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

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Program Management Committee.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The nature of the information collection is described as well as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 2, 2007. No comments were received.

DOT is relocating the time zone boundary in Indiana to move Knox, Daviess, Martin, Pike, and Dubois Counties from the Central Time Zone to the Eastern Time Zone. This action is taken at the request of the Boards of Commissioners of each of the Counties and this change serves the convenience of commerce, the statutory standard for a time zone change. DOT is denying a petition from Perry County to change its time zone boundary. Perry County will remain in the Central Time Zone.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council of Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1505.6), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 151710, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), will prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, an approximately two-mile transit improvement along Van Ness Avenue through the City and County of San Francisco, California. The Project would create dedicated bus lanes from approximately South Van Ness Avenue and Mission Street (south end) to Van Ness Avenue and Lombard Street (north end). The project would also establish high capacity stations with passenger amenities and low-level boarding platforms; real time bus arrival information systems; proof- of-payment fare verification; transit signal priority; and modern, high-capacity, low-floor, multi-door buses. The EIS/EIR will evaluate the following alternatives: (1) No- Project/Baseline Alternative; (2) Van Ness Avenue BRT Project, which will include design options for the configuration of the BRT transitway and stations; and (3) any additional reasonable alternatives that emerge from the study process. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with FTA regulations (23 CFR 771 et seq.) implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The EIR will be prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Chapter 3). As part of the EIS/EIR process, an evaluation of potential transit improvement alternatives will be completed (``alternatives analysis'') in accordance with 23 CFR Part 450 and inform the development of project alternatives. Previous studies and documents relevant to this action include the recently completed Van Ness Avenue BRT Feasibility Study (December 2006); 2005 Prop K Strategic Plan (March 2005); 2004 San Francisco Countywide Transportation Plan (adopted July 20, 2004), and the New Transportation Expenditure Plan for San Francisco (Proposition K, approved November 4, 2003). These documents describe the planning and funding for transportation improvements in San Francisco, including BRT in major bus corridors. These documents can be downloaded at the Web site www.sfcta.org, or requested from the Authority. EIS/EIR preparation will be initiated through a formal NEPA scoping process, which solicits input on issues and potential project impacts to consider in the environmental studies. Scoping will be accomplished through meetings and correspondence with interested persons, organizations, the general public, and Federal, State, and local agencies. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have been sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private organizations and individuals. Comments on issues and impacts to be considered in preparation of the EIS/EIR will be recorded in the project information database.

This notice announces a service disruption to DOT's Docket Management System (DMS), which contains the public dockets for all DOT agencies (except for the Surface Transportation Board), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). (Subsequent references to ``DOT'' in this document also apply to TSA and USCG.) Effective September 30, 2007, DOT's DMS will be replaced by the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS), a government-wide, electronic docket management system. Please note that in preparation for migration, effective Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 5 p.m. DMS will no longer accept electronic comments/submissions. DMS will accept, as well as process, faxed and other paper documents up until 12 noon on Friday, September 28, 2007. If falling due during this transition, due dates for filings in rulemakings and adjudications will be delayed until October 1, 2007, unless otherwise advised by the originating office. On October 1, 2007 FDMS will begin accepting DOT- related electronic submission. At that time, it will display all open DOT dockets. Between October 1 and October 31, the remaining DOT dockets still will be accessible in DMS. By October 31, the full migration of all dockets currently in DMS is expected to be completed. The change in systems will not change any requirements in DOT regulations.

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.

This action amends instructions to aviation maintenance providers regarding submittal of FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration, for either major repair or major alteration; or for extended-range fuel tanks installed within the passenger compartment or a baggage compartment. This change clarifies the mailing instructions when submitting Form 337 to the FAA. The intent of this action is to amend the regulation to ensure mailing requirements are clear and accurate.

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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive measurements of the rudder and elevator freeplay, repetitive lubrications of rudder and elevator components, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would instead require revised repetitive measurements of the rudder freeplay and the elevator freeplay for each of the power control actuators (PCAs) that move the rudder and elevator, corrective and related investigative actions if necessary, and repetitive lubrications of the rudder and elevator components. For some airplanes, this proposed AD would also require related concurrent actions. This proposed AD results from reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the rudder and the elevator. The potential for vibration of the control surface should be avoided because the point of transition from vibration to divergent flutter is unknown. We are proposing this AD to prevent excessive vibration of the airframe during flight, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.