[Federal Register: July 2, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 127)]
[Notices]
[Page 40451-40452]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jy04-113]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Advisory Circular 23.1523, Minimum Flightcrew
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed advisory circular (AC) and
request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests
comments on a proposed advisory circular, AC 23.1523. This guidance
sets forth one method that may be used to show compliance with the
requirements contained in 14 CFR, part 23 and Sec. 23.1523, which
prescribes certification requirements for minimum flight crew. Most
part 23 airplanes are certified for single pilot operations, therefore,
the major focus of this guidance is to address cockpit workload
considerations that are described in this rule. We are proposing that
this guidance be used to improve cockpit safety by addressing pilot
workload which has been impacted through the development on newer and
novel technologies available in general aviation cockpits along with
increased complexity of operations. This AC is one method that can be
utilized to determine workload factors and issues for normal, utility,
aerobatic and commuter category airplanes. Material in this AC is
neither mandatory nor regulatory in nature and does not constitute a
regulation. This material is intended to be a ready reference for part
23 airplane manufacturers, modifiers, Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) design evaluation engineers, flight test engineers, engineering
flight test pilots [Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Flight
Standards, and Manufacturers] as well as human factors engineering
evaluators. This material may also be used by FAA authorized designees
in the performance of workload evaluations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 31, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed Minimum Flight Crew, AC 23.1523, may
be requested from the following: Small Airplane Directorate, Standards
Office (ACE-110), Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 901 Locust Street, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Proposed advisory circulars are posted on the RGL at http://www.airweb.faa.gov/AC
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Frank Bick, Standards Office,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106, telephone (816) 329-4119, fax (816) 329-4090,
frank.bick@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Any person may obtain a copy of this
proposed AC by contacting the person named above under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. A copy of the AC will also be available on the
Internet at http://www.airweb.faa.gov/AC within a few days.
Comments Invited: We invite interested parties to submit comments
on the proposed AC. Commenters must identify AC 23.1523 and submit
comments to the address specified above. The FAA will consider all
communications received on or before the closing date for comments
before
[[Page 40452]]
issuing the final AC. The proposed AC and comments received may be
inspected at the Standards Office (ACE-110), 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri, between the hours of 8:30 and 4 p.m. weekdays,
except Federal holidays by making an appointment in advance with the
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Background: In the early 1980s, a move to reduce the crew size of
the new generation of commercial jet transport airplanes from three to
two caused the FAA to develop additional criteria and guidance for
minimum crew determination for part 25 airplanes. AC 25.1523 was
developed to provide manufacturers and certification personnel a means
of demonstrating compliance to 14 CFR, part 25, Sec. 25.1523. Most
part 23 airplanes are single pilot, none require a crew of three, and
only a few require a crew of two; therefore, there was no desire to
address crew complement in these airplanes and no parallel effort was
initiated at that time for part 23 airplanes. For many years, part 23
airplane cockpits were relatively simple in design and utilized
instruments and systems that were also quite similar in operation. This
made it relatively easy for pilots to safely transition from one part
23 airplane to another. However, in recent years due to the growth of
modern technology and the reduced cost of electronic components, novel
and more complex integrated avionic systems are increasingly being
installed in part 23 airplanes. These new systems have changed the
appearance, operation, and usability of the pilot-vehicle interface.
There is also much variation between manufacturers in terms of the
design and operational characteristics of these systems. Consequently,
there is a concern that pilot(s) familiar and proficient with one
system may not be able to sufficiently understand and operate another
system. Although many of these systems can greatly improve pilot
situational awareness and safety, poorly designed systems can increase
pilot workload, and increase the potential for pilot error.
Additionally, the lack of standardization in the design and
operation of these systems can negatively affect pilot training and
impact performance and safety. Accordingly, there is a need to more
closely examine pilot workload and error potential in these highly
complex, integrated cockpits.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on June 16, 2004.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Office.
[FR Doc. 04-15038 Filed 7-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M