How to obtain a letter of interpretation from the FAA

[Inverted25]

I would like to obtain a letter of interpretation regarding straight in finals and their legality. Where do I submit my question to have it answered by the FAA Chief Counsel office

 

[mikecweb]

Can't wait to hear this one.

 

[Pilot Fighter]

I would like to obtain a letter of interpretation regarding straight in finals and their legality. Where do I submit my question to have it answered by the FAA Chief Counsel office

Any specifics?

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Not sure how individuals go about it. I know when ALPA has asked for them, it's usually a long, long wait to get an answer (like years).

 

[jgheggie]

Just bust the reg. Theyll send you letter within 10 days telling you what you did wrong

 

[Inverted25]

Any specifics?

The question is simply whether straight in approaches to land are legal. I know it has been beat to death and I stand strongly behind my answer of yes they are. I would like a letter of interpretation though because a local inspector is saying they aren't and is threatening to violate pilots who he sees do them. So far I have found two NTSB cases that in their rulings have stated straight in approaches started from beyond five miles out are legal and would not constitute a violation. I also found another NTSB case that upheld a violation against a pilot in the pattern who cut off a pilot doing a long straight in approach in which the ruling stated that aircraft in the traffic pattern must give way to straight in traffic on final.

 

[JustinS]

I would like a letter of interpretation though because a local inspector is saying they aren't and is threatening to violate pilots who he sees do them.

What will he do when he sees someone come straight in from an RNAV approach?

 

[Pilot Fighter]

I know it has been beat to death

I guess I missed the debate.

 

[wheelsup]

What will he do when he sees someone come straight in from an RNAV approach?

Well it's obvious, he'll violate them.

 

[Inverted]

There was interpretation regarding this, over the Alaska 737 incident, isn't there?

 

[CoffeeIcePapers]

The question is simply whether straight in approaches to land are legal. I know it has been beat to death and I stand strongly behind my answer of yes they are. I would like a letter of interpretation though because a local inspector is saying they aren't and is threatening to violate pilots who he sees do them. So far I have found two NTSB cases that in their rulings have stated straight in approaches started from beyond five miles out are legal and would not constitute a violation. I also found another NTSB case that upheld a violation against a pilot in the pattern who cut off a pilot doing a long straight in approach in which the ruling stated that aircraft in the traffic pattern must give way to straight in traffic on final.

NTSB is case law, and that should be all you need. Here is something that might help:

http://www.westhoustonairport.com/reference/pdfs/2013-11-AOPA-Straight-In-Approaches.pdf

Also, this AC:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulator...7c9457e4ab862569d800780551/$FILE/AC90-66A.pdf

You should send a letter here:

Office of the Chief Counsel
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

 

[Pilot Fighter]

There was interpretation regarding this, over the Alaska 737 incident, isn't there?

Was that the case where the argument was how far out you must establish a straight-in approach?

 

[mshunter]

@SteveC posted something about this a while ago.

 

[Inverted]

Was that the case where the argument was how far out you must establish a straight-in approach?

I believe so.

 

[Fly_Unity]

Ive written several, never got a response. Houston helped me out on one.

 

[z987k]

NTSB is case law, and that should be all you need. Here is something that might help:

http://www.westhoustonairport.com/reference/pdfs/2013-11-AOPA-Straight-In-Approaches.pdf

Also, this AC:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulator...7c9457e4ab862569d800780551/$FILE/AC90-66A.pdf

You should send a letter here:

Office of the Chief Counsel
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

The only person to answer the question.

 

[z987k]

Ive written several, never got a response. Houston helped me out on one.

Really? Took them about 4 months to get back to me.

 

[Cessnaflyer]

Maybe @PilotDefenseAttorney can help.

 

[z987k]

Maybe @PilotDefenseAttorney can help.

No really. You just write them. It's that simple.

 

[moxiepilot]

Is Mark still on the boards? He'd probably know.