Department of Transportation December 7, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 27 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 exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to inform pipeline operators about the standardized notification process for operator qualification (OQ) plan transmittal from the operator to PHMSA. This Advisory Bulletin also informs operators about the addition to PHMSA's glossary of definitions of the terms ``Observation of on-the-job performance'' as applicable to determining employee qualification and ``Significant'' as applicable to OQ program modifications requiring notification. Finally, it makes other miscellaneous clarifications to assist operators in complying with OQ program requirements.

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. 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.

This action lowers the altitude floor within a part of the Atlantic Low Offshore Airspace Area. This action provides additional controlled airspace to enable air traffic control (ATC) to more efficiently handle arriving instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft a various coastal airports along the United States (U.S.) east coast.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Fort A.P. Hill, VA. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at A.P. Hill AAF, Fort A.P. Hill, VA. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

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.