Department of Transportation September 14, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

PHMSA is providing an additional comment period of 30 days from the date of publication of this notice in relation to the Federal Register Notice issued on July 26, 2010, (75 FR 43612). In that notice, PHMSA requested comments concerning a special permit request from Dominion Transmission Incorporated (DTI). DTI requested relief from certain provisions of 49 CFR 192.611. PHMSA is extending the comment period in order to clarify the exact location of the special permit segment and to allow the public to review additional documents added to the docket since the original notice.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive testing of the stabilizer takeoff warning switches, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports that the warning horn did not sound during the takeoff warning system test of the S132 ``nose up stab takeoff warning switch.'' We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a takeoff warning system switch failure, which could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Re-Evaluation for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, Connecticut.

The FAA is proposing to amend its existing flight, duty and rest regulations applicable to certificate holders and their flightcrew members. The proposal recognizes the growing similarities between the types of operations and the universality of factors that lead to fatigue in most individuals. Fatigue threatens aviation safety because it increases the risk of pilot error that could lead to an accident. The new requirements, if adopted, would eliminate the current distinctions between domestic, flag and supplemental operations. The proposal provides different requirements based on the time of day, whether an individual is acclimated to a new time zone, and the likelihood of being able to sleep under different circumstances.