Department of Transportation February 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-100 and A320-200 series airplanes; and A320-111 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the wiring to the fuel pump control of the center fuel tank. This proposed AD results from reports that the low-pressure warning for the fuel pumps of the center fuel tank has come on in flight. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the fuel pumps do not run while dry, which could result in a potential ignition source inside the center fuel tank which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

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

The 2005 edition of the Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) has been published and is available for comment. All comments, concerns, and suggestions regarding the current policies and plans in the 2005 FRP will be considered in formulation of the 2007 FRP. The policies in the 2005 FRP focus on transition to GPS based services, recognizing the need to maintain backup navigation aids and provide redundant radionavigation service where required. The FRP is the official source of radionavigation policy and planning for the Federal Government, as directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (10 U.S.C. 2281(c)). It is prepared jointly by the U.S. Departments of Defense (DoD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and Homeland Security (DHS) with the assistance of other government agencies. This edition of the FRP updates and replaces the 2001 FRP and covers common- use radionavigation systems (i.e., systems used by both civil and military sectors). Systems used exclusively by the military are covered in the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Master Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Plan (MPNTP). The FRP includes the introduction, policies, operating plans, system selection considerations, and research and development sections. The companion document entitled Federal Radionavigation Systems (FRS) contains information on government roles and responsibilities, user requirements, and systems descriptions, and is published separately from the FRP. The FRS is periodically updated as necessary.

The Department is eliminating its rule that currently prohibits each airline that owns, controls, or operates a computer reservations system (``CRS'' or ``system'') from denying system access to two or more carriers whose flights share a single designator code and discriminating against any carrier because the carrier uses the same designator code as another carrier. The Department has determined that this rule is no longer necessary. This action is consistent with the Department's decision at the end of 2003 to eliminate its comprehensive rules governing system operations, 14 CFR part 255.

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.

Each year pipeline operators randomly select employees to test for prohibited drugs. The number of selections may not be less than the minimum annual percentage rate PHMSA determines, either 50 percent or 25 percent of covered employees, based on the industry's positive rate of random tests. In accordance with applicable standards, PHMSA has determined that the positive rate of random drug tests reported by operators this calendar year for testing done in calendar year 2005 is less than 1.0 percent. Therefore, in calendar year 2006, the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered employees.

This notice announces the Fourteenth Public Meeting of members of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network. CIREN is a collaborative effort to conduct research on crashes and injuries at eight Level 1 Trauma Centers linked by a computer network. Researchers can review data and share expertise, which could lead to a better understanding of crash injury mechanisms and the design of safer vehicles.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Cessna Models 182Q and 182R airplanes with a Societe de Motorisation Aeronautiques (SMA) Model SR305-230 aircraft diesel engine (ADE). This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the installation of a diesel cycle engine utilizing turbine (jet) fuel. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for installation of this new technology engine. These proposed 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.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Material Safety has received the application described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Request of modifications of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new applications for special permits to facilitate processing.

This document confirms the effective date of the January 3, 2005, final rule amending 14 CFR parts 47 and 49 to comply with the Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004. This document also confirms the approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of public information contained in the final rule.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model 340-541 and -642 airplanes. This AD requires identifying the part number of the emergency evacuation slides or slide rafts installed on Type ``A'' exit doors, and modifying the regulator valves of the slide and slide raft assemblies if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of an emergency evacuation slide raft to deploy and inflate during an emergency situation, which could impede an evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain smoke detectors installed on various transport category airplanes. This AD requires replacing the affected smoke detectors with modified smoke detectors. This AD results from a report indicating that the affected smoke detectors can ``lock up'' during electrical power transfer from the auxiliary power unit to the engines. We are issuing this AD to identify and provide corrective action for a potentially inoperative smoke detector and to ensure that the flightcrew is alerted in the event of a fire.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD requires replacing the Camloc fasteners on the sidewall of the center pedestal. This AD results from reports of the Camloc fasteners on the sidewall of the center pedestal disengaging and interfering with an inboard rudder pedal. We are issuing this AD to prevent these fasteners from disengaging and interfering with an inboard rudder pedal, which could reduce directional controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 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 Model A310-300 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the pilot's and co-pilot's seats to determine if a certain actuator having a certain part number is installed, and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a production defect found in certain actuators during overhaul of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded movement of the pilot's or co-pilot's seat, which could result in interference with the operation of the airplane and consequent temporary loss of airplane control.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Ugnu- Kuparuk, AK. Five Special Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being revised, and three Special SIAPs are being produced for the Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in establishment of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at Ugnu-Kuparuk, AK.

This notice announces the availability of and request for comments on the report, ``Assessment of the Effectiveness of Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 88 Airworthiness Directives (ADs) in Preventing Ignition Sources.'' The FAA is making available this report, which supports its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ``Reduction of Fuel Tank Flammability in Transport Category Airplanes.'' The report can be found at the DOT Docket Web site, at https://dms.dot.gov, Docket No. FAA-2005-22997.

This notice announces a meeting to discuss various FAA rotorcraft safety initiatives and to gather any relevant information that will help to reduce general aviation rotorcraft accidents. This meeting supports the FAA's Flight Plan initiative to reduce general aviation accidents.

This document announces a decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain 2000 Audi A8 and S8 passenger cars that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S. certified version of the 2000 Audi A8 and S8 passenger cars), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 900EX airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the number 2 engine left- and right-hand forward mounts for missing rivets and installing rivets if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of two missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast discovered on airplanes in service and in production. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the central engine mast, possible separation of the engine from the airplane during flight, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of a low pressure valve of the twin motor actuator found partially open, although the valve detection system indicated that the valve was closed. Investigation revealed that the locating pin in the actuator was too short to engage with the valve slot, resulting in incorrect alignment of the actuator and the drive assembly, causing the valve to remain partially open. We are proposing this AD to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the valve actuator functions properly to delay or block the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes a currently approved information collection activity and its expected cost and burden. On October 19, 2005, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. No comments were received.

This action modifies the St. Louis, MO, (STL) Class B airspace area to contain large, turbine-powered aircraft operations to and from the new Runway 11/29 at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (KSTL), St. Louis, MO. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and improve the management of aircraft operations in the KSTL terminal area. Further, this effort supports the FAA's national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and en route airspace areas to reduce aircraft delays and improve system capacity.

This action establishes 16 high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes in the South Central United States in support of the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) program. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and to facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of the navigable airspace.

The FAA proposed to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at City-County Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), now 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).