FAA Sought Public Input on Firefighter Transport
The agency released a proposal to allow fire crews to ride in restricted-category aircraft.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Air Travel
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Should the FAA allow firefighters to travel in restricted-category aircraft to reach wildfire sites?
The Federal Aviation Administration has published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to allow the transport of firefighters in restricted-category aircraft. This initiative follows a mandate from Congress to establish new regulatory pathways for these operations.
Why it matters
The change seeks to address logistical challenges in aerial firefighting by permitting personnel transport in aircraft currently limited by strict usage regulations. Establishing this path ensures that agencies can more efficiently deploy crews to active wildfire zones.
The proposal focuses on amending section 91.313 to add firefighter transport as a special-purpose operation. While current rules restrict these aircraft from carrying people for non-essential functions, the change excludes former military planes.
The players
Federal Aviation Administration
The national aviation authority responsible for regulating civil aviation and enforcing safety standards within the United States.
The details
The FAA is collecting feedback from aerial firefighting organizations and aircraft operators to inform the development of a final rule. This regulatory shift stems from Section 360 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which requires the agency to create a legal framework for these transport activities.
Timeline
The FAA published the advance notice of proposed rulemaking on Sept 14, 2026.
The deadline for the public to submit comments on the proposal is Nov 13, 2026.
Travel Outlook
This regulatory update follows the directives outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, marking a shift in how specialized aviation assets are utilized during emergency operations. It represents a significant departure from historical restrictions that limited these aircraft to non-personnel tasks.
Firefighting organizations and operators should review the proposed rules to understand how these transport changes could impact future deployment logistics. Interested parties must submit their feedback by the November deadline to influence the final regulatory framework.
The takeaway
This policy change could eventually improve the speed at which firefighting crews reach remote areas by expanding the utility of restricted-category aircraft. Stakeholders should ensure they participate in the comment period to address specific operational or safety concerns.
What happens next
The public comment period for this proposal will officially close on Nov 13, 2026, after which the FAA is expected to continue developing the final rule.
Further reading
For additional context on agency regulations, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AVweb.
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Should the FAA allow firefighters to travel in restricted-category aircraft to reach wildfire sites?
