Department of Transportation 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the bi-annual meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Charting (ACF) to discuss informational content and design of aeronautical charts and related products, as well as instrument flight procedures development policy and design criteria.

This NPRM is intended to further the safety of passenger train occupants through both enhancements and additions to FRA's existing requirements for emergency systems on passenger trains. In this NPRM, FRA proposes to enhance existing requirements for emergency window exits and to establish requirements for rescue access windows to evacuate passenger train occupants. FRA also proposes to enhance passenger train emergency system requirements by expanding the application of requirements that are currently applicable only to passenger trains operating at speeds in excess of 125 mph (Tier II passenger trains) to passenger trains operating at speeds at or below 125 mph (Tier I passenger trains); these proposed enhancements would require that Tier I passenger trains be equipped with public address and intercom systems for emergency communication and that passenger cars provide emergency roof access for use by emergency responders. FRA is proposing to apply certain of the requirements to both existing and new passenger equipment, while other requirements would apply to new passenger equipment only.

As authorized by Pub. L. 105-383 and Pub. L. 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2006-25656 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Pub. L. 105- 383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures for resetting the trim and pitch trim levers after each landing, determining which servomotor moves the pitch trim control wheel, and doing applicable other specified actions. This proposed AD also provides for optional terminating actions for those requirements. This proposed AD results from a report of a sudden nose-up movement after disengagement of the autopilot in cruise. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is aware of the procedures for resetting the trim and pitch trim levers after each landing and to prevent failure of the servomotors of the pitch trim systems during flight. Failure of the servomotors of the pitch trim systems could result in uncommanded nose-up movement of the control surface of the pitch trim systems after disengagement of the autopilot in cruise.

This proposed decision responds to a petition filed by Spyker Automobielen B.V. (Spyker) requesting that it be exempted from the generally applicable average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon (mpg) for model years 2006 and 2007, and that, for Spyker, lower alternative standards be established. In this document, NHTSA proposes that the requested exemption be granted to Spyker and that alternative standards of 18.9 mpg be established for MY's 2006 and 2007.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RECARO Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 792, and 795 series seats. This AD requires replacing the existing attachment bolts for the seat belts with longer attachment bolts. This AD results from a report of short attachment bolts that don't allow enough thread to properly secure the locknuts. We are issuing this AD to prevent a seat belt from detaching due to a loose locknut and attachment bolt, which could result in injury to an occupant during emergency conditions.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines that were reassembled with certain previously used high pressure compressor (HPC) exit brush seal assembly parts and certain new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal inner lands. This AD requires replacing the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with new brush seal packs, or replacing the HPC exit brush seal assembly with a new HPC exit brush seal assembly. This AD results from a report of oil leaking into the high pressure turbine (HPT) interstage cavity and igniting, leading to an engine case penetration and engine in- flight shutdown. Although liberated engine parts did not penetrate the engine nacelle, we are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure, damage to the airplane, and injury to passengers.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the fluorescent light tube assemblies of the cabin, lavatory, and sidewall, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from reports of overheating due to arcing between the fluorescent tube pins and the lamp holder contacts. The tubes had not been properly seated during installation. We are issuing this AD to prevent fumes, traces of visible smoke, and fire at the fluorescent light tube assembly.

This action revises Class E airspace at Barter Island, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and one amended SIAP. This rule results in revised Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Barter Island Airport, AK.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 16, 2006 (71 FR 34990).

The Federal Transit Administration and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Sound Transit's proposed 11 to 19- mile extension of the Central Link Light rail transit project from Seattle to the cities of Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Redmond, within King County, Washington. The EIS will also be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the recently enacted Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and with Washington's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to alert interested parties regarding the plan to prepare the EIS, to provide information on the nature of the proposed transit project, to invite participation in the EIS process, including comments on the scope of the EIS proposed in this notice, and to announce that public scoping meetings will be conducted. The EIS will address the no action alternative and reasonable alternatives that meet the project purpose and need.

The FMCSA invites comments on its plan to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew an existing information collection. This information collection renewal will be used to assure that motor carriers of property and passengers maintain appropriate levels of financial responsibility to operate on public highways. This notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

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 crash survivability. 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.

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.