Department of Transportation 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus model series airplanes listed above. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness to incorporate new fuel system limitations for airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00092BO. This AD also requires a general visual inspection for tank unit separation and compensator separation of the center, inner, and outer fuel tanks, and trim fuel tanks of the tank units, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 700 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the high pressure-and-intermediate pressure (HP-IP) turbine internal and external oil vent tubes for coking and carbon buildup, and cleaning or replacing the vent tubes if necessary. This proposed AD would require the same actions, but would add additional inspections of the vent flow restrictor. This proposed AD results from further analysis that the cleaning of the vent tubes required by AD 2007-02-05 could lead to loosened carbon fragments, causing a blockage downstream in the vent flow restrictor. We are proposing this AD to prevent internal oil fires due to coking and carbon buildup that could cause uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This action proposes to establish a high altitude area navigation (RNAV) route, designated Q-37, extending between the Pueblo, CO, very high frequency omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid and the Fort Stockton, TX, VORTAC. The new route would provide pilots and air traffic controllers with an efficient alternative route around potentially constrained airspace during convective weather events in west Texas.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate an expired information collection. In response to a Congressional directive to conduct a flight attendant fatigue study, FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, has initiated a comprehensive analysis of fatigue in flight attendants across a range of operational conditions.

On October 26, 2009, the Board served a decision announcing the 2008 revenue adequacy determinations for the Nation's Class I railroads. One carrier, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, is found to be revenue adequate.

This action amends the legal descriptions of two Federal airways that have ``Lampasas, TX, very high frequency omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC)'' included as part of their route structure. Currently, the Lampasas VORTAC and the Lampasas Airport share the same location name and identifier (LZZ). To eliminate confusion and potential flight safety issues, the ``Lampasas VORTAC'' (LZZ) will be renamed the ``Gooch Springs VORTAC'' (AGJ). All airways with Lampasas [VORTAC] included in their legal descriptions will be amended, concurrent with the effective date of this final rule, to reflect the name change.

This action proposes to establish Class D and E airspace and modify existing Class E airspace at State College, PA. The University Park Airport is building a new air traffic control tower and the FAA is directed by law to establish and/or modify controlled surface airspace for the support of air traffic operations. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management around University Park Airport, State College, PA.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216: Aeronautical Systems Security.

This action proposes to make a revision to the alignment of high altitude RNAV route Q-108, which currently extends between the GADAY and CLAWZ waypoints (WP) in Florida. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System in the northern Florida area.

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:

This document proposes superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD-900 helicopters. That AD currently requires applying serial numbers to certain parts, increasing the life limit for various parts, maintaining a previously established life limit for a certain vertical stabilizer control system (VSCS) bellcrank assembly and bellcrank arm, and correcting the part number for the VSCS bellcrank arm. This proposal would require the same actions, except it would reduce the life limit of the swashplate spherical slider bearing (slider bearing). It would further correct what was described as a ``bellcrank arm'' life limit in the current AD and correctly describe it as another ``bellcrank assembly'' life limit. This proposal is prompted by two reports of cracks in the slider bearing that occurred well before the previously increased retirement life of 2,030 hours time-in-service (TIS) was reached. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to establish appropriate life limits for various parts, and to prevent fatigue failure of those parts and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed bridge rehabilitation project, Oregon City Arch Bridge Rehabilitation Project, in Clackamas County, Oregon. This action grants approval for the project.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

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.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Punxsutawney Municipal Airport, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania under the provisions of Section 47125(a) of Title 49 United States Code (U.S.C.).

This notice announces NHTSA's publication of a Technical Report reviewing and evaluating the performance in frontal crashes of air-bag-equipped, late-model passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and vans and the protection they offer to drivers and front-seat passengers who wear seat belts. The report's title is: Fatalities in Frontal Crashes Despite Seat Belts and Air Bags.

NHTSA is soliciting applications for appointment or reappointment DOT's NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC is to serve as a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services (EMS) representatives and consumers to provide advice and recommendations regarding EMS to DOT and its modal administration, NHTSA, and through NHTSA to the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making several corrections to its ``Pilot, Flight Instructor, and Pilot School Certification'' final rule published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2009. The FAA corrections include standardizing certain part 61 time period durations from ``60 days'' to now read ``2 calendar months.'' We are also correcting an omission and errors to the prerequisite eligibility requirements for use of flight simulators. Additionally, we are correcting the duration of a student pilot certificate to 60 calendar months for a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate. Finally, we are correcting a sentence in the preamble to conform with the final rule regarding the use of flight training devices.

This action establishes VOR Federal Airway 626 (V-626) located between the Myton, UT, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/ Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Salt Lake City terminal area. This route will improve aircraft flow during busy traffic periods into the Salt Lake City terminal area, and provide a more precise means of navigation and reduce controller workload.