Department of Transportation 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule establishes a Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Hill City, KS. The effect of this rule is to provide appropriate controlled Class E airspace for aircraft departing from and executing instrument approach procedures to, Hill City Municipal Airport, KS and to segregate aircraft using instrument approach procedures in instrument conditions from aircraft operating in visual conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of final policy on Acceptable Methods of Compliance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sec. 25.562(c)(5) for Front Row Passenger Seats.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of proposed certification policy for compliance with 14 CFR 25.601 regarding an unreliable seat belt attachment fitting design installed on passenger seats.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede AD 2004-08-13, which applies to certain BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG (Burkhardt Grob) Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C 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 AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. This AD retains all the actions required in AD 2004-08-13 and adds Model G103A TWIN II ACRO sailplanes to the applicability. We are issuing this AD 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 Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's cost of capital for 2005. The decision solicits comments on: (1) The railroads' 2005 current cost of debt capital; (2) the railroads' 2005 current cost of preferred stock equity capital (if any); (3) the railroads' 2005 cost of common stock equity capital; and (4) the 2005 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a market value basis.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines. This AD requires inspection of the blade root thickness of 1st stage fan blades identified by part number (P/N) and serial number (SN) in this AD, by a repair station approved by PW to perform the inspection. This AD results from a report that a repair station created their own repair and performed it on 520 1st stage fan blades, without approval from PW. We are issuing this AD to prevent 1st stage fan blade fracture and uncontained engine failure, resulting in possible damage to the airplane.

This amendment amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, addition of new obstacles, or changes in air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318-100, A319-100, A320-200, A321-100, and A321-200 series airplanes; and Model A320-111 airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual by incorporating new procedures to follow in the event of a fuel leak. This AD results from a determination that, once a fuel leak is detected, fuel management procedures are a critical factor in limiting the consequences of the leak. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is advised of appropriate procedures to follow in the event of a fuel leak, such as isolating the fuel tanks, stopping any fuel transfers, and landing as soon as possible. Failure to follow these procedures could result in excessive fuel loss that could cause the engines to shut down during flight.

The Board has approved the first quarter 2006 rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The first quarter 2006 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.177. The first quarter 2006 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.564. The first quarter 2006 RCAF-5 is 0.541.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the successor agency to the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking published on May 21, 1993, and the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking published on December 21, 2004. In those notices, the Agency proposed to implement the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1990 by amending its regulations to address the safe transportation of food and food products in commerce. On August 10, 2005, the President signed the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005, which transferred authority for regulating the safe transportation of food from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This action establishes Class C airspace at the Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), FL; revokes the existing Sanford, FL, Class D airspace area and its associated Class E airspace extension; and modifies the existing Orlando International Airport (MCO), FL, Class B airspace area. The FAA is taking this action to improve the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for midair collision in the Orlando, FL, terminal area.

This action establishes Prohibited Area P-50 over the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA. The prohibited area replaces a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that is currently in effect at that location. The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from the U.S. Navy as part of its efforts to enhance the security of the Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed roadway corridor project in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin extending into Lake County, Illinois by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) in Conformance with 40 CFR part 1500 and the FHWA regulations.

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 extension of an existing OMB approval. Comments must be received on or before February 21, 2006.

This amendment rescinds Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-19- 16, which is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, - 214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. That AD requires installing a bonding strip between each of the two water scavenge jet pumps of the center fuel tank and the rear spar in section 21. That AD resulted from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. The requirements of that AD were intended to prevent an ignition source for fuel vapor in the wing, which could result in fire or explosion in the center wing fuel tank. Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has determined that the procedures specified in the service bulletin and French AD referenced in that AD would result in duplicate actions. Effective Date: December 22, 2005.

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 2005-23311 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.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 207, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the laminated shims for cracks, damage, or extrusion between the forward attachment fittings of the horizontal stabilizer and the top rib of the vertical stabilizer; a torque check of the attachment bolts in the attachment fittings of the front, middle, and rear spars; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that delaminated shims extruded from the interface between the forward attaching fittings of the horizontal stabilizer and the top rib of the vertical stabilizer, and that inadequate torque values of some bolts were found. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer, and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The proposed changes will update the following sections of the Regulation and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Preclearance and Security for Tolls; Seaway Navigation; Toll Assessment and Payment; and Information and Reports. These proposed amendments are necessary to take account of updated procedures and/or technology and will enhance the safety of transits through the Seaway. Several of the proposed amendments are merely editorial or for clarification of existing requirements.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements (ICRs) for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.