Department of Transportation May 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action continues the existing special training and experience requirements in Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 73 until the SFAR is revised or rescinded. SFAR No. 73 requires special training and experience for pilots operating the Robinson model R-22 or R-44 helicopters in order to maintain the safe operation of these helicopters. SFAR No. 73 also requires special training and experience for certified flight instructors conducting student instruction or flight reviews in the R-22 or R-44.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a rudder-aileron interconnect cable system shield kit and securing any items stowed in the baggage compartment using tie downs and/or a cargo net until the cable shield kit is installed. This proposed AD results from a report of the rudder pedal cable becoming jammed in flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent jamming of the rudder-aileron interconnect cables by unsecured items in the baggage compartment, which could result in failure of the rudder-aileron interconnect cable system. This failure could lead to loss of control.

This amendment corrects a number of errors in the safety standards for transport category airplanes. None of the changes are substantive in nature, and this amendment will not impose any additional burdens on any person affected by these regulations.

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

The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this revised Notice of Intent to advise the public of changes to the logical termini for the Environmental Impact Statement that will be prepared to study improvements to State Route 15/State Route 57 to provide a four-lane facility beginning in the vicinity of the State Route 67/I-110 Interchange in Harrison County, Mississippi and terminating on State Route 15 north of Beaumont, Mississippi, a distance of approximately 61 miles. The original Notice of Intent for this project appeared in the July 17, 2008 Federal Register.

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 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 helicopters. This AD results from a report of abnormal main rotor blade vibrations on a Eurocopter Model EC135 helicopter. This AD also results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states that an operator reported unusual vibrations during the start phase of the main rotor blade on one helicopter. The vibrations stopped after the application of torque. Subsequent maintenance personnel found that six of the eight attachment screws of the lower hub-shaft bearing support were loose. This condition was discovered in two additional helicopters. Loose screws in the bearing support, if not detected and corrected, could result in abnormal main rotor blade vibrations and subsequent damage to the main transmission.

This 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 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) to supersede AD 2008-12-16, which applies to certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. AD 2008-12-16 currently requires you to inspect wires and tube assemblies for chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between components. If chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between components is found, AD 2008-12-16 requires you to clear, repair, and/or replace all chafed wires, components, and tube assemblies. AD 2008-12-16 also requires you to cover the four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and secure them with a clamp. Since we issued AD 2008-12-16, M7 Aerospace LP has notified us that Model SA227-BC (C-26A) was inadvertently left out of the Applicability section of the AD, and they updated some of the service information due to parts availability. Operators have also identified issues with model applicability that needed clarification. Consequently, this AD retains the actions of AD 2008-12-16, adds Model SA227-BC (C-26A) to the Applicability section, and regroups the models for clarification. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires, components, and tube assemblies. This condition could result in arcing of exposed wires with consequent burning of a hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line. This failure could lead to a hydraulic fluid leak and a possible fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

FRA is amending its hours of service recordkeeping and reporting regulations to ensure the creation of records that support compliance with the hours of service laws as amended by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA of 2008). This regulation will also provide for electronic recordkeeping and reporting, and will require training of employees and supervisors of those employees, who are required to complete hours of service records, or are responsible for making determinations as to excess service and the reporting of excess service to FRA as required by the regulation. This regulation is required by Section 108(f) of the RSIA of 2008.

This action establishes Class D airspace and modifies Class E airspace at Flagler County Airport in Bunnell, FL. A new Federal Contract Air Traffic Control Tower is being built for Flagler County Airport. Class D Surface airspace is required to be established and after evaluation the existing Class E airspace will be modified to facilitate a more efficient operation. This rule increases the safety and management of the National Airspace System (NAS) around Flagler County Airport.

The purpose of this notice is to restate and confirm the Agency's policy regarding the purpose, use and effect of the paper and electronic versions of FMCSA's Field Operations Training Manual (FOTM and eFOTM).

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in various areas of the fuselage internal structure, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would require additional repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage structure, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from fatigue tests and analysis by Boeing that identified areas of the fuselage where fatigue cracks can occur. We are proposing this AD to prevent the loss of the structural integrity of the fuselage, which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemption of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) from FMCSA's regulation that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) may not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty. The exemption for 61 motor carriers and approximately 3,000 CMV drivers is applicable during the periods June 28-July 8, 2009, and June 28-July 8, 2010, inclusive. Drivers who operate CMVs in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day will be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will continue to be subject to the 11-hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour on-duty limits. FMCSA believes that with the terms and conditions in place, APA members will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation.

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 22 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

This notice announces the availability of a Record of Decision by FHWA pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321, as amended and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500- 1508). In addition, this Notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final with in the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(1)(1). These actions relate to a proposed expansion of the Blue Water Bridge Port of Entry in Port Huron, Michigan. These actions grant approvals for the project.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Rankin County, Mississippi. The project study area will extend a distance of approximately 15 miles from U.S. Highway 49 near Star, Mississippi, to Interstate 20 near State Route 475 in Pearl, Mississippi.