Department of Transportation September 21, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss transport airplane and engine (TAE) issues.

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 and invites public comment. The FMCSA requests approval to revise and renew an ICR entitled, ``Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program'' (MCSAP). The information required consists of grant application preparation, quarterly reports and electronic data documenting the results of driver/vehicle inspections performed by the States.

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 various proposed highway projects in the State of Utah. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections and torque checks of the hanger fittings and strut forward bulkhead of the forward engine mount and adjacent support structure, and corrective actions if necessary. The existing AD also currently requires a terminating action for the repetitive inspections and checks. This new AD requires, among other actions, new repetitive inspections in the existing area and new areas. This new AD also provides for an optional inspection and no longer allows the existing fastener replacement to terminate repetitive inspections. This AD results from new reports of under-torqued or loose fasteners, a cracked bulkhead chord, and a fractured back-up angle after operators accomplished the terminating action required by the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct loose fasteners and/or damaged or cracked hanger fittings, back-up angles, and bulkhead of the forward engine mount, which could lead to failure of the hanger fitting and bulkhead and consequent separation of the engine from the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10- 30F airplanes, Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, and Model 717-200 airplanes. That AD currently requires a revision to the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit use of the flight management system (FMS) profile (PROF) mode for descent and/or approach operations unless certain conditions are met. This new AD requires, for certain Model 717-200 airplanes, upgrading the versatile integrated avionics (VIA) digital computer with new system software, which would end the need for the AFM revision. This AD results from a report of two violations of the selected flight control panel (FCP) altitude during FMS PROF descents. We are issuing this AD to prevent, under certain conditions during the FMS PROF descent, the uncommanded descent of an airplane below the selected level-off altitude, which could result in an unacceptable reduction in the separation between the airplane and nearby air traffic or terrain.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. That AD requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the potable water and drain lines in the cargo compartments, and corrective action if necessary. This new AD requires that the inspection be repetitively performed using new service information, until terminating action is done. This AD also removes certain airplanes from the applicability. This AD results from a report of a fire in the aft cargo compartment started by a potable water line heater tape. We are issuing this AD to prevent overheating of the heater tape on potable water fill and drain lines, which could ignite accumulated debris or contaminants on or near the potable water fill and drain lines, resulting in a fire in the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes and certain Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This AD requires rerouting system 3 hydraulic piping, installing new pipe assemblies and unions, and installing redesigned support brackets for the system 3 hydraulic piping. This AD results from a report of damage to the hydraulic system that occurred when pieces of a ruptured tire from the left main landing gear penetrated the wing trailing edge access panel during takeoff. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the system 3 hydraulic piping, which could result in loss of the hydraulic system.

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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) provided by the aviation authority of France to identify and correct an unsafe condition on SICMA Aero Seat 50XXX Passenger Seats. The MCAI states the following:

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 74.273 acres at the Opa Locka Executive Airport, Opa Locka, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agrement between the FAA and Miami-Dade County, dated November 16, 1961. The release of property will allow Miami-Dade County to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in Opa-locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The parcels are currently designated as non- aeronautical use. The properties will be disposed of for the purpose of municipal uses. The airport will benefit from these releases through the development of infrastructure serving the airport. Further, the airport will no longer incure the costs associated with maintaining these lands. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Opa Locka Executive Airport Manager's Office, and the FAA Airports District Office.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will prepare a Revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Project (SVRT Project), a 16.1-mile extension of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) system from the planned BART Warm Springs Station in Fremont through Milpitas and San Jose to Santa Clara, California. The Revised EIS will be prepared in accordance with regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as the provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to inform interested parties of the plan to prepare a Revised EIS, to invite agency and public participation in the EIS process, and to announce public scoping meetings.