Department of Transportation July 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-270, in the vicinity of Shishmaref, AK. The RNAV route amendments are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Shishmaref, AK (SHH), Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) and the Norton Bay, AK (OAY), NDB. Both NDBs will be decommissioned as part of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-376, in the vicinity of Iliamna, AK. This action is in support of a large and comprehensive RNAV T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-228 in the vicinity of Cape Newenham, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

On July 5, 2023, FRA published a 30-day notice of information collection; request for comment in the Federal Register. FR Doc. 2023- 08413. Due to technical issues as the result of which FRA did not receive two timely-filed comment letters until after the comment period closed, FRA is withdrawing the July 5, 2023, notice of information collection; request for comment and re-issuing the 30-day notice to address the two additional comments. Accordingly, this notice supersedes the July 5, 2023, notice.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-08 which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. AD 2022-19-08 was prompted by a report of manufacturing defects on multiple tail rotor blades (TRBs) and required visually inspecting certain part-numbered TRBs for the presence of a linear indication, and, depending on the inspection results, fluorescent penetrant inspecting the TRB and further corrective actions if necessary. AD 2022-19-08 also prohibited installing an affected TRB unless certain requirements had been met. This AD was prompted by the determination that parts that have accumulated more than 500 flight hours (FH) since new are also affected by the unsafe condition. In addition, the defined compliance time for the visual inspection of the root area of each affected part was determined to be too strict. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2022-19-08, includes all TRBs in the inspection requirements, and increases a compliance time as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, 757-200CB, and 757-300 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by cracks on both sides of the airplane at certain stringers. This proposed AD would require an inspection or a maintenance records check for existing liner holes at certain stringers, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation, Inc. (Textron) Model 560XL(XLS+) airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport- category airplanes. This design feature is associated with the installation of an electronic networks system architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Epic Aircraft, LLC Model E1000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by improperly rigged flap position switches. This proposed AD would require installing a secondary full position limit switch to the flap system, installing a switch ramp on the flap actuator, and modifying the take-off position switch rigging. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A321neo XLR airplanes. The airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is side-stick controllers for pitch and roll control. 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.

Academy Express LLC (Express), a motor carrier of passengers; Franmar Leasing LLC (Franmar), a noncarrier; and James River Bus Lines (James), a motor carrier of passengers (collectively, Applicants), filed an application for approval of the sale of certain assets of James to Express and Franmar. The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing this transaction. If no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in stringers, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at station (STA) 2360 at multiple stringer locations. This AD requires repetitive inspections of stringer sidewalls and certain stringer assemblies, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at STA 2360 for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, and A330-841 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the cold working process was partially completed on a certain circumferential joint. This proposed AD would require modification of the circumferential joint, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, and A330-900 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that part of a certain production ground test procedure used to confirm inner fuel tank integrity was not accomplished properly on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require a fuel tank leak test and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice updates the Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) designation policy and invites eligible and qualified training entities to apply to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for designation as a 2023 CoE. CoE designations serve to assist the maritime industry in obtaining and maintaining the highest quality workforce. On December 23, 2022, Congress passed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023 NDAA), which changed the eligibility criteria for CoE designations by amending the definition of ``covered training entity'' (see Key Terms). As a result, MARAD has terminated action on all 2022 applications which were based on eligibility criteria no longer valid under the new law.

This action revokes Colored Federal airway Blue 2 (B-2) in the vicinity of Point Lay, AK due to the pending decommissioning of the Point Lay (PIZ) Non-directional Beacon (NDB), Hotham NDB (HHM), and Fort Davis NDB (FDV) in Alaska.

This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-71 and V-245, revokes VOR Federal airways V-554 and V-570, and establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-471, T-473, and T-474. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Natchez, MS (HEZ), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Natchez VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for an information collection to support the analysis of safety data as part of the Safety Management System Voluntary Program (SMSVP). The data collected will be used by the FAA Flight Standards Service, Safety Management System Program Office (SMSPO) to evaluate certificate holders participating in the voluntary program. This Information Collection will enable the FAA to ensure conformity with the SMSVP Standard (voluntary program guidelines and performance measures).

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-03-24, which applies certain Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE- FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. AD 2020-03-24 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-03-24, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2020-03-24 and require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of oxygen leaks caused by cracked, brittle, or broken oxygen hoses that were found during scheduled maintenance tests of the airplane oxygen system. This AD requires replacing oxygen system hoses having any part number in the O2C20T1 and O2C20T14 series. This AD also prohibits installation of affected oxygen hoses. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces Policy Statement PS-AIR-600-39-01 for demonstrating an aircraft is a ``radio altimeter tolerant airplane'' or a ``radio altimeter tolerant rotorcraft'' using a method approved by the FAA.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. This AD was prompted by in-service cracking of the passenger door edge member, seal carrier, and inner skin, adjacent to the roller guide bracket. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the external visible surface of the inner skin, door edge member, and seal carrier adjacent to the roller bracket attachment brackets; and the inner skin, door edge member, and seal carrier at the roller bracket attachment bore, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document provides the public with notice that on June 28, 2023, twenty host railroads submitted a joint request for amendment (RFA) to their FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plans (PTCSP). The RFA proposes an alternative to the definition of ``initial terminal.'' As this joint RFA involves a request for FRA's approval of a proposed material modification to FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) systems, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on the railroads' joint RFA to their PTCSPs.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440); CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702); CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550); CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705); CL- 600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900); and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) tasks and certification maintenance requirement (CMR) tasks are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive AMM and CMR tasks. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.