[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 212 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55750-55751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27229]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 28371]
Study of FAA Regulation and Certification Capabilities
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Study and Request for Comments.
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SUMMARY: On July 13, 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration
initiated Challenge 2000, a comprehensive review of the FAA's safety
oversight mission. The purpose of Challenge 2000 is to position the
Agency to continue providing effective safety oversight in the face of
technological advances and other changes in the aviation operating
environment. An independent management consultant is undertaking a
review of the FAA's regulation, certification, and enforcement
capabilities and plans to make recommendations for appropriate actions.
This notice provides an opportunity for the public to participate in
this effort and comment on the future design and goal of FAA's
regulation and certification functions.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 15, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments in triplicate to: Federal Aviation
Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket (AGC-
200), Docket 28371, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591.
Comments must be marked Docket No. 28371. They will be on display in
Room 915G weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 pm., except on Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kris Burnham, Office of Aviation
Policy and Plans, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, (202) 267-7947.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena and FAA Administrator
David Hinson have committed to a safety goal of zero accidents for the
aviation community. Consistent with this Zero-accident goal, the FAA
has initiated Challenge 2000, a comprehensive review of the agency's
safety oversight capabilities. The review and subsequent report are
being undertaken by an independent management consultant. The FAA will
also receive input from its Research, Engineering, and Development
Advisory Committee (RE&D Committee), whose membership represents
various parts of the aviation industry. A committee of AA executives is
overseeing the effort.
In the course of its review, the management consultant is studying
the structure of the aviation industry, current and anticipated risks
associated with air transportation, the structure and approach to
safety used by aviation authorities in other countries and in other
industries, and the FAA's safety organization. It is discussing
pertinent issues with aviation organizations from government and the
private sector. The RE&D Committee is evaluating the FAA's relationship
to the technology environment and the agency's ability to respond
strategically to rapid technological changes. A team of senior FAA
officials is responsible for assisting the consultant and the RE&D
Committee by providing essential expertise and perspective on the FAA
and its current practices.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites public comments to supplement the data gathered by
our management consultant. Taken together, the information will help
the agency appropriately adjust its regulation, certification, and
enforcement capabilities to respond to recent and expected changes in
the aviation
[[Page 55751]]
operating environment. Unlike recent regulatory reviews, this Notice
does not seek suggestions on specific rules that commenters believe
should be changed or altered. Rather, comments should address general
policies, procedures, and the focus of FAA's mission and resources with
respect to safety oversight.
The following are examples of questions relevant to Challenge 2000
and on which the FAA seeks comments. This list does not necessarily
encompass all issues of interest, and commenters are invited to submit
information on additional issues relevant to this review.
Do you believe that the FAA's regulation, certification, and
enforcement functions currently provide an adequate level of safety
oversight? If not, why not? Are there safety oversight services that
should be provided by the FAA that currently are not? What changes in
statutory authority, resources, or process are needed to provide
adequate in the current and future environment? Are the FAA's
regulation and certification processes appropriate to allow the
aviation community to reap the benefits of modern technology in a
timely manner?
What significant changes do you anticipate in the aviation
environment in the next decade that may require revision, termination,
or addition to current FAA safety oversight (e.g., technological
advances, changing business practices, impact of international
competition)? When possible, please provide specific examples.
Based on the anticipated changes, do you believe that the FAA needs
to change the manner in which it (1) regulates the industry, (2)
enforces rules, or (3) certificates airmen, aircraft, or other elements
of the airport and airway system? Where appropriate, please comment on
the adequacy of existing statutory authority, anticipated need for
process changes, the timing of services provided, and the effectiveness
of the outcome.
In the coming decade, do you believe that FAA should devote fewer
or greater resources than it currently does to (1) regulation, (2)
enforcement, and (3) certification? Why?
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 27, 1995.
Barry L. Valentine,
Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning, and International
Aviation.
[FR Doc. 95-27229 Filed 11-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
