FAA publishes two proposals affecting aircraft certification

SUMMARY:

On March 2, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration published two Federal Register notices requesting public comment, which can be found here.

Draft Policy Statement Regarding Submission of Outline of New and Changed Systems at the Beginning of the Type Certificate Amendment Process for Transport Category Aircraft

The FAA has published a draft policy statement regarding submission of outline of new and changed systems at the beginning of the type certificate amendment process for transport category aircraft with a request for comments.

As required by the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, a draft policy statement would revise FAA procedures in order to require applicants for amendments to type certificates for transport category aircraft to disclose, in a single document at the beginning of the certification process, all new systems and intended changes to existing systems known to the applicant. 

The draft policy statement may be examined here.

Comments on the draft policy statement must be received on or before April 3, 2023.

System Safety Assessments for Transport Category Aircraft

The FAA has extended the comment period of their previously issued notice of proposed rulemaking.

The NPRM, titled ‘‘System Safety Assessments,’’ was published Dec. 8, 2022. In that document, the FAA proposed to amend certain airworthiness regulations to standardize the criteria for conducting safety assessments for systems, including flight controls and powerplants, installed on transport category airplanes. With this action, the FAA seeks to reduce risk associated with airplane accidents and incidents that have occurred in service, and reduce risk associated with new technology in flight control systems. 

The intended effect of this proposed action is to improve aviation safety by making system safety assessment certification requirements more comprehensive and consistent. The FAA is extending the comment period closing date to allow commenters additional time to analyze the proposed rule and prepare a response. 

The comment period for the NPRM published Dec. 8, 2022, at 87 FR 75424, and scheduled to close March 8, 2023, is extended until April 24, 2023.

For the Dec. 8, 2022, NPRM, click here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, by email at ricp@aea.net or by phone at 202-589-1144.

Regulatory - Canada