83_FR_53157 83 FR 52954 - Amendment of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the Simferopol and Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Regions (FIRs) (UKFV and UKDV)

83 FR 52954 - Amendment of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the Simferopol and Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Regions (FIRs) (UKFV and UKDV)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 203 (October 19, 2018)

Page Range52954-52962
FR Document2018-22853

This action extends, with modifications to reflect changed conditions in specified areas of Ukraine, the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flight operations in the Simferopol Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKDV) 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. This action extends the prohibition in specified areas of Ukraine to safeguard against continuing hazards to U.S. civil aviation. However, this action also reduces the scope of the prohibition against flights in the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) permitting U.S. civil operations to resume in specified areas due to the stabilization of safety and security conditions in the relevant regions of Ukraine.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 203 (Friday, October 19, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52954-52962]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 91

[Docket No.: FAA-2014-0225; Amdt. No. 91-331E]
RIN 2120-AL39


Amendment of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified 
Areas of the Simferopol and Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Regions 
(FIRs) (UKFV and UKDV)

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action extends, with modifications to reflect changed 
conditions in specified areas of Ukraine, the Special Federal Aviation 
Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flight operations in the 
Simferopol Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk 
Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKDV) 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

[[Page 52955]]

carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where 
the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. This action 
extends the prohibition in specified areas of Ukraine to safeguard 
against continuing hazards to U.S. civil aviation. However, this action 
also reduces the scope of the prohibition against flights in the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) permitting U.S. 
civil operations to resume in specified areas due to the stabilization 
of safety and security conditions in the relevant regions of Ukraine.

DATES: This final rule is effective on October 19, 2018.

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 extends, with modification to reflect changed 
conditions in Ukraine, the prohibition against U.S. civil flight 
operations in specified areas of the Simferopol Flight Information 
Region (FIR) (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Region (FIR) 
(UKDV) 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, 
from October 27, 2018, until October 27, 2020. The FAA assesses that 
security and safety conditions have sufficiently stabilized in certain 
regions of Ukraine, thereby reducing the area of hazard to U.S. civil 
aviation in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). However, the FAA finds an extension of the 
prohibition is necessary in other specified areas of Ukraine to 
safeguard against continuing hazards to civil aviation. The new 
boundaries of the prohibition are described in the preamble to this 
final rule. In this action, the FAA retains the lateral limits of the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), for reference as 
definitions in new paragraph (f) of the final rule.

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 Administrator's 
authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in title 49, U.S. 
Code, Subtitle I, sections 106(f) and (g). 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 safety and security as the highest 
priorities in air commerce. Section 40105(b)(1)(A) requires the 
Administrator to exercise this authority consistently with the 
obligations of the U.S. Government under international agreements.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
title 49, U.S. Code, 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, because it 
continues to prohibit the persons described in paragraph (a) of SFAR 
No. 113, 14 CFR 91.1607, from conducting flight operations in specified 
areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) due to 
the continuing hazards to the safety of U.S. civil flight operations in 
certain regions of Ukraine, as described in the preamble to this final 
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.

B. Good Cause for Immediate Adoption

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of title 5, U.S. Code, 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. In addition, it is contrary to the public interest to delay 
the effective date of this SFAR.
    The FAA has identified an ongoing need to maintain the flight 
prohibition in certain specified areas of Ukraine due to continued 
safety of flight hazards associated with both Ukraine and Russia air 
navigation service providers (ANSPs) claiming control of airspace over 
portions of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and due to the ongoing conflict 
with localized skirmishes within the eastern portion of the 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). These hazards are further described in the 
preamble to this rule. 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 can 
evolve rapidly. 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. 
For these reasons, the FAA finds good cause to forgo notice and comment 
and any delay in the effective date for this rule.

III. Background

    The FAA first published SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, on April 25, 
2014, to prohibit certain flight operations in a portion of the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) 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.\1\ At that time, the FAA viewed the 
possibility of civil aircraft receiving confusing and conflicting air 
traffic control instructions from both Ukrainian and Russian air 
navigation service providers (ANSPs) when operating in the portion of 
the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) covered by SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, as an 
unsafe condition that presented a potential hazard to U.S. civil flight 
operations.
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    \1\ 79 FR 22862.
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    On July 18, 2014, the FAA issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FDC 4/
2182, expanding the flight prohibition to the entire Simferopol FIR 
(UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), primarily as an immediate 
response to the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 17, 
2014, while flying over Ukraine at 33,000 feet just west of the Russian 
border. The FAA determined that the ongoing conflict in the region 
posed a significant threat to U.S. civil aviation operations in these 
FIRs. The

[[Page 52956]]

use of weapons capable of targeting and shooting down aircraft flying 
on civil air routes at cruising altitudes posed a significantly 
dangerous threat to civil aircraft flying in the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) 
and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). The FAA published a final rule 
incorporating the expanded flight prohibition into SFAR No. 113, Sec.  
91.1607, on December 29, 2014.\2\ The FAA extended this flight 
prohibition on October 27, 2015 3 4 and October 27, 2016 due 
to continuing flight safety concerns regarding conflicting ANSP 
guidance in the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and the ongoing conflict in 
eastern Ukraine within the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).\5\
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    \2\ 79 FR 77857.
    \3\ 80 FR 65621.
    \4\ The FAA notes that the State Aviation Administration of 
Ukraine conducted and completed an airspace restructuring that went 
into effect in the late 2014 timeframe. The new configuration 
altered both the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) 
altitude structures. To address the Ukraine airspace restructuring 
and provide additional clarity, on July 22, 2016, the FAA published 
a technical amendment to specifically identify the prohibited 
airspace in which SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, applies, with 
inclusive altitudes and lateral limitations (latitude and longitude 
coordinates). 81 FR 47699.
    \5\ 81 FR 74671.
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    The flight safety concern for the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) at that 
time was demonstrated by an European Aviation Safety Agency Safety 
Information Bulletin on February 17, 2016, indicating that ATS routes 
L851 and M856 could be considered for planning flights in the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV), and subsequent Russian Federal Air Transport 
Agency response in which it asserted that it was responsible for air 
traffic services in a portion of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV).
    Separately, in the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the FAA noted that 
there was an ongoing risk of skirmishes in the area and a potential for 
larger-scale fighting in eastern Ukraine involving combined Russian-
separatist forces, which could result in civil aircraft being 
misidentified as a threat and then intercepted or otherwise engaged. In 
the 2016 final rule, the FAA identified that these combined forces had 
access to a variety of anti-aircraft weapons, to include man-portable 
air defense systems (MANPADS) and possibly more advanced surface-to-air 
missiles (SAMs) that had the capability to engage aircraft at higher 
altitudes.

IV. Discussion of the Final Rule

    Since the 2016 final rule, the FAA assesses that security and 
safety conditions have sufficiently stabilized in certain regions of 
Ukraine, thereby reducing the area of impacted airspace in specified 
areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and is 
revising the flight prohibition to allow U.S. civil flights to resume 
in certain areas. However, the FAA finds an extension of the 
prohibition is necessary in other specified areas of Ukraine to 
safeguard against continuing hazards to civil aviation.

A. Simferopol Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKFV)

    Since 2014, the FAA has prohibited operations within the Simferopol 
FIR (UKFV) by all U.S. civil operators and airmen, in part, due to 
continuing flight safety concerns regarding the risk of pilots being 
given conflicting ANSP guidance within the Simferopol FIR (UKFV). 
Specifically, in 2014, the Russian Federation annexed the Crimean 
Peninsula and claimed ANSP authority over the Simferopol FIR (UKFV), 
including airspace over the Black Sea, and deployed a substantial 
military force to the Peninsula, including advanced weapon capabilities 
to enforce their territorial and airspace claims for portions of the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV). Since that time, the Russian Federation has 
claimed authority over the entire Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and continues 
to assert authority over the Crimean Peninsula and adjacent waters. 
However, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other 
countries do not support these assertions by the Russian Federation and 
recognize the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Service Enterprise as the 
ANSP with authority over the Simferopol FIR (UKFV).
    The previous flight safety concerns for conflicting ANSP guidance 
for the Black Sea air routes at a distance offshore from the Peninsula 
within portions of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) have been addressed by the 
government of Ukraine. Since the FAA extended the prohibition in SFAR 
No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, in 2016, the government of Ukraine has 
established, via its aeronautical information publication (AIP), a 
restricted airspace area over the Crimean Peninsula and the adjacent 
territorial sea. In addition, the government of Ukraine has issued 
flight advisories, prohibitions and other instructions for the safe 
navigation of civil aircraft, which are published via NOTAMs,\6\ 
reclassified Ukrainian airspace in 2014 as discussed earlier, and 
improved safety incident reporting procedures to mitigate the risks 
associated with conflicting ANSP guidance from the Russian Federation 
over the Black Sea routes offshore from the Crimean Peninsula and over 
the high seas. Since these actions were implemented, there has been a 
decrease in safety-related hazards demonstrated by over two years of 
safe flight operations on the Black Sea air routes by non-U.S. civil 
operators. Therefore, the FAA assesses that these actions have 
sufficiently mitigated the hazard to civil aviation operating on the 
Black Sea air routes to allow U.S. civil flights to resume on those 
routes. Specifically, the FAA is relaxing the prohibition from the 
surface to unlimited south and southwest of a line drawn direct from 
SOBLO (431503N 362298E) to DOLOT (434214N 332819E), direct to SOROK 
(440628N 324260E), then direct to OTPOL (452738N 313064E). This change 
will allow U.S. operators and codeshare partners the ability to use, 
among others, the following Black Sea routes; M856, M854, M860 and 
L851. Ukrainian air traffic control routing dynamically manages the 
routing of air traffic in the specified airspace to meet changing 
operational demands and conditions.
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    \6\ The advisories and prohibitions, including instructions 
regarding the closure of certain air routes, which are issued by 
Ukraine and published via NOTAM can be accessed at https://www.icao.int/safety/iStars/Pages/notams.aspx. See e.g. A1055/18-UKFV 
(Ukraine): Flight information region Plain language, which requires 
all aircraft crews flying within the Simferopol FIR to comply only 
with instructions from Ukraine's air navigation service provider.
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    Nevertheless, the government of Ukraine has not mitigated the 
hazards in all of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) necessitating a continuing, 
albeit more limited, flight prohibition. An overwhelming Russian 
military presence and weapon capabilities continue to be located on the 
Crimean Peninsula, creating a continuing risk for misidentification of 
aircraft flying over the Peninsula and in the airspace near the 
Peninsula. Additionally, Ukraine and Russia continue to assert 
competing claims of the airspace. For those reasons, and their 
attendant risk to U.S. civil aircraft operations, the FAA is continuing 
to prohibit operations by U.S. civil operators and airmen in the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) from the surface to unlimited north and northeast 
of a line drawn direct from SOBLO (431503N 362298E) to DOLOT (434214N 
332819E), direct to SOROK (440628N 324260E), then direct to OTPOL 
(452738N 313064E). The use of airway M747, which partially overlaps 
with the line of demarcation for the area of prohibition, is also 
prohibited. The remaining area of prohibition includes a sufficient 
buffer from the continuing

[[Page 52957]]

hazard associated with operating over the Crimean Peninsula.

B. Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKDV)

    In the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) there continues to be an 
inadvertent risk to civil aviation associated with the ongoing 
conflict, which involves localized skirmishes and the potential for 
larger scale fighting in the eastern portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR 
(UKDV). These skirmishes and a risk for potential larger-scale fighting 
could lead to the misidentification and/or engagement of civil aviation 
by separatist air defense forces, as demonstrated by the shoot-down of 
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 17, 2014. The majority of 
military engagements have been in close proximity to the line of 
conflict in the eastern portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). The 
various military and militia elements in that region have access to a 
variety of anti-aircraft weapons systems to include MANPADS and 
possibly more advanced SAMs that have the capability to engage aircraft 
at higher altitudes. Separatists have demonstrated their ability to use 
these anti-aircraft weapons by successfully shooting down a number of 
aircraft during the course of the fighting in eastern Ukraine in 2014. 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring 
Mission to Ukraine unmanned aircraft systems continue to be shot down 
by SAMs and small arms ground fire, and brought down with GPS jamming 
in the eastern portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).
    These threats are concentrated in the eastern portion of the 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) within the pro-Russian separatist enclave and 
in close proximity to the line of control that borders the enclave. The 
anti-aircraft weapons capabilities and deployments of forces associated 
with the pro-Russian separatists are limited at this time to within the 
eastern portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). While the potential 
for fluctuating levels of military engagement continues along the line 
of control in eastern portions of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the 
military conflict has begun to stabilize, which reduces the risk of a 
larger-scale conflict that might extend into the western portion of the 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). This results in a reduced risk to civil 
aviation in the western portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), and 
the FAA is relaxing the area of prohibition to account for the reduced 
risk.
    Therefore, due to the continued threats in the eastern portion of 
the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the FAA is continuing to prohibit 
operations by U.S. civil operators and airmen in the Dnipropetrovsk FIR 
(UKDV) from the surface to unlimited east of a line drawn direct from 
ABDAR (471802N 351732E) along airway M853 to NIKAD (485946N 355519E), 
then along airway N604 to GOBUN (501806N 373824E). The use of airways 
M853 and N604, which partially overlap with the line of demarcation for 
the prohibition, is also prohibited. This revised area of prohibition 
includes a sufficient buffer between the conflict region along the 
Ukraine-Russia border, including known weapons that may be threats to 
aviation, and the portions of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) where U.S. 
civil flights are permitted to resume.
    Based on the reduced scope of the prohibition, U.S. operators and 
airmen are permitted to conduct operations in the western portions of 
the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) from the surface to unlimited west of a 
line drawn direct from ABDAR (471802N 351732E) along airway M853 to 
NIKAD (485946N 355519E), then along airway N604 to GOBUN (501806N 
373824E), which previously had been prohibited.
    In addition, due to the relatively close proximity of the approach 
and departure routes of three airports to the new boundary of the 
prohibition flight area, the FAA has added an exception for takeoffs 
and landings. This exception permits operations within the flight 
prohibition area of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), to the extent 
necessary to takeoff and land at three specified airports, subject to 
the approval of, and in accordance with the conditions established by, 
the appropriate authorities of Ukraine: Kharkiv International Airport 
(UKHH); Dnipropetrovsk International Airport (UKDD); and Zaporizhzhia 
International Airport (UKDE). The FAA has determined these operations 
can be conducted with minimal additional risk due to the sufficient 
distance provided by the specified prohibition boundary line as a 
buffer from the area of fighting and associated weapons capabilities.
    Therefore, as a result of the significant continuing risk to the 
safety of U.S. civil aviation in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR 
(UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the FAA extends the expiration 
date of SFAR No. 113, 14 CFR 91.1607, from October 27, 2018, to October 
27, 2020, to maintain the prohibition on flight operations in specified 
areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) 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 is a foreign air carrier. While the FAA's flight 
prohibition does not apply to foreign air carriers, DOT codeshare 
authorizations prohibit foreign air carriers from carrying a U.S. 
codeshare partner's code on a flight segment that operates in airspace 
for which the FAA has issued a flight prohibition. The FAA is also 
retaining the lateral limits of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), which are recognized by ICAO, for reference 
as definitions in new paragraph (f) of the final rule.
    The FAA will continue to actively monitor the situation and 
evaluate the extent to which U.S. civil operators and airmen may be 
able to operate safely in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) 
and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). Amendments to SFAR No. 113, Sec.  
91.1607, may be appropriate if the risk to aviation safety and security 
changes. The FAA may amend or rescind SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, as 
necessary, prior to its expiration date.
    The FAA is incorporating minor editorial changes for clarifying 
purposes in Sec.  91.1609, including correcting the title of the FIR 
and clarifying the procedure for considering approval and exemption 
requests. These changes are consistent with other recently published 
SFARs. The FAA is also republishing the details concerning the approval 
and exemption processes in Sections V and VI of this preamble so that 
interested persons will be able to refer to this final rule for all 
relevant information regarding SFAR No. 113.

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

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

    In some instances, U.S. Government departments, agencies, or 
instrumentalities may need to engage U.S. civil aviation to support 
their activities in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). The FAA is revising the approval process for 
SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, to make it consistent with the approval 
process of more recently published flight prohibition SFARs. If a 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government 
determines that it has a

[[Page 52958]]

critical need to engage any person covered under SFAR No. 113, Sec.  
91.1607, including a U.S. air carrier or commercial operator, to 
conduct a charter to transport civilian or military passengers or 
cargo, or other operations, in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR 
(UKFV) or Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), that department, agency, or 
instrumentality may request the FAA to approve persons covered under 
SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607, 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. The FAA will not accept or process requests for 
approval by anyone other than the requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality. 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 to commence.
    The letter must be sent 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. 113, Sec.  91.1607, and/or for multiple flight operations. To the 
extent known, the letter must identify the person(s) expected to be 
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 specified 
areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) 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 specified areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR 
(UKDV) 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 (i.e., 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 its prime contractor has a subcontract(s)) 
for specific flight operations in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR 
(UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). 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 specified areas of the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), before such 
operators commence such operations. The approval conditions discussed 
below 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. 113, Sec.  91.1607, 
does not relieve persons subject to this SFAR of their responsibility 
to comply with all applicable FAA rules and regulations. Operators of 
civil aircraft must comply with the conditions of their certificate, 
OpSpecs, and LOAs, as applicable. Operators must also comply with all 
rules and regulations of other U.S. Government departments or agencies 
that may apply to the proposed operation(s), including, but not limited 
to, regulations issued by the Transportation Security Administration.

B. 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 Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and/or Dnipropetrovsk 
FIR (UKDV); and
    (b) The operator's written 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 from or related to the approved 
operations in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and/or 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).
    (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, U.S. Code.
    If the FAA approves the proposed operation(s), the FAA will issue 
an OpSpec or LOA, as applicable, to the operator(s) identified in the 
original request authorizing it to conduct the approved operation(s), 
and will notify

[[Page 52959]]

the department, agency, or instrumentality that requested the FAA's 
approval of any additional conditions beyond those contained in the 
approval letter.

VI. Information Regarding Petitions 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. 113, Sec.  91.1607. A petition for 
exemption must comply with 14 CFR part 11 and requires exceptional 
circumstances beyond those contemplated by the approval process set 
forth previously. 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 specified areas of the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) 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 
specified areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR 
(UKDV) 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 
(i.e., 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 preamble 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 flight 
prohibition SFARs.
    Additionally, the release and agreement to indemnify, as referred 
to previously, are required as a condition of any exemption that may be 
issued under SFAR No. 113, Sec.  91.1607.
    The FAA recognizes that operations that may be affected by SFAR No. 
113, Sec.  91.1607, 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 consider exemption requests for such operations on an expedited 
basis and prior to any private exemption requests.

VII. 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 (Pub. L. 96-39), as amended, 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. This rule is a 
significant regulatory action, as defined in section 3(f) of Executive 
Order 12866, as it raises novel policy issues contemplated under that 
Executive Order. As notice and comment under 5 U.S.C. 553 are not 
required for this final rule, the regulatory flexibility analyses 
described in 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604 regarding impacts on small entities 
are not required. This rule will not create unnecessary obstacles to 
the foreign commerce of the United States. This rule 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

    On April 25, 2014, the FAA published SFAR No. 113 prohibiting 
flight operations in part of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) by U.S. air 
carriers and airmen because of conflicting airspace claims between 
Ukraine and the Russian Federation owing to the Russian annexation of 
the Crimean Peninsula. The FAA expanded this prohibition to the entire 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and also to the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), first 
by NOTAM (July 18, 2014 (UTC)) and then by rule (79 FR 77857, December 
29, 2014), owing to conflict between Ukraine military forces and pro-
Russian separatists. On October 27, 2015 (80 FR 65621) and October 27, 
2016 (81 FR 74671), the FAA further extended this prohibition. The FAA 
now proposes to extend the prohibition for another two years, but only 
for portions of the Simferopol (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk (UKDV) FIRs 
where there is a continuing hazard to civil aviation. The FAA is 
extending the prohibition against U.S. civil operations over the 
Crimean peninsula in the Simferopol FIR (UKFV), but is permitting U.S. 
civil operations over four Black Sea routes, sufficiently offshore from 
the Crimea Peninsula, and over the high seas, due to a stabilization in 
the security conditions on these routes. In addition, the FAA is 
extending the prohibition in the eastern part of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR 
(UKDV), but is permitting U.S. civil operations from the surface to 
unlimited in the western portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). The 
FAA is also permitting, by exception, takeoffs and landings at three 
Ukrainian international airports due to proximity of the arrival and 
departure routes to the area of prohibition within the Dnipropetrovsk 
FIR (UKDV).
    As was noted in the most recent previous amendment to SFAR No. 113, 
Sec.  91.1607 (81 FR 74671, October 27, 2016), almost all U.S. 
operators already had voluntarily ceased their operations in these FIRs 
prior to the issuance of the FAA NOTAM on July 18, 2014 (UTC), which 
prohibited U.S. civil flight operations in these two FIRs in their 
entirety. Owing to the continuing hazards to civil flight operations 
outlined in the preamble, the FAA believes that few, if any, U.S. 
operators presently seek to conduct operations in the eastern portion 
of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), or over the Crimean peninsula within 
the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) in which the FAA continues to prohibit U.S. 
operations. The FAA notes that since April 25, 2014, when U.S. 
operators and

[[Page 52960]]

airmen were first prohibited from conducting operations in a portion of 
the Simferopol FIR (UKFV), the FAA has not received any requests for 
approval or petitions for exemption to conduct operations in either the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) or Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). Accordingly, where 
U.S. operations continue to be prohibited the FAA believes incremental 
costs will be minimal and exceeded by the benefits of avoiding the 
deaths, injuries, and/or property damage that would result from a U.S. 
operator's aircraft being shot down (or otherwise damaged) while 
operating in either the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) or the Simferopol FIR 
(UKFV).
    As noted in the sections above, the Ukraine ANSP has implemented 
risk mitigation measures to address safety hazards over the Black Sea 
routes and on the high seas. These measures have resulted in a 
significant decrease in safety-related hazards in that part of the 
Simferopol FIR (UKFV) as shown by over two years of safe flight 
operations by non-U.S. civil operators on the Black Sea air routes. In 
the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the deployments of forces associated 
with the pro-Russian separatists are at this time limited to the 
eastern part, reducing the risk of a larger-scale conflict that might 
extend into the western portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and 
thereby reducing risk to U.S. civil aviation in the western portion. 
The FAA believes that lifting the prohibition on U.S. civil operations 
in those parts of the two FIRs will be socially cost-beneficial because 
it may result in the resumption of safe U.S. civil operations.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, in 5 U.S.C. 603, requires an agency 
to prepare an initial regulatory flexibility analysis describing 
impacts on small entities whenever an agency is required by 5 U.S.C. 
553, or any other law, to publish a general notice of proposed 
rulemaking for any proposed rule. Similarly, 5 U.S.C. 604 requires an 
agency to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis when an 
agency issues a final rule under 5 U.S.C. 553, after being required by 
that section or any other law to publish a general notice of proposed 
rulemaking. The FAA found good cause to forgo notice and comment and 
any delay in the effective date for this rule. As notice and comment 
under 5 U.S.C. 553 are not required in this situation, the regulatory 
flexibility analyses described in 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604 are not 
required.

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 potential effect of this final rule and 
determined that its purpose is to protect the safety of U.S. civil 
aviation from hazards to their operations in the eastern part of the 
Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and over specified areas of the Crimean 
Peninsula within the Simferopol FIR (UKFV), locations outside the U.S. 
Therefore, the rule is in compliance with the Trade Agreements Act of 
1979.

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 immediately adopted 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 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 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.

VIII. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this 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 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,

[[Page 52961]]

(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, Feb. 3, 2017) because it is issued with respect to a national 
security function of the United States.

IX. Additional Information

A. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of a rulemaking document may be obtained from 
the internet by--
     Searching the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) 
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.
    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 Document 
Management System Portal referenced previously.

B. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA) (Pub. L. 104-121) (set forth as a note to 5 U.S.C. 601) 
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 persons listed under the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the preamble. 
To find out more about SBREFA on the internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91

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

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 91, 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), 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.  91.1607 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.1607   Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 113--
Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Simferopol Flight 
Information Region (FIR) (UKFV) and the Dnipropetrovsk Flight 
Information Region (FIR) (UKDV).

    (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 following specified areas 
of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) or the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV)--
    (1) Operations within the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) are prohibited from 
the surface to unlimited, north and northeast of a line drawn direct 
from SOBLO (431503N 362298E) to DOLOT (434214N 332819E), direct to 
SOROK (440628N 324260E), then direct to OTPOL (452738N 313064E). This 
prohibition applies to airway M747.
    (2) Operations within the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) are prohibited 
from the surface to unlimited, east of a line drawn direct from ABDAR 
(471802N 351732E) along airway M853 to NIKAD (485946N 355519E), then 
along airway N604 to GOBUN (501806N 373824E). This prohibition applies 
to airways M853 and N604.
    (c) Permitted operations. This section does not prohibit persons 
described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight 
operations within either flight prohibition, as described in paragraph 
(b) of this section under the following circumstances:
    (1) Operations are permitted within the flight prohibition area of 
the Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKDV), as described 
in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, to the extent necessary to takeoff 
and land at the following three airports, subject to the approval of, 
and in accordance with the conditions established by, the appropriate 
authorities of Ukraine:
    (i) Kharkiv International Airport (UKHH);
    (ii) Dnipropetrovsk International Airport (UKDD); and
    (iii) Zaporizhzhia International Airport (UKDE).
    (2) Operations are permitted within the flight prohibition areas 
described in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section provided that such 
flight operations are 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 described in 
paragraph (a) of this section) with the approval of the FAA, or under 
an exemption issued by the FAA. The FAA will consider 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

[[Page 52962]]

holidays, submit to the responsible Flight Standards office 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 October 27, 
2020. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR as necessary.
    (f) Definitions. (1) The Simferopol FIR (UKFV) is defined as that 
airspace from the surface to unlimited within the following lateral 
limits:

465800N 0360000E-463500N 0364200E-
463424N 0372206E-452700N 0364100E-
452242N 0364100E-451824N 0363524E-
451442N 0363542E-451218N 0363200E-
450418N 0363418E-445612N 0363636E-
443100N 0364000E-424400N 0361600E-
424700N 0340000E-424800N 0320000E-
424800N 0310000E-424800N 0304500E-
434100N 0303200E-441000N 0302512E-
441500N 0302400E-444600N 0300900E-
445447N 0300448E-445230N 0302130E-
445848N 0303342E-451530N 0310642E-
452436N 0312500E-453828N 0315311E-
454436N 0320548E-455442N 0322700E-
460730N 0325430E-464600N 0325300E-
474400N 0330300E-472700N 0344800E-
470630N 0355500E-465800N 0360000E

    (2) The Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) is defined as that airspace from 
the surface to unlimited within the following lateral limits:

511400N 0342700E-504942N 0341300E-
502043N 0335720E-501246N 0335307E-
491848N 0333700E-485700N 0332200E-
484118N 0324431E-483620N 0324010E-
483128N 0323605E-482300N 0323900E-
480730N 0325324E-474600N 0325000E-
474400N 0330300E-472700N 0344800E-
470630N 0355500E-465800N 0360000E-
463500N 0364200E-463424N 0372206E-
463930N 0372518E-464700N 0373000E-
465900N 0382000E-470642N 0381324E-
then along state boundary until point/-511400N 0342700.

    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 
October 15, 2018.
Daniel K. Elwell,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-22853 Filed 10-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                           52954             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           providing liquidity to members,                           Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1426, 1427, 1432(a),              (1) Review the regulated entity’s
                                           affordable housing and community                        1436(a), 1440, 4511(b), 4513(a), 4513(b),             strategic business plan at least annually;
                                           development mission, capital structure,                 4526, and 15 U.S.C. 78oo(b).                             (2) Re-adopt the strategic business
                                           and joint and several liability. 12 U.S.C.              ■ 2. Add § 1239.14 to subpart C to read               plan for the regulated entity at least
                                           4513(f). FHFA has considered these                      as follows:                                           every three years; and
                                           areas of differences between the Banks                                                                           (3) Establish management reporting
                                           and the Enterprises, and has determined                 § 1239.14    Strategic business plan.                 requirements and monitor
                                           that the final rule is unlikely to                         (a) Adoption of strategic business                 implementation of the strategic business
                                           adversely affect the Banks in these areas               plan. Each board of directors shall adopt             plan and the goals and objectives
                                           of differences.                                         and have in effect at all times a strategic           contained therein.
                                           IV. Paperwork Reduction Act                             business plan for the regulated entity
                                                                                                                                                         § 1239.31   [Removed and reserved]
                                                                                                   that describes, at a minimum, how the
                                             The final rule does not contain any                   significant business activities of the                ■   3. Remove and reserve § 1239.31.
                                           collections of information under the                    regulated entity will achieve its mission             Subchapter D—Federal Home Loan Banks
                                           Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44                     and public purposes consistent with its
                                           U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Therefore, FHFA                   authorizing statute, the Safety and                   PART 1273—[AMENDED]
                                           has not submitted any information to                    Soundness Act, and, in the case of a
                                           the Office of Management and Budget                     Bank, part 1265 of this chapter.                      ■ 4. The authority citation for part 1273
                                           for review.                                             Specifically, each regulated entity’s                 continues to read as follows:
                                           V. Regulatory Flexibility Act                           strategic business plan shall at a                      Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1431, 1440, 4511(b),
                                                                                                   minimum:                                              4513, 4514(a), 4526(a).
                                              The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                       (1)(i) In the case of a Bank, articulate
                                           U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires an agency to               measurable goals and objectives for each              § 1273.8    [Amended]
                                           analyze a regulation’s impact on small                  significant business activity and for all             ■ 5. Section 1273.8(d)(2) is amended by
                                           entities if the regulation is expected to               authorized new business activities,                   removing the reference to ‘‘§ 1239.31’’
                                           have a significant economic impact on                   which must include plans for                          and adding in its place ‘‘§ 1239.14.’’
                                           a substantial number of small entities. 5               maximizing activities that further the                  Dated: October 16, 2018.
                                           U.S.C. 605(b). FHFA has considered the                  Bank’s housing finance and community
                                                                                                                                                         Melvin L. Watt,
                                           impact of this final rule and the General               lending mission, consistent with part
                                           Counsel of FHFA certifies that it is not                                                                      Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
                                                                                                   1265 of this chapter;
                                           likely to have a significant economic                      (ii) In the case of an Enterprise,                 [FR Doc. 2018–22859 Filed 10–18–18; 8:45 am]
                                           impact on a substantial number of small                 articulate measurable goals and                       BILLING CODE 8070–01–P
                                           entities because it applies only to the                 objectives for each significant existing
                                           regulated entities, which are not small                 activity and for significant authorized
                                           entities for purposes of the Regulatory                 new activities;                                       DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                           Flexibility Act.                                           (2) Discuss how the regulated entity
                                                                                                   will address credit needs and market                  Federal Aviation Administration
                                           VI. Congressional Review Act
                                                                                                   opportunities identified through
                                             In accordance with the Congressional                  ongoing market research and                           14 CFR Part 91
                                           Review Act, FHFA has determined that                    stakeholder consultations;                            [Docket No.: FAA–2014–0225; Amdt. No.
                                           this action is not a major rule and has                    (3) Describe any significant activities            91–331E]
                                           verified this determination with the                    in which the regulated entity is
                                           Office of Information and Regulatory                    planning to be engaged, including any                 RIN 2120–AL39
                                           Affairs of the Office of Management and                 significant changes to business strategy
                                           Budget (OMB). See 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                                                                            Amendment of the Prohibition Against
                                                                                                   or approach that the regulated entity is
                                                                                                                                                         Certain Flights in Specified Areas of
                                           List of Subjects                                        planning to undertake, and discuss how
                                                                                                                                                         the Simferopol and Dnipropetrovsk
                                                                                                   such activities would further the
                                           12 CFR Part 1239                                                                                              Flight Information Regions (FIRs)
                                                                                                   regulated entity’s mission and public
                                                                                                                                                         (UKFV and UKDV)
                                                                                                   purposes;
                                             Administrative practice and
                                                                                                      (4)(i) In the case of a Bank, be                   AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                           procedure, Federal home loan banks,
                                                                                                   supported by appropriate and timely                   Administration (FAA), Department of
                                           Government-sponsored enterprises,
                                                                                                   research and analysis of relevant market              Transportation (DOT).
                                           Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                                                                   developments and member and housing                   ACTION: Final rule.
                                           requirements.
                                                                                                   associate demand for Bank products and
                                           12 CFR Part 1273                                        services;                                             SUMMARY:   This action extends, with
                                                                                                      (ii) In the case of an Enterprise, be              modifications to reflect changed
                                               Federal home loan banks, Securities.
                                                                                                   supported by appropriate and timely                   conditions in specified areas of Ukraine,
                                             Accordingly, for reasons stated in the                research and analysis of relevant market              the Special Federal Aviation Regulation
                                           Supplementary Information, FHFA                         developments; and                                     (SFAR) prohibiting certain flight
                                           hereby amends parts 1239 and 1273 of                       (5) Identify current and emerging risks            operations in the Simferopol Flight
                                           chapter XII of title 12 of the Code of                  associated with the regulated entity’s                Information Region (FIR) (UKFV) and
                                           Federal Regulations as follows:                         significant existing activities or new                Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information
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                                           Subchapter B—Regulated Entities                         activities, and discuss how the regulated             Region (FIR) (UKDV) by all: U.S. air
                                                                                                   entity plans to address such risks while              carriers; U.S. commercial operators;
                                           PART 1239—[AMENDED]                                     furthering its public purposes and                    persons exercising the privileges of an
                                                                                                   mission in a safe and sound manner.                   airman certificate issued by the FAA,
                                           ■ 1. The authority citation for part 1239                  (b) Review and monitoring. Each                    except when such persons are operating
                                           continues to read as follows:                           board of directors shall:                             U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         52955

                                           carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered               of U.S. civil operators, U.S.-registered              contrary to the public interest to delay
                                           civil aircraft, except where the operator               civil aircraft, and U.S.-certificated                 the effective date of this SFAR.
                                           of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.              airmen throughout the world. The FAA                     The FAA has identified an ongoing
                                           This action extends the prohibition in                  Administrator’s authority to issue rules              need to maintain the flight prohibition
                                           specified areas of Ukraine to safeguard                 on aviation safety is found in title 49,              in certain specified areas of Ukraine due
                                           against continuing hazards to U.S. civil                U.S. Code, Subtitle I, sections 106(f) and            to continued safety of flight hazards
                                           aviation. However, this action also                     (g). Subtitle VII of title 49, Aviation               associated with both Ukraine and Russia
                                           reduces the scope of the prohibition                    Programs, describes in more detail the                air navigation service providers (ANSPs)
                                           against flights in the Simferopol FIR                   scope of the agency’s authority. Section              claiming control of airspace over
                                           (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR                           40101(d)(1) provides that the                         portions of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV)
                                           (UKDV) permitting U.S. civil operations                 Administrator shall consider in the                   and due to the ongoing conflict with
                                           to resume in specified areas due to the                 public interest, among other matters,                 localized skirmishes within the eastern
                                           stabilization of safety and security                    assigning, maintaining, and enhancing                 portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR
                                           conditions in the relevant regions of                   safety and security as the highest                    (UKDV). These hazards are further
                                           Ukraine.                                                priorities in air commerce. Section                   described in the preamble to this rule.
                                           DATES: This final rule is effective on                  40105(b)(1)(A) requires the                           To the extent that the rule is based upon
                                           October 19, 2018.                                       Administrator to exercise this authority              classified information, such information
                                                                                                   consistently with the obligations of the              is not permitted to be shared with the
                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                   U.S. Government under international                   general public. Also, threats to U.S. civil
                                           Michael Filippell, Air Transportation
                                                                                                   agreements.                                           aviation can evolve rapidly. As a result,
                                           Division, Flight Standards Service,
                                                                                                      This rulemaking is promulgated                     the agency’s original proposal could
                                           Federal Aviation Administration, 800
                                                                                                   under the authority described in title 49,            become unsuitable for minimizing the
                                           Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
                                                                                                   U.S. Code, Subtitle VII, Part A, subpart              hazards to U.S. civil aviation in the
                                           DC 20591; telephone 202–267–8166;
                                                                                                   III, section 44701, General requirements.             affected airspace during or after the
                                           email michael.e.filippell@faa.gov.
                                                                                                   Under that section, the FAA is charged                notice and comment process. For these
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              broadly with promoting safe flight of                 reasons, the FAA finds good cause to
                                           I. Executive Summary                                    civil aircraft in air commerce by                     forgo notice and comment and any
                                                                                                   prescribing, among other things,                      delay in the effective date for this rule.
                                              This action extends, with
                                                                                                   regulations and minimum standards for
                                           modification to reflect changed                                                                               III. Background
                                                                                                   practices, methods, and procedures that
                                           conditions in Ukraine, the prohibition                                                                           The FAA first published SFAR No.
                                                                                                   the Administrator finds necessary for
                                           against U.S. civil flight operations in                                                                       113, § 91.1607, on April 25, 2014, to
                                                                                                   safety in air commerce and national
                                           specified areas of the Simferopol Flight                                                                      prohibit certain flight operations in a
                                                                                                   security.
                                           Information Region (FIR) (UKFV) and                        This regulation is within the scope of             portion of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV)
                                           Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information                       FAA’s authority, because it continues to              by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial
                                           Region (FIR) (UKDV) by all U.S. air                     prohibit the persons described in                     operators; persons exercising the
                                           carriers; U.S. commercial operators;                    paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 113, 14 CFR                 privileges of an airman certificate issued
                                           persons exercising the privileges of an                 91.1607, from conducting flight                       by the FAA, except when such persons
                                           airman certificate issued by the FAA,                   operations in specified areas of the                  are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for
                                           except when such persons are operating                  Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                             a foreign air carrier; and operators of
                                           U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air              Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) due to the                  U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except
                                           carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered                                                                     where the operator of such aircraft is a
                                                                                                   continuing hazards to the safety of U.S.
                                           civil aircraft, except where the operator                                                                     foreign air carrier.1 At that time, the
                                                                                                   civil flight operations in certain regions
                                           of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier,                                                                    FAA viewed the possibility of civil
                                                                                                   of Ukraine, as described in the preamble
                                           from October 27, 2018, until October 27,                                                                      aircraft receiving confusing and
                                                                                                   to this final rule.
                                           2020. The FAA assesses that security                       The FAA also finds that this action is             conflicting air traffic control
                                           and safety conditions have sufficiently                 fully consistent with the obligations                 instructions from both Ukrainian and
                                           stabilized in certain regions of Ukraine,               under 49 U.S.C. 40105(b)(1)(A) to                     Russian air navigation service providers
                                           thereby reducing the area of hazard to                  ensure that the FAA exercises its duties              (ANSPs) when operating in the portion
                                           U.S. civil aviation in specified areas of                                                                     of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) covered
                                                                                                   consistently with the obligations of the
                                           the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                                                                                 by SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607, as an
                                                                                                   United States under international
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). However,                                                                           unsafe condition that presented a
                                                                                                   agreements.
                                           the FAA finds an extension of the                                                                             potential hazard to U.S. civil flight
                                           prohibition is necessary in other                       B. Good Cause for Immediate Adoption
                                                                                                                                                         operations.
                                           specified areas of Ukraine to safeguard                    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of title 5, U.S.                 On July 18, 2014, the FAA issued a
                                           against continuing hazards to civil                     Code, authorizes agencies to dispense                 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FDC
                                           aviation. The new boundaries of the                     with notice and comment procedures                    4/2182, expanding the flight prohibition
                                           prohibition are described in the                        for rules when the agency for ‘‘good                  to the entire Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and
                                           preamble to this final rule. In this                    cause’’ finds that those procedures are               Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), primarily
                                           action, the FAA retains the lateral limits              ‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary             as an immediate response to the shoot-
                                           of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                        to the public interest.’’ Section 553(d)              down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), for                          also authorizes agencies to forgo the                 on July 17, 2014, while flying over
                                           reference as definitions in new                         delay in the effective date of the final              Ukraine at 33,000 feet just west of the
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                                           paragraph (f) of the final rule.                        rule for good cause found and published               Russian border. The FAA determined
                                           II. Legal Authority and Good Cause                      with the rule. In this instance, the FAA              that the ongoing conflict in the region
                                                                                                   finds good cause to forgo notice and                  posed a significant threat to U.S. civil
                                           A. Legal Authority                                      comment because notice and comment                    aviation operations in these FIRs. The
                                             The FAA is responsible for the safety                 would be impracticable and contrary to
                                           of flight in the U.S. and for the safety                the public interest. In addition, it is                 1 79   FR 22862.



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                                           52956              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           use of weapons capable of targeting and                 in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR              airspace in 2014 as discussed earlier,
                                           shooting down aircraft flying on civil air              (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR                         and improved safety incident reporting
                                           routes at cruising altitudes posed a                    (UKDV) and is revising the flight                     procedures to mitigate the risks
                                           significantly dangerous threat to civil                 prohibition to allow U.S. civil flights to            associated with conflicting ANSP
                                           aircraft flying in the Simferopol FIR                   resume in certain areas. However, the                 guidance from the Russian Federation
                                           (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR                           FAA finds an extension of the                         over the Black Sea routes offshore from
                                           (UKDV). The FAA published a final rule                  prohibition is necessary in other                     the Crimean Peninsula and over the
                                           incorporating the expanded flight                       specified areas of Ukraine to safeguard               high seas. Since these actions were
                                           prohibition into SFAR No. 113,                          against continuing hazards to civil                   implemented, there has been a decrease
                                           § 91.1607, on December 29, 2014.2 The                   aviation.                                             in safety-related hazards demonstrated
                                           FAA extended this flight prohibition on                                                                       by over two years of safe flight
                                                                                                   A. Simferopol Flight Information Region
                                           October 27, 2015 3 4 and October 27,                                                                          operations on the Black Sea air routes
                                                                                                   (FIR) (UKFV)
                                           2016 due to continuing flight safety                                                                          by non-U.S. civil operators. Therefore,
                                           concerns regarding conflicting ANSP                       Since 2014, the FAA has prohibited                  the FAA assesses that these actions have
                                           guidance in the Simferopol FIR (UKFV)                   operations within the Simferopol FIR                  sufficiently mitigated the hazard to civil
                                           and the ongoing conflict in eastern                     (UKFV) by all U.S. civil operators and
                                                                                                                                                         aviation operating on the Black Sea air
                                           Ukraine within the Dnipropetrovsk FIR                   airmen, in part, due to continuing flight
                                                                                                                                                         routes to allow U.S. civil flights to
                                           (UKDV).5                                                safety concerns regarding the risk of
                                                                                                                                                         resume on those routes. Specifically, the
                                              The flight safety concern for the                    pilots being given conflicting ANSP
                                                                                                                                                         FAA is relaxing the prohibition from the
                                           Simferopol FIR (UKFV) at that time was                  guidance within the Simferopol FIR
                                                                                                                                                         surface to unlimited south and
                                           demonstrated by an European Aviation                    (UKFV). Specifically, in 2014, the
                                                                                                   Russian Federation annexed the                        southwest of a line drawn direct from
                                           Safety Agency Safety Information
                                                                                                   Crimean Peninsula and claimed ANSP                    SOBLO (431503N 362298E) to DOLOT
                                           Bulletin on February 17, 2016,
                                                                                                   authority over the Simferopol FIR                     (434214N 332819E), direct to SOROK
                                           indicating that ATS routes L851 and
                                                                                                   (UKFV), including airspace over the                   (440628N 324260E), then direct to
                                           M856 could be considered for planning
                                                                                                   Black Sea, and deployed a substantial                 OTPOL (452738N 313064E). This
                                           flights in the Simferopol FIR (UKFV),
                                                                                                   military force to the Peninsula,                      change will allow U.S. operators and
                                           and subsequent Russian Federal Air
                                                                                                   including advanced weapon capabilities                codeshare partners the ability to use,
                                           Transport Agency response in which it
                                                                                                   to enforce their territorial and airspace             among others, the following Black Sea
                                           asserted that it was responsible for air
                                                                                                   claims for portions of the Simferopol                 routes; M856, M854, M860 and L851.
                                           traffic services in a portion of the
                                                                                                   FIR (UKFV). Since that time, the                      Ukrainian air traffic control routing
                                           Simferopol FIR (UKFV).
                                              Separately, in the Dnipropetrovsk FIR                Russian Federation has claimed                        dynamically manages the routing of air
                                           (UKDV), the FAA noted that there was                    authority over the entire Simferopol FIR              traffic in the specified airspace to meet
                                           an ongoing risk of skirmishes in the area               (UKFV) and continues to assert                        changing operational demands and
                                           and a potential for larger-scale fighting               authority over the Crimean Peninsula                  conditions.
                                           in eastern Ukraine involving combined                   and adjacent waters. However, the                        Nevertheless, the government of
                                           Russian-separatist forces, which could                  International Civil Aviation                          Ukraine has not mitigated the hazards in
                                           result in civil aircraft being                          Organization (ICAO) and other countries               all of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV)
                                           misidentified as a threat and then                      do not support these assertions by the                necessitating a continuing, albeit more
                                           intercepted or otherwise engaged. In the                Russian Federation and recognize the                  limited, flight prohibition. An
                                           2016 final rule, the FAA identified that                Ukrainian State Air Traffic Service                   overwhelming Russian military
                                           these combined forces had access to a                   Enterprise as the ANSP with authority                 presence and weapon capabilities
                                           variety of anti-aircraft weapons, to                    over the Simferopol FIR (UKFV).                       continue to be located on the Crimean
                                           include man-portable air defense                          The previous flight safety concerns for             Peninsula, creating a continuing risk for
                                           systems (MANPADS) and possibly more                     conflicting ANSP guidance for the Black               misidentification of aircraft flying over
                                           advanced surface-to-air missiles (SAMs)                 Sea air routes at a distance offshore from            the Peninsula and in the airspace near
                                           that had the capability to engage aircraft              the Peninsula within portions of the                  the Peninsula. Additionally, Ukraine
                                           at higher altitudes.                                    Simferopol FIR (UKFV) have been                       and Russia continue to assert competing
                                           IV. Discussion of the Final Rule                        addressed by the government of                        claims of the airspace. For those
                                                                                                   Ukraine. Since the FAA extended the                   reasons, and their attendant risk to U.S.
                                             Since the 2016 final rule, the FAA                    prohibition in SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607,               civil aircraft operations, the FAA is
                                           assesses that security and safety                       in 2016, the government of Ukraine has                continuing to prohibit operations by
                                           conditions have sufficiently stabilized                 established, via its aeronautical                     U.S. civil operators and airmen in the
                                           in certain regions of Ukraine, thereby                  information publication (AIP), a                      Simferopol FIR (UKFV) from the surface
                                           reducing the area of impacted airspace                  restricted airspace area over the                     to unlimited north and northeast of a
                                             2 79
                                                                                                   Crimean Peninsula and the adjacent                    line drawn direct from SOBLO
                                                   FR 77857.
                                             3 80
                                                                                                   territorial sea. In addition, the                     (431503N 362298E) to DOLOT
                                                   FR 65621.
                                              4 The FAA notes that the State Aviation              government of Ukraine has issued flight               (434214N 332819E), direct to SOROK
                                           Administration of Ukraine conducted and                 advisories, prohibitions and other                    (440628N 324260E), then direct to
                                           completed an airspace restructuring that went into      instructions for the safe navigation of               OTPOL (452738N 313064E). The use of
                                           effect in the late 2014 timeframe. The new              civil aircraft, which are published via               airway M747, which partially overlaps
                                           configuration altered both the Simferopol FIR
                                           (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) altitude           NOTAMs,6 reclassified Ukrainian                       with the line of demarcation for the area
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                                           structures. To address the Ukraine airspace                                                                   of prohibition, is also prohibited. The
                                           restructuring and provide additional clarity, on July     6 The advisories and prohibitions, including
                                                                                                                                                         remaining area of prohibition includes a
                                           22, 2016, the FAA published a technical                 instructions regarding the closure of certain air
                                           amendment to specifically identify the prohibited
                                                                                                                                                         sufficient buffer from the continuing
                                                                                                   routes, which are issued by Ukraine and published
                                           airspace in which SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607, applies,     via NOTAM can be accessed at https://
                                           with inclusive altitudes and lateral limitations        www.icao.int/safety/iStars/Pages/notams.aspx. See     crews flying within the Simferopol FIR to comply
                                           (latitude and longitude coordinates). 81 FR 47699.      e.g. A1055/18–UKFV (Ukraine): Flight information      only with instructions from Ukraine’s air navigation
                                              5 81 FR 74671.                                       region Plain language, which requires all aircraft    service provider.



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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         52957

                                           hazard associated with operating over                   Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the FAA is                 certificate issued by the FAA, except
                                           the Crimean Peninsula.                                  continuing to prohibit operations by                  when such persons are operating U.S.-
                                                                                                   U.S. civil operators and airmen in the                registered aircraft for a foreign air
                                           B. Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information
                                                                                                   Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) from the                    carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered
                                           Region (FIR) (UKDV)
                                                                                                   surface to unlimited east of a line drawn             civil aircraft, except where the operator
                                              In the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV)                     direct from ABDAR (471802N 351732E)                   is a foreign air carrier. While the FAA’s
                                           there continues to be an inadvertent risk               along airway M853 to NIKAD (485946N                   flight prohibition does not apply to
                                           to civil aviation associated with the                   355519E), then along airway N604 to                   foreign air carriers, DOT codeshare
                                           ongoing conflict, which involves                        GOBUN (501806N 373824E). The use of                   authorizations prohibit foreign air
                                           localized skirmishes and the potential                  airways M853 and N604, which                          carriers from carrying a U.S. codeshare
                                           for larger scale fighting in the eastern                partially overlap with the line of                    partner’s code on a flight segment that
                                           portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR                       demarcation for the prohibition, is also              operates in airspace for which the FAA
                                           (UKDV). These skirmishes and a risk for                 prohibited. This revised area of                      has issued a flight prohibition. The FAA
                                           potential larger-scale fighting could lead              prohibition includes a sufficient buffer              is also retaining the lateral limits of the
                                           to the misidentification and/or                         between the conflict region along the                 Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and
                                           engagement of civil aviation by                         Ukraine-Russia border, including                      Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), which are
                                           separatist air defense forces, as                       known weapons that may be threats to                  recognized by ICAO, for reference as
                                           demonstrated by the shoot-down of                       aviation, and the portions of the                     definitions in new paragraph (f) of the
                                           Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July                   Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) where U.S.                  final rule.
                                           17, 2014. The majority of military                      civil flights are permitted to resume.                   The FAA will continue to actively
                                           engagements have been in close                             Based on the reduced scope of the                  monitor the situation and evaluate the
                                           proximity to the line of conflict in the                prohibition, U.S. operators and airmen                extent to which U.S. civil operators and
                                           eastern portion of the Dnipropetrovsk                   are permitted to conduct operations in                airmen may be able to operate safely in
                                           FIR (UKDV). The various military and                    the western portions of the                           specified areas of the Simferopol FIR
                                           militia elements in that region have                    Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) from the                    (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR
                                           access to a variety of anti-aircraft                    surface to unlimited west of a line                   (UKDV). Amendments to SFAR No. 113,
                                           weapons systems to include MANPADS                      drawn direct from ABDAR (471802N                      § 91.1607, may be appropriate if the risk
                                           and possibly more advanced SAMs that                    351732E) along airway M853 to NIKAD                   to aviation safety and security changes.
                                           have the capability to engage aircraft at               (485946N 355519E), then along airway                  The FAA may amend or rescind SFAR
                                           higher altitudes. Separatists have                      N604 to GOBUN (501806N 373824E),                      No. 113, § 91.1607, as necessary, prior to
                                           demonstrated their ability to use these                 which previously had been prohibited.                 its expiration date.
                                           anti-aircraft weapons by successfully                      In addition, due to the relatively close              The FAA is incorporating minor
                                           shooting down a number of aircraft                      proximity of the approach and                         editorial changes for clarifying purposes
                                           during the course of the fighting in                    departure routes of three airports to the             in § 91.1609, including correcting the
                                           eastern Ukraine in 2014. Organization                   new boundary of the prohibition flight                title of the FIR and clarifying the
                                           for Security and Cooperation in Europe                  area, the FAA has added an exception                  procedure for considering approval and
                                           Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine                   for takeoffs and landings. This                       exemption requests. These changes are
                                           unmanned aircraft systems continue to                   exception permits operations within the               consistent with other recently published
                                           be shot down by SAMs and small arms                     flight prohibition area of the                        SFARs. The FAA is also republishing
                                           ground fire, and brought down with                      Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), to the                     the details concerning the approval and
                                           GPS jamming in the eastern portion of                   extent necessary to takeoff and land at               exemption processes in Sections V and
                                           the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).                          three specified airports, subject to the              VI of this preamble so that interested
                                              These threats are concentrated in the                approval of, and in accordance with the               persons will be able to refer to this final
                                           eastern portion of the Dnipropetrovsk                   conditions established by, the                        rule for all relevant information
                                           FIR (UKDV) within the pro-Russian                       appropriate authorities of Ukraine:                   regarding SFAR No. 113.
                                           separatist enclave and in close                         Kharkiv International Airport (UKHH);
                                           proximity to the line of control that                   Dnipropetrovsk International Airport                  V. Approval Process Based on a
                                           borders the enclave. The anti-aircraft                  (UKDD); and Zaporizhzhia International                Request From a Department, Agency, or
                                           weapons capabilities and deployments                    Airport (UKDE). The FAA has                           Instrumentality of the United States
                                           of forces associated with the pro-                      determined these operations can be                    Government
                                           Russian separatists are limited at this                 conducted with minimal additional risk
                                           time to within the eastern portion of the                                                                     A. Approval Process Based on an
                                                                                                   due to the sufficient distance provided
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). While the                                                                          Authorization Request From a
                                                                                                   by the specified prohibition boundary
                                           potential for fluctuating levels of                                                                           Department, Agency, or Instrumentality
                                                                                                   line as a buffer from the area of fighting
                                           military engagement continues along the                                                                       of the United States Government
                                                                                                   and associated weapons capabilities.
                                           line of control in eastern portions of the                 Therefore, as a result of the significant             In some instances, U.S. Government
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the                          continuing risk to the safety of U.S. civil           departments, agencies, or
                                           military conflict has begun to stabilize,               aviation in specified areas of the                    instrumentalities may need to engage
                                           which reduces the risk of a larger-scale                Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                             U.S. civil aviation to support their
                                           conflict that might extend into the                     Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), the FAA                    activities in specified areas of the
                                           western portion of the Dnipropetrovsk                   extends the expiration date of SFAR No.               Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and
                                           FIR (UKDV). This results in a reduced                   113, 14 CFR 91.1607, from October 27,                 Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). The FAA
                                           risk to civil aviation in the western                   2018, to October 27, 2020, to maintain                is revising the approval process for
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                                           portion of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR                       the prohibition on flight operations in               SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607, to make it
                                           (UKDV), and the FAA is relaxing the                     specified areas of the Simferopol FIR                 consistent with the approval process of
                                           area of prohibition to account for the                  (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk FIR                         more recently published flight
                                           reduced risk.                                           (UKDV) by: All U.S. air carriers; U.S.                prohibition SFARs. If a department,
                                              Therefore, due to the continued                      commercial operators; persons                         agency, or instrumentality of the U.S.
                                           threats in the eastern portion of the                   exercising the privileges of an airman                Government determines that it has a


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                                           52958             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           critical need to engage any person                      under SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607, and/or                 information is listed in the FOR FURTHER
                                           covered under SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607,                  for multiple flight operations. To the                INFORMATION CONTACT     section of this
                                           including a U.S. air carrier or                         extent known, the letter must identify                final rule.
                                           commercial operator, to conduct a                       the person(s) expected to be covered                     FAA approval of an operation under
                                           charter to transport civilian or military               under the SFAR on whose behalf the                    SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607, does not
                                           passengers or cargo, or other operations,               U.S. Government department, agency, or                relieve persons subject to this SFAR of
                                           in specified areas of the Simferopol FIR                instrumentality is seeking FAA                        their responsibility to comply with all
                                           (UKFV) or Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV),                    approval, and it must describe—                       applicable FAA rules and regulations.
                                           that department, agency, or                                • The proposed operation(s),                       Operators of civil aircraft must comply
                                           instrumentality may request the FAA to                  including the nature of the mission                   with the conditions of their certificate,
                                           approve persons covered under SFAR                      being supported;                                      OpSpecs, and LOAs, as applicable.
                                           No. 113, § 91.1607, to conduct such                        • The service to be provided by the                Operators must also comply with all
                                           operations.                                             person(s) covered by the SFAR;                        rules and regulations of other U.S.
                                              An approval request must be made                        • To the extent known, the specific                Government departments or agencies
                                           directly by the requesting department,                  locations in specified areas of the                   that may apply to the proposed
                                           agency, or instrumentality of the U.S.                  Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                             operation(s), including, but not limited
                                           Government to the FAA’s Associate                       Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) where the                   to, regulations issued by the
                                           Administrator for Aviation Safety in a                  proposed operation(s) will be                         Transportation Security Administration.
                                           letter signed by an appropriate senior                  conducted, including, but not limited
                                           official of the requesting department,                  to, the flight path and altitude of the               B. Approval Conditions
                                           agency, or instrumentality. The FAA                     aircraft while it is operating in specified              If the FAA approves the request, the
                                           will not accept or process requests for                 areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                FAA’s Aviation Safety Organization will
                                           approval by anyone other than the                       Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and the                     send an approval letter to the requesting
                                           requesting department, agency, or                       airports, airfields and/or landing zones              department, agency, or instrumentality
                                           instrumentality. In addition, the senior                at which the aircraft will take-off and               informing it that the FAA’s approval is
                                           official signing the letter requesting                  land; and                                             subject to all of the following
                                           FAA approval on behalf of the                              • The method by which the                          conditions:
                                           requesting department, agency, or                       department, agency, or instrumentality                   (1) The approval will stipulate those
                                           instrumentality must be sufficiently                    will provide, or how the operator will                procedures and conditions that limit, to
                                           highly placed within the organization to                otherwise obtain, current threat                      the greatest degree possible, the risk to
                                           demonstrate that the senior leadership                  information and an explanation of how                 the operator, while still allowing the
                                           of the requesting department, agency, or                the operator will integrate this                      operator to achieve its operational
                                           instrumentality supports the request for                information into all phases of the                    objectives.
                                           approval and is committed to taking all                 proposed operations (i.e., pre-mission                   (2) Before any approval takes effect,
                                           necessary steps to minimize operational                 planning and briefing, in-flight, and                 the operator must submit to the FAA:
                                           risks to the proposed flights. The senior               post-flight phases).                                     (a) A written release of the U.S.
                                           official must also be in a position to: (1)                The request for approval must also                 Government from all damages, claims,
                                           Attest to the accuracy of all                           include a list of operators with whom                 and liabilities, including without
                                           representations made to the FAA in the                  the U.S. Government department,                       limitation legal fees and expenses,
                                           request for approval and (2) ensure that                agency, or instrumentality requesting                 relating to any event arising out of or
                                           any support from the requesting U.S.                    FAA approval has a current contract(s),               related to the approved operations in
                                           Government department, agency, or                       grant(s), or cooperative agreement(s) (or             the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and/or
                                           instrumentality described in the request                its prime contractor has a                            Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV); and
                                           for approval is in fact brought to bear                 subcontract(s)) for specific flight                      (b) The operator’s written agreement
                                           and is maintained over time. Unless                     operations in specified areas of the                  to indemnify the U.S. Government with
                                           justified by exigent circumstances,                     Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                             respect to any and all third-party
                                           requests for approval must be submitted                 Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV). Additional                 damages, claims, and liabilities,
                                           to the FAA no less than 30 calendar                     operators may be identified to the FAA                including without limitation legal fees
                                           days before the date on which the                       at any time after the FAA approval is                 and expenses, relating to any event
                                           requesting department, agency, or                       issued. However, all additional                       arising from or related to the approved
                                           instrumentality wishes the proposed                     operators must be identified to, and                  operations in specified areas of the
                                           operations to commence.                                 obtain an Operations Specification                    Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and/or
                                              The letter must be sent to the                       (OpSpec) or Letter of Authorization                   Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).
                                           Associate Administrator for Aviation                    (LOA), as appropriate, from the FAA for                  (3) Other conditions that the FAA
                                           Safety, Federal Aviation                                operations in specified areas of the                  may specify, including those that may
                                           Administration, 800 Independence                        Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                             be imposed in OpSpecs or LOAs, as
                                           Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591.                        Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), before                     applicable.
                                           Electronic submissions are acceptable,                  such operators commence such                             The release and agreement to
                                           and the requesting entity may request                   operations. The approval conditions                   indemnify do not preclude an operator
                                           that the FAA notify it electronically as                discussed below apply to any such                     from raising a claim under an applicable
                                           to whether the approval request is                      additional operators. Updated lists                   non-premium war risk insurance policy
                                           granted. If a requestor wishes to make                  should be sent to the email address to                issued by the FAA under chapter 443 of
                                           an electronic submission to the FAA,                    be obtained from the Air Transportation               title 49, U.S. Code.
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                                           the requestor should contact the Air                    Division, by calling (202) 267–8166.                     If the FAA approves the proposed
                                           Transportation Division, Flight                            If an approval request includes                    operation(s), the FAA will issue an
                                           Standards Service, at (202) 267–8166, to                classified information, requestors may                OpSpec or LOA, as applicable, to the
                                           obtain the appropriate email address. A                 contact Aviation Safety Inspector                     operator(s) identified in the original
                                           single letter may request approval from                 Michael Filippell for instructions on                 request authorizing it to conduct the
                                           the FAA for multiple persons covered                    submitting it to the FAA. His contact                 approved operation(s), and will notify


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                        52959

                                           the department, agency, or                              through the approval process, the FAA                 A. Regulatory Evaluation
                                           instrumentality that requested the                      will consider exemption requests for                     On April 25, 2014, the FAA published
                                           FAA’s approval of any additional                        such operations on an expedited basis                 SFAR No. 113 prohibiting flight
                                           conditions beyond those contained in                    and prior to any private exemption                    operations in part of the Simferopol FIR
                                           the approval letter.                                    requests.                                             (UKFV) by U.S. air carriers and airmen
                                           VI. Information Regarding Petitions for                 VII. Regulatory Notices and Analyses                  because of conflicting airspace claims
                                           Exemption                                                                                                     between Ukraine and the Russian
                                                                                                      Changes to Federal regulations must                Federation owing to the Russian
                                              Any operations not conducted under
                                                                                                   undergo several economic analyses.                    annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.
                                           an approval issued by the FAA through
                                                                                                   First, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563               The FAA expanded this prohibition to
                                           the approval process set forth
                                                                                                   direct that each Federal agency shall                 the entire Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and
                                           previously must be conducted under an
                                                                                                   propose or adopt a regulation only upon               also to the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV),
                                           exemption from SFAR No. 113,
                                                                                                   a reasoned determination that the                     first by NOTAM (July 18, 2014 (UTC))
                                           § 91.1607. A petition for exemption
                                                                                                   benefits of the intended regulation                   and then by rule (79 FR 77857,
                                           must comply with 14 CFR part 11 and
                                                                                                   justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory             December 29, 2014), owing to conflict
                                           requires exceptional circumstances
                                                                                                   Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96–354),             between Ukraine military forces and
                                           beyond those contemplated by the
                                                                                                   as codified in 5 U.S.C. 603 et seq.,                  pro-Russian separatists. On October 27,
                                           approval process set forth previously. In
                                                                                                                                                         2015 (80 FR 65621) and October 27,
                                           addition to the information required by                 requires agencies to analyze the
                                                                                                                                                         2016 (81 FR 74671), the FAA further
                                           14 CFR 11.81, at a minimum, the                         economic impact of regulatory changes
                                                                                                                                                         extended this prohibition. The FAA
                                           requestor must describe in its                          on small entities. Third, the Trade
                                                                                                                                                         now proposes to extend the prohibition
                                           submission to the FAA—                                  Agreements Act (Pub. L. 96–39), as
                                              • The proposed operation(s),                                                                               for another two years, but only for
                                                                                                   amended, 19 U.S.C. Chapter 13,                        portions of the Simferopol (UKFV) and
                                           including the nature of the operation;                  prohibits agencies from setting
                                              • The service to be provided by the                                                                        Dnipropetrovsk (UKDV) FIRs where
                                                                                                   standards that create unnecessary                     there is a continuing hazard to civil
                                           person(s) covered by the SFAR;                          obstacles to the foreign commerce of the
                                              • The specific locations in specified                                                                      aviation. The FAA is extending the
                                                                                                   United States. In developing U.S.                     prohibition against U.S. civil operations
                                           areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and
                                                                                                   standards, the Trade Agreements Act                   over the Crimean peninsula in the
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) where the
                                                                                                   requires agencies to consider                         Simferopol FIR (UKFV), but is
                                           proposed operation(s) will be
                                                                                                   international standards and, where                    permitting U.S. civil operations over
                                           conducted, including, but not limited
                                                                                                   appropriate, that they be the basis of                four Black Sea routes, sufficiently
                                           to, the flight path and altitude of the
                                           aircraft while it is operating in specified             U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded                  offshore from the Crimea Peninsula, and
                                           areas of the Simferopol FIR (UKFV) and                  Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L.                  over the high seas, due to a stabilization
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and the                       104–4), as codified in 2 U.S.C. Chapter               in the security conditions on these
                                           airports, airfields and/or landing zones                25, requires agencies to prepare a                    routes. In addition, the FAA is
                                           at which the aircraft will take-off and                 written assessment of the costs, benefits,            extending the prohibition in the eastern
                                           land;                                                   and other effects of proposed or final                part of the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV),
                                              • The method by which the operator                   rules that include a Federal mandate                  but is permitting U.S. civil operations
                                           will obtain current threat information,                 likely to result in the expenditure by                from the surface to unlimited in the
                                           and an explanation of how the operator                  State, local, or tribal governments, in the           western portion of the Dnipropetrovsk
                                           will integrate this information into all                aggregate, or by the private sector, of               FIR (UKDV). The FAA is also
                                           phases of its proposed operations (i.e.,                $100 million or more annually (adjusted               permitting, by exception, takeoffs and
                                           the pre-mission planning and briefing,                  for inflation with base year of 1995).                landings at three Ukrainian
                                           in-flight, and post-flight phases); and                 This portion of the preamble                          international airports due to proximity
                                              • The plans and procedures that the                  summarizes the FAA’s analysis of the                  of the arrival and departure routes to the
                                           operator will use to minimize the risks,                economic impacts of this final rule.                  area of prohibition within the
                                           identified in the preamble of this rule,                                                                      Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).
                                                                                                      In conducting these analyses, the FAA                 As was noted in the most recent
                                           to the proposed operations, so that                     has determined that this final rule has
                                           granting the exemption would not                                                                              previous amendment to SFAR No. 113,
                                                                                                   benefits that justify its costs. This rule            § 91.1607 (81 FR 74671, October 27,
                                           adversely affect safety or would provide
                                                                                                   is a significant regulatory action, as                2016), almost all U.S. operators already
                                           a level of safety at least equal to that
                                                                                                   defined in section 3(f) of Executive                  had voluntarily ceased their operations
                                           provided by this SFAR. The FAA has
                                                                                                   Order 12866, as it raises novel policy                in these FIRs prior to the issuance of the
                                           found comprehensive, organized plans
                                                                                                   issues contemplated under that                        FAA NOTAM on July 18, 2014 (UTC),
                                           and procedures of this nature to be
                                           helpful in facilitating the agency’s safety             Executive Order. As notice and                        which prohibited U.S. civil flight
                                           evaluation of petitions for exemption                   comment under 5 U.S.C. 553 are not                    operations in these two FIRs in their
                                           from flight prohibition SFARs.                          required for this final rule, the                     entirety. Owing to the continuing
                                              Additionally, the release and                        regulatory flexibility analyses described             hazards to civil flight operations
                                           agreement to indemnify, as referred to                  in 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604 regarding                     outlined in the preamble, the FAA
                                           previously, are required as a condition                 impacts on small entities are not                     believes that few, if any, U.S. operators
                                           of any exemption that may be issued                     required. This rule will not create                   presently seek to conduct operations in
                                           under SFAR No. 113, § 91.1607.                          unnecessary obstacles to the foreign                  the eastern portion of the
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                                              The FAA recognizes that operations                   commerce of the United States. This                   Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV), or over the
                                           that may be affected by SFAR No. 113,                   rule will not impose an unfunded                      Crimean peninsula within the
                                           § 91.1607, may be planned for the                       mandate on State, local, or tribal                    Simferopol FIR (UKFV) in which the
                                           governments of other countries with the                 governments, or on the private sector,                FAA continues to prohibit U.S.
                                           support of the U.S. Government. While                   by exceeding the threshold identified                 operations. The FAA notes that since
                                           these operations will not be permitted                  previously.                                           April 25, 2014, when U.S. operators and


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                                           52960             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           airmen were first prohibited from                       C. International Trade Impact                         Recommended Practices to the
                                           conducting operations in a portion of                   Assessment                                            maximum extent practicable. The FAA
                                           the Simferopol FIR (UKFV), the FAA                         The Trade Agreements Act of 1979                   has determined that there are no ICAO
                                           has not received any requests for                       (Pub. L. 96–39) prohibits Federal                     Standards and Recommended Practices
                                           approval or petitions for exemption to                  agencies from establishing standards or               that correspond to this regulation.
                                           conduct operations in either the                        engaging in related activities that create            G. Environmental Analysis
                                           Simferopol FIR (UKFV) or                                unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV).                                                                                       The FAA has analyzed this action
                                                                                                   commerce of the United States.
                                           Accordingly, where U.S. operations                                                                            under Executive Order 12114,
                                                                                                   Pursuant to this Act, the establishment
                                           continue to be prohibited the FAA                                                                             Environmental Effects Abroad of Major
                                                                                                   of standards is not considered an
                                           believes incremental costs will be                                                                            Federal Actions (44 FR 1957, January 4,
                                                                                                   unnecessary obstacle to the foreign
                                           minimal and exceeded by the benefits of                                                                       1979), and DOT Order 5610.1C,
                                                                                                   commerce of the United States, so long
                                           avoiding the deaths, injuries, and/or                                                                         Paragraph 16. Executive Order 12114
                                                                                                   as the standard has a legitimate
                                           property damage that would result from                                                                        requires the FAA to be informed of
                                                                                                   domestic objective, such as the
                                           a U.S. operator’s aircraft being shot                                                                         environmental considerations and take
                                                                                                   protection of safety, and does not
                                           down (or otherwise damaged) while                                                                             those considerations into account when
                                                                                                   operate in a manner that excludes
                                           operating in either the Dnipropetrovsk                                                                        making decisions on major Federal
                                                                                                   imports that meet this objective. The
                                           FIR (UKDV) or the Simferopol FIR                                                                              actions that could have environmental
                                                                                                   statute also requires consideration of
                                           (UKFV).                                                                                                       impacts anywhere beyond the borders of
                                                                                                   international standards and, where
                                                                                                                                                         the United States. The FAA has
                                              As noted in the sections above, the                  appropriate, that they be the basis for
                                                                                                                                                         determined that this action is exempt
                                           Ukraine ANSP has implemented risk                       U.S. standards.
                                                                                                      The FAA has assessed the potential                 pursuant to Section 2–5(a)(i) of
                                           mitigation measures to address safety
                                                                                                   effect of this final rule and determined              Executive Order 12114 because it does
                                           hazards over the Black Sea routes and                                                                         not have the potential for a significant
                                           on the high seas. These measures have                   that its purpose is to protect the safety
                                                                                                   of U.S. civil aviation from hazards to                effect on the environment outside the
                                           resulted in a significant decrease in                                                                         United States.
                                           safety-related hazards in that part of the              their operations in the eastern part of
                                                                                                                                                            In accordance with FAA Order
                                           Simferopol FIR (UKFV) as shown by                       the Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and
                                                                                                                                                         1050.1F, ‘‘Environmental Impacts:
                                           over two years of safe flight operations                over specified areas of the Crimean
                                                                                                                                                         Policies and Procedures,’’ paragraph 8–
                                           by non-U.S. civil operators on the Black                Peninsula within the Simferopol FIR
                                                                                                                                                         6(c), FAA has prepared a memorandum
                                           Sea air routes. In the Dnipropetrovsk                   (UKFV), locations outside the U.S.
                                                                                                                                                         for the record stating the reason(s) for
                                           FIR (UKDV), the deployments of forces                   Therefore, the rule is in compliance
                                                                                                                                                         this determination; this memorandum
                                           associated with the pro-Russian                         with the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.
                                                                                                                                                         has been placed in the docket for this
                                           separatists are at this time limited to the             D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment                       rulemaking.
                                           eastern part, reducing the risk of a
                                           larger-scale conflict that might extend                    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates                  VIII. Executive Order Determinations
                                           into the western portion of the                         Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4)
                                                                                                   requires each Federal agency to prepare               A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism
                                           Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) and thereby
                                           reducing risk to U.S. civil aviation in                 a written statement assessing the effects               The FAA has analyzed this rule under
                                                                                                   of any Federal mandate in a proposed or               the principles and criteria of Executive
                                           the western portion. The FAA believes
                                                                                                   final agency rule that may result in an               Order 13132, Federalism. The agency
                                           that lifting the prohibition on U.S. civil
                                                                                                   expenditure of $100 million or more (in               has determined that this action would
                                           operations in those parts of the two FIRs
                                                                                                   1995 dollars) in any one year by State,               not have a substantial direct effect on
                                           will be socially cost-beneficial because
                                                                                                   local, and tribal governments, in the                 the States, or the relationship between
                                           it may result in the resumption of safe
                                                                                                   aggregate, or by the private sector; such             the Federal Government and the States,
                                           U.S. civil operations.
                                                                                                   a mandate is deemed to be a ‘‘significant             or on the distribution of power and
                                           B. Regulatory Flexibility Act                           regulatory action.’’ The FAA currently                responsibilities among the various
                                                                                                   uses an inflation-adjusted value of                   levels of government, and, therefore,
                                              The Regulatory Flexibility Act, in 5                                                                       would not have Federalism
                                                                                                   $155.0 million in lieu of $100 million.
                                           U.S.C. 603, requires an agency to                          This final rule does not contain such              implications.
                                           prepare an initial regulatory flexibility               a mandate. Therefore, the requirements
                                           analysis describing impacts on small                                                                          B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations
                                                                                                   of Title II of the Act do not apply.
                                           entities whenever an agency is required                                                                       That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                           by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, to                   E. Paperwork Reduction Act                            Distribution, or Use
                                           publish a general notice of proposed                      The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                    The FAA analyzed this rule under
                                           rulemaking for any proposed rule.                       (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires that the                 Executive Order 13211, Actions
                                           Similarly, 5 U.S.C. 604 requires an                     FAA consider the impact of paperwork                  Concerning Regulations that
                                           agency to prepare a final regulatory                    and other information collection                      Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                           flexibility analysis when an agency                     burdens imposed on the public. The                    Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The
                                           issues a final rule under 5 U.S.C. 553,                 FAA has determined that there is no                   agency has determined that it would not
                                           after being required by that section or                 new requirement for information                       be a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under
                                           any other law to publish a general                      collection associated with this                       the executive order and would not be
                                           notice of proposed rulemaking. The                      immediately adopted final rule.                       likely to have a significant adverse effect
                                           FAA found good cause to forgo notice                                                                          on the supply, distribution, or use of
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                                           and comment and any delay in the                        F. International Compatibility and
                                                                                                                                                         energy.
                                           effective date for this rule. As notice and             Cooperation
                                           comment under 5 U.S.C. 553 are not                        In keeping with U.S. obligations                    C. Executive Order 13609, Promoting
                                           required in this situation, the regulatory              under the Convention on International                 International Regulatory Cooperation
                                           flexibility analyses described in 5 U.S.C.              Civil Aviation, it is FAA’s policy to                   Executive Order 13609, Promoting
                                           603 and 604 are not required.                           conform to ICAO Standards and                         International Regulatory Cooperation,


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                  52961

                                           (77 FR 26413, May 4, 2012) promotes                     INFORMATION CONTACT   heading at the            prohibited from the surface to
                                           international regulatory cooperation to                 beginning of the preamble. To find out          unlimited, east of a line drawn direct
                                           meet shared challenges involving                        more about SBREFA on the internet,              from ABDAR (471802N 351732E) along
                                           health, safety, labor, security,                        visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_           airway M853 to NIKAD (485946N
                                           environmental, and other issues and to                  policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.                  355519E), then along airway N604 to
                                           reduce, eliminate, or prevent                                                                           GOBUN (501806N 373824E). This
                                                                                                   List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91
                                           unnecessary differences in regulatory                                                                   prohibition applies to airways M853
                                           requirements. The FAA has analyzed                         Air traffic control, Aircraft, Airmen,       and N604.
                                           this action under the policies and                      Airports, Aviation safety, Freight,                (c) Permitted operations. This section
                                           agency responsibilities of Executive                    Ukraine.                                        does not prohibit persons described in
                                           Order 13609, and has determined that                    The Amendment                                   paragraph (a) of this section from
                                           this action would have no effect on                                                                     conducting flight operations within
                                                                                                      In consideration of the foregoing, the       either flight prohibition, as described in
                                           international regulatory cooperation.
                                                                                                   Federal Aviation Administration                 paragraph (b) of this section under the
                                           D. Executive Order 13771, Reducing                      amends chapter I of title 14, Code of           following circumstances:
                                           Regulation and Controlling Regulatory                   Federal Regulations, part 91, as follows:          (1) Operations are permitted within
                                           Costs                                                                                                   the flight prohibition area of the
                                                                                                   PART 91—GENERAL OPERATING AND Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information
                                             This rule is not subject to the                       FLIGHT RULES
                                           requirements of E.O. 13771 (82 FR 9339,                                                                 Region (FIR) (UKDV), as described in
                                           Feb. 3, 2017) because it is issued with                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 91         paragraph (b)(2) of this section, to the
                                           respect to a national security function of              continues to read as follows:                   extent necessary to takeoff and land at
                                           the United States.                                                                                      the following three airports, subject to
                                                                                                      Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 106(g), the approval of, and in accordance with
                                           IX. Additional Information                              1155, 40101, 40103, 40105, 40113, 40120,
                                                                                                   44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711,
                                                                                                                                                   the conditions established by, the
                                           A. Availability of Rulemaking                           44712, 44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306,       appropriate authorities of Ukraine:
                                           Documents                                               46315, 46316, 46504, 46506–46507, 47122,           (i) Kharkiv International Airport
                                                                                                   47508, 47528–47531, 47534, Pub. L. 114–190, (UKHH);
                                             An electronic copy of a rulemaking                    130 Stat. 615 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note); articles     (ii) Dnipropetrovsk International
                                           document may be obtained from the                       12 and 29 of the Convention on International Airport (UKDD); and
                                           internet by—                                            Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11).    (iii) Zaporizhzhia International
                                             • Searching the Federal Document                      ■ 2. Revise § 91.1607 to read as follows:       Airport (UKDE).
                                           Management System (FDMS) Portal                                                                            (2) Operations are permitted within
                                           (http://www.regulations.gov);                           § 91.1607 Special Federal Aviation              the flight prohibition areas described in
                                             • Visiting the FAA’s Regulations and                  Regulation No. 113—Prohibition Against          paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section
                                           Policies web page at http://                            Certain Flights in the Simferopol Flight        provided that such flight operations are
                                                                                                   Information Region (FIR) (UKFV) and the         conducted under a contract, grant, or
                                           www.faa.gov/regulations_policies; or
                                                                                                   Dnipropetrovsk Flight Information Region
                                             • Accessing the Government                            (FIR) (UKDV).                                   cooperative agreement with a
                                           Publishing Office’s web page at http://                                                                 department, agency, or instrumentality
                                                                                                      (a) Applicability. This Special Federal
                                           www.fdsys.gov.                                                                                          of the U.S. Government (or under a
                                                                                                   Aviation Regulation (SFAR) applies to
                                             Copies may also be obtained by                                                                        subcontract between the prime
                                                                                                   the following persons:
                                           sending a request (identified by                           (1) All U.S. air carriers and U.S.           contractor of the department, agency, or
                                           amendment or docket number of this                      commercial operators;                           instrumentality and the person
                                           rulemaking) to the Federal Aviation                        (2) All persons exercising the               described in paragraph (a) of this
                                           Administration, Office of Rulemaking,                   privileges of an airman certificate issued section) with the approval of the FAA,
                                           ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue SW,                      by the FAA, except when such persons            or under an exemption issued by the
                                           Washington, DC 20591, or by calling                     are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for      FAA. The FAA will consider requests
                                           (202) 267–9677.                                         a foreign air carrier; and                      for approval or exemption in a timely
                                             Except for classified material, all                      (3) All operators of U.S.-registered         manner, with the order of preference
                                           documents the FAA considered in                         civil aircraft, except where the operator       being: first, for those operations in
                                           developing this rule, including                         of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.      support of U.S. Government-sponsored
                                           economic analyses and technical                            (b) Flight prohibition. Except as            activities; second, for those operations
                                           reports, may be accessed from the                       provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of           in support of government-sponsored
                                           internet through the Federal Document                   this section, no person described in            activities of a foreign country with the
                                           Management System Portal referenced                     paragraph (a) of this section may               support of a U.S. Government
                                           previously.                                             conduct flight operations in the                department, agency, or instrumentality;
                                                                                                   following specified areas of the                and third, for all other operations.
                                           B. Small Business Regulatory                                                                               (d) Emergency situations. In an
                                           Enforcement Fairness Act                                Simferopol FIR (UKFV) or the
                                                                                                   Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV)—                      emergency that requires immediate
                                             The Small Business Regulatory                            (1) Operations within the Simferopol         decision and action for the safety of the
                                           Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996                        FIR (UKFV) are prohibited from the              flight, the pilot in command of an
                                           (SBREFA) (Pub. L. 104–121) (set forth as                surface to unlimited, north and                 aircraft may deviate from this section to
                                           a note to 5 U.S.C. 601) requires FAA to                 northeast of a line drawn direct from           the extent required by that emergency.
                                           comply with small entity requests for                   SOBLO (431503N 362298E) to DOLOT                Except for U.S. air carriers and
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                                           information or advice about compliance                  (434214N 332819E), direct to SOROK              commercial operators that are subject to
                                           with statutes and regulations within its                (440628N 324260E), then direct to               the requirements of 14 CFR part 119,
                                           jurisdiction. A small entity with                       OTPOL (452738N 313064E). This                   121, 125, or 135, each person who
                                           questions regarding this document may                   prohibition applies to airway M747.             deviates from this section must, within
                                           contact its local FAA official, or the                     (2) Operations within the                    10 days of the deviation, excluding
                                           persons listed under the FOR FURTHER                    Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) are                   Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal


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                                           52962             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           holidays, submit to the responsible                     463930N 0372518E–464700N                              I. Introduction
                                           Flight Standards office a complete                        0373000E–                                              On October 10, 2018, Hurricane
                                           report of the operations of the aircraft                465900N 0382000E–470642N                              Michael made landfall on the Florida
                                           involved in the deviation, including a                    0381324E–                                           Panhandle. The storm and subsequent
                                           description of the deviation and the                    then along state boundary until point/–               flooding have displaced individuals and
                                           reasons for it.                                           511400N 0342700.                                    businesses and disrupted
                                             (e) Expiration. This SFAR will remain                   Issued in Washington, DC, under the                 communications and transportation
                                           in effect until October 27, 2020. The                   authority of 49 U.S.C. 106(f) and (g),                across the affected region. We are
                                           FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this                  40101(d)(1), 40105(b)(1)(A), and 44701(a)(5),         adopting these interim final temporary
                                           SFAR as necessary.                                      on October 15, 2018.                                  rules to address the needs of companies
                                             (f) Definitions. (1) The Simferopol FIR               Daniel K. Elwell,                                     directly or indirectly affected by
                                           (UKFV) is defined as that airspace from                 Acting Administrator.                                 Hurricane Michael or its aftermath that
                                           the surface to unlimited within the                     [FR Doc. 2018–22853 Filed 10–18–18; 8:45 am]          are subject to reporting obligations
                                           following lateral limits:                                                                                     pursuant to Regulation Crowdfunding or
                                                                                                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                           465800N 0360000E–463500N                                                                                      Regulation A.
                                             0364200E–                                                                                                      Section 28 of the Securities Act
                                           463424N 0372206E–452700N                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               provides that the Commission may, by
                                             0364100E–                                             COMMISSION                                            rule or regulation, ‘‘conditionally or
                                           452242N 0364100E–451824N                                                                                      unconditionally exempt any person,
                                             0363524E–                                             17 CFR Parts 227 and 230                              security, or transaction, or any class or
                                           451442N 0363542E–451218N                                                                                      classes of persons, securities, or
                                             0363200E–                                             [Release No. 33–10567]
                                                                                                                                                         transactions, from any provision or
                                           450418N 0363418E–445612N                                                                                      provisions of this title or of any rule or
                                                                                                   Regulation Crowdfunding and
                                             0363636E–                                                                                                   regulation issued under this title, to the
                                                                                                   Regulation A Relief and Assistance for
                                           443100N 0364000E–424400N                                                                                      extent that such exemption is necessary
                                                                                                   Victims of Hurricane Michael
                                             0361600E–                                                                                                   or appropriate in the public interest,
                                           424700N 0340000E–424800N                                AGENCY:  Securities and Exchange                      and is consistent with the protection of
                                             0320000E–                                             Commission.                                           investors.’’ 4
                                           424800N 0310000E–424800N                                ACTION: Interim final temporary rule.
                                             0304500E–                                                                                                   II. Temporary Relief From Filing
                                           434100N 0303200E–441000N                                SUMMARY:   We are adopting interim final              Requirements for Issuers Subject to the
                                             0302512E–                                             temporary rules for issuers subject to                Reporting Obligations of Regulation
                                           441500N 0302400E–444600N                                reporting obligations pursuant to                     Crowdfunding or Regulation A
                                             0300900E–                                             Regulation Crowdfunding and                              The lack of communications,
                                           445447N 0300448E–445230N                                Regulation A in order to address the                  transportation, electricity, facilities, and
                                             0302130E–                                             needs of companies directly or                        available staff and professional advisors
                                           445848N 0303342E–451530N                                indirectly affected by Hurricane                      as a result of Hurricane Michael could
                                             0310642E–                                             Michael. The temporary rules extend                   hamper the efforts of companies with
                                           452436N 0312500E–453828N                                the filing deadlines for specified reports            reporting obligations to meet their filing
                                             0315311E–                                             and forms due pursuant to Regulation                  deadlines pursuant to Regulation
                                           454436N 0320548E–455442N                                Crowdfunding and Regulation A for                     Crowdfunding or Regulation A. At the
                                             0322700E–                                             certain issuers.
                                           460730N 0325430E–464600N                                                                                      same time, investors have an interest in
                                             0325300E–                                             DATES: These rules are effective from                 the timely availability of required
                                           474400N 0330300E–472700N                                October 19, 2018 through November 23,                 information about these companies.
                                             0344800E–                                             2018, except that amendatory                          While the Commission believes that the
                                           470630N 0355500E–465800N 0360000E                       instruction 1 revising the authority                  temporary relief from filing
                                                                                                   citation of part 227 is effective October             requirements provided by the
                                             (2) The Dnipropetrovsk FIR (UKDV) is
                                                                                                   19, 2018.                                             amendments to Rule 202 of Regulation
                                           defined as that airspace from the surface
                                                                                                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Crowdfunding 5 and Rule 257 of
                                           to unlimited within the following lateral
                                                                                                   Jennifer Zepralka, Office Chief, or Amy               Regulation A 6 is both necessary in the
                                           limits:
                                                                                                   Reischauer, Special Counsel, Office of                public interest and consistent with the
                                           511400N 0342700E–504942N                                                                                      protection of investors, we remind
                                             0341300E–                                             Small Business Policy, Division of
                                                                                                   Corporation Finance, at (202) 551–3460,               companies that are the subject of the
                                           502043N 0335720E–501246N                                                                                      relief provided in these interim final
                                             0335307E–                                             U.S. Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                   Commission, 100 F Street NE,                          temporary rules to continue to evaluate
                                           491848N 0333700E–485700N
                                                                                                   Washington, DC 20549–3628.                            their obligations to make materially
                                             0332200E–
                                                                                                                                                         accurate and complete disclosures in
                                           484118N 0324431E–483620N                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are
                                                                                                                                                         accordance with the anti-fraud
                                             0324010E–                                             adopting amendments to 17 CFR
                                           483128N 0323605E–482300N                                                                                      provisions of the federal securities laws.
                                                                                                   227.202 (‘‘Rule 202’’) of Regulation                     Accordingly, pursuant to Section 28
                                             0323900E–                                             Crowdfunding 1 under the Securities                   of the Securities Act, we are adopting
                                           480730N 0325324E–474600N                                Act of 1933 (the ‘‘Securities Act’’) 2 and            interim final temporary rules providing
                                             0325000E–
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                                                                                                   17 CFR 230.257 (‘‘Rule 257’’) of                      that an issuer subject to the reporting
                                           474400N 0330300E–472700N                                Regulation A 3 under the Securities Act
                                             0344800E–                                             as interim final temporary rules.                       4 15 U.S.C. 77z–3.
                                           470630N 0355500E–465800N                                                                                        5 See Rule 202(c) of Regulation Crowdfunding. 17
                                             0360000E–                                               1 17 CFR 227 et seq.                                CFR 227.202(c).
                                           463500N 0364200E–463424N                                  2 15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.                               6 See Rule 257(f) of Regulation A. 17 CFR

                                             0372206E–                                               3 17 CFR 230.251 through 230.263.                   230.257(f).



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Document Created: 2018-10-19 01:26:00
Document Modified: 2018-10-19 01:26:00
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 October 19, 2018.
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 Citation83 FR 52954 
RIN Number2120-AL39
CFR AssociatedAir Traffic Control; Aircraft; Airmen; Airports; Aviation Safety; Freight and Ukraine

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