[Federal Register: October 27, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 207)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 61161-61162]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc03-22]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2003-14594]

14 CFR Part 121

 
Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental 
Operations; Petition for Rulemaking

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of a petition for rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document contains a summary of a petition for rulemaking 
from the Air Transport Association of America, Inc. to change certain 
specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this document is to 
improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of 
FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this document nor 
the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to 
affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition. 
Although 14 CFR part 11 does not require the publication of a summary 
for a petition to amend a regulation, we have determined that the 
public should be afforded the opportunity to comment on this issue.

DATES: Comments on the petition received must identify the petition 
docket number involved and must be received on or before December 26, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to DMS Docket Number FAA-2003-14594 
by any of the following methods:
    [sbull] Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
    [sbull] Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    [sbull] Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
    [sbull] Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 am and 5 
pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
    [sbull] Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
 Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-
401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC, between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Buchanan-Sumter (202) 267-7271, 
Office of Rulemaking (ARM-1), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

Petition

    Docket No.: FAA-2003-14594.
    Petitioner: Air Transport Association of America, Inc.
    Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 121.391(a) and 121.393(b)
    Description of Change Sought: The proposed amendment would permit a 
flight attendant to communicate with company or airport personnel via 
the jet bridge telephone located adjacent to the aircraft door while 
passengers are boarding, deplaning, or are on board, in order to 
perform safety, security, and/or passenger service duties. The 
amendment would reduce the number of required flight attendants onboard 
the aircraft while the aircraft is on the ground and stationary.
    Section 121.391 states:
    (a) Each certificate holder shall provide at least the following 
flight attendants on each passenger-carrying airplane used:
    (1) For airplaines having a maximum payload capacity of more than 
7,500 pounds and having a seating capacity of more than 9 but less than 
51 passengers--one flight attendant.
    (2) For airplanes having a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds 
or less and having a seating capacity of more than 19 but less than 51 
passengers--one flight attendant.
    (3) For airplanes having a seating capacity of more than 50 but 
less than 101 passengers--two flight attendants.
    (4) For airplanes having a seating capacity of more than 100 
passengers--two flight attendants plus one additional flight attendant 
for each unit (or part of a unit) of 50 passenger seats above a seating 
capacity of 100 passengers
    Section 121.393 states:
    (b) On each airplane for which flight attendants are required by 
Sec.  121.391(a), but the number of flight attendants remaining on 
board is fewer than required by Sec.  121.391(a), the certificate 
holder must meet the following requirements:
    (1) The certificate holder shall ensure that:
    (i) The airplane engines are shut down;

[[Page 61162]]

    (ii) At least one floor level exit remains open to provide for the 
deplaning of passengers; and
    (iii) The number of flight attendants on board is at least half the 
number required by Sec.  121.391(a), rounded down to the next lower 
number in the case of fractions, but never fewer than one.
    (2) The certificate holder may substitute for the required flight 
attendants other persons qualified in the emergency evacuation 
procedures for that aircraft as required in Sec.  121.417, if these 
persons are identified to the passengers.
    (3) If only one flight attendant or other qualified person is on 
board during a stop, that flight attendant or other qualified person 
shall be located in accordance with the certificate holder's FAA-
approved operating procedures. If more than one flight attendant or 
other qualified person is on board, the flight attendants or other 
qualified persons shall be spaced throughout the cabin to provide the 
most effective assistance for the evacuation in case of an emergency.
    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting comments, data, or views. We specifically 
invite comments relating to how a reduced number of flight attendants 
onboard: (1) will provide adequate passenger supervision and safety 
while the airplane is on the ground and stationary; and (2) Will allow 
for the effective deplaning of passengers should an emergency situation 
arise.
    Before acting on this petition for rulemaking, we will consider all 
comments we receive on or before the closing date for comments. We will 
consider comments filed late if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 20, 2003.
James J. Ballough,
Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27055 Filed 10-22-03; 5:01 pm]

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