Department of Transportation February 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

These special conditions are for Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 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.

FMCSA extends the comment period for the Hours of Service of Drivers interim final rule published on December 17, 2007, for 30 days. The FMCSA received a request to extend the comment period from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety on February 7, 2008. The extension of the comment period will allow all interested parties additional time to submit comments to the interim final rule.

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-2008 0010 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.

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-2008-0011 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 Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Taylorcraft Models A, B, and F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspection of the wing strut attach fittings for corrosion or cracks and would require repair or replacement if corrosion or cracks are found. This proposed AD results from data collected from an accident involving a Taylorcraft Model BF12-65 airplane. The wing separated from the airplane after the wing strut attach fitting failed due to corrosion. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion or cracks in the wing strut attach fittings. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the wing strut attach fittings and lead to wing separation and loss of control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland (Eurocopter) Model EC135 helicopters. 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Technical Agent for the Federal Republic of Germany, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

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.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Brigham City Municipal Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Rumford, ME to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Rumford Community Hospital. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations by providing that required controlled airspace to protect for this approach around Rumford, ME.

This notice rescinds the previous Notice of Intent (issued January 29, 1993) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed highway project consisting of the construction of a new two- lane roadway (to be identified as T.R. 711) between the southern terminus of U.S. Route 30 and the northern terminus, which is a point approximately one mile north of Ligonier on S.R. 711 in Ligonier Township. The proposed project is approximately 2.0 miles in length.

This notice of proposed rulemaking provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) proposal to establish a new part 612 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations to establish procedures for 49 U.S.C. 5309 capital investment (New Starts) project sponsors to apply for incentive awards if their projects meet eligibility criteria for both cost and ridership estimates. This proposed rule would carry out certain provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59, August 10, 2005). Interested parties are invited to send comments on all facets of this proposal.

Under this Notice, the FRA encourages interested State departments of transportation to submit applications for grants to fund capital improvements and planning activities necessary to support improved or new intercity passenger rail service.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC), pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C., App. 2).

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:

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 10 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

This action proposes to establish four low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, designated T-257, T-259, T-261 and T-263 in the Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal areas. T-routes are low altitude Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal areas.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at White Hills, AK. Two Special Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) are being developed for the White Hills Airstrip at White Hills, AK. Additionally, a Special textual Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) is being developed. These Special procedures will be for use by the company that has paid for their publication. Adoption of this proposal would result in establishment of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at the White Hills Airstrip, White Hills, AK.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee (ATPAC) will be held to review present air traffic control procedures and practices for standardization, clarification, and upgrading of terminology and procedures.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a second meeting of RTCA Special Committee 215, Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services, Next Generation Satellite Services and Equipment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is delaying the compliance date for certain sections of a final rule, published January 16, 2007, that established regulations governing the design, operation, and maintenance of certain airplanes operated on flights that fly over 180 minutes from an adequate airport. The extension of the compliance date is necessary to give operators additional time to gain a comprehensive understanding of Extended Operations (ETOPS) requirements, develop training and procedures, and implement safety measures established in the final rule. In addition, the regulatory text for certain sections is amended to reflect this delay of compliance dates.

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 December 6, 2007 [72 FR 68955].

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:

This notice announces the issuance of the final report from the Amateur-Built Rulemaking Committee. The report provides information and guidance concerning recommendations regarding the use of builder or commercial assistance when fabricating and assembling amateur-built aircraft under current FAA regulations. This notice also announces recommended changes to certain documents that are used in the airworthiness certification of amateur-built aircraft.