Department of Transportation 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 certain Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing software upgrades to the airplane information management system (AIMS) located in the flight compartment. This proposed AD results from an investigation that revealed that detrimental effects could occur on certain AIMS software during flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent an unannunciated loss of cabin pressure. If an undetected loss of pressure event were to cause an unsafe pressure in the cabin, the flight crew could become incapacitated.

FMCSA announces that it has published an opportunity to apply for FY 2008 funding for the CMV Operator Safety Training Grant on the grants.gov Web site (https://www.grants.gov). This opportunity was established by Section 4134 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, Pub. L. 109-59). This legislation requires grant recipients to train current and future drivers in the safe operation of CMVs, as defined in Section 31301 of Title 49, United States Code. Funding priority will be given to regional or multi-state educational or nonprofit associations serving economically distressed regions of the United States. Eligible awardees can also include State governments, local governments, and accredited post-secondary educational institutions (public or private) such as colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools and truck driver training schools. To apply for funding, applicants must first be registered with grants.gov at the following link: https:// www.grants.gov/applicants/getregistered.jsp. Note that grants.gov registration takes three to five business days to process your information before you can apply. Applications for grant funding must be submitted electronically to the FMCSA through the grants.gov Web site following the instructions provided on the site. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for the CMV Safety Training Grant Opportunity 20.235.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 28 individuals for exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

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 consists of grant application preparation, quarterly reports and electronic data documenting the results of driver/vehicle inspections performed by the States. On September 21, 2007, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. One comment was received.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for a GE CF6-80C2B1 turbofan engine, serial number (SN) 690203, with fan disk, part number (P/N) 1703M78P11, SN RPMDA662, installed. This AD requires stripping of thermal spray coating, inspection of dovetail slots, and reapplication of thermal spray coating on certain stage 1 fan disks. This AD results from a report that a repair shop did not meet the process requirements when applying copper-nickel-indium (Cu- Ni-In) thermal coating to certain stage 1 fan disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible uncontained release of multiple fan blades, resulting in damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) provided by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to identify and correct an unsafe condition on SMA SR305-230 and SR305-230-1 reciprocating engines. The MCAI states the following:

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:

The Federal Aviation Administration announces that it will be including the assessment of the transfer of lands from federal to state ownership for aviation uses within the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) currently being prepared by the Federal Aviation Administration. Public and Agency Scoping comments are being sought by the Federal Aviation Administration to receive input regarding the assessment of this additional proposed project within the EIS. Responsible Official: Patricia A. Sullivan, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, Alaskan Region, Airports Division, 222 W. 7th Avenue, 14, Anchorage, AK 99513- 7587, Telephone (907) 271-5454.

This action proposes special conditions for Boeing Model 757 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Triad International Maintenance Company (TIMCO), will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 airworthiness standards.

This action confirms the direct final rule issued on September 14, 2007, which became effective on November 13, 2007. The rule changes certain display requirements for nationality and registration marks for powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft. No comments were received on this direct final rule.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eclipse Aviation Corporation Model (Eclipse) EA500 airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the fuel filler adapters for primer and/or paint in the surround and, if present, remove the primer and/or paint. This AD results from an observation during a factory walk-around that the fuel filler surround was primed instead of being bare metal. We are issuing this AD to inspect and, if necessary, remove any paint and/or primer to restore the fuel filler adapter lightning strike protection. A lightning strike on the filler cap with insulating primer on the surround could result in the strike not dissipating to the surround. This could lead to arcing and ignition of fuel vapor inside the fuel tank.

In accordance with the procedures in 49 CFR Part 555, Ferrari S.P.A. and Ferrari North America (collectively, ``Ferrari'') have petitioned the agency for a temporary exemption from certain advanced air bag requirements of FMVSS No. 208. The basis for the application is that compliance would cause substantial economic hardship to a manufacturer that has tried in good faith to comply with the standard. This notice of receipt of an application for temporary exemption is published in accordance with the statutory provisions of 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(2). NHTSA has made no judgment on the merits of the application.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the support fittings of the Krueger flap actuators, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require eventual replacement of any existing aluminum support fitting on each wing with a steel fitting, and modification of the aft attachment of the actuator. Doing these actions would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements. This proposed AD results from reports of cracking due to fatigue and stress corrosion of the support fittings of the Krueger flap actuator. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the support fittings, which could result in fracturing of the actuator attach lugs, separation of the actuator from the support fitting, severing of the hydraulic lines, resultant loss of hydraulic fluids, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757 airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce RB211- 535E engines. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for signs of damage of the aft hinge fittings and attachment bolts of the thrust reversers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of several incidents of bolt failure at the aft hinge fittings of the thrust reversers due to, among other things, high operational loads. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the attachment bolts and consequent separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane during flight, which could result in structural damage to the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a revision of the airplane flight manual to include procedures for a pre-flight elevator check before each flight, repetitive inspections for cracks of the attachment lugs of the mode selector valve position transducers on the elevator servo controls, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would retain the existing requirements, reduce the applicability of the existing AD, and add terminating actions. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require upgrading the flight control primary computers. This proposed AD results from cracks of the transducer body at its attachment lugs. We are proposing this AD to ensure proper functioning of the elevator surfaces, and to prevent cracking of the attachment lugs, which could result in partial loss of elevator function and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate proposed public transportation improvements to extend fixed guideway transit service through the cities of Sandy and Draper to the southernmost part of Salt Lake County, Utah. The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) has adopted a long-range transportation plan, which is a comprehensive system plan and includes the full build-out of public transportation improvements in several corridors. The general alignments of the corridors have been identified in the approved plan. The Draper Transit Corridor has been identified in the plan as a two- track extension of the existing North-South Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from its current terminus at 10000 South in Sandy to about 14600 South in Draper along the UTA owned right-of-way. The Draper Transit Corridor Project, as defined in the WFRC long-range plan, was identified as the preferred alternative at the conclusion of a locally prepared alternatives analysis. The EIS will build on the results of the local alternatives analysis and evaluate other reasonable alternatives in accordance with appropriate statutes and regulations. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with section 102(2)c of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and pursuant to the Council on the Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR parts 1500- 1508), FTA/FHWA joint regulations (23 CFR 771) as well as provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of this notice is to alert interested parties regarding the intent to prepare the EIS, to provide information on the nature of the proposed project and possible alternatives, to invite public participation in the NEPA process (including providing comments on the scope of the DEIS), and to announce that a public scoping meeting will be conducted. The EIS will examine and evaluate a number of transit alternatives in the corridor including a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative. Any additional alternatives generated by the scoping process as well as the proposed station locations for the Build alternatives will also be considered. The alternatives will be compared to a No-Action Alternative for evaluation purposes. Scoping of the EIS will be accomplished through a public meeting, correspondence with interested persons, organizations and Federal, State and local agencies, and through a meeting with cooperating and participating public agencies. A scoping information packet will be posted on the UTA Web site at https://www.rideuta.com and hard copies of the packet will be distributed on request.

FMCSA has received from Dart Transit Company (Dart) an application for an exemption from certain commercial motor vehicle driver hours-of-service provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Dart requests an exemption for 200 of its owner-operators from the prohibition against driving after the 14th hour of coming on- duty, following 10 consecutive hours off-duty, and the requirement that drivers using two sleeper-berth periods to accumulate the equivalent of 10 consecutive hours off-duty spend at least 8 but less than 10 consecutive hours in the sleeper-berth during one of those two periods. As requested by Dart, exempt drivers would be allowed to drive up to 11 hours within a 24-hour period between 3 a.m. one day and 3 a.m. the next day, be required to complete a minimum of 6 consecutive off-duty or sleeper-berth hours between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., and complete additional periods of off-duty or sleeper-berth time to total at least 10 hours of rest within any ``floating'' 24-hour period. Dart would implement a detailed, performance-based Fatigue Risk Management System to help prevent overall driver fatigue, and require the use of Electronic On-Board Recorders. Dart believes the terms and conditions of the exemption would ensure that the level of safety will be equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained absent the exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on Dart's application for exemption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plans to submit the Information Collection Request described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, and invites public comment. The FMCSA invites comments on its plan to request OMB approval to revise an existing information collection (IC) entitled, ``Hours of Service of Drivers Regulations,'' OMB Control Number 2126-0001. The Agency has updated its calculation of the paperwork burden of the hours of service (HOS) rules to reflect changes in the number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, and to clarify the burden associated with supporting documents. The Agency requires most CMV drivers to complete and maintain a record of duty status (RODS), commonly referred to as a logbook, reflecting details of changes in duty status during each 24-hour period. Drivers retain the RODS for a minimum period and then forward them, along with supporting documents (e.g., fuel receipts, road toll tickets), to the motor carrier. The motor carrier uses the supporting documents to assist in reviewing the RODS for accuracy, and retains the RODS and supporting documents for a minimum of 6 months. This IC promotes safety in the operations of motor carriers of property and passengers by assisting the carrier and enforcement officials in ensuring compliance with the HOS rules that ensure drivers are provided adequate opportunities for rest.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147: Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment and Working Group 75.

In response to Section 14(g) of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration established a child restraint consumer information rating program. This program conducts a yearly assessment on the ease of using add-on child restraints and provides these ratings to the public. The program has been successful in encouraging child restraint manufacturers to improve their harness designs, labels, and manuals such that most now receive the top rating. However, some recent research, as well as a February 2007 public meeting held by the agency on the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system has indicated that some features that make child restraints easier to use are not being captured by the current program. Additionally, the agency wants to make sure that the program continues to provide useful information to the public. In an effort to further enhance the program and provide consumers with updated information we are proposing some new features and new rating criteria, and to adjust the scoring system. The agency anticipates that these program changes will result in more child restraints being used correctly by continuing to encourage manufacturers to install more features that help make the restraints easier to use.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 727 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks and loose brackets of the elevator rear spar, and corrective actions if necessary. The existing AD also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would reduce the repetitive intervals of the inspections, mandate the previously optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections, and no longer allow stop-drilling. This proposed AD results from new reports of cracks, elongated fastener holes, and loose fittings of the elevator rear spar. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the elevator rear spar at the tab hinge locations, which could cause excessive freeplay of the elevator control tab and possible tab flutter, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, 747-300, 747-400, and 747-400D series airplanes; and Model 747-200B series airplanes having a stretched upper deck. The existing AD currently requires repetitively inspecting for cracking or discrepancies of the fasteners in the tension ties, shear webs, and frames at body stations 1120 through 1220, and performing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD reduces the repetitive interval for certain inspections. This AD results from new reports of multiple severed adjacent tension ties, in addition to the previous reports of cracked and severed tension ties, broken fasteners, and cracks in the frame, shear web, and shear ties adjacent to tension ties for the upper deck. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the tension ties, shear webs, and frames of the upper deck, which could result in rapid decompression and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Starkville to waive the requirement that a 1.87 acre parcel of surplus property, located at the George M. Bryan Field Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.