Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park

On February 26, 1997, the FAA delayed the implementation of certain provisions of the December 31, 1996 final rule, Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park. That final rule codified the provisions of Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 50-2, Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP); modified the dimensions of the GCNP Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA); established new and modified existing flight-free zones; established new and modified existing flight corridors; established reporting requirements for commercial sightseeing companies operating in the SFRA; prohibited commercial sightseeing operations in certain areas during certain time periods; and limited the number of aircraft that can be used for commercial sightseeing operations in the SFRA. Specifically, the February 1997 action delayed the effective date for the new and modified flight-free zones, SFRA modification, and corridors portion of the final rule and reinstated portions of and amended the expiration date of SFAR No. 50-2. However, that action did not affect or delay the implementation of the curfew, aircraft restrictions, reporting requirements or other portions of the rule. This action further delays the effective date for the flight-free zones, SFRA modification, and corridors portions of the December 31, 1996, final rule until January 31, 1999, and extends the expiration date of SFAR 50-2 until 0900 UTC January 31, 1999. This action is necessary to allow the FAA time to establish a route structure for the GCNP.