[Federal Register: December 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 239)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69431-69432]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12de03-101]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

 
Aircraft Certification Policy Notice

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on the issuance of a proposed Certification Policy Notice for 
approving Complex Supplemental Type Certificates (STC). The proposed 
Certification Policy Notice introduces a new classification of STCs, 
and instructs Aircraft Certification Office engineers, STC applicants, 
and STC installers how to manage STCs classified as complex.

DATES: Identify comments as Certification Policy Complex STC and they 
must arrive by February 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed Certification Policy 
Notice to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification 
Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Room 815, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Stephen (Steve) Flanagan, AIR-
110. Or, deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Room 
815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen (Steve) Flanagan, Aerospace 
Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification

[[Page 69432]]

Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Certification Procedures 
Branch, AIR-110, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, Telephone (202) 267-3549, FAX (202) 267-5340. E-mail steve.flanagan@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    You may comment on the proposed Certification Policy Notice listed 
in this notice by sending such written data, views, or arguments to the 
above listed address. You may also examine comments received on the 
proposed Certification Policy Notice, before and after the comment 
closing date, in Room 815, FAA Headquarters Building, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, weekdays except Federal holidays, 
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Director of the Aircraft 
Certification Service will consider all communications received by the 
closing date before issuing the final Certification Policy Notice.

Background

    We typically issue STCs that permit installation on any aircraft of 
a specific type and model designation. Aircraft compatibility is 
addressed by the following limitation: ``The installer is responsible 
for determining the compatibility of this STC with other previously 
approved modifications.'' Nevertheless there have been installations 
made on inappropriate aircraft. These inappropriate installations could 
have been prevented if STC approvals were restricted to a specified 
baseline aircraft configuration that includes details of the STC 
physical and functional interfaces with the prototype aircraft.
    Applicant's installation drawings or other installation 
instructions have not always been detailed enough for accurate 
replication of the design. This is especially true when follow-on STC 
installations occur at facilities other than that used by the STC 
holder for the prototype installation.
    The STC certification process does not adequately address how to 
evaluate the compatibility of an STC with other previously installed 
STCs, major alterations or repairs. We need a more rigorous 
compatibility evaluation for certain STCs. This proposed policy ensures 
that the modified aircraft will be airworthy.

How To Get Copies

    You may get a copy of the proposed Certification Policy Notice via 
the Internet at, http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/notice.htm, 
or by contacting the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 8, 2003.
David W. Hempe,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30742 Filed 12-11-03; 8:45 am]

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