82_FR_58961 82 FR 58722 - Amendment of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information Region

82 FR 58722 - Amendment of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information Region

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 239 (December 14, 2017)

Page Range58722-58728
FR Document2017-26903

This action amends the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) that prohibits certain flights in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information Region (FIR) by all: United States (U.S.) air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. There has been a reduction in the level of risk to U.S. civil aviation operations in limited portions of the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information region (FIR) where the FAA had prohibited flight operations under the SFAR. As a result, the FAA is reducing the amount of airspace in the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in which U.S. civil aviation operations are prohibited. However, there continues to be an unacceptable level of risk to U.S. civil aviation operations in the remainder of the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, as described in this rule, resulting from terrorist and militant activity. Consequently, the FAA is also amending this SFAR to extend its expiration date. The FAA is also republishing, with minor revisions, the approval process and exemption information for this SFAR.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58722-58728]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26903]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 91

[Docket No.: FAA-2015-8672; Amdt. No. 91-340A]
RIN 2120-AL27


Amendment of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified 
Areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information Region

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Special Federal Aviation Regulation 
(SFAR) that prohibits certain flights in specified areas of the Sanaa 
(OYSC) Flight Information Region (FIR) by all: United States (U.S.) air 
carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges 
of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons 
are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and 
operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where the operator 
of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. There has been a reduction 
in the level of risk to U.S. civil aviation operations in limited 
portions of the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information 
region (FIR) where the FAA had prohibited flight operations under the 
SFAR. As a result, the FAA is reducing the amount of airspace in the 
Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in which U.S. civil aviation operations are 
prohibited. However, there continues to be an unacceptable level of 
risk to U.S. civil aviation operations in the remainder of the 
specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, as described in this rule, 
resulting from terrorist and militant activity. Consequently, the FAA 
is also amending this SFAR to extend its expiration date. The FAA is 
also republishing, with minor revisions, the approval process and 
exemption information for this SFAR.

DATES: This final rule is effective on December 14, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Filippell, Air Transportation 
Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
8166; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Executive Summary

    This action amends the prohibition of flight operations in 
specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. 
commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman 
certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating 
U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of 
U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where the operator of such 
aircraft is a foreign air carrier. Due to a reduction in the level of 
risk to U.S. civil aviation operating in limited portions of the 
specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR where the FAA had prohibited 
U.S. civil aviation operations under SFAR No. 115, title 14 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) 91.1611, this action amends SFAR No. 115, 
Sec.  91.1611, to reduce the amount of airspace in the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR 
in which U.S. civil aviation operations are prohibited. Specifically, 
the FAA is revising SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, to prohibit U.S. civil 
aviation operations in the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, except that airspace east 
of a line drawn direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA (152603N 
0533359E), southeast of a line drawn direct from NODMA to ORBAT 
(140638N 0503924E) then from ORBAT to PAKER (115500N 0463500E), south 
of a line drawn direct from PAKER to PARIM (123142N 0432712E), and west 
of a line drawn direct from PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 0415230E). However, 
there continues to be an unacceptable level of risk to U.S. civil 
aviation operations in the remainder the specified areas of the Sanaa 
(OYSC) FIR, as described in this rule, resulting from terrorist and 
militant activity. Consequently, the FAA is also amending this SFAR to 
extend its expiration date until January 7, 2020. The FAA finds this 
action necessary due to continued hazards to U.S. civil aviation 
operations in these areas.

II. Legal Authority and Good Cause

A. Legal Authority

    The FAA is responsible for the safety of flight in the U.S. and for 
the safety of U.S. civil operators, U.S.-registered civil aircraft, and 
U.S.-certificated airmen throughout the world. The FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety is found in title 49, U.S. Code. 
Subtitle I, sections 106(f) and (g), describe the authority of the FAA 
Administrator. Subtitle VII of title 49, Aviation Programs, describes 
in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. Section 40101(d)(1) 
provides that the Administrator shall consider in the public interest, 
among other matters, assigning, maintaining, and enhancing

[[Page 58723]]

safety and security as the highest priorities in air commerce. Section 
40105(b)(1)(A) requires the Administrator to exercise his authority 
consistently with the obligations of the U.S. Government under 
international agreements.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, subpart III, section 44701, General requirements. 
Under that section, the FAA is charged broadly with promoting safe 
flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing, among other 
things, regulations and minimum standards for practices, methods, and 
procedures that the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air 
commerce and national security.
    This regulation is within the scope of FAA's authority under the 
statutes cited previously, because it continues to prohibit the persons 
described in paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, from 
conducting flight operations in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR 
due to the continued hazards to the safety of such persons' flight 
operations, as described in the Background section of this final rule.

B. Good Cause for Immediate Adoption

    Title 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) authorizes agencies to dispense with 
notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency for ``good 
cause'' finds that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, 
or contrary to the public interest.'' Section 553(d) also authorizes 
agencies to forgo the delay in the effective date of the final rule for 
good cause found and published with the rule. In this instance, the FAA 
finds good cause to forgo notice and comment, because notice and 
comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. To 
the extent that the rule is based upon classified information, such 
information is not permitted to be shared with the general public. 
Also, threats to U.S. civil aviation and intelligence regarding these 
threats are fluid. As a result, the agency's original proposal could 
become unsuitable for minimizing the hazards to U.S. civil aviation in 
the affected airspace during or after the notice and comment process. 
The FAA further finds an immediate need to address the continued hazard 
to U.S. civil aviation that exists in specified areas of the Sanaa 
(OYSC) FIR from terrorist and militant activity. This hazard is further 
described in the Background section of this rule. Finally, it is 
contrary to the public interest to delay this change in the boundaries 
of the SFAR to permit U.S. civil aviation operations on two jet routes 
that were previously prohibited, thereby potentially reducing travel 
time and costs.
    For the reasons described previously, the FAA finds good cause to 
forgo notice and comment and any delay in the effective date for this 
rule. The FAA also finds that this action is fully consistent with the 
obligations under 49 U.S.C. 40105(b)(1)(A) to ensure that the FAA 
exercises its duties consistently with the obligations of the United 
States under international agreements.

III. Background

    On January 7, 2016, the FAA published a final rule to prohibit U.S. 
civil aviation operations in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, 
excluding that airspace east and southeast of a line drawn direct from 
KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA (152603N 0533359E), then direct from 
NODMA to PAKER (115500N 0463500E), due to the hazardous situation faced 
by U.S. civil aviation from ongoing military operations, political 
instability, violence from competing armed groups, and the continuing 
terrorism threat from extremist elements associated with the fighting 
and instability in Yemen. 81 FR 727.
    In taking that action, the FAA determined that international civil 
air routes that transit the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR and 
aircraft operating to and from Yemeni airports were at risk from 
terrorist and militant groups potentially employing anti-aircraft 
weapons, including Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), surface-
to-air missiles (SAMs), small-arms fire, and indirect fire from mortars 
and rockets. Due to the fighting and instability, as of January 2016, 
the FAA stated that there was a risk of possible loss of state control 
over more advanced anti-aircraft weapons to terrorist and militant 
groups. Some of the weapons that the FAA was concerned about have the 
capability to target aircraft at higher altitudes and/or during 
approach and departure and have weapon ranges that could extend into 
the near off-shore areas along Yemen's coastline.
    In the January 2016 final rule, the FAA also indicated that U.S. 
civil aviation was at risk from combat operations and other military-
related activity associated with the fighting and instability and that 
there was an ongoing threat of terrorism. Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian 
Peninsula (AQAP) remained active in Yemen and had demonstrated the 
capability and intent to target U.S. and Western aviation interests. 
Various Yemeni airports had been attacked during the fighting, 
including Sanaa International Airport (OYSN) and Aden International 
Airport (OYAA), resulting in instances of damage to airport facilities 
and temporary closure of the airports.
    Additionally, in the January 2016 final rule, the FAA assessed that 
there was a risk to U.S. civil aviation from potential strategic SAM 
systems. Some of these strategic air defense SAMs, at that time, posed 
a potential threat to civil aviation. On March 28, 2015, a probable SAM 
missile was launched from the vicinity of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, along the 
Red Sea. Collectively, the hazards previously described led the FAA to 
publish SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, on January 7, 2016.
    Over the last two years, the situation in Yemen has slightly 
improved, as a coalition of Yemeni government forces, supporting 
nations, and allied militia elements have successfully limited the area 
of opposition force control and reduced some of the opposition force 
weapon capabilities. Opposition elements in Yemen do not currently 
possess functional medium-/long-range strategic SAM capabilities. As a 
result, there is a reduced level of risk to U.S. civil aviation 
operations on certain international air routes that transit offshore 
areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR. The FAA has determined that the risk to 
U.S. civil aviation in limited areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, including 
these international air routes, has been sufficiently reduced to allow 
the FAA to shrink the boundaries of its prohibition of U.S. civil 
aviation operations in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR.
    Specifically, the FAA is revising SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, to 
prohibit flight operations in the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, excluding that 
airspace east of a line drawn direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to 
NODMA (152603N 0533359E), southeast of a line drawn direct from NODMA 
to ORBAT (140638N 0503924E) then from ORBAT to PAKER (115500N 
0463500E), south of a line drawn direct from PAKER to PARIM (123142N 
0432712E), and west of a line drawn direct from PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 
0415230E). This change will permit U.S. operators to use two jet 
routes, UT702 and M999, that they were previously prohibited from using 
under SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611. The FAA emphasizes that use of jet 
route UN303 remains prohibited.
    Opposition forces and terrorist elements continue to operate in 
various locations with either ongoing fighting or the potential for 
combat operations to occur with little or no warning. Opposition and 
terrorist elements, such as AQAP and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash 
Sham (ISIS) in Yemen, possess

[[Page 58724]]

a variety of anti-aircraft weapons, to include MANPADS and possible 
SAMs, which pose an ongoing risk to U.S. civil aviation in Yemeni 
territory occupied by or influenced by those elements and in the 
specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR within the revised SFAR 
boundaries described in this rule.
    Therefore, as a result of the significant continuing risk to the 
safety of U.S. civil aviation in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) 
FIR, with the revised boundaries previously described, the FAA also 
amends SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, to extend its expiration date from 
January 7, 2018, to January 7, 2020, to maintain the prohibition on 
flight operations in those areas by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. 
commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman 
certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating 
U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of 
U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where the operator of such 
aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
    The FAA will continue to actively monitor the situation and 
evaluate the extent to which U.S. civil operators may be able to safely 
operate in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, with the revised 
boundaries previously described, in the future. Further amendments to 
SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, may be appropriate if the risk to aviation 
safety and security changes. The FAA may amend or rescind SFAR No. 115, 
Sec.  91.1611, as necessary, prior to its expiration date.
    The FAA also republishes, with minor revisions, the approval 
process and exemption information for this SFAR, so that persons 
described in paragraph (a) of the rule will be able to refer to this 
final rule, rather than having to search through previous final rules 
to find the relevant approval process and exemption information. This 
approval process and exemption information is consistent with other 
similar SFARs and recent agency practice.

IV. Approval Process Based on a Request From a Department, Agency, or 
Instrumentality of the United States Government

    If a department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government 
determines that it has a critical need to engage any person covered 
under SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, including a U.S. air carrier or a 
U.S. commercial operator, to conduct a charter to transport civilian or 
military passengers or cargo, or other operations, in the specified 
areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, that department, agency, or 
instrumentality may request that the FAA approve persons covered under 
SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, to conduct such operations. An approval 
request must be made directly by the requesting department, agency or 
instrumentality of the U.S. Government to the FAA's Associate 
Administrator for Aviation Safety in a letter signed by an appropriate 
senior official of the requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality. Requests for approval submitted to the FAA by anyone 
other than the requesting department, agency, or instrumentality will 
not be accepted and will not be processed. In addition, the senior 
official signing the letter requesting FAA approval on behalf of the 
requesting department, agency, or instrumentality must be sufficiently 
highly placed within the organization to demonstrate that the senior 
leadership of the requesting department, agency, or instrumentality 
supports the request for approval and is committed to taking all 
necessary steps to minimize operational risks to the proposed flights. 
The senior official must also be in a position to: (1) Attest to the 
accuracy of all representations made to the FAA in the request for 
approval and (2) ensure that any support from the requesting U.S. 
government department, agency, or instrumentality described in the 
request for approval is in fact brought to bear and is maintained over 
time. Unless justified by exigent circumstances, requests for approval 
must be submitted to the FAA no less than 30 calendar days before the 
date on which the requesting department, agency, or instrumentality 
wishes the proposed operations, if approved by the FAA, to commence.
    The letter must be sent by the requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20591. Electronic submissions are acceptable, and the 
requesting entity may request that the FAA notify it electronically as 
to whether the approval request is granted. If a requestor wishes to 
make an electronic submission to the FAA, the requestor should contact 
the Air Transportation Division, Flight Standards Service, at (202) 
267-8166 to obtain the appropriate email address. A single letter may 
request approval from the FAA for multiple persons covered under SFAR 
No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, and/or for multiple flight operations. To the 
extent known, the letter must identify the person(s) covered under the 
SFAR on whose behalf the U.S. Government department, agency, or 
instrumentality is seeking FAA approval, and it must describe--
     The proposed operation(s), including the nature of the 
mission being supported;
     The service to be provided by the person(s) covered by the 
SFAR;
     To the extent known, the specific locations in the 
specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR where the proposed operation(s) 
will be conducted, including, but not limited to, the flight path and 
altitude of the aircraft while it is operating in the specified areas 
of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR and the airports, airfields and/or landing 
zones at which the aircraft will take-off and land; and
     The method by which the department, agency, or 
instrumentality will provide, or how the operator will otherwise 
obtain, current threat information and an explanation of how the 
operator will integrate this information into all phases of the 
proposed operations (e.g., the pre-mission planning and briefing, in-
flight, and post-flight phases).
    The request for approval must also include a list of operators with 
whom the U.S. Government department, agency, or instrumentality 
requesting FAA approval has a current contract(s), grant(s), or 
cooperative agreement(s) (or with whom its prime contractor has a 
subcontract(s)) for specific flight operations in the specified areas 
of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR. Additional operators may be identified to the 
FAA at any time after the FAA approval is issued. However, all 
additional operators must be identified to, and obtain an Operations 
Specification (OpSpec) or Letter of Authorization (LOA), as 
appropriate, from the FAA for operations in the specified areas of the 
Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, before such operators commence such operations. The 
approval conditions discussed below will apply to any such additional 
operators. Updated lists should be sent to the email address to be 
obtained from the Air Transportation Division by calling (202) 267-
8166.
    If an approval request includes classified information, requestors 
may contact Aviation Safety Inspector Michael Filippell for 
instructions on submitting it to the FAA. His contact information is 
listed in the For Further Information Contact section of this final 
rule.
    FAA approval of an operation under SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, 
does not relieve persons subject to this SFAR of their responsibility 
to comply with all other applicable FAA rules and regulations. 
Operators of civil aircraft must also comply with the conditions of 
their certificate, OpSpecs, and LOAs, as applicable. Operators must 
further comply with all rules and regulations of

[[Page 58725]]

other U.S. Government departments and agencies that may apply to the 
proposed operations, including, but not limited to, the Transportation 
Security Regulations issued by the Transportation Security 
Administration, Department of Homeland Security.

Approval Conditions

    If the FAA approves the request, the FAA's Aviation Safety 
Organization will send an approval letter to the requesting department, 
agency, or instrumentality informing it that the FAA's approval is 
subject to all of the following conditions:
    (1) The approval will stipulate those procedures and conditions 
that limit, to the greatest degree possible, the risk to the operator, 
while still allowing the operator to achieve its operational 
objectives.
    (2) Before any approval takes effect, the operator must submit to 
the FAA:
    (a) A written release of the U.S. Government from all damages, 
claims, and liabilities, including without limitation legal fees and 
expenses, relating to any event arising out of or related to the 
approved operations in the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR; and
    (b) the operator's agreement to indemnify the U.S. Government with 
respect to any and all third-party damages, claims, and liabilities, 
including without limitation legal fees and expenses, relating to any 
event arising out of or related to the approved operations in the 
specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR.
    (3) Other conditions that the FAA may specify, including those that 
may be imposed in OpSpecs or LOAs, as applicable.
    The release and agreement to indemnify do not preclude an operator 
from raising a claim under an applicable non-premium war risk insurance 
policy issued by the FAA under chapter 443 of title 49, United States 
Code.
    If the proposed operation(s) is approved, the FAA will issue an 
OpSpec or an LOA, as applicable, to the operator(s) identified in the 
original request authorizing them to conduct the approved operation(s), 
and will notify the department, agency, or instrumentality that 
requested the FAA's approval of any additional conditions beyond those 
contained in the approval letter. The requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality must have a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
(or its prime contractor must have a subcontract) with the person(s) 
described in paragraph (a) of this SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, on 
whose behalf the department, agency, or instrumentality requests FAA 
approval.

V. Requests for Exemption

    Any operations not conducted under an approval issued by the FAA 
through the approval process set forth previously must be conducted 
under an exemption from SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611. A request by any 
person covered under SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611, for an exemption must 
comply with 14 CFR part 11, and will require exceptional circumstances 
beyond those contemplated by the approval process set forth above. In 
addition to the information required by 14 CFR 11.81, at a minimum, the 
requestor must describe in its submission to the FAA--
     The proposed operation(s), including the nature of the 
operation;
     The service to be provided by the person(s) covered by the 
SFAR;
     The specific locations in the specified areas of the Sanaa 
(OYSC) FIR where the proposed operation(s) will be conducted, 
including, but not limited to, the flight path and altitude of the 
aircraft while it is operating in the specified areas of the Sanaa 
(OYSC) FIR and the airports, airfields and/or landing zones at which 
the aircraft will take-off and land;
     The method by which the operator will obtain current 
threat information, and an explanation of how the operator will 
integrate this information into all phases of its proposed operations 
(e.g., the pre-mission planning and briefing, in-flight, and post-
flight phases); and
     The plans and procedures that the operator will use to 
minimize the risks, identified in the Background section of this rule, 
to the proposed operations, so that granting the exemption would not 
adversely affect safety or would provide a level of safety at least 
equal to that provided by this SFAR. The FAA has found comprehensive, 
organized plans and procedures of this nature to be helpful in 
facilitating the agency's safety evaluation of petitions for exemption 
from other flight prohibition SFARs.
    Additionally, the release and agreement to indemnify, as referred 
to above, will be required as a condition of any exemption that may be 
issued under SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611.
    The FAA recognizes that operations that may be affected by SFAR No. 
115, Sec.  91.1611, including this amendment, may be planned for the 
governments of other countries with the support of the U.S. Government. 
While these operations will not be permitted through the approval 
process, the FAA will process exemption requests for such operations on 
an expedited basis and prior to any private exemption requests.

VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct that each 
Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned 
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its 
costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354), 
as codified in 5 U.S.C. 603 et seq., requires agencies to analyze the 
economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the 
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), 19 U.S.C. Chapter 13, 
prohibits agencies from setting standards that create unnecessary 
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. In developing 
U.S. standards, the Trade Agreements Act requires agencies to consider 
international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis 
of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-4), as codified in 2 U.S.C. Chapter 25, requires agencies 
to prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other 
effects of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate 
likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 
1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's analysis of 
the economic impacts of this final rule.
    In conducting these analyses, the FAA has determined that this 
final rule has benefits that justify its costs and is a ``significant 
regulatory action'' as defined in section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866, because it raises novel policy issues contemplated under that 
Executive Order. The rule is also ``significant'' as defined in DOT's 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures. The final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
will not create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, and will not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, 
or tribal governments, or on the private sector, by exceeding the 
threshold identified previously.

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    Department of Transportation Order 2100.5 prescribes policies and 
procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of regulations. If 
the expected cost impact is so minimal that a proposed or final rule 
does not warrant a full evaluation, this order

[[Page 58726]]

permits a statement to that effect and the basis for it to be included 
in the preamble if a full regulatory evaluation of the costs and 
benefits is not prepared. Such a determination has been made for this 
final rule. The reasoning for this determination follows.
    Due to the significant hazards to U.S. civil aviation described in 
the Background section of this rule, this rule extends the prohibition 
against U.S. civil flights in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, 
as described in this rule. Since there has been a reduction in the 
level of risk to U.S. civil aviation operations in limited portions of 
the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in which the FAA had 
previously prohibited such operations, this action amends SFAR No. 115, 
Sec.  91.1611, to reduce the amount of airspace in which U.S. civil 
flight operations are prohibited. This change will permit U.S. 
operators to use two jet routes that they were previously prohibited 
from using under SFAR No. 115, Sec.  91.1611: UT702 and M999.
    The FAA believes there are very few U.S. operators who wish to 
operate in the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR where U.S. civil 
aviation operations will continue to be prohibited. The FAA has not 
received any requests for approval or exemption to conduct flight 
operations in the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR covered by 
this regulation. Consequently, the FAA estimates the costs of this rule 
to be minimal. These minimal costs are exceeded by the benefits of 
avoided deaths, injuries, and property damage that could result from a 
U.S. operator's aircraft being shot down (or otherwise damaged) due to 
the hazards described in the Background section of this final rule. In 
addition, allowing U.S. civil aviation to use the M999 and UT702 routes 
will benefit U.S. operators who regularly transit the Middle East area, 
since they will no longer be required to use less direct routes. This 
change may reduce flight times and certain operating expenses, such as 
fuel, resulting in potential cost savings for affected U.S. operators. 
Consequently, the FAA estimates that the benefits of this rule will 
exceed the costs.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required 
to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain 
the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration.'' The RFA covers a wide range of small entities, 
including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA. 
However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the agency may so 
certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. The 
certification must include a statement providing the factual basis for 
this determination, and the reasoning should be clear. As discussed 
above, the FAA estimates the costs of this rule to be minimal. 
Moreover, few, if any, operators will be affected by this rule, as the 
FAA believes that most operators do not wish to operate in specified 
areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in which U.S. civil flight operations 
will continue to be prohibited, due to the hazards described in the 
Background section of this rule. Additionally, this rule will allow 
U.S. civil aviation to use the M999 and UT702 routes, and, to that 
extent, it may benefit small U.S. operators if they regularly transit 
the Middle East area, since they will no longer be required to use less 
direct routes. This change may reduce flight times and certain 
operating expenses, such as fuel, resulting in potential cost savings 
for affected small U.S. operators.
    Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the head of the FAA 
certifies that this rulemaking will not result in a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

C. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39) prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Pursuant to this Act, the establishment of standards is not 
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic 
objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a 
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also 
requires consideration of international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards.
    The FAA has assessed the effect of this final rule and determined 
that its purpose is to protect the safety of U.S. civil aviation from a 
hazard to their operations in specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, 
a location outside the U.S. Therefore, the rule is in compliance with 
the Trade Agreements Act.

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' The FAA currently 
uses an inflation-adjusted value of $155.0 million in lieu of $100 
million.
    This final rule does not contain such a mandate. Therefore, the 
requirements of Title II of the Act do not apply.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. The FAA has determined that 
there is no new requirement for information collection associated with 
this final rule.

F. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA's policy to conform to 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
determined that there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices 
that correspond to this regulation.

G. Environmental Analysis

    The FAA has analyzed this action under Executive Order 12114, 
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions (44 FR 1957, 
January 4, 1979), and DOT Order 5610.1C, Paragraph 16. Executive Order 
12114 requires the FAA to be informed of environmental considerations 
and take those considerations into account when

[[Page 58727]]

making decisions on major Federal actions that could have environmental 
impacts anywhere beyond the borders of the United States. The FAA has 
determined that this action is exempt pursuant to Section 2-5(a)(i) of 
Executive Order 12114, because it does not have the potential for a 
significant effect on the environment outside the United States.
    In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures,'' paragraph 8-6(c), FAA has prepared a 
memorandum for the record stating the reason(s) for this determination; 
this memorandum has been placed in the docket for this rulemaking.

VII. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this final rule under the principles and 
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency has 
determined that this action would not have a substantial direct effect 
on the States, or the relationship between the Federal Government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government, and, therefore, would not have 
Federalism implications.

B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it 
would not be a ``significant energy action'' under the executive order 
and would not be likely to have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy.

C. Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation

    Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation, (77 FR 26413, May 4, 2012) promotes international 
regulatory cooperation to meet shared challenges involving health, 
safety, labor, security, environmental, and other issues and to reduce, 
eliminate, or prevent unnecessary differences in regulatory 
requirements. The FAA has analyzed this action under the policies and 
agency responsibilities of Executive Order 13609, and has determined 
that this action would have no effect on international regulatory 
cooperation.

D. Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    This rule is not subject to the requirements of E.O. 13771 (82 FR 
9339, February 3, 2017) because it is issued with respect to a national 
security function of the United States.

VIII. Additional Information

A. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
internet by--
     Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
     Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies web page at 
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
     Accessing the Government Publishing Office's web page at 
http://www.fdsys.gov.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request (identified by 
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) 267-9677. Please identify 
the docket or amendment number of this rulemaking in your request.
    Except for classified material, all documents the FAA considered in 
developing this rule, including economic analyses and technical 
reports, may be accessed from the internet through the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal referenced above.

B. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA) 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 section 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/.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91

    Air traffic control, Aircraft, Airmen, Airports, Aviation safety, 
Freight, Yemen.

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES

0
1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 1155, 40101, 40103, 40105, 
40113, 40120, 44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 
44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506-46507, 
47122, 47508, 47528-47531, 47534, Pub. L. 114-190, 130 Stat. 615 (49 
U.S.C. 44703 note); articles 12 and 29 of the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11).


0
2. Revise Sec.  91.1611 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.1611  Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 115--Prohibition 
Against Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight 
Information Region (FIR).

    (a) Applicability. This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 
applies to the following persons:
    (1) All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators;
    (2) All persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate 
issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-
registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and
    (3) All operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where 
the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
    (b) Flight prohibition. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and 
(d) of this section, no person described in paragraph (a) of this 
section may conduct flight operations in the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight 
Information Region (FIR), except that airspace east of a line drawn 
direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA (152603N 0533359E), 
southeast of a line drawn direct from NODMA to ORBAT (140638N 0503924E) 
then from ORBAT to PAKER (115500N 0463500E), south of a line drawn 
direct from PAKER to PARIM (123142N 0432712E), and west of a line drawn 
direct from PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 0415230E). Use of jet route UT702 
is authorized; however, use of jet route UN303 is not authorized.
    (c) Permitted operations. This section does not prohibit persons 
described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight 
operations in the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in that airspace west of a line 
drawn direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA (152603N 0533359E), 
northwest of a line drawn direct from NODMA to ORBAT (140638N 0503924E) 
then from ORBAT to PAKER (115500N 0463500E), north of a line drawn 
direct from PAKER to PARIM (123142N 0432712E), and east of a line drawn 
direct from PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 0415230E), provided that such 
flight operations are

[[Page 58728]]

conducted under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. government (or under 
a subcontract between the prime contractor of the department, agency, 
or instrumentality, and the person subject to paragraph (a)), with the 
approval of the FAA, or under an exemption issued by the FAA. The FAA 
will process requests for approval or exemption in a timely manner, 
with the order of preference being: First, for those operations in 
support of U.S. government-sponsored activities; second, for those 
operations in support of government-sponsored activities of a foreign 
country with the support of a U.S. government department, agency, or 
instrumentality; and third, for all other operations.
    (d) Emergency situations. In an emergency that requires immediate 
decision and action for the safety of the flight, the pilot in command 
of an aircraft may deviate from this section to the extent required by 
that emergency. Except for U.S. air carriers and commercial operators 
that are subject to the requirements of 14 CFR part 119, 121, 125, or 
135, each person who deviates from this section must, within 10 days of 
the deviation, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, 
submit to the nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) a 
complete report of the operations of the aircraft involved in the 
deviation, including a description of the deviation and the reasons for 
it.
    (e) Expiration. This SFAR will remain in effect until January 7, 
2020. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR as necessary.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 
106(f) and (g), 40101(d)(1), 40105(b)(1)(A), and 44701(a)(5), on 
December 8, 2017.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-26903 Filed 12-13-17; 8:45 am]
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                                              paragraph (o)(2) of this AD. Information may             DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          I. Executive Summary
                                              be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-
                                              REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any                                                                                This action amends the prohibition of
                                                                                                       Federal Aviation Administration                       flight operations in specified areas of
                                              approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
                                              principal inspector, or lacking a principal                                                                    the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR by all: U.S. air
                                              inspector, the manager of the local flight
                                                                                                       14 CFR Part 91                                        carriers; U.S. commercial operators;
                                              standards district office/certificate holding                                                                  persons exercising the privileges of an
                                              district office.                                         [Docket No.: FAA–2015–8672; Amdt. No.                 airman certificate issued by the FAA,
                                                (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any               91–340A]                                              except when such persons are operating
                                              requirement in this AD to obtain corrective                                                                    U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air
                                              actions from a manufacturer, the action must
                                              be accomplished using a method approved
                                                                                                       RIN 2120–AL27                                         carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered
                                              by the Manager, International Section,                                                                         civil aircraft, except where the operator
                                              Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the                  Amendment of the Prohibition Against                  of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
                                              European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or               Certain Flights in Specified Areas of                 Due to a reduction in the level of risk
                                              Airbus’s EASA Design Organization                        the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information                   to U.S. civil aviation operating in
                                              Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA,                  Region                                                limited portions of the specified areas of
                                              the approval must include the DOA-                                                                             the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR where the FAA
                                              authorized signature.                                    AGENCY: Federal Aviation                              had prohibited U.S. civil aviation
                                                                                                       Administration (FAA), Department of                   operations under SFAR No. 115, title 14
                                              (o) Related Information
                                                                                                       Transportation (DOT).                                 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
                                                 (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
                                              Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA                    ACTION:   Final rule.                                 91.1611, this action amends SFAR No.
                                              Airworthiness Directive 2017–0224, dated                                                                       115, § 91.1611, to reduce the amount of
                                              November 10, 2017, for related information.              SUMMARY:    This action amends the                    airspace in the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in
                                              You may examine the MCAI on the internet                 Special Federal Aviation Regulation                   which U.S. civil aviation operations are
                                              at http://www.regulations.gov by searching               (SFAR) that prohibits certain flights in              prohibited. Specifically, the FAA is
                                              for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–1104.               specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC)                   revising SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611, to
                                                 (2) For more information about this AD,                                                                     prohibit U.S. civil aviation operations in
                                                                                                       Flight Information Region (FIR) by all:
                                              contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace
                                              Engineer, International Section, Transport               United States (U.S.) air carriers; U.S.               the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, except that
                                              Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue                  commercial operators; persons                         airspace east of a line drawn direct from
                                              SW, Renton, WA 98057–3356; telephone                     exercising the privileges of an airman                KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA
                                              425–227–1138; fax 425–227–1149.                          certificate issued by the FAA, except                 (152603N 0533359E), southeast of a line
                                                                                                       when such persons are operating U.S.-                 drawn direct from NODMA to ORBAT
                                              (p) Material Incorporated by Reference
                                                                                                       registered aircraft for a foreign air                 (140638N 0503924E) then from ORBAT
                                                 (1) The Director of the Federal Register              carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered             to PAKER (115500N 0463500E), south of
                                              approved the incorporation by reference                                                                        a line drawn direct from PAKER to
                                                                                                       civil aircraft, except where the operator
                                              (IBR) of the service information listed in this
                                                                                                       of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.            PARIM (123142N 0432712E), and west
                                              paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
                                              part 51.                                                 There has been a reduction in the level               of a line drawn direct from PARIM to
                                                 (2) You must use this service information             of risk to U.S. civil aviation operations             RIBOK (154700N 0415230E). However,
                                              as applicable to do the actions required by              in limited portions of the specified areas            there continues to be an unacceptable
                                              this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.             of the Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information                level of risk to U.S. civil aviation
                                                 (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission               region (FIR) where the FAA had                        operations in the remainder the
                                              A28L006–17, Rev. 00, dated November 3,                   prohibited flight operations under the                specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR,
                                              2017.                                                    SFAR. As a result, the FAA is reducing                as described in this rule, resulting from
                                                 (ii) Reserved.                                                                                              terrorist and militant activity.
                                                                                                       the amount of airspace in the Sanaa
                                                 (3) For service information identified in                                                                   Consequently, the FAA is also
                                              this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness               (OYSC) FIR in which U.S. civil aviation
                                                                                                       operations are prohibited. However,                   amending this SFAR to extend its
                                              Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
                                              31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33               there continues to be an unacceptable                 expiration date until January 7, 2020.
                                              5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email              level of risk to U.S. civil aviation                  The FAA finds this action necessary due
                                              airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com;                      operations in the remainder of the                    to continued hazards to U.S. civil
                                              internet http://www.airbus.com.                          specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR,              aviation operations in these areas.
                                                 (4) You may view this service information             as described in this rule, resulting from
                                              at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch,                                                                        II. Legal Authority and Good Cause
                                                                                                       terrorist and militant activity.
                                              1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For                                                                           A. Legal Authority
                                                                                                       Consequently, the FAA is also
                                              information on the availability of this
                                              material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.                  amending this SFAR to extend its                        The FAA is responsible for the safety
                                                 (5) You may view this service information             expiration date. The FAA is also                      of flight in the U.S. and for the safety
                                              that is incorporated by reference at the                 republishing, with minor revisions, the               of U.S. civil operators, U.S.-registered
                                              National Archives and Records                            approval process and exemption                        civil aircraft, and U.S.-certificated
                                              Administration (NARA). For information on                information for this SFAR.                            airmen throughout the world. The
                                              the availability of this material at NARA, call                                                                FAA’s authority to issue rules on
                                              202–741–6030, or go to: http://
                                                                                                            This final rule is effective on
                                                                                                       DATES:
                                                                                                       December 14, 2017.                                    aviation safety is found in title 49, U.S.
                                              www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
                                                                                                                                                             Code. Subtitle I, sections 106(f) and (g),
                                              locations.html.                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      describe the authority of the FAA
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                                                Issued in Renton, Washington, on                       Michael Filippell, Air Transportation                 Administrator. Subtitle VII of title 49,
                                              December 4, 2017.                                        Division, Flight Standards Service,                   Aviation Programs, describes in more
                                              Dionne Palermo,                                          Federal Aviation Administration, 800                  detail the scope of the agency’s
                                              Acting Director, System Oversight Division,              Independence Avenue SW, Washington,                   authority. Section 40101(d)(1) provides
                                              Aircraft Certification Service.                          DC 20591; telephone (202) 267–8166;                   that the Administrator shall consider in
                                              [FR Doc. 2017–26842 Filed 12–13–17; 8:45 am]             email michael.e.filippell@faa.gov.                    the public interest, among other matters,
                                              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            assigning, maintaining, and enhancing


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                       58723

                                              safety and security as the highest                       thereby potentially reducing travel time              including Sanaa International Airport
                                              priorities in air commerce. Section                      and costs.                                            (OYSN) and Aden International Airport
                                              40105(b)(1)(A) requires the                                For the reasons described previously,               (OYAA), resulting in instances of
                                              Administrator to exercise his authority                  the FAA finds good cause to forgo                     damage to airport facilities and
                                              consistently with the obligations of the                 notice and comment and any delay in                   temporary closure of the airports.
                                              U.S. Government under international                      the effective date for this rule. The FAA                Additionally, in the January 2016
                                              agreements.                                              also finds that this action is fully                  final rule, the FAA assessed that there
                                                 This rulemaking is promulgated                        consistent with the obligations under 49              was a risk to U.S. civil aviation from
                                              under the authority described in                         U.S.C. 40105(b)(1)(A) to ensure that the              potential strategic SAM systems. Some
                                              Subtitle VII, Part A, subpart III, section               FAA exercises its duties consistently                 of these strategic air defense SAMs, at
                                              44701, General requirements. Under                       with the obligations of the United States             that time, posed a potential threat to
                                              that section, the FAA is charged broadly                 under international agreements.                       civil aviation. On March 28, 2015, a
                                              with promoting safe flight of civil                                                                            probable SAM missile was launched
                                                                                                       III. Background
                                              aircraft in air commerce by prescribing,                                                                       from the vicinity of Al Hudaydah,
                                              among other things, regulations and                         On January 7, 2016, the FAA                        Yemen, along the Red Sea. Collectively,
                                              minimum standards for practices,                         published a final rule to prohibit U.S.               the hazards previously described led the
                                              methods, and procedures that the                         civil aviation operations in specified                FAA to publish SFAR No. 115,
                                              Administrator finds necessary for safety                 areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR,                        § 91.1611, on January 7, 2016.
                                              in air commerce and national security.                   excluding that airspace east and                         Over the last two years, the situation
                                                 This regulation is within the scope of                southeast of a line drawn direct from                 in Yemen has slightly improved, as a
                                              FAA’s authority under the statutes cited                 KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA                     coalition of Yemeni government forces,
                                              previously, because it continues to                      (152603N 0533359E), then direct from                  supporting nations, and allied militia
                                              prohibit the persons described in                        NODMA to PAKER (115500N                               elements have successfully limited the
                                              paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 115,                           0463500E), due to the hazardous                       area of opposition force control and
                                              § 91.1611, from conducting flight                        situation faced by U.S. civil aviation                reduced some of the opposition force
                                              operations in specified areas of the                     from ongoing military operations,                     weapon capabilities. Opposition
                                              Sanaa (OYSC) FIR due to the continued                    political instability, violence from                  elements in Yemen do not currently
                                              hazards to the safety of such persons’                   competing armed groups, and the                       possess functional medium-/long-range
                                              flight operations, as described in the                   continuing terrorism threat from                      strategic SAM capabilities. As a result,
                                              Background section of this final rule.                   extremist elements associated with the                there is a reduced level of risk to U.S.
                                                                                                       fighting and instability in Yemen. 81 FR              civil aviation operations on certain
                                              B. Good Cause for Immediate Adoption                     727.                                                  international air routes that transit
                                                 Title 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) authorizes                   In taking that action, the FAA                     offshore areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR.
                                              agencies to dispense with notice and                     determined that international civil air               The FAA has determined that the risk
                                              comment procedures for rules when the                    routes that transit the specified areas of            to U.S. civil aviation in limited areas of
                                              agency for ‘‘good cause’’ finds that those               the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR and aircraft                     the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, including these
                                              procedures are ‘‘impracticable,                          operating to and from Yemeni airports                 international air routes, has been
                                              unnecessary, or contrary to the public                   were at risk from terrorist and militant              sufficiently reduced to allow the FAA to
                                              interest.’’ Section 553(d) also authorizes               groups potentially employing anti-                    shrink the boundaries of its prohibition
                                              agencies to forgo the delay in the                       aircraft weapons, including Man-                      of U.S. civil aviation operations in
                                              effective date of the final rule for good                Portable Air Defense Systems                          specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR.
                                              cause found and published with the                       (MANPADS), surface-to-air missiles                       Specifically, the FAA is revising
                                              rule. In this instance, the FAA finds                    (SAMs), small-arms fire, and indirect                 SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611, to prohibit
                                              good cause to forgo notice and                           fire from mortars and rockets. Due to the             flight operations in the Sanaa (OYSC)
                                              comment, because notice and comment                      fighting and instability, as of January               FIR, excluding that airspace east of a
                                              would be impracticable and contrary to                   2016, the FAA stated that there was a                 line drawn direct from KAPET
                                              the public interest. To the extent that                  risk of possible loss of state control over           (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA
                                              the rule is based upon classified                        more advanced anti-aircraft weapons to                (152603N 0533359E), southeast of a line
                                              information, such information is not                     terrorist and militant groups. Some of                drawn direct from NODMA to ORBAT
                                              permitted to be shared with the general                  the weapons that the FAA was                          (140638N 0503924E) then from ORBAT
                                              public. Also, threats to U.S. civil                      concerned about have the capability to                to PAKER (115500N 0463500E), south of
                                              aviation and intelligence regarding these                target aircraft at higher altitudes and/or            a line drawn direct from PAKER to
                                              threats are fluid. As a result, the                      during approach and departure and                     PARIM (123142N 0432712E), and west
                                              agency’s original proposal could become                  have weapon ranges that could extend                  of a line drawn direct from PARIM to
                                              unsuitable for minimizing the hazards                    into the near off-shore areas along                   RIBOK (154700N 0415230E). This
                                              to U.S. civil aviation in the affected                   Yemen’s coastline.                                    change will permit U.S. operators to use
                                              airspace during or after the notice and                     In the January 2016 final rule, the                two jet routes, UT702 and M999, that
                                              comment process. The FAA further                         FAA also indicated that U.S. civil                    they were previously prohibited from
                                              finds an immediate need to address the                   aviation was at risk from combat                      using under SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611.
                                              continued hazard to U.S. civil aviation                  operations and other military-related                 The FAA emphasizes that use of jet
                                              that exists in specified areas of the                    activity associated with the fighting and             route UN303 remains prohibited.
                                              Sanaa (OYSC) FIR from terrorist and                      instability and that there was an                        Opposition forces and terrorist
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                                              militant activity. This hazard is further                ongoing threat of terrorism. Al-Qa’ida in             elements continue to operate in various
                                              described in the Background section of                   the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)                          locations with either ongoing fighting or
                                              this rule. Finally, it is contrary to the                remained active in Yemen and had                      the potential for combat operations to
                                              public interest to delay this change in                  demonstrated the capability and intent                occur with little or no warning.
                                              the boundaries of the SFAR to permit                     to target U.S. and Western aviation                   Opposition and terrorist elements, such
                                              U.S. civil aviation operations on two jet                interests. Various Yemeni airports had                as AQAP and the Islamic State of Iraq
                                              routes that were previously prohibited,                  been attacked during the fighting,                    and ash Sham (ISIS) in Yemen, possess


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                                              58724            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                              a variety of anti-aircraft weapons, to                   conduct such operations. An approval                     • The proposed operation(s),
                                              include MANPADS and possible SAMs,                       request must be made directly by the                  including the nature of the mission
                                              which pose an ongoing risk to U.S. civil                 requesting department, agency or                      being supported;
                                              aviation in Yemeni territory occupied                    instrumentality of the U.S. Government                   • The service to be provided by the
                                              by or influenced by those elements and                   to the FAA’s Associate Administrator                  person(s) covered by the SFAR;
                                              in the specified areas of the Sanaa                      for Aviation Safety in a letter signed by                • To the extent known, the specific
                                              (OYSC) FIR within the revised SFAR                       an appropriate senior official of the                 locations in the specified areas of the
                                              boundaries described in this rule.                       requesting department, agency, or                     Sanaa (OYSC) FIR where the proposed
                                                 Therefore, as a result of the significant             instrumentality. Requests for approval                operation(s) will be conducted,
                                              continuing risk to the safety of U.S. civil              submitted to the FAA by anyone other                  including, but not limited to, the flight
                                              aviation in specified areas of the Sanaa                 than the requesting department, agency,               path and altitude of the aircraft while it
                                              (OYSC) FIR, with the revised                             or instrumentality will not be accepted               is operating in the specified areas of the
                                              boundaries previously described, the                     and will not be processed. In addition,               Sanaa (OYSC) FIR and the airports,
                                              FAA also amends SFAR No. 115,                            the senior official signing the letter                airfields and/or landing zones at which
                                              § 91.1611, to extend its expiration date                 requesting FAA approval on behalf of                  the aircraft will take-off and land; and
                                              from January 7, 2018, to January 7, 2020,                the requesting department, agency, or                    • The method by which the
                                              to maintain the prohibition on flight                    instrumentality must be sufficiently                  department, agency, or instrumentality
                                              operations in those areas by all: U.S. air               highly placed within the organization to              will provide, or how the operator will
                                              carriers; U.S. commercial operators;                     demonstrate that the senior leadership                otherwise obtain, current threat
                                              persons exercising the privileges of an                  of the requesting department, agency, or              information and an explanation of how
                                              airman certificate issued by the FAA,                    instrumentality supports the request for              the operator will integrate this
                                              except when such persons are operating                   approval and is committed to taking all               information into all phases of the
                                              U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air               necessary steps to minimize operational               proposed operations (e.g., the pre-
                                              carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered                risks to the proposed flights. The senior             mission planning and briefing, in-flight,
                                              civil aircraft, except where the operator                                                                      and post-flight phases).
                                                                                                       official must also be in a position to: (1)
                                              of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.                                                                        The request for approval must also
                                                                                                       Attest to the accuracy of all
                                                 The FAA will continue to actively                                                                           include a list of operators with whom
                                                                                                       representations made to the FAA in the                the U.S. Government department,
                                              monitor the situation and evaluate the                   request for approval and (2) ensure that
                                              extent to which U.S. civil operators may                                                                       agency, or instrumentality requesting
                                                                                                       any support from the requesting U.S.                  FAA approval has a current contract(s),
                                              be able to safely operate in specified                   government department, agency, or
                                              areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, with the                                                                        grant(s), or cooperative agreement(s) (or
                                                                                                       instrumentality described in the request              with whom its prime contractor has a
                                              revised boundaries previously                            for approval is in fact brought to bear
                                              described, in the future. Further                                                                              subcontract(s)) for specific flight
                                                                                                       and is maintained over time. Unless                   operations in the specified areas of the
                                              amendments to SFAR No. 115,
                                                                                                       justified by exigent circumstances,                   Sanaa (OYSC) FIR. Additional operators
                                              § 91.1611, may be appropriate if the risk
                                                                                                       requests for approval must be submitted               may be identified to the FAA at any
                                              to aviation safety and security changes.
                                                                                                       to the FAA no less than 30 calendar                   time after the FAA approval is issued.
                                              The FAA may amend or rescind SFAR
                                                                                                       days before the date on which the                     However, all additional operators must
                                              No. 115, § 91.1611, as necessary, prior to
                                                                                                       requesting department, agency, or                     be identified to, and obtain an
                                              its expiration date.
                                                 The FAA also republishes, with minor                  instrumentality wishes the proposed                   Operations Specification (OpSpec) or
                                              revisions, the approval process and                      operations, if approved by the FAA, to                Letter of Authorization (LOA), as
                                              exemption information for this SFAR, so                  commence.                                             appropriate, from the FAA for
                                              that persons described in paragraph (a)                     The letter must be sent by the                     operations in the specified areas of the
                                              of the rule will be able to refer to this                requesting department, agency, or                     Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, before such
                                              final rule, rather than having to search                 instrumentality to the Associate                      operators commence such operations.
                                              through previous final rules to find the                 Administrator for Aviation Safety,                    The approval conditions discussed
                                              relevant approval process and                            Federal Aviation Administration, 800                  below will apply to any such additional
                                              exemption information. This approval                     Independence Avenue SW, Washington,                   operators. Updated lists should be sent
                                              process and exemption information is                     DC 20591. Electronic submissions are                  to the email address to be obtained from
                                              consistent with other similar SFARs and                  acceptable, and the requesting entity                 the Air Transportation Division by
                                              recent agency practice.                                  may request that the FAA notify it                    calling (202) 267–8166.
                                                                                                       electronically as to whether the                         If an approval request includes
                                              IV. Approval Process Based on a                          approval request is granted. If a                     classified information, requestors may
                                              Request From a Department, Agency, or                    requestor wishes to make an electronic                contact Aviation Safety Inspector
                                              Instrumentality of the United States                     submission to the FAA, the requestor                  Michael Filippell for instructions on
                                              Government                                               should contact the Air Transportation                 submitting it to the FAA. His contact
                                                If a department, agency, or                            Division, Flight Standards Service, at                information is listed in the For Further
                                              instrumentality of the U.S. Government                   (202) 267–8166 to obtain the                          Information Contact section of this final
                                              determines that it has a critical need to                appropriate email address. A single                   rule.
                                              engage any person covered under SFAR                     letter may request approval from the                     FAA approval of an operation under
                                              No. 115, § 91.1611, including a U.S. air                 FAA for multiple persons covered under                SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611, does not
                                              carrier or a U.S. commercial operator, to                SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611, and/or for                   relieve persons subject to this SFAR of
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                                              conduct a charter to transport civilian or               multiple flight operations. To the extent             their responsibility to comply with all
                                              military passengers or cargo, or other                   known, the letter must identify the                   other applicable FAA rules and
                                              operations, in the specified areas of the                person(s) covered under the SFAR on                   regulations. Operators of civil aircraft
                                              Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, that department,                       whose behalf the U.S. Government                      must also comply with the conditions of
                                              agency, or instrumentality may request                   department, agency, or instrumentality                their certificate, OpSpecs, and LOAs, as
                                              that the FAA approve persons covered                     is seeking FAA approval, and it must                  applicable. Operators must further
                                              under SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611, to                        describe—                                             comply with all rules and regulations of


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        58725

                                              other U.S. Government departments and                    department, agency, or instrumentality                and prior to any private exemption
                                              agencies that may apply to the proposed                  requests FAA approval.                                requests.
                                              operations, including, but not limited
                                                                                                       V. Requests for Exemption                             VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses
                                              to, the Transportation Security
                                              Regulations issued by the                                   Any operations not conducted under                    Changes to Federal regulations must
                                              Transportation Security Administration,                  an approval issued by the FAA through                 undergo several economic analyses.
                                              Department of Homeland Security.                         the approval process set forth                        First, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                                                                                                       previously must be conducted under an                 direct that each Federal agency shall
                                              Approval Conditions                                                                                            propose or adopt a regulation only upon
                                                                                                       exemption from SFAR No. 115,
                                                 If the FAA approves the request, the                  § 91.1611. A request by any person                    a reasoned determination that the
                                              FAA’s Aviation Safety Organization will                  covered under SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611,                benefits of the intended regulation
                                              send an approval letter to the requesting                for an exemption must comply with 14                  justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory
                                              department, agency, or instrumentality                   CFR part 11, and will require                         Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96–354),
                                              informing it that the FAA’s approval is                  exceptional circumstances beyond those                as codified in 5 U.S.C. 603 et seq.,
                                              subject to all of the following                          contemplated by the approval process                  requires agencies to analyze the
                                              conditions:                                              set forth above. In addition to the                   economic impact of regulatory changes
                                                 (1) The approval will stipulate those                 information required by 14 CFR 11.81,                 on small entities. Third, the Trade
                                              procedures and conditions that limit, to                 at a minimum, the requestor must                      Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96–39),
                                              the greatest degree possible, the risk to                describe in its submission to the FAA—                19 U.S.C. Chapter 13, prohibits agencies
                                              the operator, while still allowing the                      • The proposed operation(s),                       from setting standards that create
                                              operator to achieve its operational                      including the nature of the operation;                unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
                                              objectives.                                                 • The service to be provided by the                commerce of the United States. In
                                                 (2) Before any approval takes effect,                 person(s) covered by the SFAR;                        developing U.S. standards, the Trade
                                              the operator must submit to the FAA:                                                                           Agreements Act requires agencies to
                                                                                                          • The specific locations in the
                                                 (a) A written release of the U.S.                                                                           consider international standards and,
                                                                                                       specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR
                                              Government from all damages, claims,                                                                           where appropriate, that they be the basis
                                                                                                       where the proposed operation(s) will be
                                              and liabilities, including without                                                                             of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded
                                                                                                       conducted, including, but not limited
                                              limitation legal fees and expenses,                                                                            Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L.
                                                                                                       to, the flight path and altitude of the
                                              relating to any event arising out of or                                                                        104–4), as codified in 2 U.S.C. Chapter
                                                                                                       aircraft while it is operating in the
                                              related to the approved operations in                                                                          25, requires agencies to prepare a
                                                                                                       specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR
                                              the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC)                                                                        written assessment of the costs, benefits,
                                                                                                       and the airports, airfields and/or
                                              FIR; and                                                                                                       and other effects of proposed or final
                                                 (b) the operator’s agreement to                       landing zones at which the aircraft will              rules that include a Federal mandate
                                              indemnify the U.S. Government with                       take-off and land;                                    likely to result in the expenditure by
                                              respect to any and all third-party                          • The method by which the operator                 State, local, or tribal governments, in the
                                              damages, claims, and liabilities,                        will obtain current threat information,               aggregate, or by the private sector, of
                                              including without limitation legal fees                  and an explanation of how the operator                $100 million or more annually (adjusted
                                              and expenses, relating to any event                      will integrate this information into all              for inflation with base year of 1995).
                                              arising out of or related to the approved                phases of its proposed operations (e.g.,              This portion of the preamble
                                              operations in the specified areas of the                 the pre-mission planning and briefing,                summarizes the FAA’s analysis of the
                                              Sanaa (OYSC) FIR.                                        in-flight, and post-flight phases); and               economic impacts of this final rule.
                                                 (3) Other conditions that the FAA                        • The plans and procedures that the                   In conducting these analyses, the FAA
                                              may specify, including those that may                    operator will use to minimize the risks,              has determined that this final rule has
                                              be imposed in OpSpecs or LOAs, as                        identified in the Background section of               benefits that justify its costs and is a
                                              applicable.                                              this rule, to the proposed operations, so             ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ as
                                                 The release and agreement to                          that granting the exemption would not                 defined in section 3(f) of Executive
                                              indemnify do not preclude an operator                    adversely affect safety or would provide              Order 12866, because it raises novel
                                              from raising a claim under an applicable                 a level of safety at least equal to that              policy issues contemplated under that
                                              non-premium war risk insurance policy                    provided by this SFAR. The FAA has                    Executive Order. The rule is also
                                              issued by the FAA under chapter 443 of                   found comprehensive, organized plans                  ‘‘significant’’ as defined in DOT’s
                                              title 49, United States Code.                            and procedures of this nature to be                   Regulatory Policies and Procedures. The
                                                 If the proposed operation(s) is                       helpful in facilitating the agency’s safety           final rule will not have a significant
                                              approved, the FAA will issue an                          evaluation of petitions for exemption                 economic impact on a substantial
                                              OpSpec or an LOA, as applicable, to the                  from other flight prohibition SFARs.                  number of small entities, will not create
                                              operator(s) identified in the original                      Additionally, the release and                      unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
                                              request authorizing them to conduct the                  agreement to indemnify, as referred to                commerce of the United States, and will
                                              approved operation(s), and will notify                   above, will be required as a condition of             not impose an unfunded mandate on
                                              the department, agency, or                               any exemption that may be issued under                State, local, or tribal governments, or on
                                              instrumentality that requested the                       SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611.                              the private sector, by exceeding the
                                              FAA’s approval of any additional                            The FAA recognizes that operations                 threshold identified previously.
                                              conditions beyond those contained in                     that may be affected by SFAR No. 115,
                                              the approval letter. The requesting                      § 91.1611, including this amendment,                  A. Regulatory Evaluation
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                                              department, agency, or instrumentality                   may be planned for the governments of                   Department of Transportation Order
                                              must have a contract, grant, or                          other countries with the support of the               2100.5 prescribes policies and
                                              cooperative agreement (or its prime                      U.S. Government. While these                          procedures for simplification, analysis,
                                              contractor must have a subcontract)                      operations will not be permitted                      and review of regulations. If the
                                              with the person(s) described in                          through the approval process, the FAA                 expected cost impact is so minimal that
                                              paragraph (a) of this SFAR No. 115,                      will process exemption requests for                   a proposed or final rule does not
                                              § 91.1611, on whose behalf the                           such operations on an expedited basis                 warrant a full evaluation, this order


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                                              58726            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                              permits a statement to that effect and                   agencies are required to solicit and                  operate in a manner that excludes
                                              the basis for it to be included in the                   consider flexible regulatory proposals                imports that meet this objective. The
                                              preamble if a full regulatory evaluation                 and to explain the rationale for their                statute also requires consideration of
                                              of the costs and benefits is not prepared.               actions to assure that such proposals are             international standards and, where
                                              Such a determination has been made for                   given serious consideration.’’ The RFA                appropriate, that they be the basis for
                                              this final rule. The reasoning for this                  covers a wide range of small entities,                U.S. standards.
                                              determination follows.                                   including small businesses, not-for-                    The FAA has assessed the effect of
                                                Due to the significant hazards to U.S.                 profit organizations, and small                       this final rule and determined that its
                                              civil aviation described in the                          governmental jurisdictions.                           purpose is to protect the safety of U.S.
                                              Background section of this rule, this                       Agencies must perform a review to                  civil aviation from a hazard to their
                                              rule extends the prohibition against U.S.                determine whether a rule will have a                  operations in specified areas of the
                                              civil flights in specified areas of the                  significant economic impact on a                      Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, a location outside
                                              Sanaa (OYSC) FIR, as described in this                   substantial number of small entities. If              the U.S. Therefore, the rule is in
                                              rule. Since there has been a reduction in                the agency determines that it will, the               compliance with the Trade Agreements
                                              the level of risk to U.S. civil aviation                 agency must prepare a regulatory                      Act.
                                              operations in limited portions of the                    flexibility analysis as described in the
                                              specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC) FIR                  RFA. However, if an agency determines                 D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment
                                              in which the FAA had previously                          that a rule is not expected to have a                    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
                                              prohibited such operations, this action                  significant economic impact on a                      Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4)
                                              amends SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611, to                       substantial number of small entities,                 requires each Federal agency to prepare
                                              reduce the amount of airspace in which                   section 605(b) of the RFA provides that               a written statement assessing the effects
                                              U.S. civil flight operations are                         the head of the agency may so certify                 of any Federal mandate in a proposed or
                                              prohibited. This change will permit U.S.                 and a regulatory flexibility analysis is              final agency rule that may result in an
                                              operators to use two jet routes that they                not required. The certification must                  expenditure of $100 million or more (in
                                              were previously prohibited from using                    include a statement providing the                     1995 dollars) in any one year by State,
                                              under SFAR No. 115, § 91.1611: UT702                     factual basis for this determination, and             local, and tribal governments, in the
                                              and M999.                                                the reasoning should be clear. As                     aggregate, or by the private sector; such
                                                The FAA believes there are very few                    discussed above, the FAA estimates the                a mandate is deemed to be a ‘‘significant
                                              U.S. operators who wish to operate in                    costs of this rule to be minimal.                     regulatory action.’’ The FAA currently
                                              the specified areas of the Sanaa (OYSC)                  Moreover, few, if any, operators will be              uses an inflation-adjusted value of
                                              FIR where U.S. civil aviation operations                 affected by this rule, as the FAA                     $155.0 million in lieu of $100 million.
                                              will continue to be prohibited. The FAA                  believes that most operators do not wish                 This final rule does not contain such
                                              has not received any requests for                        to operate in specified areas of the                  a mandate. Therefore, the requirements
                                              approval or exemption to conduct flight                  Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in which U.S. civil                  of Title II of the Act do not apply.
                                              operations in the specified areas of the                 flight operations will continue to be
                                              Sanaa (OYSC) FIR covered by this                         prohibited, due to the hazards described              E. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                              regulation. Consequently, the FAA                        in the Background section of this rule.                 The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
                                              estimates the costs of this rule to be                   Additionally, this rule will allow U.S.               (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires that the
                                              minimal. These minimal costs are                         civil aviation to use the M999 and                    FAA consider the impact of paperwork
                                              exceeded by the benefits of avoided                      UT702 routes, and, to that extent, it may             and other information collection
                                              deaths, injuries, and property damage                    benefit small U.S. operators if they                  burdens imposed on the public. The
                                              that could result from a U.S. operator’s                 regularly transit the Middle East area,               FAA has determined that there is no
                                              aircraft being shot down (or otherwise                   since they will no longer be required to              new requirement for information
                                              damaged) due to the hazards described                    use less direct routes. This change may               collection associated with this final
                                              in the Background section of this final                  reduce flight times and certain operating             rule.
                                              rule. In addition, allowing U.S. civil                   expenses, such as fuel, resulting in
                                              aviation to use the M999 and UT702                                                                             F. International Compatibility and
                                                                                                       potential cost savings for affected small
                                              routes will benefit U.S. operators who                                                                         Cooperation
                                                                                                       U.S. operators.
                                              regularly transit the Middle East area,                     Therefore, as provided in section                    In keeping with U.S. obligations
                                              since they will no longer be required to                 605(b), the head of the FAA certifies                 under the Convention on International
                                              use less direct routes. This change may                  that this rulemaking will not result in a             Civil Aviation, it is FAA’s policy to
                                              reduce flight times and certain operating                significant economic impact on a                      conform to International Civil Aviation
                                              expenses, such as fuel, resulting in                     substantial number of small entities.                 Organization (ICAO) Standards and
                                              potential cost savings for affected U.S.                                                                       Recommended Practices to the
                                                                                                       C. International Trade Impact
                                              operators. Consequently, the FAA                                                                               maximum extent practicable. The FAA
                                                                                                       Assessment
                                              estimates that the benefits of this rule                                                                       has determined that there are no ICAO
                                              will exceed the costs.                                     The Trade Agreements Act of 1979                    Standards and Recommended Practices
                                                                                                       (Pub. L. 96–39) prohibits Federal                     that correspond to this regulation.
                                              B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination                  agencies from establishing standards or
                                                The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980                 engaging in related activities that create            G. Environmental Analysis
                                              (Pub. L. 96–354) (RFA) establishes ‘‘as a                unnecessary obstacles to the foreign                    The FAA has analyzed this action
                                              principle of regulatory issuance that                    commerce of the United States.                        under Executive Order 12114,
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                                              agencies shall endeavor, consistent with                 Pursuant to this Act, the establishment               Environmental Effects Abroad of Major
                                              the objectives of the rule and of                        of standards is not considered an                     Federal Actions (44 FR 1957, January 4,
                                              applicable statutes, to fit regulatory and               unnecessary obstacle to the foreign                   1979), and DOT Order 5610.1C,
                                              informational requirements to the scale                  commerce of the United States, so long                Paragraph 16. Executive Order 12114
                                              of the businesses, organizations, and                    as the standard has a legitimate                      requires the FAA to be informed of
                                              governmental jurisdictions subject to                    domestic objective, such as the                       environmental considerations and take
                                              regulation. To achieve this principle,                   protection of safety, and does not                    those considerations into account when


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                            58727

                                              making decisions on major Federal                        D. Executive Order 13771, Reducing                    PART 91—GENERAL OPERATING AND
                                              actions that could have environmental                    Regulation and Controlling Regulatory                 FLIGHT RULES
                                              impacts anywhere beyond the borders of                   Costs
                                              the United States. The FAA has                             This rule is not subject to the                     ■ 1. The authority citation for part 91
                                              determined that this action is exempt                    requirements of E.O. 13771 (82 FR 9339,               continues to read as follows:
                                              pursuant to Section 2–5(a)(i) of                         February 3, 2017) because it is issued                  Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 1155,
                                              Executive Order 12114, because it does                   with respect to a national security                   40101, 40103, 40105, 40113, 40120, 44101,
                                              not have the potential for a significant                 function of the United States.                        44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712,
                                              effect on the environment outside the                                                                          44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 46315,
                                              United States.                                           VIII. Additional Information                          46316, 46504, 46506–46507, 47122, 47508,
                                                                                                                                                             47528–47531, 47534, Pub. L. 114–190, 130
                                                 In accordance with FAA Order                          A. Availability of Rulemaking                         Stat. 615 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note); articles 12
                                              1050.1F, ‘‘Environmental Impacts:                        Documents                                             and 29 of the Convention on International
                                              Policies and Procedures,’’ paragraph 8–                    An electronic copy of rulemaking                    Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11).
                                              6(c), FAA has prepared a memorandum                      documents may be obtained from the                    ■   2. Revise § 91.1611 to read as follows:
                                              for the record stating the reason(s) for                 internet by—
                                              this determination; this memorandum                        • Searching the Federal eRulemaking                 § 91.1611 Special Federal Aviation
                                              has been placed in the docket for this                   Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);                  Regulation No. 115—Prohibition Against
                                              rulemaking.                                                • Visiting the FAA’s Regulations and                Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the
                                                                                                       Policies web page at http://                          Sanaa (OYSC) Flight Information Region
                                              VII. Executive Order Determinations                      www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or                   (FIR).

                                              A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism                       • Accessing the Government                             (a) Applicability. This Special Federal
                                                                                                       Publishing Office’s web page at http://               Aviation Regulation (SFAR) applies to
                                                 The FAA has analyzed this final rule                  www.fdsys.gov.                                        the following persons:
                                              under the principles and criteria of                       Copies may also be obtained by                         (1) All U.S. air carriers and U.S.
                                              Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The                   sending a request (identified by                      commercial operators;
                                              agency has determined that this action                   amendment or docket number of this                       (2) All persons exercising the
                                              would not have a substantial direct                      rulemaking) to the Federal Aviation                   privileges of an airman certificate issued
                                              effect on the States, or the relationship                Administration, Office of Rulemaking,                 by the FAA, except when such persons
                                              between the Federal Government and                       ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue SW,                    are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for
                                              the States, or on the distribution of                    Washington, DC 20591, or by calling                   a foreign air carrier; and
                                              power and responsibilities among the                     (202) 267–9677. Please identify the                      (3) All operators of U.S.-registered
                                              various levels of government, and,                       docket or amendment number of this                    civil aircraft, except where the operator
                                              therefore, would not have Federalism                     rulemaking in your request.                           of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
                                                                                                         Except for classified material, all                    (b) Flight prohibition. Except as
                                              implications.
                                                                                                       documents the FAA considered in                       provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of
                                              B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations                    developing this rule, including                       this section, no person described in
                                              That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,                 economic analyses and technical                       paragraph (a) of this section may
                                              Distribution, or Use                                     reports, may be accessed from the                     conduct flight operations in the Sanaa
                                                                                                       internet through the Federal                          (OYSC) Flight Information Region (FIR),
                                                 The FAA analyzed this final rule                      eRulemaking Portal referenced above.                  except that airspace east of a line drawn
                                              under Executive Order 13211, Actions                                                                           direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E)
                                              Concerning Regulations that                              B. Small Business Regulatory
                                                                                                       Enforcement Fairness Act                              to NODMA (152603N 0533359E),
                                              Significantly Affect Energy Supply,                                                                            southeast of a line drawn direct from
                                              Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The                   The Small Business Regulatory
                                                                                                                                                             NODMA to ORBAT (140638N
                                              agency has determined that it would not                  Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
                                                                                                                                                             0503924E) then from ORBAT to PAKER
                                              be a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under                 (SBREFA) requires FAA to comply with
                                                                                                                                                             (115500N 0463500E), south of a line
                                              the executive order and would not be                     small entity requests for information or
                                                                                                                                                             drawn direct from PAKER to PARIM
                                              likely to have a significant adverse effect              advice about compliance with statutes
                                                                                                       and regulations within its jurisdiction.              (123142N 0432712E), and west of a line
                                              on the supply, distribution, or use of                                                                         drawn direct from PARIM to RIBOK
                                              energy.                                                  A small entity with questions regarding
                                                                                                       this document may contact its local                   (154700N 0415230E). Use of jet route
                                              C. Executive Order 13609, Promoting                      FAA official, or the person listed under              UT702 is authorized; however, use of jet
                                              International Regulatory Cooperation                     the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT                   route UN303 is not authorized.
                                                                                                       section at the beginning of the preamble.                (c) Permitted operations. This section
                                                Executive Order 13609, Promoting                       To find out more about SBREFA on the                  does not prohibit persons described in
                                              International Regulatory Cooperation,                    internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/                   paragraph (a) of this section from
                                              (77 FR 26413, May 4, 2012) promotes                      regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_                 conducting flight operations in the
                                              international regulatory cooperation to                  act/.                                                 Sanaa (OYSC) FIR in that airspace west
                                              meet shared challenges involving                                                                               of a line drawn direct from KAPET
                                              health, safety, labor, security,                         List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91                    (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA
                                              environmental, and other issues and to                     Air traffic control, Aircraft, Airmen,              (152603N 0533359E), northwest of a
                                              reduce, eliminate, or prevent                            Airports, Aviation safety, Freight,                   line drawn direct from NODMA to
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              unnecessary differences in regulatory                    Yemen.                                                ORBAT (140638N 0503924E) then from
                                              requirements. The FAA has analyzed                                                                             ORBAT to PAKER (115500N 0463500E),
                                              this action under the policies and                       The Amendment                                         north of a line drawn direct from
                                              agency responsibilities of Executive                       In consideration of the foregoing, the              PAKER to PARIM (123142N 0432712E),
                                              Order 13609, and has determined that                     Federal Aviation Administration                       and east of a line drawn direct from
                                              this action would have no effect on                      amends chapter I of title 14, Code of                 PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 0415230E),
                                              international regulatory cooperation.                    Federal Regulations as follows:                       provided that such flight operations are


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                                              58728            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                              conducted under a contract, grant, or                    adopted as a consumer product safety                  comments received may be posted
                                              cooperative agreement with a                             rule, the child-resistance requirements               without change, including any personal
                                              department, agency, or instrumentality                   for closures on portable gasoline                     identifiers, contact information, or other
                                              of the U.S. government (or under a                       containers published in the ASTM                      personal information provided, to
                                              subcontract between the prime                            voluntary standard, Standard                          http://www.regulations.gov. Do not
                                              contractor of the department, agency, or                 Specification for Determination of Child              submit confidential business
                                              instrumentality, and the person subject                  Resistance of Portable Fuel Containers                information, trade secret information, or
                                              to paragraph (a)), with the approval of                  for Consumer Use, ASTM F2517–05.                      other sensitive or protected information
                                              the FAA, or under an exemption issued                    ASTM F2517 was revised in 2015.                       that you do not want to be available to
                                              by the FAA. The FAA will process                         These revisions became law under the                  the public. If furnished at all, such
                                              requests for approval or exemption in a                  Act, which the Commission codified                    information should be submitted in
                                              timely manner, with the order of                         through a direct final rule in 2015. On               writing.
                                              preference being: First, for those                       November 13, 2017, the Commission                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
                                              operations in support of U.S.                            received notice from ASTM that a                      Boja, Office of Compliance and Field
                                              government-sponsored activities;                         revision to ASTM F2517 was published                  Operations, Consumer Product Safety
                                              second, for those operations in support                  in November 2017. In this direct final                Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
                                              of government-sponsored activities of a                  rule the Commission reviews and                       Bethesda, MD 20814–4408; telephone
                                              foreign country with the support of a                    evaluates the revised ASTM F2517,                     (301) 504–7300; jboja@cpsc.gov.
                                              U.S. government department, agency, or                   finding that the revisions carry out the
                                              instrumentality; and third, for all other                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                       purposes of the CGBPA’s requirements.
                                              operations.                                              Accordingly, the 2017 revisions to the                I. Background
                                                 (d) Emergency situations. In an                       child-resistance requirements will be
                                              emergency that requires immediate                                                                                 The Children’s Gasoline Burn
                                                                                                       automatically incorporated and apply as               Prevention Act. The CGBPA was
                                              decision and action for the safety of the                the statutorily mandated standard for
                                              flight, the pilot in command of an                                                                             enacted on July 17, 2008. The Act
                                                                                                       closures on portable gasoline containers.             established as a consumer product
                                              aircraft may deviate from this section to                This direct final rule updates the
                                              the extent required by that emergency.                                                                         safety rule ASTM International’s
                                                                                                       Commission’s regulation to reflect that               (ASTM) F2517–05’s child-resistance
                                              Except for U.S. air carriers and                         the requirements for closures on
                                              commercial operators that are subject to                                                                       requirements for closures on portable
                                                                                                       portable gasoline containers must meet                gasoline containers. All portable
                                              the requirements of 14 CFR part 119,                     the requirements in ASTM F2517–17.
                                              121, 125, or 135, each person who                                                                              gasoline containers manufactured on or
                                                                                                       DATES: This rule will be effective on                 after January 17, 2009 for sale to
                                              deviates from this section must, within                  January 12, 2018, unless the
                                              10 days of the deviation, excluding                                                                            consumers in the United States must
                                                                                                       Commission receives significant adverse               conform to ASTM F2517’s child-
                                              Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal                          comment by December 28, 2017. If we
                                              holidays, submit to the nearest FAA                                                                            resistance requirements. By mandating
                                                                                                       receive timely significant adverse                    closures that resist access by children
                                              Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)                  comments, we will publish notification
                                              a complete report of the operations of                                                                         up to 51 months of age (4 years and 3
                                                                                                       in the Federal Register withdrawing                   months), the Act seeks to reduce
                                              the aircraft involved in the deviation,                  this direct final rule. The incorporation
                                              including a description of the deviation                                                                       hazards to children, including children
                                                                                                       by reference of the publication listed in             ingesting gasoline and inhaling gasoline
                                              and the reasons for it.                                  this rule is approved by the Director of
                                                 (e) Expiration. This SFAR will remain                                                                       fumes, and the risk of burns from fires
                                                                                                       the Federal Register as of January 12,                and explosions that may occur when
                                              in effect until January 7, 2020. The FAA
                                                                                                       2018.                                                 children access gasoline stored in
                                              may amend, rescind, or extend this
                                              SFAR as necessary.                                       ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                   portable gasoline containers. The Act
                                                                                                       identified by Docket No. CPSC–2015–                   did not require the Commission to
                                                Issued in Washington, DC, under the                                                                          undertake any action for the Act’s
                                              authority of 49 U.S.C. 106(f) and (g),                   0006, by any of the following methods:
                                              40101(d)(1), 40105(b)(1)(A), and 44701(a)(5),               Electronic Submissions: Submit                     provisions to take effect; rather, ASTM
                                              on December 8, 2017.                                     electronic comments to the Federal                    2715–05’s child-resistance requirements
                                              Michael P. Huerta,                                       eRulemaking Portal at: http://                        were made mandatory through
                                              Administrator.                                           www.regulations.gov. Follow the                       operation of law. The Children’s
                                                                                                       instructions for submitting comments.                 Gasoline Burn Prevention Act, Public
                                              [FR Doc. 2017–26903 Filed 12–13–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       The Commission does not accept                        Law 110–278; 122 Stat. 2602, Sec. 2(b)
                                              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                       comments submitted by electronic mail                 (July 17, 2008), codified as a note to 15
                                                                                                       (email), except through                               U.S.C. 2056.
                                                                                                       www.regulations.gov. The Commission                      CGBPA Provisions Regarding Updates
                                              CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY                                  encourages you to submit electronic                   to ASTM F2517. Under the Act, ASTM
                                              COMMISSION                                               comments by using the Federal                         must notify the Commission of any
                                                                                                       eRulemaking Portal, as described above.               revision to the child-resistance
                                              16 CFR Part 1460
                                                                                                          Written Submissions: Submit written                requirements for closures contained in
                                              [Docket No. CPSC–2015–0006]                              comments (paper, disk, or CD–ROM                      ASTM F2517. Once ASTM notifies the
                                                                                                       submissions) by mail/hand delivery/                   CPSC of ASTM’s revisions to this
                                              Revision to Children’s Gasoline Burn                     courier to: Office of the Secretary,                  voluntary standard, the revisions will be
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                                              Prevention Act Regulation                                Consumer Product Safety Commission,                   incorporated by operation of law and
                                              AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety                          Room 820, 4330 East West Highway,                     will become the consumer product
                                              Commission.                                              Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301)                   safety standard within 60 days after
                                              ACTION: Direct final rule.                               504–7923.                                             such notice. However, the Commission
                                                                                                          Instructions: All submissions received             can prevent such incorporation if the
                                              SUMMARY:  The Children’s Gasoline Burn                   must include the agency name and                      Commission determines that revisions
                                              Prevention Act (CGBPA or the Act)                        docket number for this notice. All                    to the voluntary standard do not carry


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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:53:34
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:53:34
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis final rule is effective on December 14, 2017.
ContactMichael Filippell, Air Transportation Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267- 8166; email [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 58722 
RIN Number2120-AL27
CFR AssociatedAir Traffic Control; Aircraft; Airmen; Airports; Aviation Safety; Freight and Yemen

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