As discussed in my December 23, 2004 post, the FAA is proposing a rule that will require all Part 91 sightseeing operations to become certificated under the more stringent requirements of Part 135. The original deadline within which to provide comments to the FAA was January 20, 2004. However, apparently the FAA has already received more than 1,160 comments to the proposed rule. As a result, the FAA has agreed to extend the comment period to April 19, 2004.
Although a public meeting would seem like the prudent thing to do with a NPRM that will have such far reaching effects, the FAA has declined to hold such a meeting. The FAA believes that all interested parties wouldn’t be able to assemble for such a meeting. The alternative is a “virtual public meeting” held on the internet. A notice for the meeting will be published in the near future. If you would like more information regarding this NPRM, you can call (202) 267-8166 and speak with Alberta Brown at the FAA’s air-transport division.
