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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1, GE90-113B, and GE90-115B series turbofan engines with stage 6 low-pressure turbine (LPT) blades, part number (P/N) 1765M37P03 or P/N 1765M37P04, installed. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections for shroud interlock wear of the stage 6 LPT blades. This proposed AD would also require replacing those blades with stage 6 LPT blades eligible for installation at the next engine shop visit as terminating action to the repetitive blade inspections. This proposed AD results from eight reports of GE90-115B stage 6 LPT single-blade separation events. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of stage 6 LPT blades, which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

On April 16, 2009, President Obama, together with Vice President Biden and Secretary of Transportation LaHood, announced a new vision for developing high-speed rail in America. They called for a collaborative effort among the Federal Government, States, railroads, and other key stakeholders to help transform America's transportation system through a national network of high-speed rail corridors. This notice builds on this ``Vision for High-Speed Rail'' (available on FRA's Web site) by detailing the application requirements and procedures for obtaining funding for high-speed rail projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and the Department of Transportation Appropriations Acts of 2008 and 2009 (FY 2008/2009 DOT Appropriations Acts), while laying the foundation for a longer-term program to establish a network of high-speed rail corridors.

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 notice announces actions taken by FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, the SR 520 Variable Tolling Project, in the State of Washington. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This document makes a correction to final special conditions, NE129, 33-007-SC, applicable to General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B69 model turbofan engines that was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2009 (74 FR 18624). Two typographical errors occurred under the Background section and one typographical error under The Special Conditions section. This document corrects these errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

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.

This final rule responds to petitions for reconsideration of a December 14, 2006 final rule establishing a new small adult female side impact crash test dummy, called the ``SID-IIs'' test dummy. The petitions were submitted by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, First Technology Safety Systems, and Denton ATD. In response to the petitions, among other things today's final rule modifies the iliac performance criteria to allow a new material formulation and design to be used for the iliac wing of the dummy's pelvis, defines a time period in which accelerations are measured in the thorax with arm and pelvis acetabulum tests, slightly modifies some of the test procedures used in the qualification tests (e.g., by slightly lowering the impact speed of the impactor in two tests and by increasing the recovery time for the pelvis-iliac and pelvis-acetabulum tests), adjusts the performance corridors for the various impact tests of the dummy, and revises parts of the drawing package and the user's manual for the dummy.

The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'' or ``ANCA'') provides notice, review, and approval requirements for airports seeking to impose noise or access restrictions on Stage 3 aircraft operations that become effective after October 1, 1990. 49 U.S.C. 47521 et seq.

This document proposes a broad new consumer information program for replacement tires to inform consumers about the effect of tires on fuel efficiency, safety, and durability. This consumer information program would implement a national tire fuel efficiency rating system for replacement tires, with the information provided to consumers at the point of sale and online. Fuel efficiency ratings are expected to inform consumers so that they will be better informed about replacement tire performance. This consumer information program seeks to enhance energy security and reduce costs by improving fuel economy. Information would also be provided about safety and durability.

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) exemption for 61 member motor carriers from FMCSA's regulation that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) may not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty. No comments were submitted to the public docket; consequently, the Agency confirms the renewal of the exemption.

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:

The FRA is updating its announcement of RSAC's Working Group activities to reflect its current status.

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 Board has approved the third quarter 2009 rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The third quarter 2009 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.938. The third quarter 2009 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.426. The third quarter 2009 RCAF-5 is 0.403.

We are adopting a new 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:

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to the airplanes identified above. That AD currently requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include a new airplane maintenance manual task that specifies a detailed inspection after each ram air turbine (RAT) retraction. That existing AD also currently requires, for certain airplanes, a one-time inspection to detect breaks in the bottom flange fitting of the RAT and corrective actions, if necessary; for certain airplanes, an adjustment of the ejection jack; and, for certain other airplanes, replacement of the aluminum part with an improved steel part. This AD also continues to require certain actions for additional airplanes and revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include procedures for replacing the RAT swivel coupling fork fitting with a new steel part only. This AD results from a report that an additional swivel coupling of the RAT yoke fitting was found cracked during the accomplishment of the requirements of the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent misrigging of the ejection jack of the RAT and to ensure removal of any RAT yoke fitting made from aluminum material. Such conditions could result in a broken or cracked swivel coupling and consequent failure of the RAT yoke fitting, which could result in the loss of RAT function and possible loss of critical flight control systems in the event of certain emergency situations.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on April 6, 2009 (74 FR 15588).

On June 17, 2009, FRA intends to issue guidance for the High- Speed Rail (HSR)/Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Grant Program. FRA will post this guidance on its Web site at: https://www.fra.dot.gov/us/ content/2243. Subsequently, FRA will publish this guidance in the Federal Register.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR part 23, Sec. 23.979(b)(2). 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.

The FAA has delegated selected responsibilities for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to the MDOT as part of the State Block Grant Program authorized under Title 49 U.S.C., Section 47128. This notice is to advise the public pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c) that MDOT intends to prepare an EA for the proposed extension of runway 6/24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. While not required for an EA, the FAA and MDOT are issuing this Notice of Intent to facilitate public involvement. This EA will assess the potential environmental impacts resulting from the proposed extension of runway 6/24 from 3,500 feet to 4,300 feet. All reasonable alternatives will be considered including a no action alternative.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Program Management Committee.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces FMCSA's plan to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) its request to revise two currently-approved information collection requests (ICRs) as follows: (1) OMB Control Number 2126-0032 entitled, ``Annual Report of Class I and Class II Motor Carriers of Property (formerly OMB 2139-0004),'' and (2) OMB Control Number 2126- 0033 entitled, ``Quarterly Report of Class I Motor Carriers of Property (formerly OMB 2139-0002).'' These ICRs are necessary to ensure that motor carriers comply with FMCSA's financial and operating statistics requirements at chapter III of title 49 CFR part 369 entitled, ``Reports of Motor Carriers.'' On April 8, 2009, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. No comments were received.

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. That AD currently requires removing all main gearbox (MGB) filter bowl assembly mounting titanium studs (titanium studs) and replacing them with steel studs. This amendment requires the same actions as the existing AD as well as changes to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). This amendment is prompted by an accident, by recent RFM changes made by the manufacturer that were not available when we issued the existing AD, and by our determination that certain MGB Normal and Emergency procedures in the RFM are unclear, may cause confusion, and may mislead the crew regarding MGB malfunctions, in particular the urgency to land immediately after warning indications of loss of MGB oil pressure and oil pressure below 5 pounds per square inch (psi).

The FHWA is amending a number of its regulations to reflect the move of DOT's headquarters site in Washington, DC.