Department of Transportation 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace at Castle Airport, Atwater, CA. This proposal would reduce the ceiling of the Atwater, CA, Class D airspace to below 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), change the southern boundary of the airspace and add an extension to the north to provide controlled airspace for the safety of aircraft executing Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and other Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Castle Airport.

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 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 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This proposed AD would require rerouting system 3 hydraulic piping, installing new pipe assemblies and unions, and installing redesigned support brackets for the system 3 hydraulic piping. This proposed 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 proposing this AD to prevent damage to the system 3 hydraulic piping, which could result in loss of the hydraulic system.

This proposed rule would establish annual fees and a fee bracket structure for the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement as required under the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005, enacted as Subtitle C of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the Noise Compatibility Program submitted by the Jacksonville Airport Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On December 22, 2006, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Jacksonville Airport Authority under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On May 14, 2007, the FAA approved the Craig Municipal Airport noise compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the program were approved.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time general visual inspection of frames between body station (BS) 360 and BS 907 to determine if certain support brackets of the air conditioning (A/C) outlet extrusions are installed; medium- and high-frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the frames around the attachment holes of the subject brackets; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also require installing new, improved fittings for all support brackets of the A/C outlet extrusions between BS 360 and BS 907. This proposed AD results from numerous reports of multiple cracks in the frames around the attachment holes of certain support brackets of the A/C outlet extrusions. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct frame cracking, which, if not corrected, could lead to a severed frame that, combined with cracking of the skin lap splice above stringer 10, could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive replacement of the internal electrical feed-through connectors of the main fuel tank boost pumps. This proposed AD results from a report of cracking in the epoxy potting compound on the internal feed-through connector of the fuel boost pump in the area of the soldered wire connector lugs. We are proposing this AD to prevent a hazardous electrical path from the dry side to the wet side of the fuel boost pump through a cracked feed-through connector, which could create an ignition source on the wet side of the fuel boost pump and lead to subsequent explosion of the fuel tank.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting the electrical connectors of the fire bottles for the forward and aft baggage compartments and for the auxiliary power unit (APU) and engine nacelles to determine if they are connected correctly, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds a requirement to install/modify lanyards, mounts, and clamps to the forward and aft baggage compartment, APU, and engine nacelle fire extinguishing systems. This new AD also requires revising the aircraft maintenance manual to incorporate installation and removal procedures for certain fire bottles and fire extinguisher cartridges. This new AD also adds two airplanes to the applicability. This AD results from reports of the electrical connectors for the fire bottles in the forward and aft baggage compartments, APU, and engine nacelle being cross-connected. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cross- connection of the fire bottles and to prevent cross-connection, which could result in failure of the fire bottles to discharge and consequent inability to extinguish a fire in the affected areas.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new removal limits for certain components of the flap system and to reduce the interval of inspections for fatigue cracking of certain principal structural elements (PSEs). This new AD requires revising the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate reduced initial inspection and repeat inspection intervals for certain PSEs. This AD results from a revised damage tolerance analysis. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Recently, five (5) 33-pound propane cylinders authorized under DOT Special Permit (DOT-SP 13957) ruptured during storage at a facility in Miami, Florida. The purpose of this notice is to alert owners and users of certain cylinders manufactured under this special permit to potential safety problems and to advise them to remove the cylinders from service as outlined in this notice. Also, PHMSA requests information on any other failures or leakage of lading, involving all cylinders made under DOT-SP 13957, which include 10-pound, 20-pound, and 33-pound cylinders, that may not have been previously reported to the agency.

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions 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 contains a summary of certain petitions 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.

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:

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:

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:

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 an ICR entitled, ``Training Certification for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators,'' that relates to the training requirements for drivers applying for a commercial drivers license.

This document responds to a petition for reconsideration of our 2003 final rule establishing a braking-in-a-curve performance requirement for single unit trucks and buses. The braking-in-a-curve requirement has applied to air-braked truck tractors since 1997 and we determined that the requirement should also apply to single-unit trucks and buses. The requirement ensures that a vehicle's antilock brake system (ABS) maintains adequate stability and control during a hard stop on a curved, slippery road surface. A petition for reconsideration was received from the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), which seeks to exclude vehicles built in two or more stages and altered vehicles from the braking-in-a-curve requirement if such vehicles are manufactured or altered by a final stage manufacturer or alterer that builds no more than 250 affected vehicles per year. The agency is denying the petitioner's request for the reasons discussed in this document.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain transport category airplanes identified above. That AD currently requires modification of the reinforced flight deck door and other actions related to the reinforced flight deck door. Those other actions include modifying the door, inspecting and modifying wiring in the area, and revising the maintenance program to require more frequent testing of the decompression panels of the flight deck door. This new AD continues to require the existing requirements. This new AD adds airplanes to the existing requirement of a one-time inspection for chafing of wire bundles in the area of the flight deck door and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also removes certain airplanes from the applicability. This AD results from a report of smoke and fumes in the cockpit of a Model 737-300 series airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent release of the decompression latch and consequent opening of the decompression panel in the flight deck door, or penetration of the flight deck door by smoke, any of which could result in injury to the airplane flightcrew. We are also proposing this AD to detect and correct wire chafing, which could result in arcing, fire, and/or reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is considering rulemaking to change the packing interval for certain types of parachutes. Currently, the FAA requires that most parachutes may not be used or carried aboard an aircraft and available for emergency use unless they have been packed within the previous 120 days. New reliability data from the parachute industry and other sources indicate it is time to review the packing interval, and the FAA is asking for public comment on a proposal to lengthen the interval from 120 to 180 days. The effect of the proposal is to ensure the rules reflect the safest parachute packing interval. In this rulemaking, we are also proposing several correcting amendments to the rules related to parachute operations.