Department of Transportation May 18, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Air Quality General Conformity Determination (DGCD) for the O'Hare Modernization Environmental Impact Statement at Chicago O'Hare International Airport has been prepared and is available for public review and comment. In accordance with section 176(c) of the Federal Clean Air Act, FAA has assessed whether the air emissions that would result from FAA's action in approving the proposed projects conform with the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP). This assessment is contained in the DGCD. The comment period is open as of the date of this Notice of Availability and closes June 20, 2005. Comments must be sent to Michael W. MacMullen of the FAA at the address shown below, and written comments must be postmarked and emails must be sent by not later than midnight, June 20, 2005.

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prepared and is making available the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the following proposed action at the St. Louis Downtown Airport: The construction of a new Air Traffic Control Tower, associated support building, parking lot, and access road. The Draft EA is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Order 1050.1E ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures'', and FAA Order 5050.4A, ``Airport Environmental Handbook.'' The proposed development action is consistent with the National Airspace System Plan prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A Draft Environmental Assessment will be available for public review and comment at the following locations:

FMCSA announces a public meeting concerning a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). If established, the NRCME would be a database of medical examiners certified by FMCSA (or a third party) to conduct medical examinations of interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and effectively determine their physical qualifications to operate such vehicles in interstate commerce as defined in 49 CFR 391.41. If the NRCME is implemented, the FMCSA would only accept medical examinations conducted by persons listed in the NRCME as proof of the physical qualifications standards for interstate CMV drivers. The meeting is intended to provide a general introduction to the NRCME concept and an opportunity for discussion with subject matter experts.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus airplane models, as specified above. The original NPRM would have required modifying the thermal insulation system of certain fuselage frames, and modifying the fuselage drainage system. The original NPRM would also have required revising the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program to include inspections for corrosion or cracking in the subject areas. The original NPRM was prompted by reports of corrosion in the lower part of the pressure bulkhead at certain fuselage frames. This action revises the original NPRM by expanding the applicability to include additional airplanes. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent accumulation of condensation in the insulation blankets of certain fuselage frames, which could cause corrosion that could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. On January 13, 2005, a notice was published of a petition seeking relief from the requirements of 14 CFR 25.841(a)(2)(ii). By a letter dated March 4, 2005, the petitioner submitted additional information that indicated that it would also be necessary to obtain exemption from the related requirements of Sec. 25.841(a)(2)(i). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls- Royce Corporation (RRC) (formerly Allison Engine Company) 250-B17B, - B17C, -B17D, -B17E, -C20, -C20B, -C20F, -C20J, -C20S, and -C20W turboprop and turboshaft engines that do not have turbine energy absorbing ring, RRC part number (P/N) 23035175, or an equivalent FAA- approved serviceable turbine energy absorbing ring, installed. This AD requires installation of a turbine energy absorbing ring in the plane of the 1st stage turbine wheel. This AD results from an unacceptable rate of uncontained 1st stage turbine wheel failures. We are issuing this AD to minimize the risk of uncontained 1st stage turbine wheel fragments from causing damage to the aircraft or damage to the second engine on twin-engine installations, which could lead to loss of control and loss of the aircraft.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus model airplanes, as specified above. This AD requires modifying the electrical bonding points of additional center tanks. This AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient bonding, which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.