[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25207-25208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11286]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 401, 404, 413, 414, 415, 417, 420, 431, 433, 435, 437, 
440, and 450

[Docket No.: FAA-2019-0229; Notice No. 19-01A]
RIN 2120-AL17


Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements; Extension 
of Comment Period

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was 
published on April 15, 2019. In that document, the FAA proposed to 
streamline and increase the flexibility in the FAA's commercial space 
launch and reentry regulations. This action would consolidate and 
revise multiple regulatory parts and apply a single set of licensing 
and safety regulations across several types of operations and vehicles. 
The FAA is extending the comment period closing date to allow 
commenters time to adequately analyze the proposed rule and prepare 
response.

DATES: The comment period for the NPRM published on April 15, 2019 at 
84 FR 15296 and scheduled to close on June 14, 2019, is extended until 
July 30, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments identified by docket number FAA-2019-
0229 using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the 
West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, 
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralen Gao, ARM-209, Office of 
Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-3168; email 
ralen.gao@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The agency 
also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, 
or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in 
this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion 
of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit only one time.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA

[[Page 25208]]

will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it 
is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The agency may 
change this proposal in light of the comments it receives.

B. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
internet by--
    1. Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
    2. Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies web page at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
    3. Accessing the Government Printing Office's web page at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request to the Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Commenters must 
identify the docket or notice number of this rulemaking.
    All documents the FAA considered in developing this proposed rule, 
including economic analyses and technical reports, may be accessed from 
the internet through the Federal eRulemaking Portal referenced in item 
(1) above.

Background

    On March 26, 2019, the FAA posted a draft copy of the NPRM entitled 
``Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements'' on its 
website for public preview. On April 15, 2019, this rule, containing 
minimal changes, was published as Notice No. 19-01 in the Federal 
Register (84 FR 15296). Commenters were instructed to provide comments 
on or before June 14, 2019.
    Since publication, fifty-six commenters \1\ have requested an 
extension of the comment period to a total of 120 days, or until August 
13, 2019, citing the proposed rule's breadth, significant impact, 
length, and complexity. The commenters stated a longer time frame is 
necessary in order to fully review the proposed rule and develop 
comments and recommendations.
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    \1\ The commenters are Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 
Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI), Aircraft Owners and Pilots 
Association (AOPA), Airlines for America, Airports Council 
International--North America (ACI), Air Line Pilots Association 
(ALPA), American Association of Airline Executives (AAAE), Arete 
STEM Foundation, Arizona State University, Atomos Space, Axiom, Blue 
Origins, Colorado Air and Space Port, Exos Aerospace, Generation 
Orbit, Houston Space Port, Heinlein Prize Trust, Johns Hopkins 
University, InterFlight Global Corporation, Leo Aerospace, Maxar 
Technologies, Midland International Air & Space Port, Misty Harbor 
HOA, MLA Space, Mojave Air & Space Port, Momentus, Moon Express, 
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), New Mexico 
Spaceport Authority, Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 
Quest for Stars, Regional Airline Association (RAA), Sierra Nevada 
Corporation, Spaceport Strategies LLC, SpaceX, Space Angels, Space 
Florida, Spaceport Camden, SpinLaunch, Southwest Research Institute, 
TeamHealth Healthcare Staffing, Techshot, TIP Technologies, Vector 
Launch, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit, World View, Xplore Inc., and 
various members of the public.
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    The FAA agrees with the petitioners' request for an extension of 
the comment period. It recognizes the content of the proposed rule is 
significant and complex, and that an extension would help commenters 
craft complete and thoughtful responses. Because the rule was posted on 
the FAA's website 20 days prior to its publication in the Federal 
Register, the FAA is extending the comment period an additional 45 
days. With this extension, the comment period will now close on July 
30, 2019. This will provide the public with a total of 125 days to 
conduct its review.
    The FAA does not anticipate any further extension of the comment 
period for this rulemaking.

Extension of Comment Period

    In accordance with Sec.  11.47(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the petitions for extension of the 
comment period for this notice. The petitioners have shown a 
substantive interest in the proposed policy and good cause for the 
extension of the comment period. The FAA has determined that an 
extension of the comment period for an additional 45 days to July 30, 
2019, is consistent with the public interest, and that good cause 
exists for taking this action.
    Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 19-01 is extended 
until July 30, 2019.

    Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), 
and 44703 in Washington, DC, on May 24, 2019.
Lirio Liu,
Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2019-11286 Filed 5-30-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


