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

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the approval of a Finding of No Significant impact (FONSI) on an Environmental Assessment for proposed Federal actions at Lake in the Hills Airport, Lake in the Hills, Illinois. The FONSI specifies that the proposed Federal actions and local development projects are consistent with existing environmental policies and objectives as set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and will not significantly affect the quality of the environment. A description of the proposed Federal actions is: (a) To issue an environmental finding to allow approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below; (b) approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below; and (c) establish eligibility of the Lake in the Hills Airport Authority to compete for Federal funding for the development projects depicted on the Airport Layout Plan. The specific items in the local airport development project include: Acquire approximately 102 acres of land in fee simple title and approximately 57 acres of easements; these actions include relocation assistance, as required; install perimeter fencing to control deer and preserve security; Improve Runway 26 Safety Area, Stage 1acquisition of land needed; Remove Airport design deviations and FAR Part 77 obstructions, Stage 1acquisition of land needed; Replace Airport rotating beacon; Improve Runway 26 safety area, Stage 2relocation of Pyott Road; Remove Airport design deviations and 14 CFR part 77 obstructions, Stage 2acquisition of land needed; Install AWOS-III P/T to support 14 CFR part 135 Operators; Remove Airport design deviations and 14 CFR part 77 Obstructions, Stage 3removal of buildings and objects; construct storm water management/detention system (dry bottom)multi-phased construction; construct replacement electrical vault; construct parallel taxiway (for temporary runway use) to meet design standards; install MITL taxiway edge lighting and guidance signs; Remove Airport design deviations and 14 CFR part 77 obstructions, Stage 4construction of replacement aircraft apron, Phase 1; Remove Airport design deviations and 14 CFR part 77 obstructions, Stage 5relocation of existing access road to serve new replacement terminal area; construct auto parking in the new replacement terminal areamulti-phased construction; Widen Runway 8-26 to 100 feet; shift runway ends to East to meet design standards (runway safety area, object free area, and pavement width); install MIRL runway edge lights, and PAPI-4 approach lights, REIL lights and supplemental wind cones at each runway end; Remove Airport design deviations and 14 CFR part 77 obstructions, Stage 6construction of replacement aircraft apron, Phase 2; construct new and replacement aircraft hangar pavements in the new replacement terminal areamulti-phased construction; construct new and replacement aircraft storage hangars in the new replacement terminal areamulti-phased construction; construct new and replacement Fixed Based Operator/Aircraft Maintenance hangars in the new replacement terminal areamulti-phased construction; construct replacement public terminal building in the new replacement terminal area; construct replacement aircraft fuel storage/dispensing facility in the new replacement terminal area; construct new Airport maintenance complex; Extend municipal water and sanitary sewer utilities to existing-to-remain and new building facilities requiring domestic water service and sanitary sewer collection and/or fire protection. Copies of the environmental decision and the Final EA are available for public information review during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Lake in the Hills Airport, 8407 Pyott Road, Lake in the Hills, Illinois 60156. 2. Division of AeronauticsIllinois Department of Transportation, One Langhorne Bond Drive, Capital Airport, Springfield, IL 62707. 3. Chicago Airports District Office, Room 320, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.

On March 27, 2006, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare a PEIS for Experimental Permits in the Federal Register (71 FR 15251). The FAA has decided to extend the scoping period for the preparation of the PEIS to June 2, 2006. All comments received by June 2, 2006 will be considered in the preparation of the Draft PEIS.

On April 10, 2006, FMCSA published a notice and request for comments in the Federal Register (71 FR 18136), announcing its plan to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to renew a currently-approved information collection for Class I Motor Carriers of Passengers, Form MP-1, Annual and Quarterly Reports. This notice corrects the docket number published in the April 10, 2006, notice.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-13- 04, which applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd (Pilatus) Model PC-6 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to and including 939. AD 2003-13-04 currently requires you to inspect the integral fuel tank wing ribs for cracks and the top and bottom wing skins for distortion, repair any cracks or distortion before further flight, and do a fuel tank ventilating system installation. Since we issued AD 2003-13-04, the FAA determined the action should also apply to all the models of the PC-6 airplanes listed in the type certification data sheet of Type Certificate (TC) No. 7A15 that are produced in the United States through a licensing agreement between Pilatus and Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation). In addition, the intent of the applicability of AD 2003-13-04 was to apply to all the affected serial numbers of the airplane models listed in TC No. 7A15. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain all the actions of AD 2003- 13-04, would add those Fairchild Republic Company airplanes to the applicability of this proposed AD, and would list out the individual specific airplane models. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the ribs of the inboard integral fuel tanks in the left and right wings, which could lead to wing failure during flight.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, and 747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD would require doing repetitive inspections of engine struts 1 through 4, as applicable, for heat discoloration, cracking, buckling, or wrinkling. This proposed AD also would require a conductivity test to detect the extent of the heat damage and an inspection to detect cracking of the heat-discolored, buckled, or wrinkled area; and repair; if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of heat damage and cracking of the skin and internal structure adjacent to and aft of the precooler exhaust vent on several engine struts. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking, buckling, wrinkling, or heat damage of the skin and internal structure of the engine struts, which could result in extensive damage to the engine struts and consequent possible separation of an engine from the airplane during flight.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400 and 400A series airplanes. This proposed AD would require, among other actions, reviewing the airplane logbook to determine whether certain generator control unit (GCU) installation kits are installed, and replacing any incorrect GCU. This proposed AD results from reports of over-voltage conditions of the direct current (DC) starter generator. We are proposing this AD to prevent such over-voltage conditions due to the incompatibility between certain GCUs, which could result in the loss of normal electrical power, damage to some electrical components, or blown fuses during flight, and consequent unrecoverable loss of some or all essential equipment.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-700 and 737-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require performing a one-time high frequency eddy current inspection for cracking of the backup intercostals located above the cutout for the forward airstair door; doing related investigative and corrective actions if any crack is found; and doing other specified corrective actions if no crack is found. This proposed AD results from a report of fatigue cracks discovered during a full- scale fatigue test conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in more extensive fatigue cracking and lead to possible loss of cabin pressure.

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all of the airplanes identified above. That proposed AD would have required repetitive inspections to detect breaks in the bottom flange fitting of the ram air turbine (RAT); and corrective actions, if necessary. This new action revises the proposed AD by proposing to remove the requirement to repeat the inspections and, instead, revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include a new Airplane Maintenance Manual task that specifies a detailed inspection after each RAT extension. This new action also proposes to require, for certain airplanes, an adjustment of the ejection jack; and, for certain other airplanes, replacement of the aluminum part with an improved steel part; these actions would terminate the inspection requirements of the earlier proposed AD. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the RAT yoke fitting, which could result in the loss of RAT function and possible loss of critical flight control in the event of certain emergency situations. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The FAA proposes 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).

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph (d) of Sec. 158.29.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that it has published a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that evaluated a proposed Airport Development Program at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. ALF502L series and ALF502R series turbofan engines. That AD currently establishes stress rupture retirement life limits for certain third stage turbine discs used in conjunction with certain third stage turbine nozzles. This AD brings requirements forward and unchanged, from the previous AD for ALF502R series turbofan engines. Also, this AD establishes new reduced stress rupture retirement life limits for certain part numbers (P/Ns) of third stage turbine disc and shaft assemblies installed in ALF502L series turbofan engines. This AD also requires removing those same parts from service using a drawdown schedule. This AD results from a report of failure of a third stage turbine disc and shaft assembly, leading to turbine blade release and separation of the exhaust nozzle. We are issuing this AD to prevent total loss of engine power, in-flight engine shutdown, release of turbine blades, separation of the exhaust nozzle, and possible damage to the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Model SR20 and SR22 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to check the maintenance records to determine whether the brake caliper piston O-ring seals were replaced at the last annual or 100-hour inspection. If the O-rings were not replaced, this proposed AD would require you to replace the O-ring seals with new seals or replace brake calipers. This proposed AD would also require you to modify the main landing gear wheel fairings to add temperature indicator sticker inspection holes, trim the wheel fairings to prevent them from holding fluids, install temperature indicator stickers on the brake calipers, and insert Revision A6 (with revised preflight walk-around and taxi procedures) into the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). This proposed AD results from several reports of airplanes experiencing brake fires and two airplanes losing directional control. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect, correct, and prevent overheating damage to the brake caliper piston O-ring seals, which could result in leakage of brake hydraulic fluid. Consequently, this could lead to the loss of braking with loss of airplane directional control or brake fire.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, that currently requires installation of protective tape on the fire and overheat control unit located in the flight compartment. This amendment requires the installation of protective tape and adds repetitive inspections of the condition of the protective tape and related corrective action. This amendment also mandates eventual replacement of the existing fire and overheat control unit with a modified unit, which ends the repetitive inspections. Additionally, this amendment adds airplanes to the applicability in the existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fluid contamination inside the fire and overheat control unit, which could result in a false fire alarm and consequent emergency landing. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2006-04 recommending that owners of tank cars equipped with the ACF Industries, Incorporated (ACF) 200 stub sill design, inspect and enhance the underframes in accordance with the procedures contained in ACF's Maintenance Bulletin TC-200. Owners should contact ACF (see below) for a copy of Maintenance Bulletin TC-200 and for clarification of procedures and any additional information.

The FHWA and Iowa DOT are issuing this notice to advise the public an EIS will be prepared for a proposed roadway project in Polk County, Iowa. The planned EIS will evaluate potential transportation improvement alternatives for serving northeast Des Moines and its neighboring communities between I-80/US65 west of Altoona to US69/NE 126 Avenue north of Ankeny.

This notice announces that NHTSA will hold a technical workshop to present information and answer questions on the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) Laboratory Test Procedure (TP) for the agency's safety standard on new pneumatic radial tires for use on motor vehicles (other than motorcycles and low speed vehicles) that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less. The one- day technical workshop will be limited to discussing the TP, and will include a tour of a local compliance test laboratory and a working lunch. Tire manufacturers, tire importers, vehicle manufacturers, tire suppliers, tire testers, and other interested persons with technical interest and knowledge of light vehicle tire compliance testing are invited to attend. Attendance requires registration and a small fee.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 23 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 58). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.

Through this final rule the FHWA is adopting the revised design standards that apply to highway construction and reconstruction projects on the Interstate System. The FHWA is adopting as its design standards the current version of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) publication entitled A Policy on Design Standards Interstate System, January 2005. This publication has replaced the previous version of this policy published in 1991.

This notice requests comments on provisions and parameters for the Real-Time System Management Information Program contained in section 1201 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This notice provides a high-level description of the program as envisioned by the FHWA, including proposed definitions for various program parameters.