14 CFR Part 121, Subpart O - Crewmember Qualifications

This document notifies the public of the Federal Aviation Administration's policy regarding enforcement of the pilot pairing requirement in the “Part 121 Pilot Age Limit” final rule. Currently, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards allow a person between the age of 60 and 65 to serve as pilot in command (PIC) of an airplane with two or more pilots, in international commercial air transport operations, the PIC must be paired with a pilot younger than 60 years of age. Parts 61 and 121 of title 14, of the Code of Federal Regulations contain similar limitations. However, a recent amendment to the ICAO standards would remove this pilot pairing requirement. Instead, all pilots serving on airplanes in international commercial air transport operations with more than one pilot may serve beyond 60 years of age (until age 65) without being paired with a pilot under 60 years of age. This ICAO amendment triggers the sunset of the statutory authority that provides the basis for the crew pairing limitations in title 14.

On November 13, 2013, the FAA sought comment on a proposed legal interpretation intended to clarify the qualification requirements for the pilot assigned as second in command on a flight in part 121 operations that require three or more pilots and the pilot who provides relief to the assigned second in command during the en route cruise portion of the flight. On April 29, 2014, the FAA issued a legal interpretation on these issues. This legal interpretation is available on the agency's Web site and in the docket for the proposed legal interpretation.

The FAA is amending regulations relating to the label required for FAA approved child restraint systems onboard aircraft. This final rule corrects minor technical errors in the codified regulations and updates a cross-reference.

This final rule will prohibit flightcrew members in operations under part 121 from using a personal wireless communications device or laptop computer for personal use while at their duty station on the flight deck while the aircraft is being operated. This rule, which conforms FAA regulations with legislation, is intended to ensure that certain non-essential activities do not contribute to the challenge of task management on the flight deck or a loss of situational awareness due to attention to non-essential tasks.

This document notifies the public of the Federal Aviation Administration's policy regarding enforcement of the pilot pairing requirement in the “Part 121 Pilot Age Limit” final rule. Currently, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards allow a person between the age of 60 and 65 to serve as pilot in command (PIC) of an airplane with two or more pilots, in international commercial air transport operations, the PIC must be paired with a pilot younger than 60 years of age. Parts 61 and 121 of title 14, of the Code of Federal Regulations contain similar limitations. However, a recent amendment to the ICAO standards would remove this pilot pairing requirement. Instead, all pilots serving on airplanes in international commercial air transport operations with more than one pilot may serve beyond 60 years of age (until age 65) without being paired with a pilot under 60 years of age. This ICAO amendment triggers the sunset of the statutory authority that provides the basis for the crew pairing limitations in title 14.

This action extends the comment period for the Notice of availability of proposed revision to Advisory Circular for Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) that was published on September 5, 2014. In that document, the FAA proposed to clarify FAA policy, facilitate achievement of an ASAP's safety goals, and encourage wider participation in the program. Multiple industry groups have requested that the FAA extend the comment period closing date to allow time to prepare comments.

This rulemaking would replace Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 106 with acceptance criteria for portable oxygen concentrators to be used by passengers in air carrier operations, commercial operations and certain other operations using large aircraft. Currently, the agency assesses each portable oxygen concentrator on a case-by-case basis to determine whether it is safe for use on board aircraft. If the agency determines that a portable oxygen concentrator is safe for use on board aircraft, the specific model is identified in regulations. This rulemaking would replace the burdensome approval process with acceptance criteria and a requirement for manufacturers to demonstrate compliance by affixing a label on the exterior of the portable oxygen concentrator applied in a manner that ensures it will remain affixed for the life of the device. The proposed acceptance criteria and labeling requirement would only affect portable oxygen concentrators intended for use on board aircraft. Portable oxygen concentrators currently approved for use on board aircraft would not be affected by this proposal and will be listed in this rule as approved. This rulemaking would also eliminate redundant requirements and paperwork requirements that are not necessary for aviation safety thereby reducing burdens for portable oxygen concentrator manufacturers, passengers who use portable oxygen concentrators while traveling, and aircraft operators conducting air carrier operations, commercial operations or certain operations using large aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is announcing the availability of proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 120-66C. AC 120-66C provides guidance for establishing an air transportation Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).

This action would amend certain airworthiness regulations for transport category airplanes to require fuel tank designs that prevent a fuel tank explosion caused by flame propagation through the fuel tank vents from external fires. This action would add a new requirement for fuel tank vent fire protection and would increase the time available for passenger evacuation and emergency response. This proposed amendment would apply to applications for new type certificates and certain applications for amended or supplemental type certificates. It would also require certain airplanes produced in the future and operated by air carriers to meet the new standards.

On November 13, 2013, the FAA sought comment on a proposed legal interpretation intended to clarify the qualification requirements for the pilot assigned as second in command on a flight in part 121 operations that require three or more pilots and the pilot who provides relief to the assigned second in command during the en route cruise portion of the flight. On April 29, 2014, the FAA issued a legal interpretation on these issues. This legal interpretation is available on the agency's Web site and in the docket for the proposed legal interpretation.

The FAA is amending regulations relating to the label required for FAA approved child restraint systems onboard aircraft. This final rule corrects minor technical errors in the codified regulations and updates a cross-reference.

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 requires the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate rulemaking to require air carriers conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations to make available on their Web sites information to enable passengers to determine which child safety seats can be used on aircraft in these operations. To fulfill the requirements of the Act, the FAA proposes to require air carriers to make available on their Web sites the width of the widest passenger seat in each class of service for each make, model and series of airplane used in passenger-carrying operations. If finalized as proposed, this rule would provide greater information to caregivers to help them determine whether a particular child restraint system will fit in an airplane seat. This proposal does not affect existing regulations regarding the use of child restraint systems on board airplanes or a passenger under the age of 2 traveling onboard aircraft with or without the use of a child restraint system.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is announcing the availability of proposed Advisory Circulars (AC) 120-UPRT and 120-109A. AC 120-UPRT provides recommended practices and guidance for academic and flight simulation training device (FSTD) training for pilots to prevent developing upset conditions and ensure correct and consistent recovery responses to upsets. AC 120-109A provides guidance and best practices for training, testing, and checking for pilots to ensure correct responses to impending and full stalls.

This final rule will prohibit flightcrew members in operations under part 121 from using a personal wireless communications device or laptop computer for personal use while at their duty station on the flight deck while the aircraft is being operated. This rule, which conforms FAA regulations with legislation, is intended to ensure that certain non-essential activities do not contribute to the challenge of task management on the flight deck or a loss of situational awareness due to attention to non-essential tasks.