Department of Transportation March 1, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended) this notice announces the Department of Transportation intention to apply to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew approval of the information collection request (ICR) OMB No. 2105-0551, ``Reporting Requirements for Disability- Related Complaints.'' The current information collection request approved by OMB expires April 30, 2007.

This action proposes special conditions for the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 7X 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. These design features include engine size and torque load, which affect sudden engine stoppage; electrical and electronic systems which perform critical functions, which affect operation without normal electrical power; and dive speed definition with speed protection system. These proposed special conditions pertain to their effects on the structural performance of the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These proposed 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 proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspection of the blade root thickness of 1st stage fan blades identified by part number (P/N) and serial number (SN) in the AD. This proposed AD would require the same actions but would correct 12 P/Ns, add 10 part SNs, and add the definition of next fan blade exposure to the compliance section. This proposed AD results from the discovery of inaccurate part quantity, part numbers, and serial numbers used in AD 2005-26-09. We are proposing this AD to prevent 1st stage fan blade fracture and uncontained engine failure, resulting in possible damage to the airplane.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 33 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

This notice publishes additional information about the FAA's planned transition to electronic distribution of airworthiness directives (ADs) and special airworthiness information bulletins (SAIB) through an e-mail subscription service. This notice gives more details and the schedule for the electronic distribution system, and addresses comments we received in response to Aircraft Engineering Division's previous notice about the plan. The previous notice was titled ``Printing and Distribution Changes for Airworthiness Directives and Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins'' and was published in the Federal Register on August 24, 2006.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Phillipsburg, KS.