The FAA recently issued Notice N 8900.756, announcing several updates to Letters of Authorization (LOAs) used by operators conducting international and oceanic operations under 14 CFR Part 91.
The notice introduces a new authorization, revises two existing LOAs, and decommissions another. Although the FAA describes the changes as administrative in nature, they affect several commonly issued international authorizations and may require updates to operator documentation.
For operators conducting oceanic or remote operations under Part 91, understanding these changes can help ensure that internal manuals, procedures, and LOA references remain aligned with current FAA templates.
FAA Notice N 8900.756 revises two existing Letters of Authorization used in international operations and introduces a new optional authorization for Part 91 operators. At the same time, one older authorization is being retired.
The changes announced in the notice include:
These updates apply specifically to operators conducting operations under Part 91, and they primarily affect LOA templates used for international, oceanic, and remote continental operations.
The notice became effective December 30, 2025.
One of the most notable changes in the notice is the introduction of LOA B030, a new authorization available to Part 91 operators.
This LOA addresses two types of operations:
Unlike many LOAs, B030 is optional. Operators are not required to hold this authorization in order to conduct the operations it covers. Instead, the LOA is available as a way for the FAA to formally recognize that an operator has established the procedures, training, and navigation capability needed to conduct these operations safely.
The development of this authorization is connected to broader FAA navigation policy discussions, including work related to the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (DYAASI). The guidance also aligns with the FAA’s updated advisory material on oceanic and remote continental operations.
For operators that choose to obtain B030, the authorization typically documents the operator’s navigation capability and operational procedures, including considerations for degraded navigation capability and contingency procedures.
The notice also revises LOA B036, which governs Oceanic Required Navigation Performance (RNP) operations.
One of the most important structural changes is that certain authorizations previously addressed under LOA B054 are now incorporated into the revised B036 LOA. This consolidation simplifies how oceanic navigation authorizations are documented for Part 91 operators.
Under the revised structure, B036 serves as the primary authorization for operators that intend to indicate oceanic RNP capability in an air traffic control flight plan or conduct operations in airspace where that capability is required.
Another administrative change involves the removal of a table that previously listed the operator’s Responsible Person within the B036 template itself. That information is now maintained in LOA A001, which standardizes how responsible individuals are identified across multiple authorizations.
The FAA has also updated inspector guidance associated with B036, including the addition of a risk assessment worksheet used by inspectors when evaluating certain authorization requests. We’ll be discussing the new risk assessment in another article, so be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter to not miss an update.
For operators already conducting oceanic operations, the revised B036 LOA primarily represents a documentation and template alignment change rather than a new operational requirement.
FAA Notice N 8900.756 also revises LOA B039, which authorizes operations in North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA).
These changes were prompted by updates to North Atlantic navigation requirements, including the removal of the long-standing “Blue Spruce” routes. As those routes were phased out, the FAA updated the corresponding authorization templates used for NAT HLA operations.
Under the revised framework, some operations using a single long-range navigation system (LRNS) are now associated with the Iceland–Greenland Corridor, a specific geographic routing where certain navigation configurations remain acceptable.
Operators that already hold B039 authorizations using a single LRNS are permitted to continue operating under the existing authorization for a limited period. However, the notice establishes a 12-month transition window during which affected authorizations will be updated to reflect the new template structure.
Operators authorized for oceanic RNP operations through B036 generally have broader access within NAT HLA and are not limited to the corridor routing described above.
In addition to introducing and revising several LOAs, the FAA has retired LOA B054, which previously addressed certain oceanic operations conducted using a single long-range navigation system.
Rather than maintaining a separate authorization for those operations, the FAA incorporated the relevant provisions into the revised B036 template. As a result, B054 is no longer issued as a standalone LOA.
Operators that currently hold B054 authorizations will transition to the updated B036 authorization as the FAA reissues affected LOAs during the transition period.
This consolidation reflects the FAA’s effort to simplify the LOA framework and reduce overlapping authorization structures.
The notice directs FAA Safety Assurance offices to notify operators affected by the changes.
Operators that currently hold LOAs B036, B039, or B054 may therefore expect their assigned Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or principal inspector to reach out during the 12-month transition window associated with the notice.
During that period, inspectors may coordinate with operators to update authorizations or replace existing LOA templates where necessary.
Operators may also wish to review internal documentation to ensure references to LOAs remain current. In particular, it may be helpful to review materials such as:
Although the changes described in the notice are administrative, they may require updates to documentation or references within operator manuals. The latest 2026 Sky Safety Solutions International Operations Manual has already adopted these changes.
For most operators, the updates introduced by FAA Notice N 8900.756 will primarily affect how international authorizations are documented rather than how flights are conducted.
Nevertheless, the notice introduces a new authorization, updates two widely used LOAs, and retires another. As a result, operators involved in oceanic or remote operations may encounter updated templates or revised LOA references over the coming year.
Reviewing internal documentation and ensuring alignment with current LOA structures can help prevent confusion as these changes are implemented. Operators who want to better understand how different Letters of Authorization apply to their operations may also find it useful to review Sky Safety Solutions’ LOA Knowledge Quiz, which explores common LOA scenarios and regulatory considerations.