African Development Foundation September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

These special conditions are issued for the Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd., Model K-100 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the use of an electronic engine control system instead of a traditional mechanical control system. 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 notice announces the availability of revised advisory circular (AC) 91-57, Model Aircraft Operating Standards. The revised AC may be viewed at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ advisory_circulars/. The revised AC provides guidance to persons operating unmanned aircraft for hobby or recreation purposes meeting the statutory definition of ``model aircraft'' contained in Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-95). The FAA refers model aircraft users to section 336 of Public Law 112-95 for information regarding model aircraft operations.

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 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.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment for a request by Clinton County for FAA approval of a Land Release from Federal obligations of the site formerly known as Clinton County Airport, Plattsburgh, NY.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a release of approximately 2.99 acres of airport property at Luke Auxiliary Airfield #6, Buckeye, Maricopa County, Arizona from all conditions contained in the Surplus Property Deed since the parcel of land is not needed for airport purposes. The reuse of the land for a roadway improvement project by the City of Buckeye represents an acceptable disposition of the land that is not being used for airport purposes. The property will be sold for its fair market value and the proceeds used for an airport purpose, thus serving the interests of civil aviation.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-25- 08 for Eurocopter Model SA-365 N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. AD 2007-25-08 currently requires checking the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) oil level, inspecting the magnetic plug for chips and either replacing the TGB or further inspecting for axial play in the tail rotor hub pitch change control spider (spider), and if axial play is found in the spider, replacing the pitch control rod assembly double bearing (bearing). Since we issued the AD 2007-25-08, we have received reports of new occurrences of loss of yaw control due to failure of the control rod bearing. This proposed AD would retain some of the requirements of AD 2007-25-08, revise the inspections for play in the double bearing to improve the detection of play, require replacing the TGB control shaft guide bushes, clarify the criteria concerning particle detection, and change the inspection for play in the double bearing after the guide bushes have been replaced. The proposed actions are intended to prevent damage to the bearing resulting in end play, loss of tail rotor pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 369A, 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters with a certain part-numbered main rotor blade attach pin (pin) installed. This proposed AD would require ensuring the life limit of the pin as listed in the Airworthiness Limitations section of aircraft maintenance records and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). If the hours time-in-service (TIS) of a pin is unknown, or if a pin has exceeded its life limit, this proposed AD would require removing the affected pin from service. This proposed AD is prompted by a report from an operator who purchased pins that did not have life limit documentation. The proposed actions are intended to document the life limit to prevent a pin remaining in service beyond its fatigue life, which could result in failure of a pin, failure of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that certain hinge sleeves on the cowl doors of the thrust reverser units (TRUs) were not heat treated. This AD requires replacing the sleeves of certain hinges on the cowl doors of the TRUs with new parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent, in the event of a fan-blade-off event due to high vibration, in-flight loss of TRU heavy components, which might damage airplane structure or control surfaces and consequently reduce controllability of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive fuel limitations are needed. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new compliance times and fuel limitations. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of various structural elements and prevent ignition sources in the fuel system.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. This AD requires replacing the center wing box (CWB) and certain outer wings. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the CWB and outer wings are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the outer wings and the lower surface of the CWB, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Pratt and Whitney engines. This AD was prompted by reports of blocked drain lines at the engine forward strut that caused flammable fluid to accumulate in a flammable leakage zone. This AD requires repetitive functional checks for blockage of the forward strut drain line and doing corrective actions if necessary, and a one-time cleaning of certain forward strut drain lines. This AD also provides an optional replacement of the drain lines and installation of insulation blankets, and a revision of the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a certain airworthiness limitation, which would terminate the repetitive checks of the forward strut drain line. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct blockage of forward strut drain lines, which could cause flammable fluids to collect in the forward strut area and potentially cause an uncontrolled fire or cause failure of engine attachment structure and consequent airplane loss.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Aerospace Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems that have certain failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics that differ significantly from those of the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved for installation on large transport category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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.