Department of Transportation May 18, 2006 – 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 Tradewind Aviation, LLC fit, willing, and able, and awarding it Commuter Air Carrier Authorization.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to various aircraft equipped with a Honeywell Primus II RNZ-850/-851 Integrated Navigation Unit (INU). The original NPRM would have superseded an existing AD that, as one alternative for compliance, provides for a one-time inspection to determine whether a certain modification has been installed on the Honeywell Primus II NV850 Navigation Receiver Module (NRM), which is part of the INU. In lieu of accomplishing this inspection, and for aircraft found to have an affected NRM, the existing AD provides for revising the aircraft flight manual to include new limitations for instrument landing system approaches. The original NPRM proposed to require inspecting to determine whether certain other modifications have been done on the NRM; and doing related investigative, corrective, and other specified actions, as applicable. The original NPRM resulted from reports of erroneous glideslope indications on certain aircraft equipped with subject INUs. This new action revises the original NPRM by describing further modifications to address additional anomalies. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to ensure that the flightcrew has an accurate glideslope deviation indication. An erroneous glideslope deviation indication could lead to the aircraft making an approach off the glideslope, which could result in impact with an obstacle or terrain.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A318-111 airplanes; A319-100 series airplanes; A320-111 airplanes; A320-200 series airplanes; and A321-100 and -200 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM resulted 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. This action revises the original NPRM by expanding the applicability. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the valve actuator functions properly to block the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

FMCSA announces two Public Listening Sessions. The Listening Sessions will continue the dialogue on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NCRME) program for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for public transportation projects in Norfolk, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; San Francisco, California; and Portland, Oregon. The purpose of this notice is to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final FTA environmental actions.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), this notice announces that new information collections requirements (ICRs) listed below have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These new ICRs pertain to 49 CFR parts 213, 216, 229, and 238. Additionally, FRA hereby announces that other ICRs listed below have been re-approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These ICRs pertain to parts 230, 241, and 260. The OMB approval numbers, titles, and expiration dates are included herein under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming) 360 and 540 series reciprocating engines with ECi connecting rods, part number (P/N) AEL11750, installed. The Airmotive Engineering Corp, Division of Engine Components Incorporated (ECi), holds the Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) for the affected parts, and markets the parts as ECi parts. This AD requires replacing certain lot and serial numbered connecting rods, P/N AEL11750, having forging part number AEL11488. This AD would also prohibit installing certain ECi connecting rods, P/N AEL11750, into any Lycoming 360 or 540 series reciprocating engines. This AD results from reports of connecting rods with excessive variation in circularity of the journal bores. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue failure of the connecting rod and a possible uncommanded shutdown of the engine.

This action makes a correction to 14 CFR part 183 by adding two section references that were inadvertently omitted from the final rule published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2005 (70 FR 59932).

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(d), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the County of Dare to waive the requirement that a 34.4 acre parcel of surplus property, located at the Dare County Regional Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Mobile Airport Authority for Mobile Regional Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program update that was submitted for Mobile Regional Airport under part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure map, and that this program will be approved or disapproved on or before October 27, 2006.

The Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Airports (ARP) is responsible for reviewing and deciding on projects airport sponsors propose for public-use airports. ARP revised its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing instructions for those airport projects under its authority and placed those instructions in Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions. The Order's effective date was April 28, 2006.\1\