Definitions

This regulation defines key terms used in the subpart governing noise restrictions for large jet aircraft. It establishes what qualifies as a "fleet" (civil subsonic jets over 75,000 pounds operating in the contiguous U.S.) and defines noise certification stages. Stage 2 airplanes are the noisiest, while Stage 3, 4, and 5 represent progressively quieter aircraft meeting stricter noise standards under Part 36.

The regulation also clarifies important operational concepts: "new entrant" refers to carriers that weren't flying these aircraft to/from U.S. airports before November 1990, "import" means bringing an airplane into U.S. ownership from abroad, and "operations specifications" lists the specific aircraft an operator uses.

These definitions matter because subsequent regulations in this subpart use them to establish which aircraft can operate where, phase-out schedules for noisier airplanes, and compliance requirements. Understanding these terms is essential for operators of large jets navigating noise-related operating restrictions.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*