Regulation Text
(a) New entrant U.S. air carriers.
(1) A new entrant initiating operations under part 121 of this chapter on or before December 31, 1994, may initiate service without regard to the percentage of its fleet composed of Stage 3 airplanes.
(2) After December 31, 1994, at least 25 percent of the fleet of a new entrant must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.
(3) After December 31, 1996, at least 50 percent of the fleet of a new entrant must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.
(4) After December 31, 1998, at least 75 percent of the fleet of a new entrant must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.
(b) New entrant foreign air carriers.
(1) A new entrant foreign air carrier initiating part 129 operations on or before December 31, 1994, may initiate service without regard to the percentage of its fleet composed of Stage 3 airplanes.
(2) After December 31, 1994, at least 25 percent of the fleet on U.S. operations specifications of a new entrant foreign air carrier must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.
(3) After December 31, 1996, at least 50 percent of the fleet on U.S. operations specifications of a new entrant foreign air carrier must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.
(4) After December 31, 1998, at least 75 percent of the fleet on U.S. operations specifications of a new entrant foreign air carrier must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.
(c) Calculations resulting in fractions may be rounded to permit the continued operation of the next whole number of Stage 2 airplanes.
[Docket 26433, 56 FR 48659, Sept. 25, 1991, as amended by Amdt. 91-252, 61 FR 66185, Dec. 16, 1996]
The short answer
(14 CFR § 91.867) New entrant U.S. air carriers (part 121) and foreign air carriers (part 129) starting service on or before December 31, 1994 could begin without regard to Stage 3 fleet percentage. After that, the fleet must be at least 25 percent Stage 3 (1994), 50 percent (1996), and 75 percent (1998).
Research Notes
Common Questions
What Stage 3 percentages must a new entrant meet over time?
The thresholds step up at three interim dates.
“After December 31, 1994, at least 25 percent... After December 31, 1996, at least 50 percent... After December 31, 1998, at least 75 percent of the fleet of a new entrant must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.” — 14 CFR § 91.867(a)
Do the same rules apply to foreign air carriers?
Yes. New entrant foreign air carriers under part 129 follow the identical 25/50/75 percent schedule, measured against the fleet on their U.S. operations specifications.
“at least 25 percent of the fleet on U.S. operations specifications of a new entrant foreign air carrier must comply with Stage 3 noise levels.” — 14 CFR § 91.867(b)(2)
How are fractional fleet calculations handled?
Fractions may be rounded to allow continued operation of the next whole number of Stage 2 airplanes.
“Calculations resulting in fractions may be rounded to permit the continued operation of the next whole number of Stage 2 airplanes.” — 14 CFR § 91.867(c)
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