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

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). This notification provides the dates, location, and agenda for the meeting. This notification revises Federal Register notice published on August 19, 2008 (Vol. 73, No. 161, Page 48427-48428) to indicate a change in the time of meetings and that interested persons may attend the meeting.

We are revising an earlier NPRM for the products listed above. This action revises the earlier NPRM by expanding the scope. 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 is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 airplanes. The original NPRM would have superseded an existing AD that currently requires, among other things, revision of an existing program of structural inspections. The original NPRM proposed to require implementation of a revised program of structural inspections of baseline structure to detect and correct fatigue cracking in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes as they approach the manufacturer's original fatigue design life goal. The original NPRM resulted from a significant number of these airplanes approaching or exceeding the design service goal on which the initial type certification approval was predicated. This new action revises the original NPRM by reducing the inspection threshold for certain principal structural elements. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct fatigue cracking that could compromise the structural integrity of these airplanes.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dowty Rotol propellers. That AD currently requires, for all Dowty Rotol propellers, visual inspections for seizure and for cadmium plating of the blade pitch change operating links and eyebolt fork assemblies. That AD also requires replacement or heat-treatment of the blade pitch change operating links and eyebolt fork assemblies, if necessary. This proposed AD would require the same actions, but only for certain model Dowty Propellers. This proposed AD results from the FAA determining that AD 70-16-02 does not apply to all propellers, since current Dowty Rotol propellers are differently designed. We are proposing this AD supersedure to specify the affected propeller models, and to prevent seizure or embrittlement and cracking of the blade pitch change operating links and eyebolt fork assemblies, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

This document announces decisions by NHTSA that certain motor vehicles not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by their manufacturers as complying with the safety standards, and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards or because they have safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all applicable FMVSS.

FRA is issuing this notice of interpretation to inform interested parties of its application and enforcement of the requirements for each railroad responsible for controlling joint operations territory to maintain a list of person(s) certified as a qualified locomotive engineer for the purposes of the joint operations. FRA has discovered that a number of controlling railroads are not maintaining accurate lists primarily because foreign railroads are not providing the controlling railroads with accurate information and the controlling railroads are not demanding it. If an accurate list is not maintained, a controlling railroad has little chance of preventing an uncertified or unqualified person from operating a locomotive or train in the joint operations territory. This document is intended to inform interested parties of what information is required to be maintained on the required list and provides information as to how often the listings should be updated.

FRA announces the 36th meeting of the RSAC, a Federal advisory committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The RSAC meeting topics will include opening remarks from the FRA Administrator, and status reports will be provided by the Passenger Safety, Locomotive Safety Standards, Railroad Bridge, Medical Standards, Railroad Operating Rules, and Track Safety Standards Working Groups. There will be a Committee vote on the acceptance of the report from the Railroad Bridge Working Group and a possible vote on an expanded task statement for the Track Standards Working Group. Accident/incident reporting is on the agenda for discussion by the Committee and there may be a vote on a contingent task statement. This agenda is subject to change.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 39(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, I-15 Corridor, from the South Payson Interchange in Utah County, to the 12300 South Interchange in Salt Lake County, State of Utah. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 219 meeting: Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS).

This action amends the Class E airspace area at Factoryville, PA, to provide additional controlled airspace accommodating a new Runway 4 Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) developed for Seamans Field, Factoryville, PA. This action increases the radius of the current Class E airspace and includes airspace on each side of the Lake Henry VORTAC 299[deg] radial extending to the VORTAC.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of certain fuselage skins at section 41 to find any external doublers that cover the inspection areas and to identify the external doublers that end on a stringer and those that do not, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracks found at fastener locations in the fuselage skins at section 41. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fuselage skin cracks at fastener locations along the skin-to-stringer attachments, which could join together and become large and consequently result in rapid decompression of the cabin.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 16751) that modifies the effective time of the Class E Airspace at Staunton, VA. The Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission has requested to change their current Class E2 Airspace from part time (currently 1200 to 0400 Zulu) to full time. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in the area by providing the required controlled airspace to support terminal operations continuously at Staunton, VA.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes equipped with certain Litton air data inertial reference units (ADIRUs). That AD currently requires modifying the shelf (floor panel) above ADIRU 3, modifying the polycarbonate guard that covers the ADIRUs for certain airplanes, and modifying the ladder located in the avionics compartment for certain airplanes. This new AD requires those modifications on additional airplanes. This new AD also requires replacing all three ADIRUs with improved ADIRUs. This new AD also adds Model A318 series airplanes to the applicability. This AD results from reports that ``NAV IR FAULT'' messages have occurred during takeoff due to failure of an ADIRU and subsequent analysis showing that the shelf modification has not sufficiently addressed failure of an ADIRU. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an ADIRU during flight, which could result in loss of one source of critical attitude and airspeed data and reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections to detect cracks and corrosion on any existing repairs and at certain body stations of the visible surfaces of the wing to body terminal fittings including the web, flanges, and ribs; and applicable related investigative and corrective actions. This AD results from reports of cracks found in the wing to body terminal fittings during routine inspections. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks and corrosion in the body terminal fittings, which could cause loss of support for the wing and could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary, (DOT) intention to request an extension of the information collection request (ICR) OMB No. 2100- 0019, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Information Collection Requirements for the ADA Rule for Over-the-Road Buses. DOT invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the Department's request for the renewal Paperwork Reduction Act approval of the information requirements in Subpart H of 49 CFR Part 37, concerning over-the-road buses. The current request approved by OMB expires on August 31, 2008.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. 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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate life limits for certain items and inspections to detect fatigue cracking in certain structures. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new and more restrictive life limits for certain items and new and more restrictive inspections to detect fatigue cracking in certain structures. This proposed AD results from issuance of a later revision to the airworthiness limitations of the BAe/Avro 146 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, which specifies new inspections and compliance times for inspection and replacement actions. We are proposing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of certain structural elements is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes.

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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 the petition or its final disposition.

The FHWA is revising its regulation for advance construction of Federal-aid projects by: (a) Removing the restriction that a State must obligate all of its allocated or apportioned funds, or demonstrate that it will use all obligation authority allocated to it for Federal- aid highways and highway safety construction, prior to the approval of advance construction projects; and (b) clarifying that advance construction procedures may be used for all categories of Federal-aid highway funds, and that any available Federal-aid funds for which a project is eligible may be used when a project is converted to a Federal-aid project. These revisions make the regulation consistent with the advance construction statute, which was amended by a provision enacted in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

FMCSA announces that the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) will hold a committee meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for stainless steel clad reinforcing bars used in certain Federal-aid construction projects in Virginia.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the exchange of the property for land needed to protect the transitional surface of Runway 18/36. The proposal consists of a 2.1-acre portion of Parcel 1 in exchange for 9.6 acres of Parcel 3. Presently the 2.1 acres of Parcel 1 is located outside of the fenced in portion of airport property and any protected zone (runway protection zone, object free area, object free zone, etc.) This land is currently being used as residential and has a mobile home located on it. Parcel 1 was acquired in 1986 with Federal participation. It is the intent of the City of Beardstown, as owner and operator of the Greater Beardstown Airport (K06) to exchange the subject portion of Parcel 1 (2.1 Acres) to Ms. Hardwick, Beardstown, IL in exchange for 9.6 acres of land (portion of Parcel 3), which is in the side transition area of Runway 18/36. This notice announces that the FAA is considering the proposal to authorize the exchange of the subject airport property at the Greater Beardstown Airport, Beardstown, IL with a portion of Parcel 3 (9.6 acres). Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination that all measures covered by the program are eligible for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. In accordance with section 47107(h) of Title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2008; Airspace Docket No. 07-ASO-27, FAA Docket No. FAA-2008-0187. In that rule, an error was made in the navigation aid radials stated in the description for jet route J-73. This action corrects that error. The description of area navigation route Q-110 is correct as published in the rule.

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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 the petition or its final disposition.