Department of Transportation 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier NPRM 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:

FMCSA announces the postponement of the Medical Review Board meeting that was scheduled for October 15, 2007 from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2007-0004 at https:// www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.- flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

As authorized by Pub. L. 105-383 and Pub. L. 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2007-29366 at https:// www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Pub. L. 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

This notice is to inform agencies and the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a project in San Bernardino, California. Furthermore, it is advised that environmental review, consultation, and any other action required in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations for this project is being, or has been, carried out by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under its July 1, 2007 assumption of all the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary's responsibilities under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) pursuant to Section 6005 of SAFETEA-LU codified in 23 U.S.C. 327(a)(2)(A).

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on Clinton County Airport (PLB), Plattsburgh, New York notice of proposed release from aeronautical use of approximately 624 acres of airport property, including runways, taxiways, aprons, airside and landside facilities to allow for non-aeronautical development. It has been determined through the planning process to close Clinton County Airport and transfer all operations to Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), Plattsburgh, New York, its replacement airport. FAA's action is to release the land from its deed provision requiring aeronautical use of the property. A prior study explored the potential for the public benefit conveyance of Plattsburgh International Airport as a replacement airport, with Clinton County as the owner and operator of the new airport. The Plattsburgh International Military Airport Program application and Airport Master Plan determined that land constituting Clinton County Airport has no aeronautical use and should be replaced by the new facility at PGB. Revenue generated from the disposal of the property will be utilized at the replacement airport, Plattsburgh International Airport, Plattsburgh, New York for aeronautical development. Documents reflecting the sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Airport Manager's office and the FAA Airports District Office.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD would require electrical bonding of the fill valves for the right and left main fuel tanks, the fill valve and pipe assembly for the center wing fuel tank, and the defuel shutoff valve. This proposed AD results from a fuel system review conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent improper bonding of the fill valves and defuel shutoff valve for the main fuel tanks and center wing tank, which, in combination with a lightning strike, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking in and around the upper and lower hinge cutouts of the forward entry and forward galley service doorways, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from multiple reports of cracks found in the skin, bearstrap, and/or frame outer chord in the hinge cutout areas of the forward entry and forward galley service doorways. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (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 collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on July 20, 2007 [NHTSA-2007-28654].

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 787-8 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These novel or unusual design features are associated with composite materials chosen for the construction of the fuel tank skin and structure. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for wing and fuel tank structure with respect to postcrash fire safety. 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 standards. We will issue additional special conditions for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 787-8 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes will use high capacity lithium ion battery technology in on- board systems. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards. 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 standards. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 58P and 58TC airplanes that were used as lead airplanes by the United States Forest Service (USFS). This AD establishes new limits for the structural life of the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, and associated structure) through the incorporation of a supplement to the Limitations Section of the pilot's operating handbook and airplane flight manual (POH/AFM). This AD results from the FAA's analysis and determination that the operational history and usage of the affected airplanes requires a reduction in the structural life limit to 4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) for the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, and associated structure). We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the airframe (wing, fuselage, empennage, or associated structure) based on the operational history and usage of the affected airplanes. Such failure could lead to loss of control.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at Muskogee-Davis Field Municipal Airport under the provisions of Title 49 United States Code, section 47153.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4090 and PW4090-3 turbofan engines with front turbine hub, part number (P/N) 53L601, installed. This proposed AD would reduce the published life limit of those front turbine hubs from 12,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) to 9,370 CSN. This proposed AD would also remove from service those front turbine hubs using a drawdown schedule. This proposed AD results from PW updating the low-cycle- fatigue (LCF) life analysis for front turbine hubs, P/N 53L601. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the front turbine hub, resulting in an in-flight engine shutdown and possible damage to the airplane.

This action revises Jet Routes J-29 and J-101 over the South Central United States in support of the Houston Area Air Traffic System Project. This allows for more effective utilization of airspace and enhances the management of aircraft operations over the Houston terminal area.

This document identifies and provides guidance on the current FAA policies regarding requests for exemption from the rules governing the operation of aircraft for the purpose of carrying passengers on living history flights in return for compensation. Specifically, this document clarifies which aircraft are potentially eligible for an exemption and what type of information petitioners should submit to the FAA for proper consideration of relief from the applicable regulations.

This document grants in full the Fuji Heavy Industries U.S.A., Inc.'s (FUSA) petition for exemption of the Subaru Forester vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541). FUSA requested confidential treatment for the information and attachments it submitted in support of its petition. In a letter dated July 10, 2007, the agency granted the petitioner's request for confidential treatment of the indicated areas of its petition.

Based on concern that the agency's standard on electric- powered vehicles, as currently written, may inadvertently hinder the development of fuel cell vehicles in the United States, NHTSA is proposing to amend the electrical safety requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 305, Electric-powered vehicles: electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection. The amendment would ensure that state-of-the-art fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are consistent with the interests of safety and encompassed by FMVSS No. 305 so that the market may continue to develop. This NPRM also proposes to harmonize FMVSS No. 305 with the revised FMVSS No. 301, as regards rear moving barrier impact test conditions. This rulemaking commenced in response to a petition from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

This document, together with a companion final rule; technical amendments; response to petitions; published in today's edition of the Federal Register, addresses issues raised in petitions received in response to a December 2004 final rule that updated the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on brake hoses, and a related petition for rulemaking. In that rule, we incorporated updated versions of substantive specifications of several Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practices relating to hydraulic brake hoses, vacuum brake hoses, air brake hoses, plastic air brake tubing, and end fittings. In this NPRM, we respond to some issues raised in the petitions and propose a number of amendments to the brake hose rule in response to the petitions. In the companion document, we deny several of the petitions and also correct typographical errors in, and inadvertent omissions from, the December 20, 2004 final rule.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 28, 2006, vol. 71, no. 228, page 68881. The New England Region Aviation Expo database performs conference registration and helps plan the logistics and non-pilot courses for the expo.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. ATF3-6 and ATF3-6A series turbofan engines equipped with a certain part number (P/N) low pressure compressor (LPC) aft shaft. This proposed AD would require removing from service those LPC aft shafts and installing a serviceable LPC aft shaft. This proposed AD results from reports of eight LPC aft shafts found cracked during fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI). We are proposing this AD to prevent uncoupling and overspeed of the low pressure turbine, which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.