Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park

This action sets forth the FAA's reevaluation of the economic and environmental impacts associated with the Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) Final Rule, published on December 31, 1996. The Final Rule codifies the provisions of Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 50-2; modifies the dimension of the GCNP Special Flight Rules Area; establishes new and modifies existing flight corridors and flight free zones; establishes reporting requirements and a curfew over certain areas for commercial sightseeing companies operating in the GCNP; and limits the number of aircraft that can be used for commercial sightseeing operations in the GCNP. After implementation of certain provisions of the Final Rule, the FAA discovered that it had significantly underestimated the number of commercial air tour aircraft operating in GCNP in 1995. The FAA has reevaluated the economic and environmental analyses completed for the Final Rule in light of this new information. The FAA has determined that the changes are not of such magnitude as to affect the Agency's position on the implementation of the Final Rule.