The FAA today published a Notice of Policy in which it indicated its intent to allow all FAA authorized exemptions to the Mode S transponder (TCAS) requirements of FAR’s 121.345(c)and 135.143(c) to terminate no later than March 1, 2007 and it “seeks comments from persons currently holding an exemption from the above regulations on a proposed date for which they must comply with the equipment requirements.” According to the notice, up until March 1, 2007, the FAA will continue to review on a case-by-case basis requests to extend current exemptions to that date, but it will not be granting any new exemptions after March 1, 2007. The FAA believes that the March 1, 2007 will provide affected operators with approximately 18 months to install a Mode S transponder if necessary under FAR’s 121.345(c) and 135.143(c).
Comments to the Notice will be accepted until November 7, 2005. If you would like further information regarding the Notice, you can contact Ida Klepper, Office of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, (202) 267-9677, email: Ida.Klepper@faa.gov.
