[Federal Register: May 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 102)]
[Notices]
[Page 31741-31743]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28my03-93]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of new tasks for the Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking
Advisory Committee (ATSRAC).
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the new tasks assigned to and accepted
by the ATSRAC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Huber, Manager, Safety
Management Branch, ANM--117, Executive Director of ATSRAC, Federal
Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98055;
telephone (425) 227-2589; fax (425) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In response to the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and
Security, the FAA formed the Aging Non-Structural Systems Study Team,
to develop the FAA's approach to improving management of aging wire
systems. To help fulfill the actions specified in the Aging Non-
Structural Systems Plan, the FAA set up an Aging Transport Systems
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) to give recommendations on
airplane system safety issues.
In 1998, the FAA assigned five tasks to the ATSRAC. These tasks
included collecting data on aging wiring systems through airplane
inspections, reviewing airplane manufacturers' service information,
reviewing operators' maintenance programs, and providing the FAA with
recommendations to enhance the safety of those systems. The FAA held a
public meeting on January 20, 1999, to discuss the Committee's
operations and their assigned tasks.
The ATSRAC found that problems associated with systems on aging
airplanes are not entirely related to the degradation overtime of wire
systems. The review of these systems also found inadequate installation
and maintenance practices could lead to what is commonly referred to as
an ``aging system'' problem. Therefore, the scope of the ATSRAC's work
includes, not only age-related issues, but also involves improving the
continued airworthiness of airplane systems (i.e., wire systems).
The FAA accepted the ATSRAC recommendations from the first five
tasks and subsequently assigned five additional tasks to get the
Committee's help in implementing the safety enhancements from their
earlier recommendations. The FAA is now considering the ATSRAC
recommendations on the second set of tasks. These recommendations
include rulemaking and other actions. Implementation of the ATSRAC
recommendations is a major part of the FAA's Enhanced Airworthiness
Program for Airplane Systems (EAPAS), a program that addresses the
safety of wiring systems.
The FAA recognizes the knowledge and experience the ATSRAC
provides. Because ATSRAC members represent a large cross-section of
industry, they will supply the FAA with an invaluable resource of
technical expertise in a variety of areas. Therefore, the FAA has
assigned three new tasks to the ATSRAC to help carry out the EAPAS
objectives.
This notice announces the new tasks, which the ATSRAC has accepted.
These tasks will allow the FAA to get the Committee's continuing help
to carry out their recommendations. ATSRAC has chosen to form
harmonization working groups (HWG) to provide technical support to
develop their recommendations on these tasks. A discussion of the new
tasks and harmonization working groups (HWG) follows.
I. EAPAS Rulemaking Advisory HWG
To promote efficient rulemaking and compliance with this
rulemaking, the FAA tasks ATSRAC to provide, when specifically sought
by the FAA, recommendations about the issues discussed in items I-1
through I-3 of this section. The ATSRAC Executive Director will send
each FAA task to the ATSRAC Chair to obtain the ATSRAC
[[Page 31742]]
members' decision on whether to accept the FAA's assigned task.
I-1. Alternatives to Rulemaking
The rulemaking process requires agencies to explore alternatives to
rulemaking. Such alternatives may include taking voluntary (or
nonmandated) action or taking no action. Under Task I-1, the FAA may
request recommendations from the ATSRAC on how to carry out
alternatives, which the FAA considers reasonable, to rulemaking. This
would include providing an estimate of the resulting improvement to
safety. The FAA may also request recommendations on how to measure
implementation of the alternative actions and how the FAA can best
support these actions.
I-2. Technical and Economic Data
Questions may arise during rulemaking where added technical and
economic data are needed. This may include the need for such
information to prepare responses to public comments on a proposed rule.
I-3. Disposition of Comments from an EAPAS Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM)
Under Task I-3, the FAA may request the ATSRAC's help in
dispositioning any comments the FAA might receive in response to an
NPRM. Such support may include the ATSRAC's review of the FAA's
prepared disposition of comments.
II. Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) Research and
Development (R&D) Technology Transfer HWG
In the past, the FAA has provided quarterly reviews of their
research and development program to the ATSRAC. These reviews have
resulted in a useful exchange of information and in the formation of
research partnerships and other cooperative research. As the EAPAS
program continues, it would be helpful to have the ATSRAC explore FAA
and other R&D products and results that may be valuable to the aviation
industry. As appropriate, the FAA will seek the ATSRAC's help in--
[sbull] Developing strategies for technology transfer to the
aviation community in a manner that optimizes their transfer and
optimizes the benefits resulting from their transfer; and
[sbull] Achieving optimal compliance with existing and anticipated
FAA electrical systems rules.
To achieve the two R&D objectives, the HWG would complete the
following tasks:
II-1. Develop effective strategies to transfer and set up, in the
aviation community, R&D products. This includes providing
recommendations for the best way to carry out these goals (e.g.,
through rulemaking, advisory circulars, or other means).
II-2. Review and screen FAA and other R&D products (e.g., R&D
prototypes), as appropriate, and devise strategies to further develop
these products into commercially viable tools that support the two R&D
objectives referenced in this section. Such strategies may include
recommendations for added FAA research and development; however, the
strategies should mainly address industry activity to achieve a desired
end product.
II-3. Explore opportunities to promote cooperative efforts and
partnerships valuable to achieving the two R&D objectives.
III. Small Transport Airplane Enhanced Wiring Inspection HWG
Criteria for upgrading and developing enhanced wiring inspection
procedures should be developed for use by manufacturers of small
transport airplanes. These criteria should be based on the results of
previously conducted inspections and tests and recommendations from
ATSRAC.
The tasks for this HWG are as follows:
III-1. Review existing small transport airplane manufacturers'
wiring inspection procedures.
III-2. Identify and prepare, as necessary, criteria for upgrading
and developing enhanced procedures for inspection, cleaning, reduction
of combustible material (e.g., lint and chemical contamination),
reduction of potential ignition sources (e.g., cracked wiring), and
maintenance of the electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) on
small transport airplanes.
III-3. Develop and recommend compliance means to adopt the criteria
referenced in III-2 and incorporate the enhanced wiring inspection
procedures in operators' maintenance programs.
ATSRAC Acceptance of Tasks
ATSRAC has accepted Tasks I through III with an expected completion
date of all tasks by January 2005. However, certain specific tasks may
require an earlier completion date.
Working Group Activity
The working groups serve as staff to the ATSRAC to help the
Committee in writing technical reports that will allow the FAA to
complete actions related to the EAPAS program. Working group documents
will be reviewed, deliberated, and approved by the ATSRAC. If the
ATSRAC accepts the working group's documents, the Committee will
forward them to the FAA as ATSRAC recommendations.
The working groups are expected to comply with the procedures
adopted by the ATSRAC. As part of the procedures, the working groups
are expected to:
1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the task, including the
rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration by the ATSRAC,
after setting-up the working groups and selecting members.
2. Give a detailed conceptual presentation of proposed
recommendations before starting the work stated in item 3 of this
section.
3. Draft a report and any other collateral documents the working
group finds proper and send them to the ATSRAC for review and approval.
4. Provide a status report at each meeting of the ATSRAC.
Participation in the Working Group
Each of the working groups will be composed of experts with an
interest in a particular task. Working group participants should be
prepared to devote a significant portion of their time and resources to
the ATSRAC task. A working group member need not be a representative or
a member of the ATSRAC. Experts in the task area who want to become a
member of one of the working groups should contact Charles Huber (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section) and explain their interest in
the task and the expertise they would bring to the working group. All
requests to take part in the working groups must be received no later
than June 27, 2003. The ATSRAC Chair, Executive Director, and the
working group chair will review requests for membership and will advise
individuals whether their requests can be accommodated.
The Secretary of Transportation has determined the formation and
use of the ATSRAC are necessary and in the public interest as related
to duties imposed on the FAA by law. Meetings of the ATSRAC will be
open to the public. Meetings of the individual working groups will not
be open to the public, except for individuals selected as working group
members. No public announcement of working group meetings will be made.
[[Page 31743]]
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2003.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 03-13244 Filed 5-27-03; 8:45 am]
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