Sept. 21, 2022
NBAA recently submitted comments supporting FAA’s proposed amendments in 14 CFR, parts 91K, 121, 125 and 135, which would modernize manual requirements for certificate holders. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is intended to more appropriately reflect industry use of electronic and paper manuals.
The proposed amendments would require manuals accessed in paper format to display the date of last revision on each page. Manuals accessed in electronic format would be required to display the date of last revision in a manner in which a person can immediately ascertain that revision date.
Program managers or certificate holders would no longer be required to carry appropriate parts of manuals aboard the aircraft during operations. Instead, they must ensure the appropriate parts of the manual are accessible to personnel when performing their assigned duties.
Finally, the proposed amendments would remove outdated language referring to access of manuals on microfiche. Instead, all manual information and instructions must be displayed clearly and retrievable in English.
In its comments to the FAA, NBAA called the proposed amendments “logical and forward-thinking,” adding that the amendments maintain safety and enhance efficiency.
“NBAA supports the proposed amendments in this NPRM,” said Brian Koester, CAM, NBAA’s director of flight operations and regulations. “The proposal recognizes the current use of technology, which allows manuals to be available electronically when performing assigned duties, rather than in paper form on the aircraft, and also considers expanding operations of remotely piloted aircraft.”