Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends the Class E airspace at Natchez, MS. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Natchez very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination 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 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.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Hutchinson, MN. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Darwin very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The name of the airport is also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The FAA is correcting a final rule that published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2023. The final rule amended Class D and Class E surface airspace for Fort Novosel, Ozark, AL, and Fort Moore, Columbus, GA. This action corrects errors in the Class E legal descriptions for both Air Fields.

This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-89 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-161 and to establish Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) routes Q-834 and T-765 in United States (U.S.) airspace. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), Canada, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). This action is in support of NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization 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.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation Routes (RNAV) Q-143 and T-467 in southern Utah. The FAA is proposing this action to provide alternative routing around the TIPET and SEVIER Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspaces (ATCAA) and the WHITE ELK and GANDY Military Operations Areas (MOA).

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-4 in the vicinity of Burley, ID. The FAA is taking this action to update one of the radials used in the airway description.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) Model PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1521G-3, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an updated analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1127GA-JM engine, which experienced a high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR- 7) separation that resulted in an engine shutdown and aborted takeoff. This proposed AD would require performing an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage hubs, HPT 2nd-stage hubs, and HPC 8th-stage disks for cracks and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacing the HPT 1st- stage hubs, HPT 2nd-stage hubs, or HPC 8th-stage disks. This proposed AD would also require accelerated replacement of certain HPC 7th-stage rotors, HPC 8th-stage disks, HPC rear hubs, HPT 1st-stage hubs, HPT 2nd-stage hubs, HPT 1st-stage air seals, HPT 2nd-stage air seals, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plates, and HPT 2nd-stage blade retaining plates. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of a 21.81 acre parcel of land at the Grand Junction Regional Airport.

On December 14, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a notice in the Federal Register containing a summary of a petition from Equinox Innovative Systems seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA is extending the comment period for this petition for exemption to allow commenters additional time to analyze the petition and prepare a response.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-300 and -400 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the method for calculating level-off altitude by the computerized airplane flight manual (CAFM), may result in a non- conservative level-off height. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new CAFM versions as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-24- 12, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. AD 2020-24-12 required replacing certain center wing box (CWB) fasteners with fasteners having improved friction efficiency. This AD was prompted by reports that certain CWB fasteners had rotated inside the fastener holes due to insufficient friction for the application, and by the determination that additional work is necessary to ensure the correct application of the fuel vapor barrier structure paint on the outside of the CWB. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-24-12; and requires the additional work; as specified in 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02- 18, which applied to all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes and Model C-295 airplanes. AD 2021-02-18 required repetitive inspections for cracking or broken rivets of certain left- and right-hand stringers and surrounding structure, and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by a modification that was developed to reinforce the structure in the affected area, providing terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by AD 2021-02-18. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2021-02-18 and requires the new terminating action for the repetitive inspections, 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.

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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000- P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. This AD is prompted by a determination that certain intervals for visual inspection of the intermediate-pressure stage 8 (IP8) and high-pressure stage 3 (HP3) air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes need to be reduced. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement, if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). 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 Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330- 300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, - 271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a production deficiency of some SafeLav gaseous oxygen container (SLGOC) batches was identified during production testing of newly manufactured oxygen containers. This AD requires replacing affected SLGOCs and prohibiting the installation of affected SLGOCs, 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 Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a review of the anti-skid system that revealed the possibility of inadvertently connecting the inboard harness to the outboard channel (and vice versa) of the wheel speed transducers in the main landing gear (MLG) wheel axles. This AD requires installing color markings on the harnesses and the wheel axles, to ensure proper installation and connection of the anti-skid harnesses, 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 certain MHI RJ Model 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 AD was prompted by a report of a passenger seat Y-belt (lap belt) re-installed in the wrong orientation, due to an incorrect maintenance manual. This AD requires inspecting certain Y-belts for correct installation and damage and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also prohibits the use of certain revisions of a maintenance task. 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 Airbus SAS Model A310 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 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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of excessive axial play on the ball bearing of the lower half of the main rotor (MR) rotating scissor assembly. This AD requires one-time scissor coupling and axial play inspections and repetitive quantitative axial play inspections and, depending on the results, additional inspections and replacing certain parts. This AD also requires reporting information and prohibits installing certain parts unless certain inspections have been accomplished. These requirements are 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 certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the titanium threaded bolts at the forward end of the short rudder trim tab actuating rods could be subject to unexpectedly high oscillating loads due to aerodynamic forces acting on the rudder trim tab. This AD requires periodic replacement of affected titanium threaded bolts, a one-time inspection of the rudder mass balance arm and other elements of the rudder trim tab installation for correct attachment, damage (gouges), cracks, deformation, surface finish, and corrosion on any surrounding parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) emergency AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-15, which applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1100G series engines; and AD 2023-16-07, which applies to certain IAE LLC Model PW1100G series engines and PW1400G series engines. AD 2022-19-15 requires an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd-stage disk, and replacement if necessary. AD 2023-16-07 requires an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub (also known as the HPT 1st-stage disk) and HPT 2nd-stage hub (also known as the HPT 2nd-stage disk) for cracks, and replacement if necessary, which is terminating action for AD 2022-19- 15. The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that determined an increased risk of powder metal anomalies for all powder metal parts in certain powder metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined. The NPRM would have retained the AUSI requirement for certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage hubs from AD 2023-16-07. The NPRM would also have required performing an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage hub, high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7), and HPC 8th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-8) for cracks and replacement if necessary. The NPRM would also have required accelerated replacement of the HPC IBR-7, HPC IBR-8, HPC rear hub, HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 1st-stage air seal, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plate, HPT 2nd-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage blade retaining plate, and HPT 2nd-stage rear seal. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has received information that an error was inadvertently included in the compliance times for some of the HPT 1st-stage and 2nd-stage hubs, which would have required removal significantly later than necessary. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-15, which applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1100G series engines; and AD 2023-16-07, which applies to certain IAE LLC Model PW1100G series engines and PW1400G series engines. AD 2022-19-15 requires an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd- stage disk, and replacement if necessary. AD 2023-16-07 requires an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub (also known as the HPT 1st-stage disk) and HPT 2nd-stage hub (also known as the HPT 2nd-stage disk) for cracks, and replacement if necessary, which is terminating action for AD 2022-19-15. Since the FAA issued those two ADs, an investigation determined an increased risk of powder metal anomalies for all powder metal parts in certain powder metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined. This proposed AD would retain the AUSI requirement for certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage hubs from AD 2023-16-07. This proposed AD would also require performing an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage hub, high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7), and HPC 8th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-8) for cracks and replacement if necessary. This proposed AD would also require accelerated replacement of the HPC IBR-7, HPC IBR-8, HPC rear hub, HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 1st-stage air seal, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plate, HPT 2nd-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage blade retaining plate, and HPT 2nd-stage rear seal. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.