16220 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 1997 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION certificates and holders of special requirement in 14 CFR part 121. Since purpose pilot authorizations. In the covered operations in part 121 have Federal Aviation Administration addition, these amendments extend the been changed, the operations in part 61 compliance date for these pilots to meet that are subject to an age limitation have 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, 141, and 143 these provisions. These amendments are been similarly changed. These are, in [Docket No. 25910; Amendment Nos. 1±47, discussed fully in the preamble of 14 essence, technical amendments. The 61±102, 141±8, 143±6] CFR 61.3 and 61.77. Because these FAA does not believe that these issues were set forth in previous amendments will cause undue RIN 2120±AE71 rulemaking actions and interested hardship. Pilot, Flight Instructor, Ground persons commented on these issues, For these reasons, notice and public Instructor, and Pilot School these amendments are being adopted comment procedures are impracticable, Certification Rules without prior notice and prior public unnecessary, and contrary to the public comment. However, the Regulatory interest. As a result, the FAA, for good AGENCY: Federal Aviation Policies and Procedures of the cause, finds that ``notice and public Administration, DOT. Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 procedures thereon'' are unnecessary ACTION: Final rule; request for FR 1134; February 26, 1979) provide within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) comments. that, to the maximum extent possible, of the Administrative Procedure Act. operating administrations for the DOT Individuals will have an opportunity to SUMMARY: This rule revises the Federal should provide an opportunity for submit comments concerning these Aviation Regulations (FAR) that public comment on regulations issued amendments by June 3, 1997. prescribe the certification, training, and without prior notice. experience requirements for pilots, Accordingly, interested persons are Availability of Final Rule flight instructors, and ground invited to participate in this rulemaking Any person may obtain a copy of this instructors, and the certification by submitting such written data, views, rule by submitting a request to the FAA, requirements for pilot schools approved or arguments as they may desire Office of Rulemaking, Attention: ARM± by the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the FAA expanding the 1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., (FAA). This rule updates these applicability of the ``Age 60 Rule'' in 14 Washington, DC 20591, or by calling requirements to enhance the ability of CFR part 61 to include 10±30 seat (202) 267±9680. Requests should be pilots to meet the evolving demands of aircraft. Comments may be delivered or identified by the amendment number or the National Airspace System (NAS) mailed, in triplicate, to the FAA, Office docket number. and operate safely and effectively in this of the Chief Counsel, Attn: Rules Docket Using a modem and suitable environment. (AGC±200), Docket No. 25910, 800 communications software, an electronic DATES: This rule is effective August 4, Independence Avenue SW., Room 915G, copy of this document may be 1997. Comments must be submitted on Washington, DC 20591. Comments downloaded from the FAA regulations or before June 3, 1997. submitted to this rule must be marked: section of the FedWorld electronic ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposals Docket No. 25910. Comments also may bulletin board service (telephone: 703± may be delivered or mailed in triplicate be sent electronically to the following 321±3339), the Federal Register's to: Federal Aviation Administration, Internet address: 9-nprm- electronic bulletin board service Office of the Chief Counsel, Attention: [email protected]. Comments may be (telephone: 202±512±1661) or the FAA's Rules Docket (AGC±10), Docket No. examined in Room 915G between 8:30 Aviation Rulemaking Advisory 25910, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, except Committee Bulletin Board service Washington, DC 20591. All comments Federal holidays. (telephone: 202±267±5948). must be marked ``Docket No. 25910.'' All comments received, as well as a Internet users may reach the FAA's Comments may be examined in the report summarizing each substantive web page at http://www.faa.gov, or the Rules Docket, Room 915G, weekdays public contact with FAA personnel on Federal Register's web page at http:// l between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., except on this rulemaking, will be filed in the www.access.gpo.gov/su docs for Federal holidays. public docket. The docket is available access to recently published rulemaking for public inspection before and after FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John documents. the comment closing date. This Lynch, Certification Branch, AFS±840, Outline of Final Rule amendment may be changed in light of General Aviation and Commercial the comments received on this final I. General Aviation Policy Statement Division, Flight Standards Service, rule. II. Background FAA, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Commenters who want the FAA to III. Proposed Rule and General Description of Comments Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) acknowledge receipt of comments 267±3844. IV. Discussion of Major Issues submitted on this rule must submit a A. The exercise of recreational pilot SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: preaddressed, stamped postcard with certificate privileges those comments on which the following Comments Invited 1. Medical requirements for recreational statement is made: ``Comments to pilots and holders of higher pilot This final rule contains amendments Docket No. 25910.'' The postcard will be certificates exercising the privileges of a that were not proposed in Notice of date-stamped by the FAA and will be recreational pilot certificate Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) No. 95± returned to the commenter. 2. Elimination of the 50-nautical mile 11 which was published in the Federal limitation for recreational pilots Register on August 11, 1995 (60 FR Good Cause for Immediate Adoption B. Recent flight experience 41160). The amendments extend the The FAA finds that notice and public 1. Takeoffs and landings 2. Recent instrument experience applicability of the ``Age 60 Rule'' (14 comment on the above amendments are C. Lighter-than-air flight instructor CFR 121.383(c) for operational unnecessary. As stated in the preamble certificate requirements, and § 61.77 for to Notice No. 95±11, the changes to the D. New instrument ratings certification requirements) to 10±30 seat age 60 requirements in part 61 were 1. Single-engine and multiengine ratings aircraft, for holders of U.S. pilot intended to be similar to the age 60 2. Airship Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 16221 3. Powered-lift II. Background 3. A requirement for an applicant to E. Requirements for instrument ratings complete a training curricula and F. New aircraft category and class ratings This rule is based on the proposals contained in Notice of Proposed receive a flight instructor endorsement 1. Powered-lift prior to qualifying in an airplane that 2. Glider class ratings Rulemaking (NPRM) No. 95±11, ``Pilot, G. English language requirements Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and requires a type rating; H. Areas of operation Pilot School Certification Rules,'' which 4. A provision to permit pilots to V. Section by Section Analysis was published in the Federal Register complete a phase of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program (WINGS I. General Aviation Policy Statement (60 FR 41160) on August 11, 1995. Since September of 1987, the FAA has program) in lieu of a biennial flight On September 8, 1993, the FAA been conducting a regulatory review of review (BFR); Administrator issued a general aviation parts 61, 141, and 143. These 5. A requirement for pilot applicants policy statement in which he recognized regulations pertain to certification and to receive ground training on stall that the general aviation industry is a training requirements for pilots, flight awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin critically important part of the nation's instructors, and ground instructors, and recovery techniques; economy and the national the certification and operation of pilot 6. A requirement for pilot applicants transportation system. The schools that are approved by the FAA. to receive flight training on flight at Administrator stated the following: This regulatory review was initiated in slow airspeeds with realistic General aviation plays a crucial role in response to advancements in aviation distractions and the recognition of, and flight training for all segments of aviation and technology, training, and changes in the recovery from, stalls; provides unique personal and recreational NAS that have occurred since the last 7. A requirement for flight instructor opportunities. It makes vital contributions to major revisions to these regulations in applicants to receive actual spin activities ranging from business aviation, to the early 1970's. The FAA has received training; agricultural operations, to warbird 8. A requirement for flight instructor preservation, to glider and balloon flights. numerous petitions for exemption and Accordingly, it is the policy of the FAA to letters from the public suggesting applicants to perform a spin foster and promote general aviation while changes to the current regulations. At demonstration on retests when the continuing to improve its safety record. the time