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

This notice addresses the confidentiality of certain information that manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment submit to NHTSA pursuant to the Early Warning Reporting (EWR) rule. The agency is proposing to create class determinations, based on Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), treating certain categories of EWR information as confidential, namely production numbers (excluding light vehicles), consumer complaints, paid warranty claims, and field reports. In addition, for EWR reports on deaths and injuries, NHTSA is proposing to create a class determination based on FOIA Exemption 6 that the last six (6) characters of the vehicle identification number (VIN) are confidential. Finally, the agency is also proposing to clarify its Confidential Business Information rule with regard to confidentiality markings in submissions in electronic media.

This action proposes to revise the controlled airspace at Allen Army Airfield (AAF), AK. The current Class D airspace is continuous. The United States Army has decided to staff the Allen AAF air traffic control tower (ATCT) part time. The Class D and E airspace will need to be revised in order to align Class D airspace effective times to match ATCT hours of operation. The current title of the airspace described in FAA Order 7400.9P will also change to reflect current guidance in FAA Order 7400.2E. Adoption of this proposal would result in reconfiguring the controlled airspace at Allen AAF, Delta Junction, AK.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a Federal Register notice on September 6, 2006 (71FR52610) announcing proposed guidance in the form of circulars to assist grantees in implementing the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310), JARC, and New Freedom programs. By this notice, FTA clarifies interim guidance for FY 2007 included in the notice published on September 6, 2006, and provides additional interim guidance for FY 2007.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting public comments on a Noise Analysis that was prepared for the Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport (FLL). This Analysis identifies noise impacts in the areas surrounding FLL during a 12-month period from July 2003 to June 2004 and a 12-month period from April 2005 to March 2006. This Noise Analysis is being provided for public comment as part of a settlement agreement between the FAA and Broward County related to runway utilization at FLL.

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.

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss transport airplane and engine (TAE) issues.

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 FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes and Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. These models may be referred to by their marketing designations as RJ100, RJ200, RJ440, CRJ100, CRJ200, CRJ440, and CL-65. The existing AD currently requires revising the Emergency Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of additional procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer trim runaway. For certain airplanes, the existing AD also requires revising the Abnormal Procedures section of the AFM to advise the flightcrew of procedures to follow in the event of MACH TRIM, STAB TRIM, and horizontal stabilizer trim malfunctions. This AD requires revising the same Emergency and Abnormal Procedures sections of the AFM to advise the flightcrew of revised/additional procedures. This AD also requires revising the Normal section of the AFM to require a review of the location of certain circuit breakers and a functional check of the stabilizer trim system. This AD also requires installing circuit breaker identification collars and provides an optional terminating action for the requirements of the AD. This AD also removes airplanes from the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from reports of uncommanded horizontal stabilizer trim motion. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is advised of appropriate procedures to follow in the event of uncommanded movement or stabilizer trim runaway. Failure to follow these procedures could result in excessive uncommanded movement of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) and loss of ability to use trim switches to override uncommanded movement or yoke disconnect switches to disconnect the HSTA, which could result in reduction of or loss of pitch control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ANPOAG ARC). This notice informs the public of the date, location, and agenda for the meeting. Date and Location: The NPOAG ARC will meet from November 28-30, 2006, at the Zion National Park Lodge, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah 84767, phone number (435) 772-0211. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2006.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as unsatisfactory initial elevator trim actuator greasing, which may lead to the icing of the elevator trim and generate an untrimmed nose-up attitude after an autopilot disconnection. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a failure in the flap actuating circuit. An investigation showed that the lever at the torsional drive in the fuselage failed at the weld. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 and A310 airplanes and A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for discrepancies of all electrical bundles located in the leading and trailing edges of the wings, and performing corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to various aircraft equipped with certain Honeywell Primus II RNZ-850( )/-851( ) integrated navigation units (INUs). That AD, 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 NV-850 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. This new AD requires inspecting to determine whether certain modifications have been done on the NRM; and doing related investigative, corrective, and other specified actions, as applicable; as well as further modifications to address additional anomalies. This AD results from reports indicating that erroneous glideslope indications have occurred on certain aircraft equipped with the subject INUs. We are issuing this AD 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for proper functioning of the girt bar leaf springs for the escape slides to ensure the leaf springs retain the sliders and the required 0.37-inch minimum engagement between the sliders and floor fittings is achieved at passenger doors 1, 2, and 4, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report that the escape slides failed to deploy correctly during an operator's tests of the escape slides. We are issuing this AD to prevent escape slides from disengaging from the airplane during deployment or in use, which could result in injuries to passengers or flightcrew.

FRA is amending its occupational noise standards for railroad employees whose predominant noise exposure occurs in the locomotive cab. FRA's previous standard (issued in 1980) limited cab employee noise exposure to certain levels based on the duration of their exposure. This rule modifies that standard and also sets out additional requirements. FRA is requiring railroads to conduct noise monitoring and to implement a hearing conservation program for railroad operating employees whose noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time- weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels. FRA is also establishing design, build, and maintenance standards for new locomotives and maintenance requirements for existing locomotives. FRA expects that this rule will reduce the likelihood of noise-induced hearing loss for railroad operating employees.

FMCSA announces that it has published an opportunity to apply for FY2007 MCSAP High Priority and New Entrant grant funding on the grants.gov Web site (https://www.grants.gov). Section 4101 of SAFETEA-LU (Pub. L. 109-59, August 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1144) amends 49 U.S.C. 31104(a) and authorizes the Motor Carrier Safety Grants funding for FY2006 through FY2009. The authorized level of funding for MCSAP is $197,000,000 for FY2007, which includes up to $15,000,000 for High Priority grants and up to $29,000,000 for New Entrant Safety Audits. High priority funds are only available for activities conducted by State agencies, local governments, and organizations representing government agencies or officials that use and train qualified officers and employees in coordination with State motor vehicle safety agencies. States and local governments are eligible to apply for New Entrant funds. All applicants must submit an electronic application package through grants.gov. To apply using the grants.gov process, the applicant must be registered with grants.gov. To register, go to http:/ /www.grants.gov/applicants/getregistered.jsp. The applicant must download the grant application package, complete the grant application package, and submit the completed grant application package. This can be done on the Internet at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply forgrants.jsp. The CFDA number for MCSAP is 20.218.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) GTSIO-520 series reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the starter adapter assembly and crankshaft gear and unscheduled visual inspections of the starter adapter assembly and crankshaft gear due to a rough-running engine. That AD also requires replacement of the starter adapter shaft gear needle bearing with a certain bushing and installation of a certain TCM service kit at the next engine overhaul, or at the next starter adapter replacement, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would require the inspection ordered in paragraph (h) of AD 2005-20-04 to be done every 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), or annually. This proposed AD results from an error discovered in AD 2005-20-04. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the starter adapter assembly and or crankshaft gear, resulting in failure of the engine and possible forced landing.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacement of an electronic flight information system/engine indicating and crew alerting system (EFIS/EICAS) interface unit (EIU) located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with a new or modified EIU. This proposed AD results from two instances where all six integrated display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of all three EIUs, which could result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular (AC) 33.83A, Turbine Engine Vibration Test. This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance and acceptable methods, but not the only methods, that may be used to demonstrate compliance with the vibration test requirements of Sec. 33.83 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 33). This AC cancels AC 33.83, dated February 14, 1997.

This action revises Class E airspace at Mountain Home, ID, beginning at 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL), replacing the existing Class G uncontrolled airspace. This airspace action accommodates the terminal environment transition between Salt Lake Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Mountain Home AFB Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) by placing aircraft in controlled airspace during the transfer of aircraft radar identification between the facilities. In addition, a review of the legal description revealed that it does not reflect the correct airport reference point (ARP) of Mountain Home Municipal Airport and geographic position of the Sturgeon Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). The notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2006, included an incorrect longitude for Mountain Home TACAN. This action corrects those minor discrepancies.

This action establishes a Class E airspace area at Bethel Regional Airport, Bethel, ME (K0B1) to provide for adequate controlled airspace for those aircraft using the new Helicopter Area Navigation (RNAV), 317 Instrument Approach Procedure to the Airport.

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue an order finding Pacific Airways, Inc., fit, willing, and able, and awarding it a certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage in interstate scheduled air transportation of persons, property and mail.