Crewmember Interference, Portable Electronic Devices, and Other Passenger Related Requirements

This final rule clarifies that certain provisions of the current rules are applicable to passengers and others aboard aircraft. Additionally, the final rule defines the geographic range of some of these requirements. The provisions affected by these amendments concern portable electronic devices, use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses and child restraint systems, prohibition on interference with crewmembers, and certain other provisions. This final rule makes clear that these provisions apply as follows: to all aircraft, unless otherwise specified, when those aircraft are operating within the U.S. or within the airspace over the waters extending 12 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline; and on all U.S. registered aircraft operating outside of the U.S., so long as the application of these rules is not inconsistent with applicable regulations of the foreign country where the aircraft is operated or annex 2 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. A provision also is being added to part 125 that indicates that this part applies to persons on board aircraft. The FAA is extending the application of the prohibition on interference with crewmembers to all civil aircraft flights that depart from or land in the U.S., regardless of whether such aircraft are registered in the U.S. This is consistent with criminal law provisions concerning the ``special aircraft jurisdiction of the U.S.'' Additionally, provisions are being added to parts 121 (Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag and Supplemental Operations), 125 (Certification and Operations: Airplanes Having a Seating Capacity of 20 or More Passengers or a Maximum Payload Capacity of 6,000 pounds or More) and 135 (Operating Requirements: Commuter and On-Demand Operations) that mirror sections 91.11 and 91.21.