Saying it would like to see new regulations governing commercial very light jet operations in place by 2008, FAA’s Acting Manager of AFS-250 Harlan Sparrow indicated the work is part of the agency’s re-write of its Part 135 rules as recommended by the Aviation Rulemaking Committee in 2003. Related Story
Sparrow’s three-year-old division handles Part 135 on-demand services as well as Part 142 training centers. Sparrow hopes to have the proposed rule out of the FAA by January when it will have to undergo scrutiny by the Department of Transportation and the Office of Management and Budget.
The agency is in the process of writing a draft rule allowing Part 23 jets to operate in commuter service under Part 135. Currently, the rules preclude turbojets from being used in scheduled operations unless they operate under Part 121. Sparrow would not say whether these commercial operations would have to meet all requirements of the single-level-of-safety standards imposed in 1997 which dramatically increased the cost of operations and led to the wholesale abandonment of many communities, including those that were not subsidized. Related Story  “There are a number of items operators are required to meet in order to operate in commuter service,” he said. “It’s still being decided about the single level of safety but there will be no degradation of safety.” In addition, Sparrow said that it remains undecided as to whether or not to include jets certificated under Part 25.
The ARC recommendations sought to resolve current issues affecting this part of the industry and enable new aircraft types, size and design and new technologies in air transportation operations. Its recommendations also covered the provision of safety and applicability standards that reflect the current industry, industry trends and emerging technologies and operations, as well as addressed international harmonization and ICAO standards. It could potentially rescind part 125 from 14 Code of Federal Regulations.
Sparrow indicated that small commuter air services are certainly up to operating small jets and the new regulations are simply a part of the agency’s continuing effort to promote growth in aviation. “We are actively working on the rule because of the number of new very light jets on the market. Cessna and Eclipse have already been certificated and there are a number in the process of certification. Sparrow was part of the flight standardization board for the Cessna Mustang.
He does not expect VLJs to “flood the skies” but noted that because of new technology and the use of composites and improved engines and avionics systems, they have changed the economics of operating the aircraft. “They allow operations at a lower cost compared to classically built aircraft,” he said. “We anticipate the use of them to provide additional service to the public. That is why we are taking a hard look at allowing them to operate in commuter service under Part 135. Part 25 jets are just not cost effective for some services.”
DOT has been working on new and creative ways to provide small community air service and has pointed to the Very Light Jets as a potential solution. Sparrow said that both FAA and DOT are looking for ways to provide opportunities for business to capitalize on new aircraft and “the spinoff would be improved air service to small communities.” However, the GAO and industry analysts doubt VLJs will be used in such service because essential air service points are just too small. However, allowing their use in commercial operations could produce other opportunities. Related Story