Part 23 Reorganization ARC Holds First Meeting

November 17, 2011 – The first meeting of the FAA’s newly formed Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) took place this week in Washington, D.C., involving representatives from FAA’s Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification, and Flight Standards Service as well as aviation industry and community members, including EAA.

The ARC’s charter group is charged with creating a progressive, tiered certification system – from low-complexity, low-performance airplanes all the way to high-complexity, high-performance airplanes - so small recreational airplanes won’t have to be designed and certificated under the same regulatory requirements as heavier, more complex, and higher performance aircraft. The end-result should allow manufacturers to bring small planes to market faster and at less cost.

EAA Vice President of Industry and Regulatory Affairs Sean Elliott called the effort a “unique opportunity” for GA. “The possibilities are amazing,” Elliott said. “We’re bringing Part 23 into the 21st century, integrating modern technology, simplifying certification requirements, and improving safety. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aviation.”

When its work is completed after 18 months, the ARC will submit a report detailing recommendations and tasks to Earl Lawrence, manager of the Small Airplane Directorate. Lawrence can extend the charter up to six months if needed.

Kick-Off Meeting Attendance - Part 23 Reorganization ARC

AEA - Ric Peri

AOPA - Kristine Hartzell

Aspen Avionics - Peter Lyons

ASTM - Daniel Schultz

Avidyne - Fred Barber, Dan Schwinn

Brazil National Civil Aviation Agency - Cesar Hess

Cessna - Brian Richardet, Andy Supinie

Civil Aviation Authority of China - Zuefeng Zhu, Baodong Gu, Peng Wang

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, David Gill

Socata - Stephane Jacques, David Denis, Romain MBWANG SEPPOH

Diamond - Kevin Bruce, Joost List

EASA - Manfred Reichel, Boudewijn Deuss

EAA - Sean Elliott

FAA - Rene Rey, Ky Ngo, Dave Magruder, Mark Giron, Murray Huling, Doug Edwards, John Colomy, Pat Mullen, Lowell Foster, Mark James, Mike Reyer, James Brady, Pete Rouse, Liz Cory, Earl Lawrence, Todd Tompkins, George Thurston, Steve Flanagan

Flight Design - Oliver Reinhardt, Matthias Betsch, Tom Peghiny

Garmin - Clay Barber

Hawker Beechcraft - Randy Shields

Honda - Randy Griffith

Honeywell - Chris Durkin

ICX Consulting - Larry Van Dyke

Kestrel Aircraft - Kerri Hinton, Steve Serfling

NATCA - Steve Rosenfeld

Quest Aircraft - Jamison Slippy

RTCA - Hal Moses

SAE - Bruce Mahone

Transport Canada - Blake Cheney, Allen Lyon, Don Stephen

U.S. Crest - Edmond Boullay

Icon Aircraft - Matthew Gionta, Kirk Hawkins

Cirrus - Chris Mitchell

MITRE CAASD - Matt DeGarmo

 

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