80_FR_41582 80 FR 41447 - Petition of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) To Amend FAA Policy Concerning Flying Club Operations at Federally-Obligated Airports.

80 FR 41447 - Petition of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) To Amend FAA Policy Concerning Flying Club Operations at Federally-Obligated Airports.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 135 (July 15, 2015)

Page Range41447-41448
FR Document2015-17324

This notice requests comments on a petition by the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) to revise certain policies concerning flying clubs in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport Compliance Manual. As part of its effort to promote flying clubs, AOPA has requested certain revisions to FAA guidance intended to lower barriers for new flying clubs. These revisions allow flight instructors and mechanics who are club members to receive monetary compensation for services provided to club members. On April 3, 2015, the AOPA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs & Advocacy, James W. Coon, wrote to Mr. Randall Fiertz, FAA's Director of the Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis proposing revision to FAA guidance regarding compensation for flight instructors and persons maintaining aircraft within the context of flying club operations. AOPA seeks ``to help current flying clubs and airport sponsors comply with the FAA guidance outlined in 5190.6B, and to provide future flying clubs the opportunity to strengthen and unify general aviation pilots.'' AOPA states that its goal is ``to provide guidance that is attainable and ensures educated compliance from all airport users,'' and thus asks for ``updated guidance regarding compensation for flight instructors and maintainers'' because ``flight instructors and aviation mechanics are valuable assets to the aviation industry, and should be granted the privilege of fair compensation for their efforts on a local level.''

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41447-41448]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17324]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Chapter I

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2022]


Petition of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) To 
Amend FAA Policy Concerning Flying Club Operations at Federally-
Obligated Airports.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of petition; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This notice requests comments on a petition by the Aircraft 
Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) to revise certain policies 
concerning flying clubs in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport Compliance Manual. As part of its effort to 
promote flying clubs, AOPA has requested certain revisions to FAA 
guidance intended to lower barriers for new flying clubs. These 
revisions allow flight instructors and mechanics who are club members 
to receive monetary compensation for services provided to club members.
    On April 3, 2015, the AOPA Senior Vice President for Government 
Affairs & Advocacy, James W. Coon, wrote to Mr. Randall Fiertz, FAA's 
Director of the Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis 
proposing revision to FAA guidance regarding compensation for flight 
instructors and persons maintaining aircraft within the context of 
flying club operations. AOPA seeks ``to help current flying clubs and 
airport sponsors comply with the FAA guidance outlined in 5190.6B, and 
to provide future flying clubs the opportunity to strengthen and unify 
general aviation pilots.'' AOPA states that its goal is ``to provide 
guidance that is attainable and ensures educated compliance from all 
airport users,'' and thus asks for ``updated guidance regarding 
compensation for flight instructors and maintainers'' because ``flight 
instructors and aviation mechanics are valuable assets to the aviation 
industry, and should be granted the privilege of fair compensation for 
their efforts on a local level.''

DATES: Send your comments on or before August 14, 2015. The FAA will 
consider comments on the petition. Any revisions resulting from the 
original petition or comments received will be adopted as of the date 
of a subsequent publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments [identified by Docket Number FAA-2015-
2022] using any of the following methods:
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Routing 
Symbol M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: To Docket Operations, Room W12-140 on the 
ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    For more information on the notice and comment process, see the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
    Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    Privacy: We will post all comments we receive, without change, to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone can 
find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including 
the name of the individual sending the comment (or signing the comment 
for an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
    Availability of Documents: You can get an electronic copy of this 
Policy and all other documents in this docket using the Internet by:
    (1) Searching the Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.faa.gov/regulations/search);
    (2) Visiting FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at (http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies; or
    (3) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html.
    You can also get a copy by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Airport Compliance and Management 
Analysis, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by 
calling (202) 267-3085. Make sure to identify the docket number, notice 
number, or amendment number of this proceeding.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miguel Vasconcelos, Airport Compliance 
Division, ACO-100, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-3085; facsimile: 
(202) 267-4620.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FAA Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport Compliance 
Manual (Order), published on September 30, 2009 defines flying clubs 
as: ``a nonprofit or not-for-profit entity (e.g., corporation, 
association, or partnership) organized for the express purpose of 
providing its members with aircraft for their personal use and

[[Page 41448]]

enjoyment only.'' The Order states that ``the ownership of the club 
aircraft must be vested in the name of the flying club or owned by all 
its members. The property rights of the members of the club shall be 
equal; no part of the net earnings of the club will benefit any one 
individual in any form, including salaries, bonuses, etc. The flying 
club may not derive greater revenue from the use of its aircraft than 
the amount needed for the operation, maintenance and replacement of its 
aircraft.'' The Order also notes that ``flying clubs may not offer or 
conduct . . . aircraft rental operations. They may conduct aircraft 
flight instruction for regular members only, and only members of the 
flying club may operate the aircraft.'' While members may not be 
monetarily compensated, existing policy allows flying clubs to allow 
compensation only in the form of credit against payment of dues or 
flight time.
    In addition, the Order states that ``no flying club shall permit 
its aircraft to be used for flight instruction for any person, 
including members of the club owning the aircraft, when such person 
pays or becomes obligated to pay for such instruction. An exception 
applies when the instruction is given by a lessee based on the airport 
who provides flight training and the person receiving the training is a 
member of the flying club. Flight instructors who are also club members 
may not receive payment for instruction except that they may be 
compensated by credit against payment of dues or flight time'' and that 
``any qualified mechanic who is a registered member and part owner of 
the aircraft owned and operated by a flying club may perform 
maintenance work on aircraft owned by the club. The flying club may not 
become obligated to pay for such maintenance work except that such 
mechanics may be compensated by credit against payment of dues or 
flight time.'' [See FAA Order 5190.6B, paragraphs 10.6(a), (b), and 
(c).] Flying clubs are defined in such a way as to differentiate from 
for-profit aeronautical businesses offering aeronautical services to 
general public, e.g., FBOs, flight schools and aircraft rental 
providers.
    The owner of any airport (airport sponsor) developed with Federal 
grant assistance is required to operate the airport for the use and 
benefit of the public and to make it available to all types, kinds, and 
classes of aeronautical activity on fair and reasonable terms, and 
without unjust discrimination. This includes flying clubs. Assurance 
22, Economic Nondiscrimination, of the prescribed sponsor assurances 
implements the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(a)(l) through (6), and 
requires, in pertinent part, that the sponsor of a federally obligated 
airport

    ``. . . will make its airport available as an airport for public 
use on reasonable terms, and without unjust discrimination, to all 
types, kinds, and classes of aeronautical activities, including 
commercial aeronautical activities offering services to the public 
at the airport.'' Assurance 22(a)
    ``. . . may establish such fair, equal, and not unjustly 
discriminatory conditions to be met by all users of the airport as 
may be necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the 
airport.'' Assurance 22(h)

At issue is the fact that some entities operating at federally-
obligated airports identify themselves as ``flying clubs,'' while not 
meeting the definition of a ``flying club.'' Rather, they are engaged 
in providing commercial services at the airport. In some instances, 
these ``flying clubs'' present themselves to the public as alternatives 
to traditional flight schools and aircraft rental providers. Some 
publish flight training rates, including instruction fees and rental 
rates, and only charge nominal annual ``club fees.'' FAA policy 
reflects the concern that some entities claiming to be flying clubs are 
actually commercial service providers. These commercial service 
providers use the term ``flying club'' to avoid compliance with airport 
minimum standards for commercials service providers. This can result in 
unjust discrimination because legitimate service providers at the 
airport would be at an economic disadvantage in competition with the 
flying club, contrary to the federal grant assurances, specifically 
Grant Assurance 22, Economic Nondiscrimination Therefore, if proposed 
changes to the definition of a flying club and the related activities 
must be consistent with Grant Assurance 22.
    As part of its effort to promote flying clubs, AOPA has recommended 
revisions to FAA guidance. These recommendations, designed to promote 
flying clubs, include allowing flight instructors and mechanics who are 
club members to receive monetary compensation for services conducted 
for other club members or club aircraft. Specifically, AOPA proposes 
the following language for consideration in FAA flying club policies:

    AOPA Policy Proposal Item 1:
    ``No flying club shall permit its aircraft to be used for flight 
instruction for any person, including members of the club owning the 
aircraft, when such person pays or becomes obligated to pay for such 
instruction except in the following circumstances; (a) The flight 
instruction is provided to a club member by a commercial operator 
authorized by the airport sponsor to provide flight instruction on 
field. (b) The flight instruction is provided to a club member by a 
flight instructor who is also a club member that is in good standing 
according to the club bylaws. In either case, the flight instructor 
may receive monetary compensation; however the flying club is 
prohibited from holding itself out to the public as a fixed based 
operator, a specialized aviation service operation, or a flight 
school. In the case of (b) above, the Airport Sponsor has the right 
to limit flight instruction for monetary compensation but must 
permit the club to compensate club instructors with credit against 
payment of dues or flight time.''
    AOPA Policy Proposal Item 2:
    ``Any qualified mechanic who is a member of the flying club may 
perform maintenance work on aircraft owned or exclusively used by 
the flying club. The flying club may not become obligated to pay for 
such maintenance work except that such mechanics may be compensated 
not to exceed a reasonable rate for the work performed at the 
discretion of club members. The club however may not hold out to the 
public as operating as a fixed base operator, a specialized aviation 
service operation, or maintenance facility. The Airport Sponsor has 
the right to limit maintenance work for monetary compensation but 
must permit the club to compensate club mechanics with credit 
against payment of dues or flight time.''

    In brief, AOPA requests that flight instructors and mechanics who 
are club members be permitted to receive monetary compensation for 
services conducted within the club. AOPA's request also emphasizes that 
airport sponsors must [emphasis added] permit the club to compensate 
club instructors and mechanics with credit against payment of dues or 
flight time.
    AOPA-recommended revisions are available for review on the FAA 
Airports Web site, as well as in the docket locations described under 
Availability of documents in this notice.
    Request for Comments: The FAA requests comments on whether AOPA's 
recommendations can be considered consistent with the FAA's general 
policies regarding commercial aeronautical services and flying clubs on 
an airport, and if so, whether the stated agency policy on flying clubs 
should be revised to amend its definition of flying clubs. In 
particular, the FAA seeks comments from commercial service providers 
that engage in flight training and aircraft rental, from associations 
representing such service providers, and other interested parties.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2015.
Randall S. Fiertz,
Director, Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2015-17324 Filed 7-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P



                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 135 / Wednesday, July 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           41447

                                                     (3) Sell eligible foods purchased for                 SUMMARY:    This notice requests                      DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
                                                  the household at the price paid by the                   comments on a petition by the Aircraft                Monday through Friday, except Federal
                                                  service for the food without any                         Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA)                   holidays.
                                                  additional cost markup;                                  to revise certain policies concerning                    For more information on the notice
                                                     (4) Not impose a total order minimum                  flying clubs in the Federal Aviation                  and comment process, see the
                                                  of more than $50 per delivery for all                    Administration (FAA) Order 5190.6B,                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
                                                  items purchased, including eligible                      FAA Airport Compliance Manual. As                     this document.
                                                  foods purchased with SNAP benefits                       part of its effort to promote flying clubs,              Docket: To read background
                                                  and items purchased with other tender,                   AOPA has requested certain revisions to               documents or comments received, go to
                                                  combined;                                                FAA guidance intended to lower                        http://www.regulations.gov at any time
                                                     (5) Offer to accept orders and be able                barriers for new flying clubs. These                  or to Room W12–140 on the ground
                                                  to deliver foods at least monthly;                       revisions allow flight instructors and                floor of the West Building, 1200 New
                                                     (6) Obtain the agreement of the                       mechanics who are club members to                     Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC,
                                                  participant, at the time of the food                     receive monetary compensation for                     between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                  order, of the date and timeframe of                      services provided to club members.                    through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                  delivery; and                                               On April 3, 2015, the AOPA Senior                     Privacy: We will post all comments
                                                     (7) Not impose any conditions on the                  Vice President for Government Affairs &               we receive, without change, to http://
                                                  use of the food purchase and delivery                    Advocacy, James W. Coon, wrote to Mr.                 www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                  service which place a hardship on the                    Randall Fiertz, FAA’s Director of the                 personal information you provide.
                                                  SNAP household or which are unrelated                    Office of Airport Compliance and                      Using the search function of our docket
                                                  to the purchase and delivery of foods,                   Management Analysis proposing                         Web site, anyone can find and read the
                                                  such as tipping of the delivery driver or                revision to FAA guidance regarding                    comments received into any of our
                                                  participation in religious or other                      compensation for flight instructors and               dockets, including the name of the
                                                  affiliate activities.                                    persons maintaining aircraft within the               individual sending the comment (or
                                                                                                           context of flying club operations. AOPA               signing the comment for an association,
                                                  § 278.6   [Amended]                                      seeks ‘‘to help current flying clubs and              business, labor union, etc.). You may
                                                  ■  8. In § 278.6:                                        airport sponsors comply with the FAA                  review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
                                                  ■  a. Amend paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(A) by                  guidance outlined in 5190.6B, and to                  Statement in the Federal Register
                                                  removing the words, ‘‘and (h)’’ and                      provide future flying clubs the                       published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
                                                  adding in their place the words, ‘‘,(h)                  opportunity to strengthen and unify                   19477–78).
                                                  and (i)’’.                                               general aviation pilots.’’ AOPA states                   Availability of Documents: You can
                                                  ■ b. Amend paragraph (l) by removing                     that its goal is ‘‘to provide guidance that           get an electronic copy of this Policy and
                                                  the references, ‘‘§ 278.1(k)’’ and                       is attainable and ensures educated                    all other documents in this docket using
                                                  ‘‘§ 278.1(j)’’ and adding in their place                 compliance from all airport users,’’ and              the Internet by:
                                                  the references, ‘‘§ 278.1(l)’’ and                       thus asks for ‘‘updated guidance                         (1) Searching the Federal
                                                  ‘‘§ 278.1(k)’’, wherever they occur,                     regarding compensation for flight                     eRulemaking portal (http://
                                                  respectively.                                            instructors and maintainers’’ because                 www.faa.gov/regulations/search);
                                                  ■ c. Amend paragraph (m) by removing                     ‘‘flight instructors and aviation                        (2) Visiting FAA’s Regulations and
                                                  the references, ‘‘§ 278.1(k)’’ and                       mechanics are valuable assets to the                  Policies Web page at (http://
                                                  ‘‘§ 278.1(j)’’ and adding in their place                 aviation industry, and should be granted              www.faa.gov/regulations_policies; or
                                                  the references, ‘‘§ 278.1(l)’’ and                       the privilege of fair compensation for                   (3) Accessing the Government
                                                  ‘‘§ 278.1(k)’’, respectively.                            their efforts on a local level.’’                     Printing Office’s Web page at (http://
                                                    Dated: June 21, 2015.                                  DATES: Send your comments on or                       www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html.
                                                  Jeffrey J. Tribiano,                                     before August 14, 2015. The FAA will                     You can also get a copy by sending a
                                                                                                           consider comments on the petition. Any                request to the Federal Aviation
                                                  Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition
                                                  Service.                                                 revisions resulting from the original                 Administration, Office of Airport
                                                                                                           petition or comments received will be                 Compliance and Management Analysis,
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–17354 Filed 7–14–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                           adopted as of the date of a subsequent                800 Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                  BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
                                                                                                           publication in the Federal Register.                  Washington, DC 20591, or by calling
                                                                                                                                                                 (202) 267–3085. Make sure to identify
                                                                                                           ADDRESSES: You may send comments
                                                                                                                                                                 the docket number, notice number, or
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                             [identified by Docket Number FAA–
                                                                                                                                                                 amendment number of this proceeding.
                                                                                                           2015–2022] using any of the following
                                                                                                           methods:                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  Federal Aviation Administration
                                                                                                              • Government-wide rulemaking Web                   Miguel Vasconcelos, Airport
                                                  14 CFR Chapter I                                         site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov                Compliance Division, ACO–100, Federal
                                                                                                           and follow the instructions for sending               Aviation Administration, 800
                                                  [Docket No. FAA–2015–2022]                               your comments electronically.                         Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                                                                              • Mail: Docket Operations, U.S.                    Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202)
                                                  Petition of the Aircraft Owner and                       Department of Transportation, West                    267–3085; facsimile: (202) 267–4620.
                                                  Pilots Association (AOPA) To Amend                       Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FAA
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  FAA Policy Concerning Flying Club                        140, Routing Symbol M–30, 1200 New                    Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport
                                                  Operations at Federally-Obligated                        Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC                     Compliance Manual (Order), published
                                                  Airports.                                                20590.                                                on September 30, 2009 defines flying
                                                  AGENCY: Federal Aviation                                    • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.                             clubs as: ‘‘a nonprofit or not-for-profit
                                                  Administration (FAA), DOT.                                  • Hand Delivery: To Docket                         entity (e.g., corporation, association, or
                                                                                                           Operations, Room W12–140 on the                       partnership) organized for the express
                                                  ACTION: Notice of petition; request for
                                                                                                           ground floor of the West Building, 1200               purpose of providing its members with
                                                  comments.
                                                                                                           New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                    aircraft for their personal use and


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:22 Jul 14, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\15JYP1.SGM   15JYP1


                                                  41448                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 135 / Wednesday, July 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                  enjoyment only.’’ The Order states that                  pertinent part, that the sponsor of a                 is also a club member that is in good standing
                                                  ‘‘the ownership of the club aircraft must                federally obligated airport                           according to the club bylaws. In either case,
                                                  be vested in the name of the flying club                                                                       the flight instructor may receive monetary
                                                                                                             ‘‘. . . will make its airport available as an       compensation; however the flying club is
                                                  or owned by all its members. The                         airport for public use on reasonable terms,
                                                  property rights of the members of the                                                                          prohibited from holding itself out to the
                                                                                                           and without unjust discrimination, to all
                                                                                                                                                                 public as a fixed based operator, a
                                                  club shall be equal; no part of the net                  types, kinds, and classes of aeronautical
                                                                                                           activities, including commercial aeronautical         specialized aviation service operation, or a
                                                  earnings of the club will benefit any one                                                                      flight school. In the case of (b) above, the
                                                  individual in any form, including                        activities offering services to the public at the
                                                                                                           airport.’’ Assurance 22(a)                            Airport Sponsor has the right to limit flight
                                                  salaries, bonuses, etc. The flying club                                                                        instruction for monetary compensation but
                                                                                                             ‘‘. . . may establish such fair, equal, and
                                                  may not derive greater revenue from the                  not unjustly discriminatory conditions to be          must permit the club to compensate club
                                                  use of its aircraft than the amount                      met by all users of the airport as may be             instructors with credit against payment of
                                                  needed for the operation, maintenance                    necessary for the safe and efficient operation        dues or flight time.’’
                                                  and replacement of its aircraft.’’ The                   of the airport.’’ Assurance 22(h)                        AOPA Policy Proposal Item 2:
                                                  Order also notes that ‘‘flying clubs may                                                                          ‘‘Any qualified mechanic who is a member
                                                                                                           At issue is the fact that some entities               of the flying club may perform maintenance
                                                  not offer or conduct . . . aircraft rental               operating at federally-obligated airports
                                                  operations. They may conduct aircraft                                                                          work on aircraft owned or exclusively used
                                                                                                           identify themselves as ‘‘flying clubs,’’              by the flying club. The flying club may not
                                                  flight instruction for regular members                   while not meeting the definition of a                 become obligated to pay for such
                                                  only, and only members of the flying                     ‘‘flying club.’’ Rather, they are engaged             maintenance work except that such
                                                  club may operate the aircraft.’’ While                                                                         mechanics may be compensated not to
                                                                                                           in providing commercial services at the
                                                  members may not be monetarily                                                                                  exceed a reasonable rate for the work
                                                                                                           airport. In some instances, these ‘‘flying
                                                  compensated, existing policy allows                                                                            performed at the discretion of club members.
                                                                                                           clubs’’ present themselves to the public
                                                  flying clubs to allow compensation only                                                                        The club however may not hold out to the
                                                                                                           as alternatives to traditional flight
                                                  in the form of credit against payment of                                                                       public as operating as a fixed base operator,
                                                                                                           schools and aircraft rental providers.
                                                  dues or flight time.                                                                                           a specialized aviation service operation, or
                                                     In addition, the Order states that ‘‘no               Some publish flight training rates,                   maintenance facility. The Airport Sponsor
                                                  flying club shall permit its aircraft to be              including instruction fees and rental                 has the right to limit maintenance work for
                                                  used for flight instruction for any                      rates, and only charge nominal annual                 monetary compensation but must permit the
                                                  person, including members of the club                    ‘‘club fees.’’ FAA policy reflects the                club to compensate club mechanics with
                                                  owning the aircraft, when such person                    concern that some entities claiming to                credit against payment of dues or flight
                                                                                                           be flying clubs are actually commercial               time.’’
                                                  pays or becomes obligated to pay for
                                                  such instruction. An exception applies                   service providers. These commercial
                                                                                                           service providers use the term ‘‘flying                 In brief, AOPA requests that flight
                                                  when the instruction is given by a lessee                                                                      instructors and mechanics who are club
                                                  based on the airport who provides flight                 club’’ to avoid compliance with airport
                                                                                                           minimum standards for commercials                     members be permitted to receive
                                                  training and the person receiving the                                                                          monetary compensation for services
                                                  training is a member of the flying club.                 service providers. This can result in
                                                                                                           unjust discrimination because legitimate              conducted within the club. AOPA’s
                                                  Flight instructors who are also club                                                                           request also emphasizes that airport
                                                  members may not receive payment for                      service providers at the airport would be
                                                                                                           at an economic disadvantage in                        sponsors must [emphasis added] permit
                                                  instruction except that they may be                                                                            the club to compensate club instructors
                                                  compensated by credit against payment                    competition with the flying club,
                                                                                                           contrary to the federal grant assurances,             and mechanics with credit against
                                                  of dues or flight time’’ and that ‘‘any                                                                        payment of dues or flight time.
                                                  qualified mechanic who is a registered                   specifically Grant Assurance 22,
                                                  member and part owner of the aircraft                    Economic Nondiscrimination Therefore,                   AOPA-recommended revisions are
                                                  owned and operated by a flying club                      if proposed changes to the definition of              available for review on the FAA
                                                  may perform maintenance work on                          a flying club and the related activities              Airports Web site, as well as in the
                                                  aircraft owned by the club. The flying                   must be consistent with Grant                         docket locations described under
                                                  club may not become obligated to pay                     Assurance 22.                                         Availability of documents in this notice.
                                                  for such maintenance work except that                       As part of its effort to promote flying              Request for Comments: The FAA
                                                  such mechanics may be compensated by                     clubs, AOPA has recommended                           requests comments on whether AOPA’s
                                                  credit against payment of dues or flight                 revisions to FAA guidance. These                      recommendations can be considered
                                                  time.’’ [See FAA Order 5190.6B,                          recommendations, designed to promote                  consistent with the FAA’s general
                                                  paragraphs 10.6(a), (b), and (c).] Flying                flying clubs, include allowing flight                 policies regarding commercial
                                                  clubs are defined in such a way as to                    instructors and mechanics who are club                aeronautical services and flying clubs
                                                  differentiate from for-profit aeronautical               members to receive monetary                           on an airport, and if so, whether the
                                                  businesses offering aeronautical services                compensation for services conducted for               stated agency policy on flying clubs
                                                  to general public, e.g., FBOs, flight                    other club members or club aircraft.                  should be revised to amend its
                                                  schools and aircraft rental providers.                   Specifically, AOPA proposes the                       definition of flying clubs. In particular,
                                                     The owner of any airport (airport                     following language for consideration in               the FAA seeks comments from
                                                  sponsor) developed with Federal grant                    FAA flying club policies:                             commercial service providers that
                                                  assistance is required to operate the                      AOPA Policy Proposal Item 1:                        engage in flight training and aircraft
                                                  airport for the use and benefit of the                     ‘‘No flying club shall permit its aircraft to       rental, from associations representing
                                                  public and to make it available to all                   be used for flight instruction for any person,
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                 such service providers, and other
                                                  types, kinds, and classes of aeronautical                including members of the club owning the
                                                                                                           aircraft, when such person pays or becomes
                                                                                                                                                                 interested parties.
                                                  activity on fair and reasonable terms,
                                                  and without unjust discrimination. This                  obligated to pay for such instruction except            Issued in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2015.
                                                                                                           in the following circumstances; (a) The flight        Randall S. Fiertz,
                                                  includes flying clubs. Assurance 22,                     instruction is provided to a club member by
                                                  Economic Nondiscrimination, of the                                                                             Director, Office of Airport Compliance and
                                                                                                           a commercial operator authorized by the
                                                  prescribed sponsor assurances                                                                                  Management Analysis.
                                                                                                           airport sponsor to provide flight instruction
                                                  implements the provisions of 49 U.S.C.                   on field. (b) The flight instruction is provided      [FR Doc. 2015–17324 Filed 7–14–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  47107(a)(l) through (6), and requires, in                to a club member by a flight instructor who           BILLING CODE P




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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:32:57
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:32:57
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of petition; request for comments.
DatesSend your comments on or before August 14, 2015. The FAA will consider comments on the petition. Any revisions resulting from the original petition or comments received will be adopted as of the date of a subsequent publication in the Federal Register.
ContactMiguel Vasconcelos, Airport Compliance Division, ACO-100, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-3085; facsimile: (202) 267-4620.
FR Citation80 FR 41447 

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