14 CFR 139 - CERTIFICATION OF AIRPORTS

The FAA published a proposed rule on February 1, 2011, to establish minimum standards for training of personnel who access the airport non-movement area (ramp and apron) to help prevent accidents and incidents in that area. This proposal would require a certificate holder to conduct pavement surface evaluations to ensure reliability of runway surfaces in wet weather conditions. This proposed action would also require a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate holder conducts low visibility operations, facilitating the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles in low visibility conditions. Finally, this proposal would clarify the applicability of part 139 and explicitly prohibit fraudulent or intentionally false statements in a certificate application or record required to be maintained. After the comment period closed, the FAA became aware that the initial regulatory evaluation had not been posted to the rulemaking docket. This action reopens the comment period to allow the public to review and comment on that document, which is now in the docket.

The FAA published a proposed rule on February 1, 2011, to establish minimum standards for training of personnel who access the airport non-movement area (ramp and apron) to help prevent accidents and incidents in that area. This proposal would require a certificate holder to conduct pavement surface evaluations to ensure reliability of runway surfaces in wet weather conditions. This proposed action would also require a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate holder conducts low visibility operations, facilitating the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles in low visibility conditions. Finally, this proposal would clarify the applicability of part 139 and explicitly prohibit fraudulent or intentionally false statements in a certificate application or record required to be maintained. This action reopens the comment period.

The FAA published a proposed rule on October 7, 2010, to require each certificate holder to establish a safety management system (SMS) for its entire airfield environment (including movement and non-movement areas) to improve safety at airports hosting air carrier operations. The American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International—North America have requested that the FAA provide additional information supporting the proposed rule and extend the comment period to allow adequate time for the public to analyze and comment on that information and the NPRM. This action extends the comment period until July 5, 2011, and establishes a procedure for handling clarifying questions to the proposed rule.

The FAA proposes to amend the airport certification standards in part 139. This action would establish minimum standards for training of personnel who access the airport non-movement area (ramp and apron) to help prevent accidents and incidents in that area. A certificate holder would be required to conduct pavement surface evaluations to ensure reliability of runway surfaces in wet weather conditions. This action would also require a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate holder conducts low visibility operations. The plan would facilitate the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles in low visibility conditions. Finally, this action would clarify the applicability of part 139 and explicitly prohibit fraudulent or intentionally false statements in a certificate application or record required to be maintained.