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

Based on the agency's evaluation, the NHTSA denies a petition for rulemaking from Ricon Corporation (Ricon) to amend S6.1/S7.4 (threshold warning signal requirement and related test procedure), S6.10.2.3 (anti-stow interlock requirement) and S6.10.2.7/S7.6 (occupied inner roll stop interlock requirement and related test procedure) of FMVSS No. 403. The NHTSA believes that the rulemaking is unnecessary because granting the proposed amendments would not result in a substantial increase in the effectiveness and safety benefit of the requirements and related test procedures. The NHTSA also believes that the current requirements and test procedures are appropriate and objective ways of ensuring compliance.

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions 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 or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

This action proposes to establish Restricted Area 3405 (R- 3405) at Sullivan, IN. The United States (U.S.) Navy requests that the FAA take action to establish R-3405 for the protection of nonparticipating aircraft from a tethered aerostat balloon used to deploy radar, electro-optic, camera, and other sensor packages at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane's Glendora Lake Test Facility.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal and change of title of an existing information collection that is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. As part of FHWA's ongoing effort to reduce the overall burden on the public, four currently approved information collections associated with the accommodation or relocation of utility facilities in the right-of-way of highway facilities are being combined into a single collection (2125-0519) with a new title of Utility Adjustments, Agreements, Eligibility Statements, and Accommodation Policies. Since each collection involves information regarding Federal regulations on utilities, this request will allow FHWA to streamline the collection process for the respondents with the ultimate goal of lowering the overall information collection burden. In addition to the proposed burden-hour reductions, by combining these collections, FHWA will be in a position to communicate collection activity from the respondents in one process, thus allowing for greater efficiency for both FHWA and the public. These four current information collections include:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The FMCSA requests approval to revise and extend an information collection (IC) entitled, ``Training Certification for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operators,'' that relates to the prerequisite training requirements for drivers of vehicles for which a commercial driver's license (CDL) is required. On May 23, 2007, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. No comments were received.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require replacing the outboard stabilizing fitting and certain adjacent components of the main landing gear (MLG) support beam. This proposed AD would also require repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the outboard stabilizing fitting, walking beam hanger, and rear spar attachment, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would provide an alternative one-time inspection of the outboard stabilizing fitting for discrepancies and corrective actions if necessary, which would extend the compliance time for the replacement of the outboard stabilizing fitting. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would also require performing a torque check of the aft pin of the outboard stabilizing fitting, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of findings of fatigue cracking of the outboard stabilizing fitting and stress corrosion cracking of the bolts attaching the fitting to the wing rear spar. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct that cracking, which could result in disconnection of the MLG actuator from the rear spar and support beam, and consequent damage to the hydraulic system causing hydraulic fluid leakage and loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an initial general visual or dye penetrant inspection, repetitive dye penetrant inspections, and replacement, as necessary, of the rudder pedal bracket. The existing AD also requires, for certain airplanes, replacing the rudder pedal bracket assemblies with new, improved parts, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would, for certain airplanes, reduce initial inspection thresholds, remove an inspection option, and lengthen the repetitive inspection intervals. This proposed AD results from reports of failures of the captain's rudder pedal brackets before reaching the initial inspection threshold identified in the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the rudder pedal bracket assembly, which could result in the loss of rudder and braking control at either the captain's or first officer's position.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the trunnion fork assembly of the wing landing gears to determine the part number and serial number and to determine the category of the trunnion fork assemblies. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD also would require, if necessary, various inspections to detect discrepancies of the trunnion fork assemblies, related investigative/corrective actions, and a terminating action. This proposed AD results from a report of a fractured trunnion fork assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent a fractured trunnion fork assembly, which could result in the collapse of a wing landing gear on the ground and possible damage to hydraulic equipment and the aileron and spoiler cables. Such damage could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

The FAA is superseding 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 AD requires the same actions but corrects 12 P/Ns, adds 10 part SNs, and adds the definition of next fan blade exposure to the compliance section. This AD results from the discovery of inaccurate part quantity, part numbers, and serial numbers used in AD 2005-26-09. We are issuing this AD to prevent 1st stage fan blade fracture and uncontained engine failure, resulting in possible damage to the airplane.

This final rule amends regulations on insurer reporting requirements. The appendices list those passenger motor vehicle insurers that are required to file reports on their motor vehicle theft loss experiences. An insurer included in any of these appendices must file three copies of its report for the 2004 calendar year before October 25, 2007. If the passenger motor vehicle insurers remain listed, they must submit reports by each subsequent October 25.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216: Aeronautical Systems Security.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 135: Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by England Economic and Industrial Developmental District 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 January 26, 2006, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by England Economic and Industrial Development District under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On August 14, 2007, the FAA approved the Alexandria International Airport noise compatibility program. All eight of the recommendations of the program were approved in full. The England Economic and Industrial Development District has also requested under FAR Part 150, section 150.35(f), that FAA determine that the revised noise exposure map for the year 2010 submitted with the noise compatibility program and showing future noise contours as a result of the implementation of the noise compatibility program is in compliance with applicable requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150. The FAA announces its determination that the revised future noise exposure map for Alexandria International Airport, submitted with the noise compatibility program, is in compliance with applicable requirements of FAR Part 150 effective August 22, 2007. The documentation that constitutes the ``noise exposure map'' as defined in section 150.7 of Part 150 includes: Figure 2.1, Existing Land Use Map; Figure 3.2, Existing Airport Layout; Figure 4.1, Aviation Activity Forecast; Figure 4.2, Future Airport Layout; Figure 4.3, 2010 Future Condition North Flow Flight Tracks; Figure 4.4, 2010 Future Condition South Flow Flight Tacks; Table 3.2, Flight Track Utilization Rates; Table 4.1, 2010 Runway and Helipad Utilization Rates; Table 4.2, 2010 Flight Track Utilization Rates; Appendix A, Aviation Activity Forecast; Appendix B, Integrated Noise Model Inputs; Table 7.1, Alternative 1 Noise Exposure Estimates; Figure 7.1, RAD14 and RAD14X Departure Tracks; Figure 7.2, Alternative 1 Noise Contours; Table 7.2, Alternative 2 Noise Exposure Estimates; Figure 7.5, Runway 32 Arrival Tracks; Figure 7.6, Alternative 2 Noise Contours; Table 7.4, Summary of Noise Exposure Estimates; and Figure 7.9, 2010 Future Condition Noise Exposure Map with Program Implementation. The FAA has determined that this noise exposure map and accompanying documentation are in compliance with applicable requirements.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Tucson, AZ. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to encompass holding patterns and intermediate segments at Tucson International Airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Tucson International Airport, Tucson, AZ.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). This notification provides the dates, location, and agenda for the meetings.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are installed on the rear tracklock bracket, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that the captain's seat slid aft and jammed during taxi. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Model 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 55, 55B, and 55C airplanes, and Model 45 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for unsealed gaps on the pylon side of the engine firewall and cleaning/ sealing any unsealed gap; and, for certain airplanes, inspecting for unsealed gaps of the pylon trailing edge and cleaning/sealing any gap. This AD results from a report that unsealed gaps (penetration points) of the engine firewall were discovered during production. We are issuing this AD to prevent penetration of flammable liquids or fire through the engine firewall into the engine pylon, which could lead to fire inside the airplane.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), -82 (MD-82), -83 (MD- 83), and -87 (MD-87) airplanes; and Model MD-88 airplanes; that requires repetitive inspections and functional tests of the static port heater assemblies, and corrective actions if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an electrical short of the static port heater from sparking and igniting the insulation blanket adjacent to the static port heater, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the cabin area. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.