Department of Transportation October 25, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier NPRM for the products listed above. This action revises the earlier NPRM by expanding the scope. 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:

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 various transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require deactivation of Rogerson Aircraft Corporation auxiliary fuel tanks. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, which identified potential unsafe conditions for which the manufacturer has not provided corrective actions. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B- 37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 series turbofan engines. That AD requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of installed low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade roots on-wing and during overhaul, and relubrication according to accumulated life cycles. That AD also introduces an alternative technique to ultrasonically inspect installed fan blades on-wing using a surface wave ultrasonic probe. Also, that AD introduces application of Metco 58 blade root coating as an optional terminating action. This proposed AD would require the same actions but would add compliance paragraphs to relax the compliance schedule for repetitive inspections for RB211-535E4 engines operating in flight profiles A and B, if certain requirements are met. This proposed AD results from RR issuing Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-72- C879, Revision 5. That MSB introduces a relaxed repetitive compliance schedule for RB211-535E4 engines operating in flight profiles A and B, if certain requirements are met. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in LPC fan blade roots, which if not detected, could lead to uncontained multiple fan blade failure, and damage to the airplane.

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. This information collection concerns the requirement that companies holding permits for transporting certain hazardous materials to develop a communications plan that allows for the periodic tracking of the shipment. A record of the communications may be kept by either the driver (e.g., recorded in the log book) or the company that contains the time of the call and location of the shipment. These records must be kept, either physically or electronically, for at least six months at the company's principal place of business or readily available to employees at the company's principal place of business. On July 20, 2007, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. One comment was received.

Under this notice, the FAA announces that New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has been designated a Level 3 Coordinated Airport for the summer 2008 scheduling season in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines. This notice supercedes the September 24, 2007, notice that designated JFK a Level 2 Schedules Facilitated Airport. 72 FR 54317. Based on a recently completed capacity analysis, a review of last summer's demand, the projections for summer 2008, and the agency's decision to seek voluntary schedule reductions from domestic air carriers, the FAA has determined that a Level 3 airport declaration is warranted. The primary coordination constraint is runway/air traffic control capacity. JFK is experiencing increased congestion and delay. Comparing the period of October 2006 through July 2007 to the same period in the previous year, the average daily operations at JFK increased 23 percent; the average daily arrivals with delays greater than one hour increased 114 percent; and on-time gate arrivals within 15 minutes of scheduled time decreased from 69.7 percent to 61.2 percent. The average taxi-out delay increased 19 percent from 30 to almost 36 minutes. On- time departures within 15 minutes of scheduled time declined from 74.7 percent to 65.2 percent. Much of this delay is attributed to volume and is not likely to be entirely mitigated by short-term air traffic control procedural enhancements, airport or airspace efficiency gains, or airport infrastructure changes. For example, from February 2007 through July 2007, JFK's average airport capacity was 81 operations per hour while demand during the busiest hour, 4 p.m., was over 110 scheduled arrivals and departures during summer 2007. Adjacent hours had fewer scheduled flights but still above the average hourly capacity rate. Under a preliminary review of the schedule submissions for summer 2008, the FAA notes that there are proposed schedule increases by domestic carriers and foreign flag carriers. These proposed schedules will result in a significant increase of operations at JFK. While JFK has available capacity for additional flights during some periods of the day, certain hours are currently beyond capacity and would get only worse if the schedules were implemented as proposed. Thus, based on the level of congestion experienced this past summer season, the planned increases for next summer, and the decision to seek voluntary reductions of existing schedules from domestic operators through a scheduling reduction meeting,\1\ an immediate Level 3 designation is warranted.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph (d) of Sec. 158.29.