Department of Transportation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.

This action extends the expiration date of Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 105 through October 31, 2010. This action maintains the reservation system established for unscheduled arrivals at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (O'Hare) following the expiration of limitations imposed on scheduled operations at the airport. This action is necessary to reduce congestion and delays at the airport and is consistent with O'Hare's status as a Schedules Facilitated Airport (Level 2) under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines (WSG).

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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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:

PHMSA is extending the period for public comment to its Federal Register Notice issued on September 4, 2008 (73 FR 51697) that proposes to revise forms PHMSA F 7100.2Incident Report for Gas Transmission and Gathering Systems; PHMSA F 7100.1Incident Report for Gas Distribution Systems; and PHMSA F 7000-1Accident Report for Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Systems.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspections for cracking of the left- and right-side shear ties and web posts of the kickload beam and the adjacent structure in the vertical stabilizer, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of cracking of the left- and right-side web posts and shear ties of the kickload beam. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the left- and right-side web posts and shear ties of the kickload beam, which, when coupled with failures in the adjacent structure, could result in structural failure of the vertical stabilizer, and loss of control of the airplane.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

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 rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action proposes to amend Class D and E airspace at Bethel, AK. The Airport and Navigation Aids will be soon undergoing a magnetic variation change. This change will result in the necessity to revise the airspace descriptions. Additionally, the present 1,200 foot airspace is no longer necessary, because Bethel lies within a larger section of controlled airspace called the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Class E airspace covering the area required for the airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in amendment of existing Class D and E airspace upward from the surface, and from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, AK.

The Board will meet with Christensen Associates at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, in the Hearing Room on the first floor of the Board's headquarters in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss Christensen Associates' independent study entitled Report to the U.S. STB on Competition and Related Issues in the U.S. Freight Railroad Industry. The report assesses the current state of competition in the United States freight railroad industry. The meeting will be open for public observation but not public participation.