
[Federal Register: October 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 200)]
[Notices]               
[Page 53579-53580]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc09-112]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee--New Task

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of new task assignment for the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC)--Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
Process Improvement.

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SUMMARY: The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
(ARAC) a new task to provide advice and recommendations to the FAA 
about the current ARAC process. This notice informs the public of the 
new ARAC activity.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Hamilton, Office of Rulemaking, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-8742, facsimile: 202-267-5075; 
e-mail pam.hamilton@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Secretary of Transportation determined the formation and use of 
an advisory committee to serve as a forum for the FAA to get input from 
outside the Federal Government on major regulatory issues facing the 
agency. As a result, the FAA established ARAC.
    ARAC is a formal standing advisory committee made up of 
representatives from aviation associations, aviation industry, public 
interest groups,

[[Page 53580]]

advocacy groups, and interested members of the public. It is composed 
of a full committee, Executive Committee, issue areas, and working 
groups (which also include task groups). ARAC's objectives are to 
improve development of the FAA's regulations by providing information, 
advice, and recommendations related to aviation issues. The objective 
includes FAA working with industry and the public to obtain advice and 
recommendations on the Committee process.
    Members of the Executive Committee have suggested there may be more 
effective means of achieving ARAC's objectives and requested a working 
group be established to develop possible process improvements. In 
December 2008, the FAA invited the Executive Committee (EXCOM) to 
provide input and ideas as part of its effort to re-invigorate the ARAC 
process.
    The June 2009 EXCOM meeting included a presentation of solicited 
ideas, and proposed actions for the Executive Committee to consider. 
This notice advises the public that the FAA has assigned, and EXCOM has 
accepted, a task to recommend improvements to the ARAC process.

The Task

    The FAA has tasked the ARAC working group to do the following:
    1. Review the ARAC process;
    2. Review working group and ARAC experiences with the process;
    3. Develop recommendations for process improvements; and
    4. Forward recommendations to the ARAC Executive Committee for 
review and approval.
    Schedule: The task must be completed no later than 12 months after 
the first working group meeting.

ARAC Acceptance of Task

    The ARAC Executive Committee has accepted the task and assigned it 
to the ARAC Process Improvement Working Group. The working group serves 
as staff to ARAC and assists in the analysis of the assigned task. ARAC 
must review and approve the working group's recommendations. If ARAC 
accepts the working group's recommendations, it will send them to the 
FAA.

Working Group Activity

    The ARAC Process Improvement Working Group must comply with the 
procedures adopted by ARAC. As part of the procedures, the working 
group must:
    1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the task, including the 
rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration at the next ARAC 
Executive Committee meeting held following publication of this notice.
    2. Give a detailed conceptual presentation of the proposed 
recommendations, prior to proceeding with the work stated in item 3 
below.
    3. Draft the appropriate documents and required analyses and/or any 
other related materials or documents.
    4. Provide a status report at each meeting of the ARAC Executive 
Committee.

Participation in the Working Group

    The ARAC Process Improvement Working Group has been established. 
However, if you wish to become a member of the working group, write to 
the person listed under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
expressing that desire. Describe your interest in the task and state 
the expertise you would bring to the working group. We must receive all 
requests by November 18, 2009. The Executive Committee and the FAA will 
review the requests and advise you whether or not your request is 
approved.
    If you are chosen for membership on the working group, you must 
actively participate in the working group by attending all meetings and 
providing written comments when requested to do so. You must devote the 
resources necessary to support the working group in meeting any 
assigned deadlines. Members will not be added or substituted without 
the approval of the FAA and the working group chair once the working 
group has begun deliberations.
    ARAC meetings are open to the public. However, ARAC Process 
Improvement Working Group meetings are not open to the public, except 
to the extent individuals with an interest and expertise are selected 
to participate. The FAA will make no public announcement of working 
group meetings.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2009.
Pamela Hamilton-Powell,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. E9-25010 Filed 10-16-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
