Use of Federal Aviation Administration Communications Systems

This action modifies the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) relating to the use of FAA communications systems by removing outdated fee provisions and services. Due to enhanced commercial communications (i.e., telecommunications, satellites, etc.) the FAA has determined that the need to accept messages (and to charge fees for this service) that address such topics as lost baggage, hotel reservations, crew assignments, and other commercial matters (Class B messages) no longer exists. This action does not affect the FAA's transmission of messages relating to flight safety, flight plans, and weather (Class A messages). Also, this rule will not alter the current practice of relaying messages received from an FAA Flight Service Station (FSS) outside of the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, or received from a foreign station of the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN).