Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain engine bleed air system (EBAS) T- Ducts may not conform to the type design due to a quality escape not detected during the manufacturing process on Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-75, Trent XWB-84, and Trent XWB-97 engines. This proposed AD would require replacement of affected EBAS T-Ducts and limit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, 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 all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain left-hand (LH) and right- hand (RH) pylon bleed air leak detectors (BALDs) might be defective, due to incorrect manufacturing processes and incomplete acceptance test procedures. This proposed AD would require a one-time operational check of affected parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action, and would limit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, 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 announces a meeting of the COMSTAC.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a Model AW169 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) for your helicopter and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program for your helicopter, as applicable, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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 Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that non-conforming washers may have been installed in production on engine 1 and 3 forward yokes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection for non-conforming washers and, depending on findings, related investigative and corrective actions, 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 Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA 62 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain revisions of the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) specified incorrect torque values for the horizontal stabilizer attachment bolts. This AD requires reviewing the airplane maintenance records to determine the torque values for the horizontal stabilizer attachment bolts and torquing the horizontal stabilizer attachment bolts to the correct torque value if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FRA is establishing minimum safety requirements for the size of train crews depending on the type of operation. This final rule requires railroad operations to have a minimum of two crewmembers except for certain identified one-person train crew operations that do not pose significant safety risks to railroad employees, the public, or the environment. This final rule includes requirements for railroads seeking to continue certain existing one-person train crew operations and a special approval process for railroads seeking to initiate certain new one-person train crew operations. This final rule also requires each railroad receiving special approval for a one-person train crew operation to submit to FRA an annual report summarizing the safety of the operation.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 6, 2023. The collection involves identifying information regarding foreign-registered civil unmanned aircraft operated in the airspace of the United States. The information to be collected will be used to associate a foreign- registered unmanned aircraft operating in the United States with Remote Identification to the unmanned aircraft operator.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have "no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV." The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

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.

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface area for Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg, WV, as the BUSHI non-directional beacon (NDB) is removed from the airspace descriptions. This action amends verbiage in the descriptions, as well as adding additional extensions to the northeast and southwest of the airport.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) invites public comment on revisions to the agency's policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. These revisions are intended to amend FTA's CIG Policy Guidance last published in January 2023 and are a comprehensive update of the CIG Policy Guidance for notice and comment, incorporating feedback FTA received in response to its Request for Information published in the Federal Register in July 2021. The proposed guidance has been placed in the docket and posted on the FTA website. This policy guidance continues to complement FTA's regulations that govern the CIG program. FTA is also posing questions concerning the CIG New Starts and Small Starts Land Use and Economic Development Project Justification Criteria.

This document announces the acceptance of a means of compliance with FAA regulations for small unmanned aircraft (sUA) Category 2 and Category 3 operations over human beings. The Administrator finds that AVSS's means of compliance for small unmanned aircraft, revision 5.0, dated January 10, 2024, provides an acceptable means, but not the only means, of showing compliance with FAA regulations.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-21-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2019-21-01 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-21-01, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would 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.

These special conditions are issued for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 737-8 series airplane. This airplane, as modified by Jet Aviation AG (Jet Aviation), 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 oblique (side-facing) single-occupant seats equipped with airbag devices or 3-point restraints. 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 modifies the San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, PR (SJU), Class C airspace by adding a cutout to the surface area near the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, PR (SIG). The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and enable more efficient operations at SJU and SIG.

The proposed information collection request (ICR) renewal described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The Department of Transportation (DOT) is soliciting public comments on this proposed collection renewal. The collection is necessary for administration of the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grants (MPDG). This includes three funding opportunities: the "National Infrastructure Project Assistance grants program (Mega)," the "Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects grants program (INFRA)", and the "Rural Surface Transportation Grant program (Rural)". The MPDG provides Federal financial assistance for surface transportation infrastructure projectsincluding highway and bridge, intercity passenger rail, railway-highway grade and separation, wildlife crossing, public transportation, marine highway, and freight and multimodal projects, or groups of such projects, of national or regional significance, as well as to projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. The DOT on its own made additional changes to update time and estimated costs. Additionally, DOT removed the program evaluation stage (survey) and will submit that separately if conducted.

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.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A321neo XLR airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the applicable airworthiness standards. This design feature is an electronic flight-control system (EFCS) associated with lateral- directional and longitudinal stability, and low-energy awareness. 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 Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0540 (Determining Vessel Services Categories For Purposes of the Cargo Preference Act) will be used to create a list of Vessel Self- Designations. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

The FAA, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), has initiated development of an ATMP for Canyon de Chelly National Monument (the Park) pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 and its implementing regulations. This notice announces the public availability of the Draft ATMP and Draft EA for comment and the date of the public meeting for the Park in accordance with National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. The purpose of the public meeting is to review the Draft ATMP with the public. The objective of the ATMP is to develop acceptable and effective measures to mitigate or prevent the significant adverse impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations on the Park's resources and values.