Fractional ownership and air taxi operators stand to benefit from new rules proposed by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The regulations are designed to enhance the safety of fractional aircraft operations while increasing the flexibility of on-demand air charter operators.
The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) posted on 18 July establishes a new Part 91-K rule for fractional operations and modernises Part 135 rules governing charter operators to reflect current aircraft and training technology. The rule is set to become final in June next year.
The NPRM is essentially unchanged from the proposed rule drawn up by the Fractional Ownership Advisory Committee (FOARC) and submitted to the FAA in February last year. The 27-member FOARC was formed to reach a consensus that met the differing demands of corporate flight departments, charter operators and fractionals.
The proposed rule leaves untouched Part 91 regulations governing corporate flight departments. The new 91-K regulation requires fractional operators to meet some aspects of Part 135, including restrictions on crew flight and duty time, runway requirements and weather reporting.
At the same time, Part 135 is updated to reflect the safety record of current corporate aircraft, relaxing the runway length and weather reporting requirements. The US National Air Transportation Association, representing charter operators, says the new rule "levels the playing field" for its members, which felt at a competitive disadvantage against fractionals operating under Part 91.
Most fractionals are already operating in accordance with Part 91-K, says the US National Business Aviation Association, which acknowledges the new rule will "raise the bar" for new entrants into the market.
Source: Flight International