FAA Proposes Cabin Certification Alternatives

The FAA unveiled a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) last week that addresses airworthiness standards related to cabin interiors for transport-category airplanes in private-use passenger operations. Type certification requirements have historically been separate from and independent of operational standards. The proposal offers standards that “may be used as an alternative to specific requirements that affect transport-category airplanes under the air traffic and general operating rules.” “It sounds like they’re trying to consolidate and make the system more efficient,” said Randy Keeker, president of Indianapolis Jet Center, an independent maintenance and completions center. He added, “We’ll have to see what the final rule looks like.” The NPRM, titled “Requirements for Private Use Transport Category Airplanes,” is open for comments through October 11.