Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves the FAA's administration of the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) program. The information to be collected will be used to authorize public agencies to impose PFCs and use PFC revenue on airport-related projects and to ensure compliance with PFC program requirements.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various helicopters modified by certain supplemental type certificates (STCs) that approve the installation of an emergency float kit or an emergency float with liferaft kit. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of an accident investigation and subsequent reports of difficulty pulling the emergency float kit float activation handle installed on the pilot cyclic. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the pull force on the float activation handle and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective actions. For certain model helicopters, this proposed AD would also require removing from service and replacing certain part-numbered float inflation reservoirs (reservoirs) and pull cable assemblies (cables) with certain other part-numbered reservoirs and cables. Finally, this proposed AD would prohibit installing certain part-numbered reservoirs and cables on certain helicopters. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of a Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transit Projects (Programmatic Assessment). On September 25, 2023, FTA announced in the Federal Register the availability of the draft Programmatic Assessment and requested public comment. FTA received six comment letters and presents its responses to those comments in this notice.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-132 and revokes VOR Federal Airways V-131, V- 307, and V-350. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Chanute, KS (CNU), VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Chanute VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-35 and J-101; amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-9, V- 48, V-69, V-227, and V-313; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-586. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Pontiac, IL (PNT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Pontiac VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On February 21, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the Southern Natural Gas Company, LLC (SNG). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

The FHWA is announcing that a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) is now available.

This action adopts standards for measuring non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) exhaust emissions from aircraft engines. With this rulemaking, the FAA implements the nvPM emissions standards adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allowing manufacturers to certificate engines to the new nvPM emissions standards in the United States, and fulfilling the statutory obligations of the FAA under the Clean Air Act.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a notice from a supplier reporting that torque wrenches used to install the air driven generator (ADG) downlock cam nut were out of calibration, which resulted in a higher torque level setting than required during the initial production installation of the affected cam nut. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected ADG locking cam screw and cam nut, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

This notice summarizes the petition Boom Supersonic, Inc. submitted to the FAA requesting a special flight authorization as provided for in FAA regulations. The notice also provides for public awareness of FAA's decision to grant Boom Supersonic, Inc.'s request. The FAA is not requesting comments on the petition or the FAA's decision regarding the petition because a special flight authorization petition to exceed Mach 1 follows a separate regulatory process.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 14 individuals who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-21-15 for certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) Model DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. AD 2022-21-15 required replacing the rudder T-yoke axle with an improved rudder T-yoke axle. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-21-15, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to correct an unsafe condition on these products. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, inspecting the rudder steering bracket edge distance and depending on the inspection results, inspecting the T-yoke bolt hole for wear and play, and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes this AD requires replacing the rudder T-yoke bolt (axle) with a serviceable part, installing a new self-locking nut, and applying torque seal marks on the rudder T-yoke bolt head and self-locking nut. For all airplanes this AD requires repetitively inspecting the torque seal marks on the rudder T-yoke bolt head for proper alignment and the self-locking nut for proper installation and corrective action if necessary. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal airway (VOR) V-506 in the vicinity of Kodiak, AK. The FAA is taking this action due to the loss of signal from the Kodiak, AK, VOR and due to the pending decommissioning of the Hotham, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval for a new ICR titled "FMCSA Registration System (FRS)". FMCSA is replacing its Unified Registration System (URS), with a new, online registration system, which will be named the "FMCSA Registration System" (FRS). The new system will allow all persons required to register under the Agency's commercial or safety jurisdiction to do so online. Specifically, this new ICR will apply to: new registrants applying for safety and/or operating authority registration for the first time from FMCSA; existing registrants (i.e., entities that already have a USDOT number and/or operating authority) that are subject to FMCSA's registration and certification regulations that wish to apply for additional authorities; Mexico-domiciled carriers that wish to operate beyond the U.S. municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border and their commercial zones; registrants seeking to process name changes, address changes, and reinstatements of operating authority for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers; registrants which are requesting to voluntarily suspend their safety and/or operating authority registration with FMCSA; and motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders that must designate an agent on whom service of notices in proceedings before the Secretary may be made. It will also apply to designated agents and those entities providing proof of financial responsibility requirements, such as insurance companies and bond agents.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for nine individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.