Department of Transportation October 31, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application for an exemption from DriveCam, Inc. (DriveCam) to allow the placement of video event recorders at the top of the windshields on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The exemption would enable any motor carrier using DriveCam devices to mount the recorders lower in the windshield that is lower than what is currently permitted by the Agency's regulations in order to obtain the most effective view of the driver, passengers or outside area to maximize the ability to improve driver behavior and understand the root causes of collisions. Motor carriers would use the video event recorders to increase safety through (1) identification and remediation of risky driving behaviors such as distracted driving and drowsiness; (2) enhanced monitoring of passenger behavior; and (3) enhanced collision review and analysis. DriveCam believes this mounting position would maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Certain organizations may apply to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. The requested information is needed to mitigate potential hazards presented by airmen using alcohol or drugs in flight, to identify persons possibly unsuitable for pilot certification. DATES: Please submit comments by December 30, 2008.

On October 10, 2008, the FAA issued a final rule to address congestion at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LaGuardia). That final rule is scheduled to take effect December 9, 2008. As part of the final rule, the FAA explained how it would initially allocate slots to incumbent carriers on the rule's effective date. The preamble to the final rule noted that it would not allocate slots to a carrier that was no longer operating at the airport. However, it did not address how those slots would be allocated under the rule. Today's notice provides that explanation.

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5323(n), FTA is authorized to consolidate the certifications and assurances required by Federal law or regulations for its programs into a single document. FTA is also required by 49 U.S.C. 5323(n) to publish a list of those certifications and assurances annually. Appendix A of this Notice contains the comprehensive compilation of FTA's Certifications and Assurances for Federal Fiscal Year (Federal FY) 2009 applicable to the various Federal assistance programs that FTA will administer during that Federal FY. FTA's Certifications and Assurances for Federal FY 2009 reflect Federal statutory, regulatory, and programmatic changes that have now become effective.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain BEECH Model 400, 400A, and MU- 300-10 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires installation of an improved adjustment mechanism on the flightcrew seats and replacement of the existing aluminum seat reinforcement assemblies with steel assemblies. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. This proposed AD results from reports of incomplete latching of the existing adjustment mechanism and cracked reinforcement assemblies, which could result in sudden shifting of a flightcrew seat. We are proposing this AD to prevent sudden shifting of a flightcrew seat, which could impair the flightcrew's ability to control the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the wire installation of the auxiliary hydraulic pump in the right wheel well of the main landing gear (MLG). This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent a tire burst when the MLG is in the retracted position from causing damage to the wire assembly of the auxiliary hydraulic pump and subsequent electrical arcing, creating the potential of an ignition source in the center wing tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, this notice announces the Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request extension of a previously approved information collection.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The information collected is used to determine air operators' compliance with the minimum safety standards set out in the regulation and the applicant's eligibility for air operations certification.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. 14 CFR Part 298 requires air carrier operators to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the DOT, with the exception of air taxi and commuter air operators.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Certain organizations may apply to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. Information is collected from applicants who wish to obtain repair station certification.

This action amends the following four Offshore Airspace Areas in Alaska: Norton Sound Low, Woody Island Low, Control 1234L and Control 1487L. This action lowers the airspace floors to provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at Alaska airports.

This solicitation is for proposals from organizations to implement a National Technical Assistance Center for Alternative Transportation in Public Lands. The Center is to assist the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the coordinated provision of technical assistance under the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program. The Center is to develop, administer, distribute, and oversee multiple technical assistance products to support land management agencies, States, and local and tribal governments in alternative transportation projects serving federally managed parks and public lands. Organizations that submit proposals should have technical assistance expertise and experience in transportation planning, coordination and operations on parks and public lands. FTA will award a cooperative agreement (one base year plus two option years) for an estimated amount of $4,500,000. The funding is authorized under section 3021(d)(1) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and subsequently appropriated. For the first year of the project, $1,500,000 will be made available. Funding for subsequent years will be based on available annual appropriations as well as annual performance reviews. Use of Funds: The organization selected shall (1) provide on-demand and proactive technical assistance in alternative transportation project-level scoping, planning, and operations; (2) provide training and workshops; (3) perform outreach, communications, and coordination of services to support land management agencies in planning processes; (4) maintain a central repository of resources and disseminate resources; (5) support the project evaluation process; (6) convene and collaborate with an interagency peer review group; and (7) perform project administration and management.

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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the aviation authority of France to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of France, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI: ``This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following two cases of LH hydraulic power system loss on two AS332 helicopters. In both cases, the pilot received the ``low level'' hydraulic failure alarm. The investigations conducted on the two helicopters revealed a hydraulic fluid leak from the hydraulic pump casing. In both cases, incorrect position of the liner of the compensating piston had caused the seals to deteriorate. This incorrect positioning of the liner is due to non- compliant application of the repair process by a repair station. Deterioration of hydraulic pumps causes: The loss of the RH and LH hydraulic power systems in the event of a substantial hydraulic fluid leak from both hydraulic pumps during a given flight. The loss of the hydraulic system concerned, in the event of a substantial hydraulic fluid leak from only one pump.'' This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe condition.