Tue, Feb 24, 2004
Agency Promises To Work With Smaller Airports
The FAA has built flexibility into a stringent final rule on air
carrier airport operations. Because the new rule now affects much
smaller airports, AOPA had expressed concern that the high cost of
meeting certification requirements, such as aircraft rescue and
fire fighting (ARFF) equipment, would be passed on to general
aviation pilots at those smaller airports. Because of AOPA's
advocacy, those airports may be able to waive some of the
requirements, reducing their costs, and ultimately the cost to GA
pilots.
The new final rule revises FAR Part 139, "Certification of
Airports," and now requires airports with scheduled air carrier
service by aircraft as small as nine-passenger must now meet FAA
certification requirements. Previously, airports only had to meet
certification requirements if served by aircraft with 31 or more
passenger seats. The FAA estimates that 43 additional airports will
fall under Part 139 with the new, more stringent rule.
In formal comments that AOPA filed in November 2000 on the
proposed rule, the association said the agency should exercise
flexibility, especially in ARFF equipment requirements for smaller
airports. Many of these airports have a large general aviation
presence, and AOPA expressed concern that the cost of complying
with Part 139 certification should not be passed on to GA
tenants.
In announcing the final rule, the FAA acknowledged AOPA's
concerns, saying that it will work with smaller airports to tailor
their airport certification manuals as necessary and will allow
those airports to apply for waivers to all or portions of the ARFF
requirements.
"The FAA has wisely decided that what's required at La Guardia
or O'Hare or Los Angeles International is more than what's
necessary at someplace like Lewistown Municipal in Lewistown,
Montana," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government and
Technical Affairs Andy Cebula.
The new rule goes into effect on June 9, 2004. Small airports
will then have one year to submit their airport certification
manuals to the FAA for approval.
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