HBGA9922.DOC

ORDERS: 8700.1

APPENDIX: 3

BULLETIN TYPE: Flight Standards Handbook Bulletin for
General Aviation (HBGA)

BULLETIN NUMBER: HBGA 99-22

BULLETIN TITLE: Letter of Authorization for Special use Airspace

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-15-99

---------------------------------------------------------
1. PURPOSE. This bulletin provides guidance to aviation safety inspectors (ASI) on the issuance of a letter of authorization (LOA) to general aviation operators planning flights in special use airspace. Examples of special use airspace are Minimum Navigation Performance Specification (MNPS) airspace, Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) airspace, and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) airspace. The guidance in this bulletin replaces the format for the LOA in FAA Order 8700.1, General Aviation Operations Inspector’s Handbook, chapter 222, figure 222-1. Increases in the number of special use airspaces have previously required the issuance of a separate LOA for each airspace. This situation necessitated redundant work by inspectors and created a burden for operators. This bulletin provides a single LOA (see attachment) to be used for MNPS, RVSM, RNP-10, and other special areas of navigation approvals.
2. BACKGROUND. Guidance contained in chapter 222 relative to the approval process for MNPS airspace remains in effect with the exception of the new approval document format which can be utilized for single or multiple approvals. Guidance for other approvals are contained in the following:
A. Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM): Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, section 91.706 and FAA Interim Guidance 91-RVSM, Approval of Aircraft and Operators for Flight in Airspace Above Flight Level (FL) 290 Where a 1000 Foot Vertical Separation Minimum is Applied. Section 91.706 (Operations within Airspace Designated As RVSM Airspace) requires that before an operator conducts RVSM operations, the operator must be authorized by the Administrator to do so. Part 91, appendix G (Operations In RVSM airspace) contains provisions for RVSM aircraft and operator approval. Interim Guidance 91-RVSM, located at URL www.faa.gov/ats/ato/ 150_docs/igchg-pg.doc, provides detailed guidance for operators and aircraft manufacturers to follow when developing programs intended to meet the requirements of section 91.706 and part 91, appendix G. Interim Guidance 91-RVSM (now amended by Change 1 (6/30/99)) was developed in national and international forums. The FAA has used it since March 1994 to evaluate aircraft and operator eligibility for RVSM approval.
B. Required Navigation Performance (RNP)-10. FAA Order 8400.12, Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP-10) Operational Approval (current edition) provides guidance on the RNP-10 approval process.
4. GUIDANCE.
A. An LOA or appropriate Operation Specifications are required for operations in MNPS, RVSM, and RNP airspace.
B. The attached format for an LOA is a guide. Operators may compose their own documentation but it must contain all of the information shown on the attached format.
C. When issuing approval, inspectors should provide an authorization for each approval by signing, dating, and providing an expiration date for the approval. The expiration date may not be longer then two years from the date of issuance. It is possible for an operator to request a new LOA and for the inspector to decide not to extend the previous approval for additional time. In this case, the expiration date for the original authorization will remain the same and the new authorization will have a two year expiration date. When issuing the LOA, the lines on which no approval has been given should state, not issued.
5. ACTION.
A. Inspectors shall ensure that operators meet the requirements of chapter 222 for MNPS approvals.
B. Inspectors shall ensure that operators meet the requirements of RVSM-Interim Guidance for RVSM approvals.
C. Inspectors shall ensure that operators meet the requirements of FAA Order 8400.12 (current edition) for RNP-10 approvals.
6. INQUIRIES. This bulletin was developed by AFS-400 for
AFS-800. Any comments concerning the information in this bulletin should be addressed to AFS-400 at [phone] or
AFS-800 at [phone].
7. LOCATION. This bulletin will remain in effect until incorporated into FAA Order 8700.1, chapter 222, figure 222-1. Until this bulletin is incorporated into the handbook, inspectors should make reference to this bulletin in the appropriate margin of their respective handbooks.

/s/
John M. Wensel for
Michael L. Henry

Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Division

ATTACHMENT
Attachment

FIGURE 222-1. FORMAT FOR A LOA TO PERFORM EN ROUTE OPERATIONS REQUIRING SPECIAL APPROVALS

This letter constitutes approval for the named aircraft to operate in specialized airspaces, by the authorized operator or crew listed under the conditions and limitations below. Operators should check each authorization requested. An Aviation Safety Inspector’s signature is required in each block for which authorization is approved.

 North Atlantic Minimum Navigation Performance
Specifications airspace (MNPS) __________________________
Signature/date signed/expiration

 Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) __________________________
Signature/date signed/expiration

 Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP-10) in _________________________
Oceanic/Remote areas Signature/date signed/expiration

 Other ________________________ _________________________
Specify Signature/date signed/expiration

Aircraft make and model___________________
N-Number____________________

Aircraft serial number_____________________
Aircraft color__________________

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT

TYPE/MANUFACTURER/MODEL PART NUMBER DATE INSTALLED

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_

COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

TYPE/MANUFACTURER/MODEL PART NUMBER DATE INSTALLED

_______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

FIGURE 222-1. FORMAT FOR A LOA TO PERFORM EN ROUTE OPERATIONS REQUIRING SPECIAL APPROVALS (continued)

Other Equipment (If required for specific operations)

TYPE/MANUFACTURER/MODEL PART NUMBER DATE INSTALLED

_______________________________________________________________________

Aircraft base of operations (city, state, zip)_____________________________________
Name of aircraft owner/operator_____________________________________________
Crew training conducted by______________
Print name of person responsible for crew operations or agent for service (must be a
U. S. citizen)______________________________________________
Signature of person responsible for crew operations or agent for
service_________________________________________
Street address (cannot be a Post Office box)___________________________________
City, State, zip code______________________________________________________

FOR FAA USE ONLY (To be completed by issuing office)

Authorization Number_____________________________________________
Aircraft limitations (if applicable)________________________________________
Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem (PTRS) tracking number_________
Date of Issuance___________________ Expiration Date___________________

This authorization is subject to the conditions that all operations conducted within airspaces requiring special approvals are in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 91 and the flight rules contained in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 2, and that all operations outside of the United States comply with part 91, section 91.703 and Annex 2. The person responsible for crew operations or agent for service must accept responsibility for complying with the stated regulation by signing this document. In accordance with sections 91.3 and 91.703 (a) (1) (2) and ICAO Annex 2 (Rules of the Air), paragraph 2.3.2 (Pre-flight action) crews are responsible for policies and procedures in areas of operations where flights are conducted. This document is considered invalid until signed by the person responsible for crew operations. If the person signing this document relinquishes responsibility, changes mailing address, or the aircraft changes ownership or base of operation, this letter becomes invalid and the signee should immediately notify the issuing office of the change. Letters of Authorizations can be renewed via a letter or fax request submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration date, if no changes have been made. If any changes have been made, application for a new LOA must be made in the same manner as that required for the initial LOA.

________________________________
Office Manager’s Signature

5