The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now targeting late May for the first meeting of its regulatory review committee, according to Katherine Perfetti, FAA program manager.

The review primarily is aimed at Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) Part 135 and 125, although it will also take a look at portions of Part 91, 119, 121 and any other sections "as appropriate," she said. The regulatory review initially was scheduled to being last year, but was held in abeyance pending appropriation of funds by the Congress.

The agency has now issued a "Notice of Regulatory Review" in the Federal Register, inviting persons interested in serving on the committee or working groups to request to be included. Both Debby McElroy, president of the Regional Airline Association (RAA), and Stan Bernstein, president of the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA), have requested that their organizations be included in the overview committee and working groups.

In its "Notice of Regulatory Review," FAA said that issues under review include:

Design and manufacture of new aircraft that current regulations do not address adequately, such as large airships and powered lift aircraft.

Certain large airplanes with modifications to payload capacity and passenger seat configuration operating under Part 91 or 135.

New equipment and technologies not adequately addressed in current regulations.

International harmonization, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) commercial standards, and increased international operations.

The overall review committee will be made up of a steering committee and specialized work groups. The work groups currently being considered would deal with operations, maintenance, international operations, training, Part 119 Applicability and Definitions, equipment and new technologies, rotorcraft, and new aircraft types.