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

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue an order finding Gulfstream Air Charter, Inc., fit, willing, and able, and awarding it a commuter air carrier authorization to engage in scheduled passenger air transportation as a commuter air carrier.

The FHWA issued a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed Interstate 29 corridor study in Sioux City, Iowa from Sioux Gateway Airport/Sergeant Bluff Interchange to the South Dakota State border, published on November 18, 2004, 69 FR 67618. The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a revision to the study corridor limits. The proposed Interstate 29 study corridor for which an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared is defined as extending from approximately \1/4\ mile south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge over the Missouri River to Judd Street along the existing Interstate 29 corridor in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale or lease of the airport property. The proposal consists of two (2) parcels of land totaling approximately 68 acres. Current use and present condition is vacant grassland with intermittent wetland areas. The land is currently zoned residential. Parcel 15A was acquired under FAA Project No. 8-26-0051-02. Parcel 62 was not acquired with federal funds. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The airport desires to enter into a long-term lease to provide a long-term revenue source, or to sell the property. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal or lease of the airport property will be in accordance FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United State Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose. This amends the Federal Register Notice published on September 1, 2005 to allow the County of Jackson, Michigan, the option to sell or lease the property requested to be released.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport designated aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the release of 0.08 acres of airport property for sale to Air East Business Park, Ltd. The land consists of a parcel formerly used as the southern middle marker site for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Runway 23L. The parcel is 60' x 60' (3600 SF) and was acquired by the Rickenbacker Port Authority through a Quitclaim Deed dated May 11, 1999 and Deed of Correction dated April 25, 2001 from the United States of America. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. There are no longer facilities located on this parcel and it is currently being used for agricultural purposes. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

This action modifies the requirements for improved flammability characteristics of thermal/acoustic insulation used as replacements on airplanes manufactured before September 2, 2005. The FAA has recently been provided information that the rule will apply to a much broader range of components in currently operating airplanes than was originally intended. In addition, since publishing a final rule on July 31, 2003, the FAA has learned that some requirements for improved flammability covered materials do not have a significant effect on airplane fire safety. Further, in many cases, compliant replacements are not readily available. This action focuses the requirements on replacement materials that have a greater effect on safety and are readily available, and is necessary to avoid grounding of airplanes.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland (formerly Rolls-Royce plc) (RRD) models Tay 650-15 and 651-54 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires borescope inspection of the high pressure compressor (HPC) stage 12 disc assembly to detect damage caused by HPC outlet guide vane (OGV) retaining bolt failure, and replacement of unserviceable parts with serviceable parts. That AD also requires as terminating action, the incorporation of a new design retention arrangement for the HPC OGV to prevent HPC OGV retaining bolt failure. This ad requires the same actions but extends the terminating action compliance time for Tay 650- 15 engines. This AD also includes references to later revisions of two of the applicable RRD service bulletins (SBs). This AD results from RRD relaxing the terminating action compliance time for Tay 650-15 engines due to reassessment by RRD. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the HPC stage 11/12 disc spacer, which could result in damage to the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for certain serial numbers on elevators, and doing a detailed inspection, visual inspection with a low-angle light, and tap-test inspection of the upper and lower surfaces of the external skins on certain identified elevators for any damage (i.e., debonding of the graphite fiber reinforced plastic/Tedlar film protection, bulges, debonding of the honeycomb core to the carbon fiber reinforced plastic, abnormal surface reflections, and torn-out plies), and doing corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of debonded skins on the elevators. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct debonding of the skins on the elevators, which could cause reduced structural integrity of an elevator and reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive visual inspections to detect corrosion on the lower rim area of the fuselage rear pressure bulkhead; and follow-on actions, if necessary. This new AD requires new repetitive inspections for corrosion on the rear pressure bulkhead between stringer (STGR) 27 (right hand) and STGR27 (left hand), and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires sending a report of certain information to the manufacturer. The AD also adds airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from findings of severe corrosion on airplanes previously inspected in accordance with the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion at the lower rim area of the fuselage rear pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the bulkhead, and consequent decompression of the cabin.

Our safety standard on lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment specifies performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of vehicle crashes by providing adequate illumination of the roadway and by enhancing motor vehicle conspicuity in daylight, darkness, and other conditions of reduced visibility. As a result of various safety initiatives and technological advances in vehicle lighting, numerous amendments to the regulatory text have left the standard unwieldy and unnecessarily complicated. In addition, the standard's provisions have been interpreted frequently by the agency over the past several decades in response to interpretation request letters. This document proposes to amend the standard by reorganizing the regulatory text so that it provides a more straight-forward and logical presentation of the applicable regulatory requirements, which includes the agency's interpretation of the existing requirements. This proposal would not impose any new substantive requirements on manufacturers.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2005-23446 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

As authorized by Pub. L. 105-383 and Pub. L. 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2005-23444 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Pub. L. 105- 383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

As authorized by Pub. L. 105-383 and Pub. L. 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2005-23442 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Pub. L. 105- 383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The nature of the information collection is described as well as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on September 9, 2005, and comments were due by November 8, 2005. No comments were received.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive torque checks for loose or broken front pylon mount bolts made from INCO 718 material and MP159 material, and initial and repetitive visual inspections of the primary mount thrust load path. This proposed AD would require the same actions, but at reduced intervals for front pylon mount bolts made from MP159 material. This proposed AD results from analysis by the manufacturer that the MP159 material pylon bolts do not meet the full life cycle torque check interval requirement, in a bolt-out condition. We are proposing this AD to prevent front pylon mount bolt and primary mount thrust load path failure, which could result in an engine separating from the airplane.

This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process regarding the renewal of an existing PHMSA collection of information for Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Gas Transmission Pipeline Operators). PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of this information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. With this notice, PHMSA invites the public to submit comments over the next 60 days on ways to minimize the burden associated with collection of information related to pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for natural gas transmission pipeline operators.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is withdrawing a delayed final rule published on September 15, 2000. That final rule would have amended the reporting requirements for certificate holders concerning failures, malfunctions, and defects of aircraft, aircraft engines, systems, and components. We are withdrawing this rule to allow the FAA time to re-examine the service difficulty report (SDR) program and consider the comments received since the delayed final rule was published. In this action we are also adopting several amendments that improve the functioning of the SDR program.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

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. 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.

This proposal would revise Class E airspace at Jackson, WY. Additional Class E airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approach procedure, with Lateral/Vertical Navigation (LNAV/VNAV) minimums. This action would improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new LPV approach procedure at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, WY.

The Federal Aviation Administration published a document in the Federal Register on December 20, 2005 (79 FR 75529). That notice proposed to revise FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. In that notice, the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT was inadvertently left out.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requests (ICR) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on September 21, 2005 [70 FR 55450]. No comments were received.