[Federal Register: November 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 222)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66840]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no06-8]
[[Page 66840]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 91, 121, 125, and 135
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25334; Amendment Nos. 91-292; 121-326; 125-51; and
135-106]
RIN 2120-AI76
Additional Types of Child Restraint Systems That May Be Furnished
and Used on Aircraft
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Disposition of comments on final rule.
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SUMMARY: On July 14, 2006, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
amended certain operating regulations to allow passengers or aircraft
operators to furnish and use more types of Child Restraint Systems
(CRS) on aircraft. The rule allowed the use of CRSs that the FAA
approves under the aviation standards of Technical Standard Order C-
100b, Child Restraint Systems. In addition, the rule allowed the use of
CRSs approved by the FAA under its certification regulations regarding
the approval of materials, parts, processes, and appliances. The
intended effect of the rule was to increase the number of CRS options
that are available for use on aircraft, while maintaining safe
standards for certification and approval. This action is a summary and
disposition of comments received on the July 14, 2006 final rule.
ADDRESSES: The complete docket for the final rule on Additional Types
of Child Restraint Systems that May be Furnished and Used on Aircraft
may be examined at the Dockets Office on the plaza level of the NASSIF
Building at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You may review the
public docket containing comments to these regulations in person in the
Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. Also, you may review public dockets on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Lauck Claussen, Federal Aviation
Administration, Flight Standards Service, Air Transportation Division
(AFS-200), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;
Telephone 202-267-8166, E-mail nancy.l.claussen@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
August 26, 2005 Final Rule
On August 26, 2005, the FAA published a final rule that amended its
operating regulations to allow the use of CRSs that are approved by the
FAA through Type Certificate (TC), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC),
or Technical Standard Order (TSO) (70 FR 50902). The August 26, 2005
final rule allowed an operator to provide these CRSs. It did not allow
passengers to furnish and use a CRS approved through TC, STC, or TSO.
This is in contrast to CRSs that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) No. 213 or the standards of the United Nations, or are
approved by a foreign government, which passengers may furnish and use
on aircraft. The FAA received 16 comments on the August 26, 2005, final
rule. The overwhelming majority of commenters requested that the FAA
amend the August 26, 2005 Final Rule to allow passengers, in addition
to aircraft operators, to furnish and use CRSs approved by the FAA.
July 14, 2006 Final Rule
After reviewing the comments to the August 26, 2005 final rule, the
FAA decided to amend its operating rules to allow both passengers and
aircraft operators to furnish and use CRSs that the FAA has approved
under 14 CFR 21.305(d) and TSO C-100b. We published another final rule
on July 14, 2006 (71 FR 40003). The July 14, 2006 final rule amendments
were similar to provisions in the current rules that allow passengers
and aircraft operators to furnish and use CRSs that meet FMVSS No. 213
or the standards of the United Nations, or are approved by a foreign
government.
Discussion of Comments
The FAA received 16 comments on the July 14, 2006 final rule.
Fifteen comments were from individuals and one was from the Air
Transport Association (ATA)/United Airlines. All of the comments were
positive. Many of the commenters noted and appreciated the FAA's
attempt to be responsive to comments previously submitted on the August
26, 2005 final rule. Many of the commenters also noted positively that
the final rule would allow passengers to furnish and use the AMSAFE
CAReS CRS, which the FAA referenced in the July 14, 2006 final rule as
an example of one CRS that the FAA may approve through the Sec.
21.305(d) approval process. Some commenters also noted that the final
rule would serve to encourage innovative technology in the area of
child restraint and was in the best interests of safety, economy,
children, parents, the traveling public, and air carriers. In addition,
ATA noted it would ``be beneficial for the carriers and the passengers
to be able to see the list and images of the TSO C-100b approved CRS.''
The FAA maintains a list of all authorized TSO Holders on its public
Web site (http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgTSO.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet
). Information regarding any TSO
holders will be posted on our Web site.
Conclusion
After consideration of the comments submitted in response to the
final rule, the FAA has determined that no further rulemaking action is
necessary. Amendment Nos. 91-292, 121-326, 125-51, and 135-106 remain
in effect as adopted.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2006.
James J. Ballough,
Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19412 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
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