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

This direct final rule makes technical amendments to appendix D of part 222 of the Code of Federal Regulations to update information contained in the appendix and direct the public to the most recent value of the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT). The amendments are intended to eliminate confusion regarding the data and calculations that will be used to determine the NSRT on an annual basis. Interested parties may submit written adverse comments or request an oral hearing on these amendments during the thirty (30) day period following publication of this direct final rule.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request extension of a previously approved information collection.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive external high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the crown skin for cracks at certain stringer attachment holes, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of cracks at multiple locations on certain areas of the crown skin. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the crown skin, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

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 introduces new airworthiness standards to evaluate the performance and handling characteristics of transport category airplanes in icing conditions. This action will improve the level of safety for new airplane designs when operating in icing conditions, and harmonizes the U.S. and European airworthiness standards for flight in icing conditions.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for TCM IO-550-N, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, and TSIO-550-G reciprocating engines. This AD requires removing before further flight, certain Kelly Aerospace Power Systems turbochargers, part number (P/N) 466304-0003, listed by serial number in this AD. This AD results from four incidents of the turbine rotor separating from the shaft of the turbocharger. We are issuing this AD to prevent the turbine rotor from separating from the shaft of the turbocharger due to a machining defect in the turbocharger compressor. This condition could result in full engine power loss, loss of engine lubricant, or smoke in the airplane cabin.

This notice announces the actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). These actions relate to a proposed bridge replacement project in the San Bernardino National Forest, California. The federal actions grant approvals and authorize funding for the project.

FMCSA amends part 393 of the Federal motor carrier safety regulations concerning parts and accessories necessary for safe operation in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by JHT Holdings, Inc. The petitioner requested that the previous provision excepting driveaway-towaway operations from supplying each power unit with a fire extinguisher be reinstated. This amendment is intended to correct that inadvertent omission in the final rule issued on August 15, 2005.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has tentatively determined that it will be necessary to amend the December 12, 2006, order that places temporary limitations on flight operations at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LaGuardia).

This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the joint FTA/FHWA procedures that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The revisions are prompted by enactment of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which prescribes additional requirements for environmental review and project decisionmaking that are not appropriately reflected in the existing joint NEPA procedures. Pursuant to provisions of SAFETEA-LU, this NPRM proposes to add new categorical exclusions (CEs) from the NEPA process. This NPRM also proposes other minor changes to the joint procedures in order to improve the description of the procedures or to provide clarification with respect to the interpretation of certain provisions. The FTA and the FHWA seek comments on the proposals contained in this notice.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO-C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require an additional inspection to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that, during maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which caused the pressure in the escape slide/ raft to drop below the minimum allowable raft mode pressure. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/ rafts after an emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase the chance for injury to raft passengers.

This final rule amends FAA regulations by adding airworthiness certification standards to protect aircraft electrical and electronic systems from high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). This action is necessary due to the vulnerability of aircraft electrical and electronic systems and the increasing use of high-power radio frequency transmitters. This action is intended to create a safer operating environment for civil aviation by protecting aircraft and their systems from the adverse effects of HIRF.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to: the proposed State Route 46 highway project, in the City of Wasco between Kilo Posts 74.03/82.43 (Post Miles 46.00/51.22) in Kern County, State of California; and, the proposed Westside Parkway Project between Heath Road and SR-99 in Bakersfield, Kern County, State of California. Those actions grant approvals for the two proposed projects.

These special conditions are issued for the Centex Aerospace Inc. modified Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR22. This airplane as modified by Centex Aerospace Inc. will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the installation of a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) engine. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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 notice announces the availability of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Proposed Policy Guidance on Evaluation Measures for New Starts/Small Starts and requests your comments on it. This document complements the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Major Capital Investments by describing the detailed measures proposed for evaluation of projects seeking New and Small Starts funding and the way these measures will be used in project ratings. The Proposed Evaluation Measures for New Starts/Small Starts is available in DOT's electronic docket and on FTA's Web site. FTA requests comment on the proposed detailed measures and associated policy in the Proposed Policy Guidance on Evaluation Measures for New Starts/Small Starts. After receiving and considering public input on the proposed guidance, FTA will respond to the comments it has received and issue final guidance concurrently with a final rule for Major Capital Investments.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO) intend to prepare an Alternatives Analysis (AA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on proposed high capacity transit improvements, including a potential light rail transit (LRT) and/or bus rapid transit (BRT) in the Central Mesa Corridor between the LRT Starter Line eastern terminus and Power Road (a distance of approximately 13 miles) in the City of Mesa in Maricopa County, Arizona. The proposed study area is bounded on the west by the LRT Starter Line eastern terminus at Main Street/Sycamore; University Boulevard to the north; Power Road to the east; and the Superstition Freeway (US 60) on the south. The AA/EIS will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. The AA/EIS process will be initiated with a scoping process that provides opportunities for the public to comment on the scope of the project and proposed alternatives to be considered in the AA and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This input will be used to assist decisionmakers in determining a locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the Central Mesa Corridor. Upon selection of an LPA, METRO will request permission from FTA to enter into preliminary engineering per requirements of New Starts regulations 49 CFR part 611. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will be issued after FTA approves entrance into preliminary engineering. The purpose of this notice is to alert interested parties regarding the intent to prepare the AA/EIS, to provide information on the nature of the proposed project and possible alternatives, to invite public participation in the AA/EIS process, including comments on the scope of the alternatives proposed in this notice, to announce that public scoping meetings will be conducted, and to identify participating agency contacts.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 209, EUROCAE WG-49 Joint Plenary Session ATCRBS/Mode S Transponder MOPS Maintenance.

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:

By this decision and notice, the Board is commencing a proceeding under 49 U.S.C. 10502(b) and 49 CFR 1121.1 to consider the petition of Michigan Central Railway, LLC (MCR) to exempt its acquisition and operation of certain railroad lines of the Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) in Michigan and Indiana. To allow this proceeding to go forward, we are granting MCR's petition to revoke the application of the class exemption, which would otherwise apply to this transaction. Our revocation of the class exemption as to this transaction will allow us to consider the transaction in greater detail than it could be considered under our regulations for processing notices invoking the class exemption, and it will facilitate the participation of interested persons pursuant to the procedural schedule we are adopting.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties, 5.958 acres at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Orlando, dated August 9, 1961. The release of property will allow the City of Orlando to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in a portion of the Southwest \1/4\ of Section 28, Township 22 South, Range 30 East, Orange County, Florida. The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be disposed of for the purpose of constructing the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority Operations Center. The fair market value of the property has been determined by appraisal to be $1,557,200. The airport will receive fair market value for the property, which will be subsequently reinvested in another eligible airport improvement project. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the FAA Airports District Office.