Requests FAA Hold Public Hearings

In a letter sent to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey on behalf of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) this week, Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT), a key member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, requested that the FAA hold public hearings on the National Air Tour Safety Standards Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

The FAA notice proposes several additional requirements for existing commercial air tour operators and mandates Part 135 commercial air carrier certification for most sightseeing operations now permitted under private Part 91 regulations. 

Currently, sightseeing operations that depart and return to the same airport and that remain within 25 statute miles of that airport are not required to hold a commercial air carrier certificate.  The FAA now proposes that the majority of these operators obtain Part 135 certification. Only a few charitable types of operations would remain exempt under this proposal. These exempt operations also face new and limiting requirements under the proposal.

Under the rule, all air tour operators would need to comply with new standards above and beyond current Part 135 regulations.  Mandatory wearing of lifejackets by passengers whenever a flight passes over water, installation of helicopter floats, minimum altitudes and standoff distances would all be required by the NPRM of all commercial air tours.

Of particular interest to both Senator Burns and NATA is the economic impact of this proposed rule. 

"Most disconcerting is the projected economic impact of this rule," Burns stated in the letter. "By the FAA's own admission, roughly 41% of the projected operators affected will be forced to 'exit the industry.'"

NATA says Senator Burns joined the growing list of requests that the FAA hold public meetings on the NPRM, stating, "Public meetings will provide the FAA an opportunity to address the complete impact that the NPRM will have on both pilots and small business owners, not only in Montana, but also across the country."

"We are grateful for Senator Burns' support on this critical NPRM and thank him for his continued leadership on general aviation issues in the Senate," stated NATA president James K. Coyne. 

A copy of Senator Burns' letter can be found at the NATA website.

FMI: www.nata-online.org