Department of Transportation October 4, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding two existing airworthiness directives (AD), which apply to certain Boeing transport category airplanes. One AD currently requires doing certain inspections to detect cracks and corrosion around the lower bearing of the actuator attach fittings of the inboard and outboard flaps; repairing if necessary; and either overhauling the fittings or replacing them, which ends certain repetitive inspections. The other AD currently requires certain other inspections to detect discrepancies of the actuator attach fittings of the flaps, and follow-on and corrective actions if necessary, which ends the repetitive inspections of the first AD. For certain airplanes, this AD requires new inspections for discrepancies of the actuator attach fittings of the flaps, and follow-on and corrective actions if necessary, which ends the repetitive inspections of both existing ADs. For all airplanes, this AD requires repetitive overhaul/replacements of the actuator attach fittings of both the inboard and outboard flaps. This AD results from reports of cracks of the actuator attach fittings of the trailing edge flaps. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking and other damage of the actuator attach fittings of the trailing edge flaps, which could result in abnormal operation or retraction of a trailing edge flap, and possible loss of controllability of the airplane.

These special conditions are issued for Dassault-Aviation Mystere-Falcon 50 airplanes modified by Premier Air Center. These modified 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. The modification incorporates the installation of Universal Avionics EFI-890 Electronic Flight Displays and Rockwell Collins AHS-3000A Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) that perform critical functions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 720B airplane. The airplane will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of dual Honeywell AM-250 digital altimeters. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action proposes to revise a segment of Jet Route J-158 between the Malad City, ID, Very High Frequency Omni-directional Range/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the Muddy Mountain, WY, Very High Frequency Omni-directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC). Specifically, the FAA is proposing to realign the route from Malad City, ID, to Big Piney, WY, VOR/DME to Muddy Mountain, WY. This proposed action would replace the sector taken out of service, reduce controller workload, and enhance the National Airspace System.

The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announce the cancellation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) that they previously planned as a follow-up to MARAD's approval of the license application for the Port Pelican LLC Deepwater Port in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana. The EA would have assessed the environmental impact of related shoreside fabrication site activities in Texas. The Coast Guard and MARAD are canceling the EA, due to Port Pelican LLC's decision to defer these fabrication site activities indefinitely.

This document responds to a petition for reconsideration of the August 24, 2004 final rule that amended regulations pertaining to the importation by registered importers (RIs) of motor vehicles that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards. The agency is not adopting the changes requested in the petition, except for one asking the agency to allow RIs to import motor vehicles that have been modified to comply with the Theft Prevention Standard and one asking the agency to allow an imported nonconforming motor vehicle to be operated on public roads prior to bond release solely for the purpose of conducting required EPA testing. Also, the agency has decided to eliminate the requirement for applicants for RI status to submit to the agency the social security numbers of its principals.

The National Park Service (NPS) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group Aviation Rulemaking Committee (NPOAG ARC. This notice informs the public of the date, location, and agenda for the meeting. Dates and Location: The NPOAG ARC will meet November 8-9, 2005, at the Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, 333 Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2005.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with new, ground ice-shedding procedures during long taxi periods in certain icing conditions. This AD results from reports of engine damage to the blades of the first stage of the intermediate pressure compressor due to ice accumulation. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine damage due to ice accumulation, which could result in an engine shutdown and cause the flightcrew to divert to the nearest available airport.