Department of Transportation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are superseding an existing 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:

We are superseding an existing 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:

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 FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Lockheed Model L-1011 series airplanes. That AD currently requires an inspection of the fuel level control switch, the fuel level control switch wiring harness, and the wiring harness conduit for damage, wear or chafing, broken or missing O-rings, or indications of electrical arcing. That AD also requires replacement of a certain conduit in the fuel level control switch wiring harness, installation of electrical sleeving over the fuel level control switch wiring harness, and installation of the fuel level control switch that has been so modified. This new AD requires an inspection of the fuel level control switch, wiring harnesses, and harness conduit for any visible damage, wear or chafing, broken or missing O-rings, or indications of electrical arcing; an inspection to determine the part number of the wiring harness conduit; and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also requires replacing certain sleeving with new, improved sleeving over the wiring harness of the fuel level control switch. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel level control switch wiring harness, which could cause arcing and result in a fire in the fuel tank.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. No. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.

We are superseding an existing 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:

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. That proposed rule would have required replacing certain door-mounted escape slides and slide-raft assemblies with new slide-raft assemblies; replacing certain escape system latches with new latches; and modifying or replacing certain counterbalance assemblies with new counterbalance assemblies; as applicable. This new action revises the proposed rule by extending the compliance time, adding requirements to install a longer firing cable and test the valve of the inflation trigger system of the slide-raft, and, for certain airplanes, adding procedures to adjust the door counter balance systems. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent the escape slides and slide-rafts of the forward and mid-cabin entry and service doors from being too steep for evacuation in the event that the airplane rotates onto the aft fuselage into the extreme tip-back condition. In the extreme tip-back condition, the forward and mid-cabin exits could result in steeper sliding angles, which could cause injury to passengers and crewmembers during an emergency evacuation. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect cracks in the pylon thrust and sideload fitting of the wing, and replacement of any cracked pylon thrust and sideload fitting with a new fitting. This proposed AD would reduce the threshold and repetitive intervals for the detailed inspection for certain airplanes and would reduce the applicability of the existing AD. This proposed AD results from issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the pylon thrust and sideload fitting of the wing, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA is correcting a previously published final rule entitled Performance and Handling Qualities Requirements for Rotorcraft. In that final rule, we inadvertently left two cited references unchanged. The intent of this action is to correct the error in the regulation to ensure the requirement is clear and accurate.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, ID. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, ID. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, ID.

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-2008-0051 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 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-2008-0052 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.

This notice announces, pursuant to section 10(A)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Public Law 72-363; 5 U.S.C. app. 2), a meeting of the BTS Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics (ACTS). The meeting will be held Thursday, July 31, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Washington DC, on the 1st Floor, West Building, in the Oklahoma City Room. The ACTS, established under section 6007 of Public Law 102-240, Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, December 18, 1991, and chartered on June 19, 1995, was created to advise the Director of BTS on transportation statistics and analyses, including whether or not the statistics and analysis disseminated by the BTS are of high quality and are based upon the best available objective information. The following is a summary of the meeting's agenda: (1) Introductions and Opening Remarks; (2) Program Update (a) Safety Data, (b) System Performance Data; (3) Challenges in Collecting and Disseminating National Transportation Statistics; (4) Identifying Transportation Data Needs; (5) General Discussion; and (6) Public Comments and Closing Remarks. Since access to the DOT building is controlled, all persons who plan to attend the meeting must notify Mrs. Tonya Tinsley-Grisham, the Committee Management Officer at (202) 366- 6268 prior to July 31, 2008. Individuals attending the meeting must report to the Lobby of the West Building for admission to the building. Attendance is open to the public, but limited space is available. With the approval of the Chair, members of the public may present oral statements at the meeting. Non-committee members wishing to present oral statements or obtain information should also contact Mrs. Tinsley- Grisham. Questions about the agenda or written comments may be submitted by U.S. Mail to: U.S. Department of Transportation, BTS, Attention: Robert A. Monniere, Room E35-330, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Washington, DC 20590 or faxed to (202) 366-3640. BTS requests that written comments be submitted prior to the meeting. Persons with a disability requiring special services, such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired, should contact Mrs. Tinsley- Grisham at (202) 366-6268 at least seven calendar days prior to the meeting. Notice of this meeting is provided in accordance with the FACA and the General Service Administration regulations (41 CFR part 102-3) covering management of Federal advisory committees.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, and A119 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the technical agent for Italy, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

This document responds to four petitions for reconsideration of FRA's final rule which was published on February 13, 2008. The rule mandated certain changes to a railroad's program of operational tests and inspections and mandated new requirements for the handling of equipment, switches, and fixed derails.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G series airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the FAA-approved maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This proposed AD would also require the accomplishment of certain fuel system modifications, the initial inspections of certain repetitive fuel system limitations to phase in those inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI units as described above. The existing AD currently requires installing a warning placard on the TAWS/RMI and revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). The existing AD also requires installing upgraded software in the TAWS/RMI. This new AD allows installing later revisions of the software described in the existing AD. This AD results from a report that an in-flight bearing error occurred in a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI configured to receive bearing information from a very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) receiver interface via a composite video signal, due to a combination of input signal fault and software error. We are issuing this AD to prevent a bearing error, which could lead to an airplane departing from its scheduled flight path, which could result in a reduction in separation from, and a possible collision with, other aircraft or terrain.

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 technical amendment corrects an error in the airspace description of a final rule published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2003 (68 FR 42962), Docket No. FAA-2002-13013, Airspace Docket No. 02-ANM-10. In that rule, the description of Jet Route 10 (J-10) was incorrect. This is an administrative correction to a published legal description. Additionally, the cite for J-10 was incorrectly written as paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways: This will be corrected to ``paragraph 2006 Jet Routes''.

FMCSA has received an application from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for an exemption from certain provisions of the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. DOE proposes that its contract motor carriers and their employee-drivers engaged in the transportation of transuranic waste (TRU) be granted an exemption from the HOS rules pertaining to use of a sleeper berth (SB). Current HOS rules require that all SB rest regimens include, in part, the regular use of a SB period of at least 8 hourscombined with a separate period of at least 2 hours, either in the SB, off-duty or some combination of bothto gain the equivalent of at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty. DOE proposes that its contract drivers be allowed to take the equivalent of 10 consecutive hours off duty by splitting SB time into two periods, provided neither of the two periods is less than 2 hours. DOE asserts that if its request for exemption is granted, the level of safety of its TRU operations would be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the current HOS regulations. FMCSA requests public comment on DOE's application for exemption.