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

This document supplements the Notice of Interim Operating Authority (IOA) Granted to Commercial Air Tour Operators Over National Parks and Tribal Lands Within or Abutting National Parks, which was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, June 23, 2005, (70 FR 36456). The June 23rd notice informs the public and seeks comment on operators who have received IOA and the number of allocations for each operator on a per park basis. This supplemental notice informs the public when comments to the June 23rd notice are due and republishes the IOA by park instead of by operator.

This notice of policy announces the FAA's policy concerning current exemptions from the Mode S transponder equipment requirements under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Sec. Sec. 121.345(c) and 135.143(c). Additionally, this notice of policy seeks comments from persons currently holding an exemption from the above regulations on a proposed date for which they must comply with the equipment requirements.

On October 23, 2002, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority's (OSIDA's) proposal to operate a commercial launch site at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) in the Federal Register (67 FR 65169). The original proposed action included horizontal and vertical launches, significant construction activities, orbital launches, and vehicle manufacturing. The nature of these activities necessitated that the proposed action be addressed through the preparation of an EIS. Subsequent changes to the proposed action have eliminated the need for vertical launch, construction of any kind, orbital launches, and vehicle manufacturing. The proposed action as currently stated involves the horizontal launch of suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles from an existing runway at the CSIA. The horizontal launch activities are similar to the current Air Force activities at the CSIA and are not expected to produce significant impacts, indicating that an EA would be the most appropriate NEPA analysis for OSIDA's proposed activities. Scoping meetings were held in Oklahoma in November 2002. Because the proposed action is a subset of the information originally presented during scoping, we do not propose to re-initiate scoping meetings. For the reasons stated above, the FAA is canceling the EIS and will prepare an Environmental Assessment to analyze the impacts of the proposed action.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection. Information to be collected supports FAA in determining the amount of required liability insurance for a reentry operator after examining the risk associated with a reentry vehicle, its operational capabilities, and its designated reentry site.

These special conditions are issued for a Raytheon Model HS.125 airplane modified by LJSC Ltd. This modified airplane 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 two Air Data Display Units and two Air Data Sensors manufactured by Innovative Solutions and Support. These systems 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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the Record of Decision (ROD) for O'Hare Modernization, for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois is available.

FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2005-04 advising shippers, consignees, and railroads of the dangers of allowing cars of ``time- sensitive'' chemicals to remain undelivered beyond their anticipated date of placement and to recommend enhanced procedures to avoid such occurrences. This action is being taken to improve the safety and reliability of hazardous materials shipments by railroad.

This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 777 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines. That action would have required replacement of the integrated drive generator (IDG) and the backup generator with a new IDG and a new backup generator. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received new data that indicate that all affected airplanes worldwide have the proper parts installed and all spares are accounted for, and that the identified unsafe condition (loss of electrical power) cannot occur for the reasons specified by the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), corrective actions if necessary, and follow-on repetitive tasks. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of THSAs that have reached their design operational life. This operational life can be extended provided an initial inspection and follow-on repetitive tasks are accomplished. We are proposing this AD to extend the operational life of the THSA to prevent a possible failure of high-time units, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

This action corrects an error in the legal description of Class D airspace in a direct final rule, request for comments that was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 (70 FR 39914).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the rudder pedal torque tube assembly for cracking; an inspection of the torque tube assembly to determine the thickness of the torque tube wall, if necessary; and replacing the rudder torque tube with a new or serviceable rudder torque tube, if necessary. This AD results from a report of a broken rudder pedal torque tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a rudder pedal torque tube, which could result in loss of rudder control and nose wheel steering controlled by the rudder pedal, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model ATP airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for environmental damage, including corrosion, of the fuselage and wing structure, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from information indicating the potential for environmental damage of the fuselage and wing structure. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such damage, including corrosion, in the fuselage and wing structure, which could result in cracking and consequent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and wing structure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD requires installing lockplates on the main landing gear (MLG) and center landing gear (CLG) wheel assemblies, as applicable, to keep the tie bolts in position in the wheel assembly in the event of a tie bolt failure. This AD results from reports of tie bolts that were broken or missing from the MLG wheel assembly; in some cases the wheels have ruptured and caused damage to other equipment in the adjacent area. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the wheel assembly and equipment in the area adjacent to the MLG and CLG, which could result in a decrease in braking function and possible runway over-run.

The intent of this proposal is to help ensure the continued safety of commercial airplanes by improving the design, installation, and maintenance of their electrical wiring systems as well as by aligning those requirements as closely as possible with the requirements for fuel tank system safety. This proposed rulemaking consists of regulatory changes affecting wiring systems and fuel tank systems in transport category airplanes. First, it proposes to organize and clarify design requirements for wire systems by moving existing regulatory references to wiring into a single section of the regulations specifically for wiring and adding new certification rules. It also proposes to require holders of type certificates for certain transport category airplanes to conduct analyses of their airplanes and make necessary changes to existing Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to improve maintenance procedures for wire systems. It would require operators to incorporate those ICA for wiring into their maintenance or inspection programs. And finally, this proposed rulemaking would clarify requirements of certain existing rules for operators to incorporate ICA for fuel tank systems into their maintenance or inspection programs.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. 25.1365 concerning electrical wiring. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. 25.1360 concerning electrical wiring. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. 25.1353 concerning electrical wiring. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. Sec. 25.863 and 25.869 concerning flammable fluid fire protection and fire protection systems. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with section H25.5(a)(2) of Appendix H to 14 CFR part 25 concerning development of an electrical system standard wiring practices document. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This proposal would amend Department of Transportation regulations implementing the governmentwide nonprocurement suspension and debarment requirements. Specifically, the DOT proposes to adopt the optional lower tier coverage prohibiting excluded parties from participating in subcontracts at tiers lower than the first tier below a covered nonprocurement transaction.

The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announce that the Coast Guard intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) as part of the environmental review of this license application. The application describes a project that would be located in Massachusetts Bay, in Block 125, approximately 13 miles south-southeast of Gloucester, MA. Publication of this notice begins a scoping process that will help identify and determine the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS. This notice requests public participation in the scoping process and provides information on how to participate in the process.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-08-13, which applies to certain BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG (Grob) Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103C Twin III SL sailplanes. AD 2004-08-13 currently requires you to replace the center of gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets with brackets of improved design. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. This proposed AD would retain all the actions required in AD 2004-08-13 and add Model G103A TWIN II ACRO sailplanes to the applicability. The actions specified by this proposed AD are to prevent abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release due to cracked CG release hook attachment brackets. This condition could result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspections to detect cracking or corrosion of the fail-safe straps between the side fitting of the rear spar bulkhead at body station 955 and the skin; and follow- on/corrective actions. The existing AD results from reports of cracked and/or corroded fail-safe straps at body station (BS) 955 on Boeing Model 767-200 series airplanes. We issued the existing AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking or corrosion of the fail-safe straps, which could result in cracking of adjacent structure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage. This new AD revises the applicability of the existing AD to reduce the number of affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking or corrosion of the fail-safe straps, which could result in cracking of adjacent structure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.