[Federal Register: December 6, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 235)]
[Notices]               
[Page 72768]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06de02-118]                         




[[Page 72768]]


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


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


 
Advisory Circular (AC) 91-56B, Continuing Structural Integrity 
Program for Airplanes


AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.


ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.


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


SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request for 
comments on proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 91-56B, which provides 
guidance on developing a continuing structural integrity program to 
ensure safe operation of older airplanes throughout their operational 
life. This proposed AC addresses airplanes affected by the ``Aging 
Airplane Safety Rule'' and provides guidance on the development and use 
of a damage-tolerance-based Supplemental Structural Inspection Program 
(SSIP) for all airplanes operated under Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 121; all U.S.-registered multiengine 
airplanes operated under 14 CFR part 129 certificated with 10 or more 
passenger seats; and all multiengine airplanes used in scheduled 
operations under 14 CFR part 135 certificated with 10 or more passenger 
seats. This AC outlines an acceptable method, but not the only method, 
of compliance with the Aging Airplane Safety Rule. A previous notice of 
availability was published in the Federal Register in error on November 
20, 2002, and should be disregarded.


DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 4, 2003.


ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Brent Bandley, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, ANM-120L, Federal Aviation Administration; 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone number: (562) 627-5237, 
facsimile: (562) 627-5210.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Bandley, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, ANM-120L, 
Federal Aviation Administration; 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; telephone number: (562) 627-5237, facsimile: (562) 627-
5210.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


Comments Invited


    A copy of the draft AC may be obtained by accessing the FAA's Web 
page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/nprm.cfm?nav=nprm or at http://faa.gov/avr/afs/acs/ac-idx.htm.
 Interested parties are invited to 
faa.gov/avr/afs/acs/ac-idx.htm. Interested parties are invited to 
submit comments on the proposed AC. Commenters must identify AC 91-56B, 
and submit comments to the address specified above. The FAA will 
consider all communications received on or before the closing date for 
comments before issuing the final AC.


Discussion


    This proposed AC provides guidance to type certificate holders and 
airplane operators on how to incorporate an FAA-approved Aging Aircraft 
Program into FAA-approved maintenance or inspection programs. Previous 
versions of this AC (AC 91-56 and AC 91-56A) provided guidance to 
operators of large transport category airplanes on how to develop a 
damage-tolerance-based SSIP. In this proposed AC, the FAA expands this 
guidance to small transport category airplanes. In addition, AC 91-56 
and AC 91-56A considered only the effects of repair and modifications 
approved by the type certificate holder and the effects of repairs and 
operator-approved modifications on individual airplanes. This proposed 
AC considers the effect of all major repairs, major alterations, and 
modifications approved by the type certificate holder. In addition, the 
AC includes an expanded discussion of repairs, alterations, and 
modifications to take into consideration all major repairs and 
operator-approved alterations and modifications on individual 
airplanes. The proposed AC also describes the current Mandatory 
Modifications Program, Corrosion Prevention and Control Program, the 
Repair Assessment Program, and Evaluation for Widespread Fatigue 
Damage.


    Issued in Washington, DC on November 21, 2002.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 02-30108 Filed 12-5-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P