Department of Transportation March 9, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is publishing this notice of a special permit request we have received from a hazardous liquid pipeline operator, seeking relief from compliance with certain tank inspection requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This notice seeks public comments on this request, including comments on any environmental impacts. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the request and determine whether to grant or deny a special permit.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. 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 aviation authority of Italy, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI that during the installation of a fire extinguisher bottle on a new helicopter, it was found that the electrical receptacle/ connectors on the bottle which commands the firing of the extinguishing agent were swapped between engines No. 1 and No. 2. This condition could affect helicopters already in service and fire extinguisher bottles of the same part number in stock as spare parts. If not corrected, an improperly wired fire extinguishing bottle might cause the extinguishing agent to be discharged toward the unselected engine when the system is activated, rather than toward the engine with the fire. The proposed AD would require determining if each engine has the proper outlet end on the electrical receptacle/connector that attaches the firing cartridge to the fire extinguisher bottle, and if not, replacing the fire extinguisher bottle. The proposed AD is intended to prevent the fire extinguishing agent from not discharging toward the engine with the fire, which could result in loss of the helicopter due to an engine fire.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a request for emergency clearance for a collection of information associated with product plan information to assist the agency in establishing corporate average fuel economy standards for model years 2012 through 2016 passenger cars and light trucks. The establishment of those standards is required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, Public Law 110-140.

FMCSA announces that it has received a joint application from Redding Air Service, Inc. and Guardian Helicopters, Inc. (Redding/ Guardian) requesting an exemption from certain commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver hours-of-service (HOS) provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemption request is for Redding/Guardian's CMV drivers who transport jet fuel for their helicopters in support of wild-land firefighting operations. They specifically request an exemption for 20 drivers from the HOS prohibition against driving a CMV after the 70th hour of cumulative on- duty time in any 8-day period. The exemption, if granted, would enable Redding/Guardian drivers to conduct their operationsincluding transportation of jet fuel to and from the firefighting siteswithout having to comply with the 70-hour in 8-day HOS rule. Redding/Guardian believes the exemption would ensure a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained absent the exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on the Redding/Guardian application for exemption.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Cleveland, OH. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Lorain County Regional Airport, Lorain, OH. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Lorain County Regional Airport.