Department of Transportation November 1, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede three existing airworthiness directives (ADs) for McCauley Propeller Systems propeller models B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0. Those ADs currently require fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) and eddy current inspections (ECI) of propeller blades for cracks, and if any crack indications are found, removing the blade from service. This proposed AD would require the same initial inspections, but extends the compliance times and intervals, adds repetitive inspections, and mandates a life limit for the blades. This proposed AD results from our determination that we must require repetitive inspections for cracks, and from reports of blunt leading edges of the propeller blades due to erosion. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in the propeller blade that could cause failure and separation of the propeller blade and loss of control of the airplane, and to detect blunt leading edges on the propeller blades, which could cause airplane single engine climb performance degradation and could result in an increased risk of collision with terrain.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirement (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 23, 2007 (72 FR 48315).

The FAA is issuing this Notice of Intent to the public an EIS under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, will be prepared to consider the siting and construction of a replacement airport for the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), Hailey, Idaho. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is involved in the project as alternative sites may occur on BLM land. The BLM has not entered into a cooperating or co-lead agreement at this time. The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority, the sponsor of the project, has proposed to construct and operate a replacement airport for the Friedman Memorial Airport within Blaine County, Idaho. Friedman Memorial Airport is located in Hailey, Idaho and serves the Wood River region of South Central Idaho. The airport currently does not and cannot comply with FAA airfield design standards on the limited land owned by the airport. Further, the airport is close to numerous residences. Mountainous terrain on the east, west, and north sides of SUN precludes instrument approach procedures which would make SUN accessible in poor weather. All alternatives at the existing airport site are extremely costly and extend into residential areas. Further, they provide no benefit to reliability and safe operation in either good or adverse weather. Considering the limitations of the existing airport, elected and appointed officials in Blaine County, Idaho have decided to evaluate the environmental impacts of building and operating an airport meeting FAA design standards and supporting an instrument approach. Several alternatives, as well as the no-action alternative will be evaluated. The EIS will determine all environmental impacts, such as and not limited to, noise impacts, impacts on air and water quality, wetlands, fish, wildlife, and plants, farmlands, floodplains, historic/tribal resources, hazardous wastes, socioeconomics, and economic factors.