TABLE III. SUMMARY OF MAJOR FEATURES OF 14 CFR PART 136 SUBPART A—NATIONAL AIR TOUR SAFETY STANDARDS.

Features Affecting Part 91 Operators

Requires each Part 91 operator conducting nonstop commercial sightseeing flights within a 25-statute-mile radius of an airport to obtain an FAA letter of authorization (LOA). The LOA application requires operators to show proof of registration in an FAA-approved Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program. Allows charitable, nonprofit, and community event flights to continue operating under Part 91 without having to comply with FAA drug and alcohol testing requirements. Raises the minimum number of hours required for private pilots conducting charity, nonprofit, and community event fundraising flights from 200 to 500. Requires charity sponsors to notify and provide to their local Flight Standards District Office the details of the charity event, including a photocopy of each pilot-in-command’s pilot certifi cate, medical certificate, logbook entries that show the pilot is current, and a signed statement from each pilot that lists all prior events in which the pilot has participated. Limits community event sponsors and their pilots to one event per calendar year. An “event” may not last more than 3 consecutive days, but may involve several flights. Limits pilots to 12 d of flying in charity events or 3 d of flying in community events per calendar year.

Features Affecting Part 91 and Part 135 Operators

Requires all sightseeing operators to comply with new passenger briefing and life preserver (for over water flights) requirements. Requires helicopter operators to be equipped with fixed floats or an inflatable flotation system if the over-water flight is conducted beyond power-off gliding distance to the shoreline. Requires helicopter operators to complete a performance plan before each flight that considers the effects of density altitude, weight, and center of gravity limits on takeoff, landing, and hovering in ground effect.