Department of Transportation May 22, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is considering rulemaking to change the packing interval for certain types of parachutes. Currently, the FAA requires that most parachutes may not be used or carried aboard an aircraft and available for emergency use unless they have been packed within the previous 120 days. New reliability data from the parachute industry and other sources indicate it is time to review the packing interval, and the FAA is asking for public comment on a proposal to lengthen the interval from 120 to 180 days. The effect of the proposal is to ensure the rules reflect the safest parachute packing interval. In this rulemaking, we are also proposing several correcting amendments to the rules related to parachute operations.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) exemption from FMCSA's regulation that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) may not drive after the 14th hour of coming on duty. The exemption for 70 motor carriers and approximately 3,000 drivers is applicable for a period beginning 7 days prior to and 2 days immediately following Independence Day in 2007 and 2008. Drivers who operate CMVs in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day will be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on-duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and will continue to be subject to the 11- hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour on-duty limits. The terms and conditions of the current exemption will remain in place for a second two-year period. FMCSA believes that with the terms and conditions in place, APA will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. The existing AD requires a boost pump dry bay inspection to detect leakage of fuel through an arced-through conduit, and corrective action as necessary. The existing AD also requires repetitive inspections of the in-tank fuel boost pump wiring to detect chafing of the wire insulation, evidence of electrical arcing, or arc-through of the conduit wall, and applicable corrective action; and installation of sleeving over the in- tank fuel boost pump wires as a method to protect the wiring from chafing. This new AD removes certain inspection requirements from the existing AD. This new AD adds new repetitive inspections for damage of the electrical wire and sleeve that run to the fuel boost pump through a conduit in the fuel tank, and arcing damage of the conduit and signs of fuel leakage into the conduit; applicable investigative and corrective actions; and a new repetitive engine fuel suction feed operational test. Initiation of the new inspections terminates the requirements of the existing AD. This AD results from reports of a fuel tank explosion on a Model 727-200F airplane on the ground; and of chafed wires and a damaged power cable sleeve of a fuel boost pump that were discovered during an inspection required by an existing AD on a Model 737-300 airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel boost pump electrical wiring and leakage of fuel into the conduit, and to prevent electrical arcing between the wiring and the surrounding conduit, which could result in arc-through of the conduit, and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank.

This action proposes to establish a low altitude Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation (RNAV) route, designatedT-209, in the vicinity of Augusta, GA. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace. The proposed route would reduce air traffic controller workload and provide a nonradar route that ensures clearance from the Bulldog A Military Operations Area (MOA).

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Fort Yukon, AK. One Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) is being amended and three new SIAPs are being developed for the Fort Yukon Airport. A Departure Procedure (DP) and a Direction Finding (DF) procedure (used by Flight Service Station personnel) is also being amended. Adoption of this proposal would result in revision of existing Class E airspace upward from the surface, from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface, at Fort Yukon Airport, Fort Yukon, AK.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires removing from service certain serial number (SN) fuel control units (FCUs) or replacing the constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm in those FCUs. This AD requires replacing all FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with FCUs that incorporate modification Tf 55. This AD results from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Turbomeca expanding the applicability to the full population of FCUs installed on Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 are susceptible to having an improperly assembled constant delta P diaphragm. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced autorotation landing or an accident.

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:

We are superseding an existing 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:

This notice proposed to establish Class E airspace at Centreville, AL. An Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) Runway (RWY) 10 has been developed for Bibb County Airport. As a result, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAP and for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Bibb County Airport. The operating status of the airport will change from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to include IFR operations concurrent with the publication of the SIAP.

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 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. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the release of 188.653 acres of vacant airport property previously used for agricultural purposes for the proposed development of bulk warehouse/distribution facilities as a component of the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. The land was acquired by the Rickenbacker Port Authority through three Quitclaim Deeds from the United States of American dated March 30, 1984, September 22, 2004 (amended and restated August 26, 2005) and May 16, 2005. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The CRAA will receive $4,245,000 for the parcel. 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.