Edward Hughes

Document ID: FAA-2013-0144-0008
Document Type: Public Submission
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Received Date: May 09 2013, at 12:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Date Posted: May 10 2013, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Start Date: February 26 2013, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date: May 23 2013, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
Tracking Number: 1jx-858h-pcsf
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This is comment on Proposed Rule

Interest in Restructure of Rotorcraft Airworthiness Standards

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The current regulations regarding helicopter certification have been outdated by technology. The criteria for determining certification should be reviewed and amended to meet today's capabilities, not criteria from a half century ago. Modern building materials and advanced engine designs make using a weight limit of 7,000 lbs. as a dividing point far obsolete. This restriction is crippling the United States of America's economy and progress. Risk exposure would better be determined by the passenger capacity of a given helicopter rather than how much it weighs. Please evaluate FAR Part 27 and Part 29 standards using today's technology. Allow the United States of America to remain competitive, save and possibly again lead the world in aviation.