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

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A380-800 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. Many of these novel or unusual design features are associated with the complex systems and the configuration of the airplane, including its full-length double deck. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards regarding extendable length escape slides. 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Airbus Model A380-800 airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections to detect damaged smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment, repair/replacement if any damage is found, and reinforcement if no damage is found. This proposed AD also would require eventual replacement of all smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment with new, improved seals having new part numbers, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from a report of damaged smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment of the affected airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent smoke from penetrating into the passenger cabin during a fire in the avionics compartment.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2006 (71 FR 34808). The error resulted in a reference only to the left main fuel tank in paragraph (f)(2) of that AD rather than to both the left and right main fuel tanks. This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the first bonding jumper aft of the bulkhead fitting to detect damage or failure and to determine the mechanical integrity of its electrical bonding path, and repair if necessary; measurement of the bonding resistance between the fitting for the fuel feed tube and the front spar in the left and right main fuel tanks, and repairing the bonding if necessary; and application of additional sealant to completely cover the bulkhead fittings inside the fuel tanks.

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or 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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving notice that a portion of the airport property containing 2.3 acres located at the southeast corner of Air Park Drive and Airport Rd. is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the airport Layout Plan. This parcel was originally acquired through Grant No. AIP-01 in 1989. The parcel was an uneconomic remnant left from reconfiguration of a roadway intersection alongside the edge of the airport. The parcel is segregated from the airport and is not accessible from the air operations area. 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 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 March 15, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 50, page 13446-13447. Information is collected to provide services to aircraft in-flight and protection of persons/property on the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) from aeronautical use to non-aeuronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property .The proposal consists of a land exchange between the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) and the City of Romulus (City) for the Romulus Department of Public Works (DPW) property. The Runway 4L/22R construction project at DTW necessitated the WCAA acquire the City DPW site on Goddard Road (Parcel 65). A Memorandum of Understanding between the WCAA and the City provided that the WCAA construct a replacement DPW facility on surplus airport property West of relocated Wayne Road and then exchange this property (portions of seven parcels) for the former City DPW site. The new DPW facility has been constructed and the WCAA/City desire to complete the property exchange. The WCAA has requested from FAA a ``Release from Federal agreement obligated land covenants'' to complete the land exchange. The property proposed for release was acquired by the WCAA under FAA Project Numbers: 3-26-0026-1991, 3-26-0026-2292, 3-26-0026-3695, 3-26-0026- 4197, and 3-26-0026-4398. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the WCAA to exchange property with the City. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the 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. 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.

Under the provisions of Title 49 U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Gadsden Airport Authority to waive the requirement that a .98-acre parcel of surplus property, located at the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Gadsden Airport Authority to waive the requirement that a 26.69-acre parcel of surplus property, located at the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with new ground procedures for shedding core ice during long taxi periods in freezing fog. For airplanes unable to perform the shedding procedure after prolonged taxiing in freezing fog, this proposed AD would require certain investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD results from reports of engine surges and internal engine damage due to ice accumulation during extended idle thrust operation in ground fog icing conditions. We are proposing this AD to prevent internal engine damage due to ice accumulation and shedding, which could cause a shutdown of both engines, and result in loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to do flight checks of the rigging of the engine and propeller systems. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to evaluate the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper adjustment of the flight idle fuel flow setting. This condition, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane in certain situations.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for missing fire blocking material on the left- and right-hand partitions of the forward baggage compartment door; replacing the seal on both partitions; and performing corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that certain airplanes were delivered with the fire blocking material missing and the seal improperly installed on the partitions of the forward baggage compartment door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such discrepancies on the forward baggage compartment partition, which, in the event of a fire in the baggage compartment, could result in smoke propagating into the main cabin.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results 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. We are issuing this AD 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.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to incorporate power assurance charts into the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), inspect the engine torque indication system, and recalibrate the torque pressure transducers as required. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to analyze the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct torque transducers that are out of calibration. The above issue, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane in certain situations.

The FAA supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 84-09-05, which applies to certain GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG (previously identified as BURKHART-GROB FLUGZEUGBAU INDUSTRIESTRABE) Model G102 ASTIR CS sailplanes. AD 84-09-05 requires you to install a modified spherical locking bolt and nut in the forward horizontal stabilizer connection to the vertical stabilizer and install new locking pins in the aft connecting plate for the horizontal stabilizer. Since we issued AD 84- 09-05, fatigue cracks were found in the modified spherical locking bolt. Consequently, this AD requires you to replace the modified spherical locking bolt, the retaining pins (collar bolts), and associated hardware; add a life limit on the spherical locking bolt and the retaining pins; and repetitively inspect the front and rear horizontal stabilizer attachment. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the spherical locking bolt, which could result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer connection. This failure could lead to loss of control.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed U.S. Highway (U.S.) 69/Loop 49 North Lindale Reliever Route (LRR) project in Smith County, Texas.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 5 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.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for public transportation projects in the following urbanized areas: Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; and Seattle, Washington. The purpose of this notice is to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final FTA environmental actions.

the FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the transfer of airport land at Clinton-Sherman Airpark under the provisions of Title 49 United States Code, Section 47153.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given of the actions on special permit applications in January 2005 to June 2006. The mode of transportation involved are identified by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft. Application numbers prefixed by the letters EE represent applications for Emergency Special Permits. It should be noted that some of the sections cited were those in effect at the time certain special permits were issued.

This rule establishes a Class E surface area airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Higginsville, MO. The effect of this rule is to provide appropriate controlled Class E airspace for aircraft departing from and executing instrument approach procedures to Higginsville Industrial Municipal Airport, MO and to segregate aircraft using instrument approach procedures in instrument conditions from aircraft operating in visual conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the release of land at the Franklin-Wilkins Airport in the City of Lexington, Tennessee. This property, approximately 200.3 acres, will change to a non-aeronautical use. This action is taken under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).