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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Short Brothers Model SD3 airplanes. This AD requires installing additional fuel tank bonding jumpers, performing an in-place resistance check of the float switches, inspecting certain internal components of the fuel tanks, and performing related corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, and to the airplane flight manual procedures for operation during icing conditions and fuel system failures. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent ignition sources inside the fuel tanks, which could lead to fire or explosion.

This 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). The supplemental type certificate for these airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of an aircraft diesel engine that uses an electronic engine control system instead of a mechanical control system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

The FHWA is extending the comment period for a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and request for comments, which was published on April 25, 2006, at 71 FR 23877. The original comment period is set to close on June 26, 2006. The extension is based on concern expressed by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) that the June 26 closing date does not provide sufficient time for discussion of the issues in committee and a subsequent comprehensive response to the docket. The FHWA recognizes that others interested in commenting may have similar time constraints and agrees that the comment period should be extended. Therefore, the closing date for comments is changed to July 21, 2006, which will provide the NCUTCD and others interested in commenting additional time to discuss, evaluate, and submit responses to the docket.

These special conditions are issued to Thielert Aircraft Engines, GmbH, Lichtenstein, Germany for a supplemental type certificate for the Piper PA 28-161 Cadet, Warrior II and Warrior III series airplanes. The supplemental type certificate for these airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of an aircraft diesel engine that uses an electronic engine control system instead of a mechanical control system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

These special conditions are issued for the installation of an AmSafe, Inc., Inflatable Two-, Three-, Four- or Five-Point Restraint Safety Belt with an Integrated Airbag Device on various airplane models. These airplanes, as modified by AmSafe, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the lap belt or shoulder harness portion of the safety belt, which contains an integrated airbag device. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

The FAA is requesting public comment on the Rhode Island Airport Corporation's request to change a portion (2.8 acres) of Airport property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use. The property is located on Airport Road in Westerly, Rhode Island and identified as a portion of Lot 19, Plat 108. Upon disposition the property will be used by the Town of Westerly as a police station. There were no federal funds used for the acquisition of the parcel. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999.

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 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).

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.

Under 49 U.S.C. 10502, the Board is granting a petition for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323, et seq., for BNSF Railway Company, a Class I carrier, to acquire and operate approximately 25 miles of rail line of Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP), a Class I carrier, extending from UP milepost 81.1 at Union, CO, to UP milepost 56.1 at Sterling, CO.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the aero/fire seals of the blocker doors on the thrust reverser torque boxes on the engines with new, improved aero/fire seals. This proposed AD results from a report that the top three inches of the aero/fire seals of the blocker doors on the thrust reverser torque boxes are not fireproof. We are proposing this AD to prevent a fire in the fan compartment (a fire zone) from migrating through the seal to a flammable fluid in the thrust reverser actuator compartment (a flammable leakage zone), which could result in an uncontrolled fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving notice that a portion of the airport property containing 16.6 acres located across the Waupaca River from the airport and is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. This parcel was originally purchased as part of a larger City purchase in December 1944. The parcel is presently open and undeveloped. The land comprising this parcel is, therefore, no longer needed for aeronautical purposes. Income from the sale will be used to improve the airport. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA proposes to amend the regulations governing objects that may affect the navigable airspace. Specifically, the FAA is proposing to add notification requirements and obstruction standards for electromagnetic interference and amend the obstruction standards for civil airport imaginary surfaces to more closely align these standards with FAA airport design and instrument approach procedure criteria. The FAA proposes to require proponents to file with the agency a notice of proposed construction or alteration of structures near private use airports that have an FAA approved instrument approach procedure. This proposal, if adopted, would also increase the number of days in which a notice must be filed with the FAA before beginning construction or alteration; add and amend definitions for terms commonly used during the aeronautical evaluation process; and remove the provisions for public hearings and antenna farms. Lastly, the FAA proposes to retitle the rule and reformat it into sections that closely reflect the aeronautical study process. These proposals incorporate case law and legislative action, and simplify the rule language. The intended effect of these proposed changes is to improve safety and promote the efficient use of the National Airspace System.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD requires certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD results from a report that, during structural testing of the cockpit door, the lower hinge block rotated and caused the mating hinge pin to disengage, and caused excessive door deflection. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a door attachment, which could result in uncontrolled release of the cockpit door under certain fuselage decompression conditions, and possible damage to the airplane structure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Sundstrand model 14RF-19 propellers. This AD requires replacing certain actuator yokes with improved actuator yokes. This AD results from certain propeller system actuator yoke arms breaking during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent actuator yoke arms breaking during flight, which could cause high propeller vibration and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in Gear Rib 5 of the main landing gear (MLG) attachment fittings at the lower flange, and repair, if necessary. That AD also requires modification of Gear Rib 5 of the MLG attachment fittings, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires new repetitive inspections at reduced compliance times. This new AD also requires new repetitive inspections of certain areas of the attachment fittings that were repaired in accordance with the actions specified in the existing AD. This AD results from new service information that was issued by the manufacturer and mandated by the French airworthiness authority. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the MLG attachment fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes; and Model MD-10-10F airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the clamp bases for the fuel vent pipe with improved clamp bases. This proposed AD results from reports that the foil wrapping on existing plastic clamp bases has migrated out of position, which compromises the bonding of the fuel vent pipes to the airplane structure. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the fuel vent pipes are properly bonded to the airplane structure. Improper bonding could prevent electrical energy from a lightning strike from dissipating to the airplane structure, and create an ignition source, which could result in a fuel tank explosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand passenger doors is incorrect, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from cases of girt bar disengagement from the floor fitting during deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward passenger doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when the door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/raft at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV), Standard instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) and Helicopter RNAV (GPS) 269 approach for the St. Joseph Medical Center to serve flights operating into the airport during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions makes this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing an approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and Helicopter RNAV (GPS) 135 approach for the Robert Packer Hospital to serve flights operating into the airport during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions makes this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing an approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 18, 2006, page 2982.

The FAA's Aircraft Certification Service publishes proposed non-regulatory documents that are available for public comment on the Internet at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draftdocs/.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130 B4 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the throttle twist grip (twist grip) assembly for any foreign body (chip or debris), any rotating micro-switch, and any micro-switch roller that does not move freely. If any unairworthy condition is found, this action requires that it be corrected before further flight. This amendment is prompted by two reports of a twist grip assembly jamming in the ``IDLE'' position. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and prevent jamming of the twist grip assembly, which, if present, could keep the engine from operating above idle speed and result in subsequent loss of control of the engine power of the helicopter.