01-24096. Proposed Small Airplane Directorate Policy on Static Strength Substantiation of Composite Airplane Structure

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed policy on static strength substantiation of composite airplane structure and reopens the comment period for the proposed policy. This notice advises the public, especially manufacturers of normal, utility, and acrobatic category airplanes, and commuter category airplanes used in non-scheduled service and their suppliers, that the FAA intends to adopt a new policy concerning static strength substantiation. This notice is necessary to advise the public of this FAA policy and give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on it.

DATES:

Send your comments by October 26, 2001.

DISCUSSION:

On July 30, 2001, the Small Airplane Directorate issued a proposed policy statement. A notice concerning the proposed policy was published on August 7, 2001 (66 FR 41303). Unfortunately, the policy did not appear on the web site until September. We are reopening the comment period since the proposed policy statement is now available to the public and all manufacturers for their comments.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed policy statement, PS-ACE100-2001-03, 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. The proposed policy statement is also available on the Internet at the following address http://www.faa.gov/​programs_​rsvp2 /smart/faa_home_page /certification/aircraft/small_airplane_ directorate_ news _proposed.html. Send all comments on this policy statement to the individual identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lester Cheng, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Regulations & Policy, ACE-111, 901 Locust Street, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite your comments on this policy statement. Send any data or views as you may desire. Identify the Policy Statement Number PS-ACE100-2001-03 on your comments, and send two copies of any printed comments to the above address. The Small Airplane Directorate will consider all communications received on or before the closing date for comments. We may change the proposal contained in this notice because of the comments received.

You may also send comments to the following Internet address: [e-mail]. Comments sent by fax or the Internet must contain “Comments to proposed policy statement PS-ACE-100-2001-03” in the subject line. You do not need to send two copies if you fax your comments or send them through the Internet. If you send comments over the Internet as an attached electronic file, format it in either Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text. State what specific change you are seeking to the proposed policy memorandum and include justification (for example, reasons or data) for each request.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on September 13, 2001.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.