
    This notice informs the public of the new ARAC activity and 
solicits membership for the Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and 
Ditching Working Group.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Won, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98055, 
[email protected], phone number 425-227-2145, facsimile number 425-227-
1232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

ARAC Acceptance of Task

    As a result of the March 19, 2015 ARAC meeting, the FAA has 
assigned and ARAC has accepted this task and will establish the 
Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group, 
Transport Airplane and Engine Issues. The working group will serve as 
staff to the ARAC and provide advice and recommendations on the 
assigned task. The ARAC will review and approve the recommendation 
report and will submit it 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.
    The Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group 
will provide advice and recommendations to the ARAC on airframe-level 
crashworthiness and ditching standards to incorporate into part 25 and 
any associated advisory material.
    The requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
25.561 apply equally to structure constructed from either metallic or 
nonmetallic materials, and regardless of the design architecture and 
airplane size. Guidance material is mainly contained in FAA Advisory 
Circular (AC) 25-17A. While not explicitly stated in part 25, during 
the development of current airworthiness standards and published 
advisory circulars, the FAA assumed that airplane airframes would be 
constructed predominantly of metal, using skin-stringer-frame 
architecture. Therefore, some of the requirements either do not address 
all of the issues associated with nonmetallic materials, or have 
criteria that are based on experience with traditionally-configured 
large metallic airplanes. With respect to crashworthiness, there is no 
airframe-level standard for crashworthiness. The FAA promulgated 
standards for occupant protection at the seat installation level, with 
the presumption that the airframe provides an acceptable level of 
crashworthiness. Thus when an applicant proposes to use unconventional 
fuselage structure (materials, design, or both), the FAA has written 
special conditions to ensure the level of crash protection is 
equivalent to that provided by a traditionally-configured metallic 
airplane. These special conditions have been comparative in nature, and 
do not establish performance standards that are independent of 
traditional metallic skin-stringer-frame architecture for airframe 
crashworthiness.
    Crashworthiness Factors: Many factors influence the crashworthiness 
of an airframe, including materials of

[[Page 31947]]

construction, geometry, structural philosophy, and fuselage size 
(fuselage diameter). The key elements of crashworthy airframe design 
are managing energy absorption and maintaining structural integrity. 
For the most part, energy absorption is managed through plastic 
deformation and controlled failures of the lower fuselage structure. 
Maintaining the integrity of the structure is a balance between keeping 
loads within human tolerance levels, retaining items of mass, 
preserving a survivable volume and maintaining access to exits. 
Existing airworthiness requirements mainly focus on the safety of 
flight, and not crashworthiness, consequently when deviating from the 
traditional methods of construction an adequate level of safety cannot 
be assured.
    Increased Use of Composites: In June 2009, the FAA Transport 
Airplane Directorate requested comments through the Federal Register 
(74 FR 26919) on whether there was a need for future rulemaking to 
address manufacturers' extensive use of composite materials in airplane 
construction. Several candidate technical areas were noted in the 
request, including fire safety, crashworthiness, lightning protection, 
fuel tank safety and damage tolerance. All responses that the FAA 
received indicated that crashworthiness in particular needs improved 
guidance and possible rulemaking.
    Ditching: The FAA conducted several investigations on ditching and 
water-related impacts in the 1980s and 1990s. In conjunction with 
Transport Canada and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK 
CAA), the FAA recently investigated ditching/water-related impacts and 
ditching certification. One of the findings of these investigations is 
that current practices may not provide an adequate level of safety for 
the most likely ditching scenarios. From this research, a ditching 
event can be categorized as a specific type of emergency landing. Many 
of the factors (e.g., airframe energy absorption characteristics, 
structural deformation, etc.) that influence airframe performance under 
crash conditions on terrain also influence airframe performance under 
ditching conditions. Flight crew procedures, airplane configuration, 
safety equipment, and passenger preparedness also have a significant 
influence on survivability during a ditching event. Findings from these 
investigations include recommendations for review of certain regulatory 
requirements and guidance material related to the aforementioned 
factors to identify opportunities for improving survivability during a 
ditching event.

The Task

    The Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group 
is tasked to:
    1. Specifically advise and make written recommendations on what 
airframe-level crashworthiness and ditching standards to incorporate 
into 14 CFR part 25 and any associated advisory material.
    2. Evaluate Sec. Sec.  25.561, 25.562, 25.563, 25.785, 25.787, 
25.789, 25.801, 25.807, 25.1411, 25.1415, and associated regulatory 
guidance material (e.g., ACs and policy memorandums) to determine what 
aspects need to be revised to maintain the current level of safety. 
Evaluate Special Conditions Nos. 25-321-SC, 25-362-SC, 25-528-SC, 25-
537-SC, as a basis for future requirements. The Transport Airplane 
Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group will specifically review the 
following factors in making its recommendations:
    a. Fuselage size effects as discussed in FAA report DOT/FAA/CT-
TN90/23;
    b. Safety benefit considerations as identified in CAA Paper 96011 
(and any subsequent revisions);
    c. Other non-traditional airplane level configurations or 
structural configurations (e.g., non-skin, stringer, frame 
construction).
    3. Make recommendations, using the information in FAA reports DOT/
FAA/TC-14/8 (draft), DOT/FAA/AR-95/54, DOT/FAA/CT-92/04, DOT/FAA/CT-84/
3, FAA policy memorandum PS-ANM100-1982-00124, and any other pertinent 
information that may be available on:
    a. Assumptions used in establishing the airplane configuration for 
ditching, both planned and unplanned;
    b. Validation of assumptions used for establishing airplane flight 
performance for planned and unplanned ditching scenarios;
    c. Procedures to be used to execute a successful ditching;
    d. Minimum equipment needed to address the likely ditching 
scenarios.
    4. Consider the performance of existing-conventional metallic 
airframe structure in crash conditions (with consideration to size 
effects) when developing recommendations for airframe-level 
crashworthiness and ditching standards, such that conventionally 
configured airplanes fabricated with typical metallic materials and 
design details can be shown to meet the proposed regulations without 
extensive investigation or documentation.
    5. Based on the Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching 
Working Group recommendations, perform the following:
    a. Estimate what regulated parties will do differently as a result 
of the proposed regulation and how much it would cost;
    b. Estimate the improvement (if any) in survivability of future 
accidents from this proposed regulation (cite evidence in the 
historical record as support if possible);
    c. Estimate any other benefits (e.g., reduced administrative 
burden) or costs that would result from implementation of the 
recommendations.
    6. Develop a report containing recommendations on whether to 
incorporate airframe-level crashworthiness and ditching standards into 
14 CFR part 25, the recommended requirements, and any associated 
advisory material.
    7. Develop a report containing recommendations on the findings and 
results of the tasks explained above.
    a. The 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 each position and the reason for the disagreement.
    8. Consider EASA requirements, accepted means of compliance (AMC) 
and guidance material (GM) for harmonization to the extent possible.
    9. The Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working 
Group may be reinstated to assist the ARAC by responding to the FAA's 
questions or concerns after the recommendation report has been 
submitted.

Schedule

    The recommendation report must be submitted to the FAA for review 
and acceptance no later than 24 months after publication of this 
notice.

Working Group Activity

    The Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group 
must comply with the procedures adopted by the ARAC. As part of the 
procedures, the working group must:
    1. Conduct a review and analysis of the assigned tasks and any 
other related materials or documents.
    2. Draft and submit a work plan for completion of the task, 
including the rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration by 
the Transport Airplane and Engine Subcommittee.
    3. Provide a status report at each Transport Airplane and Engine 
Subcommittee meeting.

[[Page 31948]]

    4. Draft and submit the recommendation report based on the review 
and analysis of the assigned tasks.
    5. Present the recommendation report at the Transport Airplane and 
Engine Subcommittee meeting.

Participation in the Working Group

    The Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group 
will be comprised of technical experts having an interest in the 
assigned task. A working group member need not be a member 
representative of the ARAC. The FAA would like a wide range of members 
to ensure all aspects of the tasks are considered in development of the 
recommendations. 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.)
    If you wish to become a member of the Transport Airplane 
Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group, write the person listed 
under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT expressing that 
desire. Describe your interest in the task and state the expertise you 
would bring to the working group. The FAA must receive all requests by 
July 6, 2015. The ARAC and the FAA will review the requests and advise 
you whether or not your request is approved.
    If you are chosen for membership on the working group, you must 
actively participate in the working group by attending all meetings, 
and providing written comments when requested to do so. You must devote 
the resources necessary to support the working group in meeting any 
assigned deadlines. You must keep your management chain and those you 
may represent advised of working group activities and decisions to 
ensure the proposed technical solutions do not conflict with the 
position of those you represent. Once the working group has begun 
deliberations, members will not be added or substituted without the 
approval of the ARAC Chair, the FAA, including the Designated Federal 
Officer, and the Working Group Chair.
    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 
Transport Airplane Crashworthiness and Ditching Working Group are not 
open to the public, except to the extent individuals with an interest 
and expertise are selected to participate. The FAA will make no public 
announcement of working group meetings.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 28, 2015.
Brenda D. Courtney,
Acting Designated Federal Officer, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee.
[FR Doc. 2015-13542 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                    31946                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Notices

                                                    property is subject to FAA’s NEPA                       DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                           Crashworthiness and Ditching Working
                                                    determination.                                                                                                 Group, Transport Airplane and Engine
                                                                                                            Federal Aviation Administration                        Issues. The working group will serve as
                                                       The following is a brief overview of
                                                    the request:                                                                                                   staff to the ARAC and provide advice
                                                                                                            Aviation Rulemaking Advisory                           and recommendations on the assigned
                                                       The Authority requests the release of                Committee; Transport Airplane and                      task. The ARAC will review and
                                                    a portion of airport property totaling 260              Engine Issues; New Task                                approve the recommendation report and
                                                    acres, which is no longer needed for                    AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                              will submit it to the FAA.
                                                    aeronautical purposes. Of the total 260                 Administration (FAA), DOT.                             Background
                                                    acres, 248 acres are part of Parcel H–1,
                                                                                                            ACTION: Notice of new task assignment                     The FAA established the ARAC to
                                                    and 12 acres are part of Parcel X–2.
                                                                                                            for the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory                   provide information, advice, and
                                                    These parcels are located in Allen                      Committee (ARAC).
                                                    Township, and were originally included                                                                         recommendations on aviation related
                                                    as part of larger property purchased                    SUMMARY:   The FAA assigned the                        issues that could result in rulemaking to
                                                    with federal funds over multiple AIP                    Aviation Rulemaking Advisory                           the FAA Administrator, through the
                                                    grants.                                                 Committee (ARAC) a new task to                         Associate Administrator of Aviation
                                                                                                            provide recommendations regarding the                  Safety.
                                                       The 260 acres requested for non-                                                                               The Transport Airplane
                                                    aeronautical use, are to be released to                 incorporation of airframe-level
                                                                                                                                                                   Crashworthiness and Ditching Working
                                                    the Rockefeller Group Development                       crashworthiness and ditching standards
                                                                                                                                                                   Group will provide advice and
                                                                                                            into Title 14, Code of Federal
                                                    Corporation (Rockefeller Group), 500                                                                           recommendations to the ARAC on
                                                                                                            Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 and
                                                    International Drive North, Suite 345, Mt.                                                                      airframe-level crashworthiness and
                                                                                                            development of associated advisory
                                                    Olive, NJ 07828. The property is located                                                                       ditching standards to incorporate into
                                                                                                            material. The issue is during the
                                                    in the northwest corner of existing                                                                            part 25 and any associated advisory
                                                                                                            development of current airworthiness                   material.
                                                    airport property. Rockefeller Group is                  standards and regulatory guidance, the
                                                    proposing to sell the 260 acre property                                                                           The requirements of Title 14, Code of
                                                                                                            FAA assumed that airframe structure for                Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 25.561
                                                    to FedEx Ground for the construction of                 transport airplanes would be
                                                    a ground transportation facility. The                                                                          apply equally to structure constructed
                                                                                                            constructed predominantly of metal,                    from either metallic or nonmetallic
                                                    undeveloped property is located in                      using skin-stringer-frame architecture.                materials, and regardless of the design
                                                    Allen Township at the intersection of                   Therefore, certain requirements either                 architecture and airplane size. Guidance
                                                    Willowbrook Road and Race Street. As                    do not address all of the issues                       material is mainly contained in FAA
                                                    shown on the Airport Layout Plan, the                   associated with nonmetallic materials,                 Advisory Circular (AC) 25–17A. While
                                                    airport property does not serve an                      or have criteria that are based on                     not explicitly stated in part 25, during
                                                    aeronautical purpose and is not needed                  experience with traditionally-configured               the development of current
                                                    for current or future airport                           large metallic airplanes. With respect to              airworthiness standards and published
                                                    development. The property was part of                   crashworthiness, there is no airframe-                 advisory circulars, the FAA assumed
                                                    an inverse condemnation judgment                        level standard for crashworthiness.                    that airplane airframes would be
                                                    against the Authority. The proceeds                     Many of the factors that influence                     constructed predominantly of metal,
                                                    from the Fair Market Value (FMV) sale                   airframe performance under crash                       using skin-stringer-frame architecture.
                                                    of the 260 acres of property will be used               conditions on terrain also influence                   Therefore, some of the requirements
                                                    to pay off the judgment and the                         airframe performance under ditching                    either do not address all of the issues
                                                    remaining balance will be placed into                   conditions. Past studies and                           associated with nonmetallic materials,
                                                    an identifiable interest bearing account                investigations have included                           or have criteria that are based on
                                                    to be used for eligible airport                         recommendations for review of certain                  experience with traditionally-configured
                                                                                                            regulatory requirements and guidance                   large metallic airplanes. With respect to
                                                    development purposes, as outlined in
                                                                                                            material to identify opportunities for                 crashworthiness, there is no airframe-
                                                    FAA Order 5190.6B, Airport
                                                                                                            improving survivability during a                       level standard for crashworthiness. The
                                                    Compliance Manual.
                                                                                                            ditching event; consideration of these                 FAA promulgated standards for
                                                       Any person may inspect the request                   recommendations is included in this                    occupant protection at the seat
                                                    by appointment at the FAA office                        tasking.                                               installation level, with the presumption
                                                    address listed above. Interested persons                   This notice informs the public of the               that the airframe provides an acceptable
                                                    are invited to comment on the proposed                  new ARAC activity and solicits                         level of crashworthiness. Thus when an
                                                    release. All comments will be                           membership for the Transport Airplane                  applicant proposes to use
                                                    considered by the FAA to the extent                     Crashworthiness and Ditching Working                   unconventional fuselage structure
                                                    practicable.                                            Group.                                                 (materials, design, or both), the FAA has
                                                      Issued in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, May                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian                   written special conditions to ensure the
                                                    28, 2015.                                               Won, Federal Aviation Administration,                  level of crash protection is equivalent to
                                                                                                            1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA                       that provided by a traditionally-
                                                    Lori K. Pagnanelli,
                                                                                                            98055, ian.y.won@faa.gov, phone                        configured metallic airplane. These
                                                    Manager, Harrisburg Airports District Office.           number 425–227–2145, facsimile                         special conditions have been
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                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–13501 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am]              number 425–227–1232.                                   comparative in nature, and do not
                                                    BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                             establish performance standards that are
                                                                                                                                                                   independent of traditional metallic skin-
                                                                                                            ARAC Acceptance of Task                                stringer-frame architecture for airframe
                                                                                                              As a result of the March 19, 2015                    crashworthiness.
                                                                                                            ARAC meeting, the FAA has assigned                        Crashworthiness Factors: Many
                                                                                                            and ARAC has accepted this task and                    factors influence the crashworthiness of
                                                                                                            will establish the Transport Airplane                  an airframe, including materials of


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Notices                                            31947

                                                    construction, geometry, structural                      improving survivability during a                          5. Based on the Transport Airplane
                                                    philosophy, and fuselage size (fuselage                 ditching event.                                        Crashworthiness and Ditching Working
                                                    diameter). The key elements of                                                                                 Group recommendations, perform the
                                                                                                            The Task
                                                    crashworthy airframe design are                                                                                following:
                                                    managing energy absorption and                             The Transport Airplane                                 a. Estimate what regulated parties will
                                                    maintaining structural integrity. For the               Crashworthiness and Ditching Working                   do differently as a result of the proposed
                                                    most part, energy absorption is managed                 Group is tasked to:                                    regulation and how much it would cost;
                                                    through plastic deformation and                            1. Specifically advise and make                        b. Estimate the improvement (if any)
                                                    controlled failures of the lower fuselage               written recommendations on what                        in survivability of future accidents from
                                                    structure. Maintaining the integrity of                 airframe-level crashworthiness and                     this proposed regulation (cite evidence
                                                    the structure is a balance between                      ditching standards to incorporate into                 in the historical record as support if
                                                    keeping loads within human tolerance                    14 CFR part 25 and any associated                      possible);
                                                    levels, retaining items of mass,                        advisory material.                                        c. Estimate any other benefits (e.g.,
                                                    preserving a survivable volume and                         2. Evaluate §§ 25.561, 25.562, 25.563,              reduced administrative burden) or costs
                                                    maintaining access to exits. Existing                   25.785, 25.787, 25.789, 25.801, 25.807,                that would result from implementation
                                                    airworthiness requirements mainly                       25.1411, 25.1415, and associated                       of the recommendations.
                                                    focus on the safety of flight, and not                  regulatory guidance material (e.g., ACs                   6. Develop a report containing
                                                    crashworthiness, consequently when                      and policy memorandums) to determine                   recommendations on whether to
                                                    deviating from the traditional methods                  what aspects need to be revised to                     incorporate airframe-level
                                                    of construction an adequate level of                    maintain the current level of safety.                  crashworthiness and ditching standards
                                                    safety cannot be assured.                               Evaluate Special Conditions Nos.                       into 14 CFR part 25, the recommended
                                                       Increased Use of Composites: In June                 25–321–SC, 25–362–SC, 25–528–SC,                       requirements, and any associated
                                                    2009, the FAA Transport Airplane                        25–537–SC, as a basis for future                       advisory material.
                                                    Directorate requested comments through                  requirements. The Transport Airplane                      7. Develop a report containing
                                                    the Federal Register (74 FR 26919) on                   Crashworthiness and Ditching Working                   recommendations on the findings and
                                                    whether there was a need for future                     Group will specifically review the                     results of the tasks explained above.
                                                    rulemaking to address manufacturers’                    following factors in making its                           a. The report should document both
                                                    extensive use of composite materials in                 recommendations:                                       majority and dissenting positions on the
                                                    airplane construction. Several candidate                   a. Fuselage size effects as discussed in            findings and the rationale for each
                                                    technical areas were noted in the                       FAA report DOT/FAA/CT–TN90/23;                         position.
                                                                                                               b. Safety benefit considerations as                    b. Any disagreements should be
                                                    request, including fire safety,
                                                                                                            identified in CAA Paper 96011 (and any                 documented, including the rationale for
                                                    crashworthiness, lightning protection,
                                                                                                            subsequent revisions);                                 each position and the reason for the
                                                    fuel tank safety and damage tolerance.                     c. Other non-traditional airplane level
                                                    All responses that the FAA received                                                                            disagreement.
                                                                                                            configurations or structural                              8. Consider EASA requirements,
                                                    indicated that crashworthiness in                       configurations (e.g., non-skin, stringer,              accepted means of compliance (AMC)
                                                    particular needs improved guidance and                  frame construction).                                   and guidance material (GM) for
                                                    possible rulemaking.                                       3. Make recommendations, using the                  harmonization to the extent possible.
                                                       Ditching: The FAA conducted several                  information in FAA reports DOT/FAA/                       9. The Transport Airplane
                                                    investigations on ditching and water-                   TC–14/8 (draft), DOT/FAA/AR–95/54,                     Crashworthiness and Ditching Working
                                                    related impacts in the 1980s and 1990s.                 DOT/FAA/CT–92/04, DOT/FAA/CT–                          Group may be reinstated to assist the
                                                    In conjunction with Transport Canada                    84/3, FAA policy memorandum PS–                        ARAC by responding to the FAA’s
                                                    and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation                   ANM100–1982–00124, and any other                       questions or concerns after the
                                                    Authority (UK CAA), the FAA recently                    pertinent information that may be                      recommendation report has been
                                                    investigated ditching/water-related                     available on:                                          submitted.
                                                    impacts and ditching certification. One                    a. Assumptions used in establishing
                                                    of the findings of these investigations is              the airplane configuration for ditching,               Schedule
                                                    that current practices may not provide                  both planned and unplanned;                              The recommendation report must be
                                                    an adequate level of safety for the most                   b. Validation of assumptions used for               submitted to the FAA for review and
                                                    likely ditching scenarios. From this                    establishing airplane flight performance               acceptance no later than 24 months after
                                                    research, a ditching event can be                       for planned and unplanned ditching                     publication of this notice.
                                                    categorized as a specific type of                       scenarios;
                                                    emergency landing. Many of the factors                     c. Procedures to be used to execute a               Working Group Activity
                                                    (e.g., airframe energy absorption                       successful ditching;                                     The Transport Airplane
                                                    characteristics, structural deformation,                   d. Minimum equipment needed to                      Crashworthiness and Ditching Working
                                                    etc.) that influence airframe                           address the likely ditching scenarios.                 Group must comply with the procedures
                                                    performance under crash conditions on                      4. Consider the performance of                      adopted by the ARAC. As part of the
                                                    terrain also influence airframe                         existing-conventional metallic airframe                procedures, the working group must:
                                                    performance under ditching conditions.                  structure in crash conditions (with                      1. Conduct a review and analysis of
                                                    Flight crew procedures, airplane                        consideration to size effects) when                    the assigned tasks and any other related
                                                    configuration, safety equipment, and                    developing recommendations for                         materials or documents.
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                                                    passenger preparedness also have a                      airframe-level crashworthiness and                       2. Draft and submit a work plan for
                                                    significant influence on survivability                  ditching standards, such that                          completion of the task, including the
                                                    during a ditching event. Findings from                  conventionally configured airplanes                    rationale supporting such a plan, for
                                                    these investigations include                            fabricated with typical metallic                       consideration by the Transport Airplane
                                                    recommendations for review of certain                   materials and design details can be                    and Engine Subcommittee.
                                                    regulatory requirements and guidance                    shown to meet the proposed regulations                   3. Provide a status report at each
                                                    material related to the aforementioned                  without extensive investigation or                     Transport Airplane and Engine
                                                    factors to identify opportunities for                   documentation.                                         Subcommittee meeting.


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                                                    31948                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Notices

                                                       4. Draft and submit the                              solutions do not conflict with the                     Those actions grant licenses, permits,
                                                    recommendation report based on the                      position of those you represent. Once                  and approvals for the project.
                                                    review and analysis of the assigned                     the working group has begun                            DATES: By this notice, the FHWA, on
                                                    tasks.                                                  deliberations, members will not be                     behalf of Caltrans, is advising the public
                                                       5. Present the recommendation report                 added or substituted without the                       of final agency actions subject to 23
                                                    at the Transport Airplane and Engine                    approval of the ARAC Chair, the FAA,                   U.S.C. 139(I)(1). A claim seeking
                                                    Subcommittee meeting.                                   including the Designated Federal                       judicial review of the Federal agency
                                                    Participation in the Working Group                      Officer, and the Working Group Chair.                  actions on the highway project will be
                                                                                                              The Secretary of Transportation                      barred unless the claim is filed on or
                                                       The Transport Airplane                               determined the formation and use of the                before November 2, 2015. If the Federal
                                                    Crashworthiness and Ditching Working                    ARAC is necessary and in the public                    law that authorizes judicial review of a
                                                    Group will be comprised of technical                    interest in connection with the                        claim provides a time period of less
                                                    experts having an interest in the                       performance of duties imposed on the                   than 150 days for filing such claim, then
                                                    assigned task. A working group member                                                                          that shorter time period still applies.
                                                                                                            FAA by law.
                                                    need not be a member representative of
                                                                                                              ARAC meetings are open to the                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    the ARAC. The FAA would like a wide
                                                                                                            public. However, meetings of the                       Smita Deshpande, Branch Chief,
                                                    range of members to ensure all aspects
                                                                                                            Transport Airplane Crashworthiness                     California Department of Transportation
                                                    of the tasks are considered in
                                                                                                            and Ditching Working Group are not                     District 12, Division of Environmental
                                                    development of the recommendations.
                                                                                                            open to the public, except to the extent               Analysis, 3347 Michelson Drive, Suite
                                                    The provisions of the August 13, 2014
                                                                                                            individuals with an interest and                       100, Irvine, California 92612, during
                                                    Office of Management and Budget
                                                                                                            expertise are selected to participate. The             normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to
                                                    guidance, ‘‘Revised Guidance on
                                                                                                            FAA will make no public                                5:00 p.m., Telephone number (949) 724–
                                                    Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal
                                                                                                            announcement of working group                          2800, email: smita.deshpande@
                                                    Advisory Committees, Boards, and
                                                                                                            meetings.                                              dot.ca.gov.
                                                    Commissions’’ (79 FR 47482), continues
                                                    the ban on registered lobbyists                           Issued in Washington, DC, on May 28,                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective
                                                    participating on Agency Boards and                      2015.                                                  July 1, 2007, the Federal Highway
                                                    Commissions if participating in their                   Brenda D. Courtney,                                    Administration (FHWA) assigned, and
                                                    ‘‘individual capacity.’’ The revised                    Acting Designated Federal Officer, Aviation            the California Department of
                                                    guidance now allows registered                          Rulemaking Advisory Committee.                         Transportation (Caltrans) assumed
                                                    lobbyists to participate on Agency                      [FR Doc. 2015–13542 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am]             environmental responsibilities for this
                                                    Boards and Commissions in a                             BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                                   project pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327.
                                                    ‘‘representative capacity’’ for the                                                                            Notice is hereby given that Caltrans has
                                                    ‘‘express purpose of providing a                                                                               taken final agency actions subject to 23
                                                    committee with the views of a                           DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                           U.S.C. 139(I)(1) by issuing licenses,
                                                    nongovernmental entity, a recognizable                                                                         permits, and approvals for the I–405
                                                    group of persons or nongovernmental                     Federal Highway Administration                         Improvement Project in the State of
                                                    entities (an industry, sector, labor                                                                           California. The project’s Selected
                                                    unions, or environmental groups, etc.)                  Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions                 Alternative includes the addition of one
                                                    or state or local government.’’ (For                    on Proposed Highway in California                      GP lane in each direction on I–405 from
                                                    further information see Lobbying                                                                               Euclid Street to the I–605 interchange,
                                                                                                            AGENCY:  Federal Highway                               plus the addition of a tolled Express
                                                    Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) as                         Administration (FHWA), DOT.
                                                    amended, 2 U.S.C. 1603, 1604, and                                                                              Lane in each direction of I–405 from
                                                    1605.)                                                  ACTION: Notice of Limitation on Claims                 SR–73 to SR–22 East. The tolled Express
                                                       If you wish to become a member of                    for Judicial Review of Actions by the                  Lane and the existing HOV lanes would
                                                    the Transport Airplane Crashworthiness                  California Department of Transportation                be managed jointly as a tolled Express
                                                    and Ditching Working Group, write the                   (Caltrans), pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327,                 Facility with two lanes in each direction
                                                    person listed under the caption FOR                     and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers                   from SR–73 to I–605. Access to the SR–
                                                    FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT                             (USACOE).                                              73 Express Lane Facility would be via
                                                    expressing that desire. Describe your                                                                          construction of the new direct connector
                                                    interest in the task and state the                      SUMMARY:   The FHWA, on behalf of                      to SR–73 south of the I–405 junction.
                                                    expertise you would bring to the                        Caltrans, is issuing this notice to                    Auxiliary lanes would be added at
                                                    working group. The FAA must receive                     announce actions taken by Caltrans that                various locations. The project may be
                                                    all requests by July 6, 2015. The ARAC                  are final within the meaning of 23                     implemented in phases and/or segments
                                                    and the FAA will review the requests                    U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a              and procured under one or more
                                                    and advise you whether or not your                      proposed highway project, San Diego                    contracts, including the option of using
                                                    request is approved.                                    Freeway (I–405) Improvement Project                    design/bid/build, design-build or
                                                       If you are chosen for membership on                  from State Route (SR) 73 to Interstate                 public/private contract authority. The
                                                    the working group, you must actively                    605 (I–605). Work is proposed as                       project is planned to be constructed in
                                                    participate in the working group by                     follows:                                               54 months. The project is intended to
                                                    attending all meetings, and providing                   —From Post Mile (PM) 9.3 to Post Mile                  reduce congestion, enhance operations,
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    written comments when requested to do                     24.2 in Orange County and Post Mile                  increase mobility, improve trip
                                                    so. You must devote the resources                         0.0 to Post Mile 1.2; 12–ORA–22 p.m.                 reliability, maximize throughput,
                                                    necessary to support the working group                    R0.7/R3.8/12–ORA–22 p.m. R0.5/                       optimize operations, and minimize
                                                    in meeting any assigned deadlines. You                    R0.7; 12–ORA–73 p.m. R27.2/R27.8/                    environmental impacts and ROW
                                                    must keep your management chain and                       12–ORA–605 p.m. 3.5/R1.6; 07–LA–                     acquisition. It will more effectively
                                                    those you may represent advised of                        605 p.m. R0.0/R1.2 in the Counties of                serve existing and future travel demand
                                                    working group activities and decisions                    Orange and Los Angeles, State of                     within Orange County and between
                                                    to ensure the proposed technical                          California.                                          Orange and Los Angeles Counties. The


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:24:08
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:24:08
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of new task assignment for the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC).
ContactIan Won, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98055, [email protected], phone number 425-227-2145, facsimile number 425-227- 1232.
FR Citation80 FR 31946 

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