[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 63105] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-30093] [[Page 63105]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Draft Advisory Circular (AC) No. 120-29A, Criteria for Approval of Category I and Category II Weather Minima for Approach AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft advisory circular. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of a draft AC, recommended by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), which provides information and guidance on obtaining and maintaining approval of Category I and II Weather Minima, including installation and approval of associated aircraft systems. This draft AC would replace AC 120-29 and represents the first steps of harmonization efforts of the Federal Aviation Administration, the European Joint Aviation Authority, and other regulatory authorities. This notice solicits public comment on the draft AC. DATES: Comments on the draft AC must be received on or before January 11, 1999. ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the draft AC or to send comments on the draft AC, please contact Yolanda Hill, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division (AFS-410), Room 835, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-3728. The draft AC may also be accessed on the Internet at www.faa.gov/AVR/afs/afs410/afs410.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical questions should be addressed to Jim Enias, Technical Programs Division (AFS-400), Federal Aviation Administration, Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-7211. Comments Invited The FAA invites interested parties to submit comments on this draft AC, as recommended by the ARAC. Commenters should identify AC 120-29A and submit comments to the person and address listed above. The FAA will consider all communications received on or before the closing date for comments before completing its review of this ARAC recommended AC. The recommended draft AC and comments received may be inspected at the Office of Flight Standards Service, Technical Programs Division, Room 835, Federal Aviation Administration (Federal Office Building 10A), between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays, except Federal holidays. Background This draft AC was received from the ARAC in August 1998. The AC recommended by the ARAC would set forth an acceptable means, but not the only means, of obtaining and maintaining approval of operations in Category I and II landing weather minima and low visibility approach criteria including the installation and approval of associated aircraft systems. It includes additional or revised Category I and II criteria for use in conjunction with heads-up displays, use of required navigation performance, satellite navigation sensors, and ``engine inoperative'' Category II criteria. This draft AC should be reviewed in conjunction with the regulatory requirements of 14 CFR parts 121, 125, and 135, as applicable. This draft AC would not change, add, or delete any regulatory requirement or authorize any deviation from parts 121, 125, or 135. The FAA is currently reviewing this ARAC recommendation and may make revisions to this document before it is issued. These revisions may include editorial changes to ensure that this AC does not impose requirements on operators independent of the current regulations. The regulations themselves, referenced in the draft AC, may be reviewed for revisions, as appropriate. It should be noted that the draft AC explicitly states that nothing in it is intended to preclude an operator from proposing and demonstrating to the FAA its ability to operate to Category I and II minima with a different equipment configuration, or alternatively to a runway visual range minima lower than presently described in this document. If, after review of this recommendation, the FAA decides to make any substantive changes in the draft AC, the revised document will be made available again for comment before final issuance. This draft revision incorporates changes resulting from the first steps toward international all weather operations criteria harmonization taken by the FAA, JAA, and several other regulatory authorities. Subsequent revisions of this AC are planned as additional all weather operations harmonization items are agreed and completed by FAA and JAA, or internationally. Issued in Washington, DC on November 4, 1998. Richard O. Gordon, Acting Director, Flight Standards Service. [FR Doc. 98-30093 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-M