FAR 91.1017 — Amending Management Specifications
FAR 91.1017 explains how a fractional program manager's management specifications are amended by the FAA or by program manager request, including timelines.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1017 governs how management specifications (mgmt specs) issued to a fractional ownership program manager under Subpart K can be changed. Either the FAA or the program manager can start the process.
- FAA-initiated amendments: The Flight Standards office notifies the program manager in writing, gives at least 7 days for the manager to submit views, then decides to adopt, partially adopt, or withdraw the change. If adopted, it takes effect no sooner than 30 days after notice.
- Manager-initiated amendments: The program manager applies at least 90 days in advance (15 days for routine cases). The FAA may adopt, partially adopt, or deny the request. Approved amendments are effective on the FAA's approval date.
- Reconsideration: The manager has 30 days to petition the Executive Director, Flight Standards Service. Filing usually suspends the amendment.
- Emergency action: If safety requires it, the FAA can make an amendment effective immediately upon notice.
This matters because mgmt specs define how the fractional program legally operates—any change directly affects authorized operations.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1017§ 91.1017 Amending program manager's management specifications.
(a) The Administrator may amend any management specifications issued under this subpart if—
(1) The Administrator determines that safety and the public interest require the amendment of any management specifications; or
(2) The program manager applies for the amendment of any management specifications, and the Administrator determines that safety and the public interest allows the amendment.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, when the Administrator initiates an amendment of a program manager's management specifications, the following procedure applies:
(1) The Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications will notify the program manager in writing of the proposed amendment.
(2) The Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications will set a reasonable period (but not less than 7 days) within which the program manager may submit written information, views, and arguments on the amendment.
(3) After considering all material presented, the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications will notify the program manager of—
(i) The adoption of the proposed amendment,
(ii) The partial adoption of the proposed amendment, or
(iii) The withdrawal of the proposed amendment.
(4) If the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications issues an amendment of the management specifications, it becomes effective not less than 30 days after the program manager receives notice of it unless—
(i) The Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications finds under paragraph (e) of this section that there is an emergency requiring immediate action with respect to safety; or
(ii) The program manager petitions for reconsideration of the amendment under paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) When the program manager applies for an amendment to its management specifications, the following procedure applies:
(1) The program manager must file an application to amend its management specifications—
(i) At least 90 days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective, unless a shorter time is approved, in cases such as mergers, acquisitions of operational assets that require an additional showing of safety (for example, proving tests or validation tests), and resumption of operations following a suspension of operations as a result of bankruptcy actions.
(ii) At least 15 days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective in all other cases.
(2) The application must be submitted to the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications in a form and manner prescribed by the Administrator.
(3) After considering all material presented, the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications will notify the program manager of—
(i) The adoption of the applied for amendment;
(ii) The partial adoption of the applied for amendment; or
(iii) The denial of the applied for amendment. The program manager may petition for reconsideration of a denial under paragraph (d) of this section.
(4) If the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications approves the amendment, following coordination with the program manager regarding its implementation, the amendment is effective on the date the Administrator approves it.
(d) When a program manager seeks reconsideration of a decision of the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications concerning the amendment of management specifications, the following procedure applies:
(1) The program manager must petition for reconsideration of that decision within 30 days of the date that the program manager receives a notice of denial of the amendment of its management specifications, or of the date it receives notice of an FAA-initiated amendment of its management specifications, whichever circumstance applies.
(2) The program manager must address its petition to the Executive Director, Flight Standards Service.
(3) A petition for reconsideration, if filed within the 30-day period, suspends the effectiveness of any amendment issued by the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications unless that office has found, under paragraph (e) of this section, that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety.
(4) If a petition for reconsideration is not filed within 30 days, the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section apply.
(e) If the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications finds that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety that makes the procedures set out in this section impracticable or contrary to the public interest—
(1) The Flight Standards office amends the management specifications and makes the amendment effective on the day the program manager receives notice of it; and
(2) In the notice to the program manager, the Flight Standards office will articulate the reasons for its finding that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to safety or that makes it impracticable or contrary to the public interest to stay the effectiveness of the amendment.
[Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 91-350, 83 FR 9171, Mar. 5, 2018]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under what circumstances may the FAA amend a fractional program manager's management specifications?
Per FAR 91.1017(a), the Administrator may amend mgmt specs when safety and the public interest require it, or when the program manager applies for an amendment and the FAA determines safety and the public interest allow it.
Q2How far in advance must a program manager apply to amend its management specifications?
FAR 91.1017(c)(1) requires the application be filed at least 90 days before the proposed effective date for cases like mergers or resumption after bankruptcy, and at least 15 days in advance for all other cases.
Q3What happens if the FAA finds an emergency exists when amending mgmt specs?
Under FAR 91.1017(e), the Flight Standards office may make the amendment effective the day the program manager receives notice, and must explain in that notice the reasons supporting the emergency finding.
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Related Sections in Part 91