Department of Transportation April 24, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 68-17-03, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 series airplanes. AD 68-17-03 currently requires you to repetitively inspect the rudder end rib for cracks and replace the rudder end rib with a modified rudder end rib when you find cracks. Installing the modified rudder end rib terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of AD 68-17-03. Under a licensing agreement with Pilatus, Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation) produced Model PC-6 series airplanes (manufacturer serial numbers 2001 through 2092) in the United States. AD 68-17-03 was intended to apply to all affected serial numbers of Model PC-6 series airplanes listed on Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) No. 7A15, including the Fairchild-produced airplanes. Consequently, this proposed AD would clarify that all models of the PC- 6 airplane on TCDS No. 7A15 (including those models produced under the licensing agreement by Fairchild Republic Company) are included in the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the rudder end rib, which could result in failure of the rudder end rib. This failure could result in loss of directional control.

The purpose of this Notice is to make available to the public the draft Finding of No Significant Impact/Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONSI/FONPA) for the Port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion, North End Runway Material Extraction and Transport Project (Project). A draft Environmental Assessment (EA), dated March 2006, was prepared that analyzed the potential impacts on the human and natural environment associated with the proposed material extraction activities at the North End Borrow Site and potential transportation corridors located on Elmendorf Air Force Base (EAFB). A final EA and a final FONSI/FONPA will be published once comments have been properly addressed. This environmental documentation supports the proposed expansion of the Port of Anchorage (POA), which includes a variety of activities to enhance the transportation of goods and people within the State of Alaska.

Our safety standard on occupant protection in interior impact requires, in part, that light vehicles provide head protection when an occupant's head strikes upper interior components, such as pillars, side rails, headers, and the roof during a crash. For altered vehicles and vehicles built in two or more stages, these requirements become effective September 1, 2006. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association and the National Truck Equipment Association petitioned the agency to permanently exclude certain types of altered vehicles and vehicles manufactured in two or more stages from these requirements. This document responds to these petitions for rulemaking and proposes certain amendments to the standard. Based on a careful consideration of both the safety benefits of the upper interior protection requirements, and practicability concerns relating to vehicles built in two or more stages and certain altered vehicles, we are proposing to limit these requirements to only the front seating positions of those vehicles. Further, we tentatively conclude that it is appropriate to exclude a narrow group of multi- stage vehicles delivered to the final stage manufacturer without an occupant compartment, because of impracticability concerns. We are also proposing to delay the effective date of the head impact protection requirements as they apply to final stage manufacturers and alterers until September 1, 2008.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Galbraith Lake, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing two amended Special Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This rule results in new Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at Galbraith Lake, AK.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Kuparuk, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing eight Special Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This rule results in new Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport, AK.

This action corrects an error in the airspace description contained in a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 (71 FR 16997). Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL-41.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) renewal of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notices with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 18, 2006, volume 71, 11, page 2982. Standards have been established for the operation of agricultural aircraft and for the dispensing of chemicals, pesticides, and toxic substances. Information collected shows applicant compliance and eligibility for certification by FAA.