Department of Transportation January 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA is extending the deadline and comment period for a notice of funding availability (NOFA), which was published on December 3, 2009, at 74 FR 63497. The original comment period is set to close on December 31, 2009. The extension is based on concern expressed by DOT stakeholders that the December 31 closing date does not provide sufficient time for submission of the solicited Letter of Interest and a subsequent comprehensive response to the docket. The FHWA agrees that the deadline and the comment period should be extended. Therefore, the closing date for submission of Letters of Interest and comments is extended to March 1, 2010, which will provide others interested in commenting additional time to prepare the Letter of Interest, and submit responses to the docket.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: Two cases of a crack on a ``dry'' ADG (Air Driven Generator) (Hamilton Sundstrand part number in the 761339 series) in the aft area of the strut and generator housing assembly, have been reported on CL-600-2B19 aircraft. The same part number is also installed on CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) aircraft. Investigation determined that the crack was in an area of the strut where the wall thickness of the casting was below specification, due to a manufacturing anomaly in a specific batch of ADGs. Structural failure and departure of the ADG during deployment could possibly result in damage to the aircraft structure. If deployment were activated by a dual engine shutdown, ADG structural failure would also result in loss of hydraulics for the flight controls. The unsafe condition is possible loss of control of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 757 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Continental Airlines, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A340 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 787-8 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with installation of an overhead crew rest compartment. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.

This final rule eliminates regulations which require contractors on National Highway System (NHS) projects of $1 million or more to submit Form FHWA-47. Since the FHWA no longer uses this information, the FHWA is eliminating this reporting requirement.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register that establishes Class E Airspace at Spencer, WV. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Boggs Field Airport, Spencer, WV.

On January 14, 2009, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to maintain alignment with international standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. The revisions were necessary to harmonize the HMR with recent changes to the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, Transport Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These revisions also included amendments