81 FR 65874 - Repair Stations; Response to Public Comments

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 186 (September 26, 2016)

This action confirms the effective date and adopts as final the interim final rule published on July 27, 2016, and responds to the comments received on that interim final rule. The rule removed the requirement that a repair station with an airframe rating provide suitable permanent housing to enclose the largest type and model aircraft listed on its operations specifications. The FAA also revised its general housing and facilities regulation to provide that a repair station's housing for its facilities, equipment, materials, and personnel must be consistent not only with its ratings, but also with its limitations to those ratings. Finally, the FAA added an additional general purpose limited rating to cover maintenance work not covered by the existing 12 limited rating categories.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65874-65875]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23121]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 145

[Docket No.: FAA-2016-8744; Amdt. No. 145-31]
RIN 2120-AK86


Repair Stations; Response to Public Comments

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; confirmation of effective date and response to 
public comments.

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SUMMARY: This action confirms the effective date and adopts as final 
the interim final rule published on July 27, 2016, and responds to the 
comments received on that interim final rule. The rule removed the 
requirement that a repair station with an airframe rating provide 
suitable permanent housing to enclose the largest type and model 
aircraft listed on its operations specifications. The FAA also revised 
its general housing and facilities regulation to provide that a repair 
station's housing for its facilities, equipment, materials, and 
personnel must be consistent not only with its ratings, but also with 
its limitations to those ratings. Finally, the FAA added an additional 
general purpose limited rating to cover maintenance work not covered by 
the existing 12 limited rating categories.

DATES: Effective September 26, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For information on where to obtain copies of rulemaking 
documents and other information related to this action, see ``How To 
Obtain Additional Information'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Susan Traugott Ludwig, Aircraft Maintenance 
Division, Repair Station Branch, AFS-340, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone (214) 587-8887; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued an interim final rule on July 15, 2016 (81 FR 49158) 
to revise its repair station rules to remove the one-size-fits-all 
requirement of Sec.  145.103(b) and provide an additional limited 
rating category to cover work not addressed by the existing 12 
categories. These actions will assist the repair station industry by 
eliminating the costly housing requirement that is not necessary in 
many cases.

Discussion of Comments

    The FAA received two comments from the Aeronautical Repair Station 
Association (ARSA) and Airbus. ARSA stated that it fully supported the 
agency's actions as the regulations were unclear and needed to be 
updated. ARSA noted that although the changed rule still does not 
distinguish between repair stations working on completed aircraft and 
those working on airframe components, the removal of specified housing 
for airframe ratings will certainly allow for performance-based 
compliance. ARSA also requested the FAA consider removing Sec.  
145.61(b) in its entirety. ARSA asserted that it seems

[[Page 65875]]

the language in Sec.  145.61(a) alone would be sufficient to ensure 
appropriate ratings and limitations could be determined without the 
list in Sec.  145.61(b). ARSA stated the reinstitution of paragraph 
(b)(13) is merely a specific acknowledgement of the general language in 
Sec.  145.61(a). ARSA also specifically requested that the agency not 
deem its observation as opposition to the interim final rule, rather, a 
suggestion for consideration.
    The FAA agrees with ARSA's comment that the removal of specified 
airframe rated housing requirements will allow for performance-based 
compliance. The FAA notes ARSA's suggestion to remove Sec.  145.61(b) 
in its entirety and may consider it in a future rulemaking effort. 
Airbus requested clarification on the correct title for Sec.  145.205, 
Maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations performed for 
certificate holders under parts 121, 125, and 135, and for foreign 
persons operating a U.S.-registered aircraft in common carriage under 
part 129. Airbus noted the word ``performed'' is spelled ``per-formed'' 
in the interim final rule and spelled ``performed'' in the electronic 
Code of Regulations (eCFR). Airbus asked which format was correct.
    The FAA notes the title in the eCFR is correct.

Conclusion

    After consideration of the comments submitted in response to the 
interim final rule, the FAA has determined that no further rulemaking 
action is necessary. Therefore, amendment No. 145-31 remains in effect.

How To Obtain Additional Information

A. Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of a rulemaking document my be obtained by using 
the Internet--
    1. Search the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visit the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ or
    3. Access the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request (identified by 
notice, amendment, or docket number of this rulemaking) to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680.

B. Comments Submitted to the Docket

    Comments received may be viewed by going to http://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions to search the 
docket number for this action. Anyone is able to search the electronic 
form of all comments received into any of the FAA's dockets by the name 
of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 
1996 requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for information 
or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations within its 
jurisdiction. A small entity with questions regarding this document, 
may contact its local FAA official, or the person listed under the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the preamble. 
To find out more about SBREFA on the Internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.
    Accordingly, the interim rule published July 15, 2016 (81 FR 
49158), is adopted as final without change.

    Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), 
and 44703 in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2016.
Lirio Liu,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2016-23121 Filed 9-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P