Department of Transportation April 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the upper radius of the forward fitting of frame 47, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would reduce inspection thresholds and repetitive intervals, and add related investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD also would provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections only for airplanes with cracking that is within certain limits. This proposed AD results from reports of additional cracking in airplanes that were inspected in accordance with the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the left and right upper radius at frame 47, which could propagate and result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-05-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of MDHI Model MD600N helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, a visual and eddy current inspection of each lateral mixer output link assembly (mixer link) and replacing any cracked mixer link. This AD also requires performing an eddy current inspection on each mixer link before installing it on any helicopter. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of 3 cracked mixer links. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect a crack in the mixer link, which could result in failure of the mixer link and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This notice contains a summary of a certain petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion of omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

This action corrects an unintended consequence created when we adopted the original Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) Rule; we did not have sufficient information at that time to foresee this difficulty. This action amends the definition of an LSA in two areas. The changes will (1) permit development of lighter-than-air (LTA) LSA, and (2) allow retractable landing gear for LSA intended for operation on water. The LTA change will result in a common land-based LSA maximum takeoff weight limit and allow the LTA LSA industry to design and build safe, functional LTA aircraft. Allowing retractable landing gear for LSA intended for operation on water recognizes the realities of the operation of these LSA and will also enhance the growth of that industry.

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 that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Request of modifications of special permits (e.g., to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

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 that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated 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.

This notice announces the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirement in the final rule published on February 13, 2007 (72 FR 6884). The sections of the final rule pending approval of this information collection request are effective upon publication of this notice.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA published a notice with request for comments in the Federal Register on February 12, 2007 (72 FR 6664) and received no comments. PHMSA is now forwarding the information collection request to the OMB and providing an additional 30 days for comments.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by St. Louis County under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On December 12, 2006, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by St. Louis County under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On April 6, 2007, the FAA approved the Spirit of St. Louis Airport noise compatibility program. All but one of the recommendations of the program was approved.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B turboshaft engines with Modification TU62A incorporated. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and checks for proper operation of the HMU acceleration controller axle. This AD requires the same actions, but removes engines incorporating TU132 from the applicability and adds an optional terminating action for the repetitive actions required in AD 2005-13-25. This AD results from the engine manufacturer releasing a service bulletin to introduce modification TU132. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of control of engine fuel flow in manual control mode or mixed control mode, which can lead to engine overspeed, and in-flight engine shutdown resulting in a forced autorotation landing or accident.

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 February 6, 2007 (72 FR 5493).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection related to the availability of mariners.

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 revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B series, RB211-524B, -524C2, -524D4, -524G2, -524G3, and -524H series, and RB211-535C and -535E series turbofan engines with high pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3 disc assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) LK46210, LK58278, LK67634, LK76036, UL11706, UL15358, UL22577, UL22578, and UL24738 installed. That AD currently requires removing from service certain disc assemblies before they reach their full published life if not modified with anticorrosion protection. This AD requires the same actions but relaxes the removal compliance time for certain disc assemblies that have a record of detailed inspection. This AD results from the FAA allowing certain affected disc assemblies that entered into service before 1990 that have a record of detailed inspections, to remain in service for a longer period than the previous AD allowed. We are issuing this AD to relax the compliance time for certain disc assemblies and track the disc life based on a detailed inspection rather than by its entry into service date, while continuing to prevent corrosion-induced uncontained disc assembly failure, resulting in damage to the airplane.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 787-8 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. The architecture of the Boeing Model 787-8 systems and networks allows access to external systems and networks, including the public Internet. On-board wired and wireless devices may also have access to parts of the airplane's digital systems that provide flight critical functions. These new connectivity capabilities may result in security vulnerabilities to the airplane's critical systems. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for protection and security of airplane systems and data networks against unauthorized access. 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 7.742 acres at the Kendall Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a FAAP agreement between the FAA and the County of Miami-Dade, dated June 4, 1965. The release of property will allow the County of Miami-Dade to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in the South 35ft. of Section 16, Township 55 South, Range 39 East, Miami-Dade County, Florida; less the West 185ft. thereof and the South 35ft. of the West \1/4\ of Section 15, Township 55 South, Range 39 East, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be disposed of for the purpose of constructing the realignment of proposed SW. 157th Ave. The fair market value of the property has been determined by appraisal to be $4,350,000. The airport will receive fair market value for the property, which will be subsequently reinvested in another eligible airport improvement project or used for operation and maintenance of the Kendall Tamiami Executive Airport. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Miami Dade Aviation Department Offices and the FAA Airports District Office.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 787-8 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 novel or unusual design features are associated with connectivity of the passenger domain systems to the airplane critical systems and data networks. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for protection and security of airplane systems and data networks against unauthorized access. 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.