Department of Transportation April 19, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Department of Transportation's (DOT) request for comments regarding data collection by the Department under the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

This document announces a decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain 2002 and 2003 Ferrari 575 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 2002 and 2003 Ferrari 575 passenger cars), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

This document proposes fees for Fiscal Year 2007 and until further notice, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 30141, relating to the registration of importers and the importation of motor vehicles not certified as conforming to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). These fees are needed to maintain the registered importer (RI) program.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes equipped with certain crew seat bucket assemblies with and without a backrest recline system. This AD requires you to replace the backrest tubes on these crew seat bucket assemblies at a specified time and adds a life limit for these backrest tubes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the backrest tubes of certain crew seat bucket assemblies, which could result in failure of the seat system. This failure could lead to the pilot and co-pilot's reduced ability to control the airplane. This failure could also affect the proper function of the seat restrain system in the case of an emergency landing.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Madison, WI (Madison) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a proposal by Madison to implement new transit operations in an approximately 13-mile travel corridor extending from the City of Middleton on the west, through the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to the Isthmus of Madison, WI to the American Parkway interchange on US 151, southwest of Sun Prairie, WI and encompassing the surrounding urbanized areas. Growing mobility challenges coupled with very limited opportunity for highway capacity expansion has prompted the communities in the area to consider investment in transportation improvements, both to supplement and enhance existing Metro bus service and to extend service to new markets throughout the corridor and in the region. Alternatives proposed to be considered in the draft EIS include No Build, the Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative and various Build Alternatives.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-400, AT-401, AT-401B, AT-402, AT-402A, and AT-402B airplanes. This AD requires you to lower the safe life for the wing lower spar cap for certain Models AT-402A and AT-402B airplanes and those that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger Enterprises, Inc. (Marburger) winglets. For Models AT-400, AT-401, AT-401B, AT-402, and certain AT-402A, airplanes, this AD requires you to repetitively inspect the wing lower spar cap in order to reach the safe life. We also developed an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to the requirements of this Ad for certain Models AT- 402A and AT-402B airplanes. The AMOC includes repetitive eddy current inspections, modification of the center splice connection, and lower spar cap replacement. This AD is the result of reports of cracks in the \3/8\-inch bolt hole of the wing lower spar cap before reaching the approved safe life. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracks from occurring in the wing lower spar cap before the originally established safe life is reached. Fatigue cracks in the wing lower spar cap, if not detected and corrected, could result in wing separation and loss of control of the airplane.

This final rule amends the definition of ``low-speed vehicle'' (LSV) by increasing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) limit for the class of LSVs to those vehicles with a GVWR of less than 1,361 kilograms (3,000 pounds).