Request for Comments on Requirement for Helicopters To Use the New York North Shore Helicopter Route, 55133-55134 [2018-24051]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 213 / Friday, November 2, 2018 / Proposed Rules (e) Mortgage participation transactions. Where two or more Banks acquire a participation interest in the same mortgage simultaneously, the mortgage will be counted on a pro rata basis for the prospective mortgage purchase housing goal for each Bank with a participation interest. ■ 7. Amend § 1281.14 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows: § 1281.14 Determination of compliance with housing goals; notice of determination. (a) Determination of compliance with housing goals. On an annual basis, the Director shall determine each Bank’s performance under each housing goal and will publish the final determinations. FHFA will publish its final determination including the numbers and percentages for each Bank’s AMA purchases that meet each of the housing goals criteria, including loans to low-income families, loans to very low-income families, and loans to families in low-income areas, including by each of the defined categories. FHFA’s determination will include these numbers in total and separated into purchase money mortgages, refinancing mortgages, conventional mortgages, and non-conventional mortgages. * * * * * ■ 8. Amend § 1281.15 by revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as follows: § 1281.15 Dated: October 29, 2018. Melvin L. Watt, Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency. [FR Doc. 2018–23890 Filed 11–1–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8070–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 93 [Docket No.: FAA–2018–0954] Housing plans. (a) Housing plan requirement. For any year after 2021, if the Director determines that a Bank has failed to meet any housing goal and that the achievement of the housing goal was feasible, the Director may require the Bank to submit a housing plan for approval by the Director. (b) Nature of plan. If the Director requires a housing plan, the housing plan shall: (1) Be feasible; (2) Be sufficiently specific to enable the Director to monitor compliance periodically; (3) Describe the specific actions that the Bank will take to achieve the housing goal for the next calendar year; (4) Address any additional matters relevant to the housing plan as required, in writing, by the Director; and (5) Address any Bank-specific housing goals the Bank is proposing. * * * * * ■ 9. Revise Subpart C to read as follows: Subpart C—Reporting Requirements § 1281.20 determines to be necessary for FHFA to evaluate transactions and activities under the Bank housing goals. (b) Reporting for prospective mortgage purchase housing goal. Each Bank must collect data on each AMA mortgage purchased by the Bank. The data must include any data elements specified by FHFA. On no less frequent than an annual basis, each Bank must submit such data to FHFA in accordance with the DRM. (c) Reporting for small member participation housing goal. Each Bank must collect data on AMA user asset size. On no less frequent than an annual basis, each Bank must submit such data to FHFA in accordance with the DRM. (d) Other reporting. Each Bank must provide to FHFA such additional reports, information and data as FHFA may request from time to time. Reporting requirements. (a) General. Each Bank must collect and submit to FHFA any data that FHFA VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Nov 01, 2018 Jkt 247001 Request for Comments on Requirement for Helicopters To Use the New York North Shore Helicopter Route Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Request for comments. AGENCY: The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directs the FAA to provide notice of, and an opportunity for, at least 60 days of public comment with respect to the regulations mandating that pilots operating civil helicopters under Visual Flight Rules use the New York North Shore Helicopter Route when operating along that area of Long Island, New York. The Act further states the FAA shall hold a public hearing in order to solicit feedback on the regulations from impacted communities. Such an opportunity will be provided and additional meeting information will be announced. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 2, 2019. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA–2018–0954 using any of the following methods: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 55133 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Facsimile: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493–2251. Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning this action, contact Sheri Edgett-Baron, Airspace Policy Group, Air Traffic Organization, AJV–11, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783; email: sheri.edgett-baron@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In response to concerns from a large number of local residents regarding noise from helicopters operating over Long Island, the FAA issued the New York North Shore Helicopter Route final rule (77 FR 39911, July 6, 2012). The Rule, as set forth in subpart H of part 93 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, requires civil helicopter pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), whose route of flight takes them over the north shore of Long Island between the Visual Point Lloyd Harbor (VPLYD) waypoint and Orient Point (VPOLT), to use the North Shore Helicopter Route, as published in the New York Helicopter Chart (‘‘the E:\FR\FM\02NOP1.SGM 02NOP1 55134 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 213 / Friday, November 2, 2018 / Proposed Rules Chart’’). The Rule was promulgated to maximize use of the route, as published per the Chart, to secure and improve upon decreased levels of noise that had been voluntarily achieved.1 Under the Rule, pilots are permitted to deviate from the route and altitude requirements when necessary for safety, weather conditions, or transitioning to or from a destination or point of landing. The Rule originally had a two-year duration and was set to terminate on August 6, 2014. The FAA limited the duration of the Rule because, at the time of promulgation, the FAA did not have data on the current rate of compliance with the voluntary route nor the circumstances surrounding an operator’s decision not to use the route. The FAA concluded there would be no reason to retain the Rule if the FAA determined helicopter noise along the North Shore of Long Island did not improve. Accordingly, the Agency decided that the Rule would expire in two years, if it was determined there is no meaningful improvement in the effects of helicopter noise on quality of life or that the Rule was otherwise unjustified. Specifically, the FAA stated that should there be such an improvement, the FAA may, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment, decide to make the Rule permanent. Likewise, should the FAA determine that reasonable modification could be made to the route to better address noise concerns (and any other relevant concerns), the FAA may choose to modify the Rule after notice and comment. On June 23, 2014, the FAA issued a two-year extension of the Rule’s termination date (79 FR 35488), and on July 25, 2016 the FAA issued a four-year extension of the Rule’s termination date (81 FR 48323). The Rule is scheduled to expire on August 6, 2020. As explained in the Rule, helicopters are generally limited in the distance they can prudently operate from shore without being equipped for overwater operations because they are not able to glide for any significant distance in the event of a total loss of power. At the time of the original rulemaking, the FAA estimated that two-thirds of commercial helicopters operating along the north shore were equipped with multiple engines. This equipage allowed for a route to be established a little farther off shore than what would be prudent in an area where single-engine 1 The rule is based on a voluntary VFR route that was developed by the FAA working with the Eastern Region Helicopter Council. The voluntary route originally was added to the Chart on May 8, 2008. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Nov 01, 2018 Jkt 247001 helicopters are predominantly operated; however, there are still significant safety implications with pushing all helicopter traffic farther over the water. Allowing helicopters to operate within sight of the coastline provides pilots with multiple visual waypoints by which to safely navigate along the north shore. The route was designed to avoid the potential safety implications associated with helicopters flying in VFR conditions off the coastline and the interaction with other traffic at or above the route’s specified altitude. The FAA is inviting comments that may assist the agency in assessing and understanding the impacts of the Rule and any potential implications of modifying the Rule. In particular, we invite responses to the following questions: 1. Did implementation of the Rule result in more or less helicopter noise in your community compared to levels you experienced prior to implementation of the Rule? 2. How and when do helicopter operators deviate from the Rule? 3. Are there alternative or supplemental routes that you believe will reduce the noise impacts without jeopardizing the safe operation of aircraft? 4. Should the Rule be extended, modified, or allowed to expire in 2020? Issued under authority provided by Public Law 115–254, 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), and 44703 in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2018. Daniel K. Elwell, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018–24051 Filed 11–1–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 93 RIN 2120–AK39 Notification of Public Meetings on Requirement for Helicopters To Use the New York North Shore Helicopter Route Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notification of public meetings. AGENCY: The FAA announces three public meetings to solicit feedback concerning the New York North Shore Helicopter Rule (‘‘the Rule’’). These meetings are being held pursuant to Section 182 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The Rule requires civil helicopter pilots operating under Visual SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Flight Rules (VFR), whose route of flight takes them over the north shore of Long Island between the Visual Point Lloyd Harbor (VPLYD) waypoint and Orient Point (VPOLT), to use the North Shore Helicopter Route. DATES: The public meetings will be held on November 13, November 14, and November 15, 2018. ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at the following sites: November 13, 2018, 7–9 p.m.—Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530. November 14, 2018, 7–9 p.m.— Riverhead Middle School, 600 Harrison Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901. November 15, 2018, 7–9 p.m.— Vaughn College, 8601 23rd Ave, Flushing, NY 11369. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Bailey, Office of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration; telephone (202) 267– 4158; email Christopher.bailey@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Public Meetings The purpose of the public meetings is for the FAA to obtain feedback relevant to the Rule at subpart H of part 93, which requires civil helicopter pilots operating under VFR, whose route of flight takes them over the north shore of Long Island between the VPLYD waypoint and VPOLT, to use the North Shore Helicopter Route. The FAA will consider comments made at the public meetings in its review of the Rule. Public Participation and Meeting Procedures The meetings will use a workshop format. FAA will have several stations covering a number of relevant aspects of the Rule. Each station will be staffed by a representative of the FAA who is able to answer questions regarding that subject. There will also be a station where the public can submit a written statement or have their oral comment transcribed. No formal presentations will be made. Section 182 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 also calls for a written comment period on the North Shore Helicopter Rule. See the document published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, titled Request for Comments on Requirement for Helicopters to Use the New York North Shore Helicopter Route, under docket number FAA–2018–0954, for information regarding submitting written comments on the Rule to the Federal Register. Sign and oral interpretation can be made available at the meeting, as well E:\FR\FM\02NOP1.SGM 02NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 213 (Friday, November 2, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55133-55134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24051]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 93

[Docket No.: FAA-2018-0954]


Request for Comments on Requirement for Helicopters To Use the 
New York North Shore Helicopter Route

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directs the FAA to provide 
notice of, and an opportunity for, at least 60 days of public comment 
with respect to the regulations mandating that pilots operating civil 
helicopters under Visual Flight Rules use the New York North Shore 
Helicopter Route when operating along that area of Long Island, New 
York. The Act further states the FAA shall hold a public hearing in 
order to solicit feedback on the regulations from impacted communities. 
Such an opportunity will be provided and additional meeting information 
will be announced.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 2, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2018-0954 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Facsimile: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-
2251.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning this action, 
contact Sheri Edgett-Baron, Airspace Policy Group, Air Traffic 
Organization, AJV-11, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In response to concerns from a large number of local residents 
regarding noise from helicopters operating over Long Island, the FAA 
issued the New York North Shore Helicopter Route final rule (77 FR 
39911, July 6, 2012). The Rule, as set forth in subpart H of part 93 of 
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, requires civil helicopter 
pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), whose route of flight 
takes them over the north shore of Long Island between the Visual Point 
Lloyd Harbor (VPLYD) waypoint and Orient Point (VPOLT), to use the 
North Shore Helicopter Route, as published in the New York Helicopter 
Chart (``the

[[Page 55134]]

Chart''). The Rule was promulgated to maximize use of the route, as 
published per the Chart, to secure and improve upon decreased levels of 
noise that had been voluntarily achieved.\1\ Under the Rule, pilots are 
permitted to deviate from the route and altitude requirements when 
necessary for safety, weather conditions, or transitioning to or from a 
destination or point of landing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The rule is based on a voluntary VFR route that was 
developed by the FAA working with the Eastern Region Helicopter 
Council. The voluntary route originally was added to the Chart on 
May 8, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Rule originally had a two-year duration and was set to 
terminate on August 6, 2014. The FAA limited the duration of the Rule 
because, at the time of promulgation, the FAA did not have data on the 
current rate of compliance with the voluntary route nor the 
circumstances surrounding an operator's decision not to use the route. 
The FAA concluded there would be no reason to retain the Rule if the 
FAA determined helicopter noise along the North Shore of Long Island 
did not improve. Accordingly, the Agency decided that the Rule would 
expire in two years, if it was determined there is no meaningful 
improvement in the effects of helicopter noise on quality of life or 
that the Rule was otherwise unjustified. Specifically, the FAA stated 
that should there be such an improvement, the FAA may, after 
appropriate notice and opportunity for comment, decide to make the Rule 
permanent. Likewise, should the FAA determine that reasonable 
modification could be made to the route to better address noise 
concerns (and any other relevant concerns), the FAA may choose to 
modify the Rule after notice and comment.
    On June 23, 2014, the FAA issued a two-year extension of the Rule's 
termination date (79 FR 35488), and on July 25, 2016 the FAA issued a 
four-year extension of the Rule's termination date (81 FR 48323). The 
Rule is scheduled to expire on August 6, 2020.
    As explained in the Rule, helicopters are generally limited in the 
distance they can prudently operate from shore without being equipped 
for overwater operations because they are not able to glide for any 
significant distance in the event of a total loss of power.
    At the time of the original rulemaking, the FAA estimated that two-
thirds of commercial helicopters operating along the north shore were 
equipped with multiple engines. This equipage allowed for a route to be 
established a little farther off shore than what would be prudent in an 
area where single-engine helicopters are predominantly operated; 
however, there are still significant safety implications with pushing 
all helicopter traffic farther over the water. Allowing helicopters to 
operate within sight of the coastline provides pilots with multiple 
visual waypoints by which to safely navigate along the north shore. The 
route was designed to avoid the potential safety implications 
associated with helicopters flying in VFR conditions off the coastline 
and the interaction with other traffic at or above the route's 
specified altitude.
    The FAA is inviting comments that may assist the agency in 
assessing and understanding the impacts of the Rule and any potential 
implications of modifying the Rule. In particular, we invite responses 
to the following questions:
    1. Did implementation of the Rule result in more or less helicopter 
noise in your community compared to levels you experienced prior to 
implementation of the Rule?
    2. How and when do helicopter operators deviate from the Rule?
    3. Are there alternative or supplemental routes that you believe 
will reduce the noise impacts without jeopardizing the safe operation 
of aircraft?
    4. Should the Rule be extended, modified, or allowed to expire in 
2020?

    Issued under authority provided by Public Law 115-254, 49 U.S.C. 
106(f), 44701(a), and 44703 in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2018.
Daniel K. Elwell,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-24051 Filed 11-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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