
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 11158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05662]



[[Page 11158]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed New Restricted Category Aircraft--Special Purpose 
Operations

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests comment 
on the proposed addition of several new restricted category special 
purpose operations pursuant to Title 14 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations. These include Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, and 
An expansion of Patrolling to include patrolling of railroads, 
waterways and harbors.
    Comments Invited: Interested persons are invited to comment on the 
proposed new special purpose operations for restricted category by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, in favor or opposed. 
Please forward you comments to Federal Aviation Administration, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Policy & Innovation Division, 
Certification Procedures Section (AIR-6C1), 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 
Washington, DC 20024. ATTN: Mr. Graham Long. Comments must be received 
on or before April 24, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Aviation Administration, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Policy & Innovation Division, 
Certification Procedures Section (AIR-6C1) at 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 
Washington, DC 20024.
    ATTN: Mr. Graham Long. You may contact Mr. Long at (202) 267-1624, 
Fax (202) 267-1813, or Email: graham.long@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA is considering several new 
restricted category aircraft--special purpose operations pursuant to 14 
CFR 21.25(b)(7). Approval of these new special purpose operations would 
improve the usability of restricted category aircraft and support the 
public welfare. The proposed new special purpose operations are: (1) 
Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, and (2) an expansion of 
Patrolling to include patrolling of Railroads, Waterways and Harbors. 
These operations are intended to be performed within the scope of 
``aerial work operations.'' Note, pursuant to Sec.  91.313, the 
operating limitations and the noise requirements pursuant to 14 CFR 
part 36, will apply to these special purpose operations in restricted 
category, unless otherwise waived.
    1. Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief: Recent natural 
disasters in the United States (notably Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and 
multiple hurricanes in 2017) have prompted the FAA to consider allowing 
restricted category aircraft to operate under these types of 
circumstances to make available additional aviation resources to 
provide humanitarian assistance and/or disaster relief. The proposed 
mission involves bringing in needed materials and supplies (i.e., cargo 
only--no passengers) to the affected area, or moving materials and 
supplies within the area. This approval is intended to be performed 
within the scope of ``aerial work operations'' and would be available 
to both rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft. In addition, this 
operation would potentially include aerial delivery/airdropping of 
supplies. FAA is considering limiting this approval to periods when a 
government agency has made a declaration of a state of emergency, or 
similar declaration.
    2. Patrolling Railroads, Waterways and Harbors: Restricted category 
aircraft, both rotary wing and fixed wing, are currently able to be 
used for patrolling pipelines, power lines, and canals. We are 
considering expanding Patrolling to include patrolling railroads, 
waterways and harbors to enable the use of restricted category aircraft 
in these missions. FAA further wants to clarify that patrolling 
operations are to be for inspection, security, and safety purposes, and 
are intended to be performed within the scope of ``aerial work 
operations.''

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, AIR-601, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05662 Filed 3-22-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


