Department of Transportation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 56471) that revises the Class E Airspace at Windsor Locks, Bradley International Airport, CT (BDL) to provide for adequate controlled airspace for those aircraft using Instrument Approach Procedures previously defined using the CHUPP NDB. The CHUPP NDB has been decommissioned, and after evaluation of the extension to the Windsor Locks Class C airspace, the FAA determined that the Class E3 airspace should be retained and extended 1 mile to provide adequate controlled airspace for the Instrument Approach Procedures to BDL. In addition, this action corrects a minor error made in the Airspace Designation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes. This AD requires installing new relay(s), circuit breakers as applicable, and wiring to allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in- flight entertainment (IFE) systems and certain circuit breakers through a utility bus switch, and doing other specified actions. This AD results from an IFE systems review. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment. The flightcrew's inability to turn off power to IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems during a non-normal or emergency situation could result in the inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin.

We are superseding an existing 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: * * * * * During recent inspections it was found that some * * * bolts, that connect the horizontal stabilizer control unit actuator with the dog-links, were broken. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to [the loss of the flight control input connection to the horizontal stabilizer and consequent] partial loss of control of the aircraft. * * * * * We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is amending the regulations governing the packing interval for certain types of parachutes. Currently, the FAA prohibits most parachutes from being used or carried aboard an aircraft and available for emergency use unless they have been packed within the previous 120 days. New reliability data from the parachute industry and other sources indicate that the packing interval should be increased; therefore, we are lengthening the interval from 120 to 180 days. This final rule revises the parachute packing interval and ensures safe use.

FMCSA adopts as final the provisions of the Agency's December 17, 2007, interim final rule concerning hours of service (HOS) for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. This final rule allows CMV drivers to continue to drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour, non- extendable window from the start of the workday, following at least 10 consecutive hours off duty (11-hour rule). The rule also allows motor carriers and drivers to continue to restart calculations of the weekly on-duty limits after the driver has at least 34 consecutive hours off duty (34-hour restart).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the U.S. Department of Transportation invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the information collection request (ICR) OMB No. 2105-0009, Advisory Committee Candidate Biographical Information Request Form. The current information collection request approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expires on March 31, 2009.

NHTSA announces a meeting of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) to be held in Washington, DC. This notice announces the date, time and location of the meeting, which will be open to the public.

This action will establish Class E airspace at Lake Havasu, AZ. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu, AZ. This action also will revoke Class E airspace at the old Lake Havasu Airport, Lake Havasu, AZ, as that airport has been abandoned. This will improve the safety and management of aircraft operations at Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu, AZ.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for public transportation projects in the following areas: Denver, Colorado, and Jacksonville, Florida. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject projects and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of Final EIS for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, New Mexico. The FAA, Office of Commercial Space Transportation is the lead Federal agency for the development of this EIS. Cooperating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management; the National Park Service; United States Army, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR); and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Final EIS was prepared in response to an application for a Launch Site Operator License from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA). Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a Launch Site Operator License to NMSA to operate a launch facility capable of accommodating both horizontal and vertical launches of suborbital launch vehicles (LVs). The vehicles may carry space flight participants, scientific experiments, or other payloads. The proposed site is located in Sierra County, approximately 30 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and 45 miles north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Final EIS also addresses the potential environmental impacts of issuing a Launch Site Operator License for horizontal launches only (Alternative 1), vertical launches only (Alternative 2), and the No Action Alternative. The FAA submitted the Final EIS to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA will post a separate notification in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final EIS. The FAA will issue a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days following EPA's notice in the Federal Register. The Record of Decision will be published in the Federal Register. The FAA has posted the Final EIS on the FAA Web site at https:// ast.faa.gov. In addition, CDs of the Final EIS were sent to persons and agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 8 of the Final EIS). A paper copy and a CD version of the Final EIS may be reviewed for comment during regular business hours at the following locations:

This action establishes a low altitude Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation route, designated T-254, in the vicinity of the Houston, TX, terminal area. This route allows for more efficient utilization of airspace and enhances the management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of Houston, TX.

Through this notice, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposes to amend its school bus operations regulations. Most notably, FTA proposes to clarify several definitions, amend the school bus operations complaint procedures, and implement Section 3023(f) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). FTA seeks comment on this notice from interested parties.

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:

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 action makes a correction to the airport's name and geographic coordinates in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register October 22, 2008 (73 FR 62940) Docket No. FAA-2008-0873.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Houston, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Lone Star Executive Airport, Conroe, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Lone Star Executive Airport. This action also updates the coordinates of Chambers County Airport, and reflects a name change for Scholes Field.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Model 390 airplanes. This AD requires you to remove the current preformed packing, elbow fitting, and jam nut from the left and right hydraulic pump pressure output port and replace with new parts. This AD also requires you to install a hydraulic pump case drain check valve. This AD results from nine occurrences of hydraulic fluid leaking from the engine hydraulic pump output fitting as a result of an improperly installed elbow connecting the output port to the pulse dampener hose. We are issuing this AD to prevent hydraulic fluid leaks from the left and right hydraulic fluid pump and to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid into the engine compartment. The loss of hydraulic fluid can result in loss of airplane hydraulic system pressure and the consequent loss of hydraulic system functions including gear extension/retraction, spoiler functions, and anti-skid braking system actuation. The inability of the hydraulic installation to isolate flow of hydraulic fluid could result in a hazardous amount of flammable fluid in the corresponding engine compartment. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in loss of system functions and/or fire in the engine compartment.

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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes identified above. This AD requires modifying the outboard flap track and transmission attachments. This AD results from a joint Boeing and FAA multi-model study (following in-service trailing edge flap structure and drive system events) on the hazards posed by skewing and failed flaps. This study identified the safety concerns regarding the transmission attachment design and the potential loss of an outboard trailing edge flap. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain discrepancies associated with this design (for example, a flap skew or lateral control asymmetry that can cause collateral damage to adjacent hydraulic tubing and subsequent loss of a hydraulic system), which could result in the asymmetric flight control limits being exceeded, and could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.

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: