Department of Transportation January 3, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 32 individuals for exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. The proposed AD also would require the initial inspection of certain repetitive inspections specified in the AWLs to phase-in those inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA issues these special conditions for Boeing Model 757- 200 series airplanes modified by ABX Air, Inc. These modified airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared with the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The modification consists of installing an Innovative Solutions and Support Flat Panel Display System that performs critical functions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for protecting these systems from effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). 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.

This document grants in full the Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) petition for exemption of the Versa vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541). Nissan requested confidential treatment for the information and attachments it submitted in support of its petition. In a letter dated November 2, 2006, the agency granted the petitioner's request for confidential treatment of most aspects of its petition.

The FAA is making available an EA and FONSI/ROD for the evaluation of environmental impacts associated with proposed improvements to the Jackson County Airport located in Jackson, Michigan. The proposed improvements include the relocation of Runway 6/ 24 and the shift and extension of Runway 14/32.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 202: Portable Electronic Devices.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 3.795 acres at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, dated March 18, 1947. The release of property will allow the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in the land lying and being in the northwest \1/4\ of section 1, township 36 south, range 17 east, Sarasota County, Florida, being more particularly described as follows: The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be disposed of for the purpose of constructing an administration/mixed use building to contain administrative offices, classrooms, and seminar rooms; and to construct a gymnasium. The fair market value of the property has been determined by appraisal to be $4,140,000. The airport will receive fair market value for the property, which will be subsequently reinvested in another eligible airport improvement project or in operating and maintenance of the airport. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Offices and the FAA Airports District Office.