Department of Transportation November 14, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice that the Board has submitted to OMB a request for review and clearance of the seven existing collections listed above, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA). For the most part, these collections continue current Board reporting requirements without revision. As described below, a minor revision has been made to Collection No.1, Class I Railroad Annual Report. OMB control numbers were obtained in the past, but have expired, for six of the seven information collections that are the subject of this request. The Board previously published a notice about these collections in the Federal Register on May 19, 2005 at 70 FR 28979. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. The purpose of the current notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment to satisfy the requirements of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3507(b). Comments are requested concerning each collection as to (1) whether the particular collection of information described below is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be considered by OMB prior to approval of the proposed collection.

This action establishes a Class E enroute domestic airspace area west of San Luis Obispo, CA, to replace existing Class G uncontrolled airspace.

These special conditions are issued for Cessna Model 650 airplanes modified by Elliott Aviation Technical Product Development, Inc. 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 electronic flight display systems manufactured by Universal Avionics Systems Corporation. The electronic flight display 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 FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed highway project in San Diego County, California.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Lehigh- Northampton Airport Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On May 14, 2004 the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Lehigh- Northampton Airport Authority under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On October 7, 2005, the FAA approved the Lehigh Valley International Airport's updated noise compatibility program. Most of the recommendations of the program update were approved. One program element relating to revised flight procedures for noise abatement was proposed by the airport operator and was approved in part, as a voluntary measure, and disapproved in part. Only one noise abatement element was disapproved for purposes of Part 150 pending submission of additional information needed to make an informed analysis. The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority has also requested under FAR Part 150, section 150.35(f), that FAA determine that the revised five-year forecast condition NEM submitted with the noise compatibility program and showing noise contours as a result of the implementation of the noise compatibility program is in compliance with applicable requirements of FAR Part 150. The FAA announces its determination that the revised five-year forecast condition NEW for the Lehigh Valley International Airport for the year 2008 submitted with the noise compatibility program is in compliance with applicable requirements of FAR Part 150 effective October 31, 2005. The documentation that constitutes the revised five-year forecast condition NEM as defined in Sec. Sec. 150.7 and 150.101(e) of Part 150 includes but is not limited to: Sections 2.2 and 2.3, Figure 3, and Table 3 in the NCP Update, and Figure 11 and Figures 36 through 45 in the NEM volume. The FAA has determined that this revised five-year forecast condition NEM and accompanying documentation are in compliance with applicable requirements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual by incorporating new procedures for repetitive detailed and special detailed inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead. This AD results from a fatigue test, which revealed cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead; subsequent in-service reports show that fatigue cracking has been found on other airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural integrity and rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, and 25F airplanes. This AD requires replacement of the spherical accumulator for the main hydraulic system with a new cylindrical accumulator. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires modification of the accumulator pressure gauge. This AD results from reports of the failure of two thrust reverser accumulators (which are similar to the main hydraulic system's spherical accumulator) and fatigue cracks found on four thrust reverser accumulators. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the spherical accumulator for the main hydraulic system, due to fatigue cracking on the threads, which could result in the loss of hydraulic power, damage to the surrounding airplane structure, and loss of airplane control. The failure of the accumulator could also result in injury to any persons in the surrounding area. The loss of hydraulic fluid could also leak onto a potential source of ignition and result in a consequent fire.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD requires modifying the manual feather-and-unfeather system for the propellers to make the design of the system more robust. This AD results from reports of in- flight engine shutdown caused by uncommanded operation of the feather pump of the propeller. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded feathering of the propeller, which could result in the shutdown of an engine during flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Airbus Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes, and all Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks of certain attachment holes, installation of new fasteners, follow-on inspections or repair if necessary, and modification of the angle fittings of fuselage frame FR47. This new AD revises certain inspection thresholds and intervals. This new AD also adds inspections to detect cracks of additional attachment holes. This AD results from reports of cracks found before the inspection thresholds in the existing AD and cracks found in nearby areas not inspected by the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the forward fitting of fuselage frame FR47, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the frame.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD requires an accelerated schedule of repetitive testing of the elevator servo control loops, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of failed elevator servo controls due to broken guides. We are issuing this AD to ensure proper functioning of the elevator servo controls. Failure of the elevator servo controls during certain phases of takeoff could result in an unannounced loss of elevator control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.