This action amends the
oxygen mask requirement for
circumstances in which a single pilot is
at the aircraft controls. This action
applies to all certificate holders who
conduct domestic, flag, and
supplemental operations. This action
responds to a statutory mandate that
requires the FAA to increase the flight
level threshold at which the FAA
requires use of an oxygen mask by the
remaining pilot at the aircraft controls
when the other pilot at the controls
leaves the control station

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Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2020-0246] using any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.

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The FAA is proposing to require the use of an electronic Pilot Records Database (PRD) and implement statutory requirements. The PRD would be used to facilitate the sharing of pilot records among air carriers and other operators in an electronic data system managed by the FAA. Air carriers, specific operators holding out to the public, entities conducting public aircraft operations, air tour operators, fractional ownerships, and corporate flight departments would be required to enter relevant data on individuals employed as pilots into the PRD, and this would be available electronically to those entities. In addition, this proposal identifies all air carriers, fractional ownerships, and some other operators or entities that would be required to access the PRD and evaluate the available data for each pilot candidate prior to making a hiring decision.

Subject: Best Practices for Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operations.

Purpose: This SAFO serves to provide best practices to part 137 agricultural operators and pilots.

Background: On May 13, 2014, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued, Special Investigation Report (SIR) on the Safety of Agricultural Aircraft Operations (NTSB/SIR-14/01 PB2014-105983), which chronicled recurring safety issues in the agricultural industry. The SIR recommended that the FAA take appropriate action in coordination with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) and the National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation (NAAREF) to reduce associated hazards.
The FAA agrees with the NTSB’s assessment and has considered information from NAAA and NAAREF on issues including, but not limited, to fatigue, risk assessment and risk management practices, pilot knowledge and skill subjects, and obstacle clearance and avoidance.

Discussion: The FAA strongly encourages all part 137 operators to be mindful of the safe operating practices discussed in Advisory Circular 137-1B, Certification Process for Agricultural Aircraft Operators, and consider the more detailed AC 120-100, Basics of Aviation Fatigue, to reduce and/or mitigate the effects of fatigue. This SAFO highlights several critical recommendations provided in the aforementioned ACs for Part 137 operators and pilots to consider.