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

FRA is issuing amendments to the final rule regarding the development, testing, implementation, and use of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems for railroads as mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. With publication of the final rule on January 15, 2010, FRA sought further comment on certain specific issues. These amendments are being made partially in response to the applicable comments filed and to further clarify certain provisions of the final rule.

FRA is amending its railroad communications regulations by restricting use of mobile telephones and other distracting electronic devices by railroad operating employees. This rule codifies most of the requirements of FRA Emergency Order No. 26, which is supplanted by this final rule on the date it becomes effective. FRA has revised some of the substantive requirements of that Emergency Order as well as its scope to accommodate changes that FRA believes are appropriate based upon its experience with the Emergency Order and in response to public comments submitted in response to the proposed rule.

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 revising an existing 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:

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 FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbom[eacute]ca S.A. ARRIEL 2B turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and checks for proper operation of the hydro-mechanical unit (HMU) acceleration controller axle except on engines that incorporate modification TU 132. That AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD requires the same actions, but expands the applicability to include all engines that do not incorporate modification TU 149. This AD results from reports of engines with modification TU 132 incorporated experiencing stuck controller axles in the metering valve body. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of control of engine fuel flow in manual control mode or mixed control mode, which can lead to engine overspeed, and in-flight engine shutdown resulting in a forced autorotation landing or accident.

The FAA is correcting the notification of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of information collection requirements contained in the ``Re-Registration and Renewal of Aircraft Registration'' final rule. The final rule was published on July 20, 2010. The notification of OMB approval of information collection was published on August 30, 2010. This document corrects the OMB approval expiration date referenced in the August 30, 2010, notification.

The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed New State Route 138 project in Los Angeles County, California (Federal Register Vol. 74, No. 16) and the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed High Desert Corridor project, State Route 18, in San Bernardino County, California (Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 197) are being withdrawn. In addition, this notice is being issued to advise the public that a draft EIS will be prepared for a proposed expanded High Desert CorridorNew State Route 138 project in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, California.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for part numbers of the operational program software of the flight control computers, and doing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of erroneous undetected output from a single radio altimeter channel, which resulted in premature autothrottle retard during approach. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct erroneous output from a radio altimeter channel, which could result in premature autothrottle landing flare retard and the loss of automatic speed control, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The Board has approved the fourth quarter 2010 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The fourth quarter 2010 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.104. The fourth quarter 2010 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.494. The fourth quarter 2010 RCAF-5 is 0.468.

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue an order finding Dynamic Airways, LLC d/b/a Dynamic Aviation, fit, willing, and able, and awarding it a certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage in interstate charter air transportation of persons, property and mail.

This notice announces actions taken by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) pursuant to its assigned responsibilities under 23 U.S.C. 327 that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, Antonio Parkway Widening Project, Unincorporated Orange County, in the County of Orange, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

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 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:

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of October 14, 2010, for Summer 2011 flight schedules at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines. The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Schedules Conference for the Summer 2011 scheduling season.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the following projects: (1) Colorado Department of Transportation, U.S. 36 Corridor, Boulder, CO; (2) Ames Transit Agency, Intermodal Transit Facility, Ames, IA; (3) Seldovia Village Tribe, Seldovia Bay Ferry Homer Dock and Pier Project, Seldovia, AK; (4) Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor Project, Santa Clara County, CA; (5) Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, University Corridor Fixed Guideway Transit Project, Houston, TX; (6) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Science Park/West End Station, Boston, MA; (7) Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, Saint Paul Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN; (8) Florida Department of Transportation, Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit, Orlando, FL; and (9) Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Easton Intermodal Transportation Center, Easton, PA. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject projects and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

This action amends Class E airspace at Brewton Municipal Airport, Brewton, AL, by updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to aid in the navigation of our National Airspace System.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Homestead, FL, to accommodate the additional airspace needed for the Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) developed for Homestead General Aviation Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are conducting a joint rulemaking to redesign and add information to the current fuel economy label that is posted on the window sticker of all new cars and light- duty trucks sold in the U.S. The redesigned label will provide new information to American consumers about the fuel economy and consumption, fuel costs, and environmental impacts associated with purchasing new vehicles beginning with model year 2012 cars and trucks. This action will also develop new labels for certain advanced technology vehicles, which are poised to enter the U.S. market, in particular plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. NHTSA and EPA are proposing these changes because the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 imposes several new labeling requirements, because the agencies believe that the current labels can be improved to help consumers make more informed vehicle purchase decisions, and because the time is right to develop new labels for advanced technology vehicles that are being commercialized. This proposal is also consistent with the recent joint rulemaking by EPA and NHTSA that established harmonized federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for new cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, and pickup trucks for model years 2012-2016.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information collected is needed to determine applicant eligibility and compliance for certification of Civil Aviation mechanics and operation of aviation mechanic schools.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The respondents to this information collection are CFR part 135 and part 121 operators. The FAA uses the information to ensure compliance and adherence to the regulations.

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 application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

Under 49 CFR 385.407 FMCSA may not issue a hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) to a motor carrier having a crash rate, or driver, vehicle, or hazardous materials (HM) out-of-service (OOS) rate in the top 30 percent of the national average. This document revises the date used to calculate the threshold crash and OOS rates, from calendar year cycles to fiscal year cycles, from October 1 of a given year to September 30 of the following year. This will provide motor carriers and the industry a 3-month preview of the crash and OOS rates FMCSA uses to determine HMSP eligibility, before the motor carrier HMSP registration cycle begins on January 1.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified ECF model helicopters. This AD results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the aviation authority of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The MCAI AD reports the separation and loss of a stainless steel ring (75 millimeter (mm) in diameter) from a tail rotor blade (blade) sleeve resulting in severe, high-frequency vibrations, which can lead to damage to the fenestron blades, loss of yaw control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for RRC AE 3007A series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires performing an eddy current inspection (ECI) or surface wave ultrasonic test (SWUT) inspection on each affected high-pressure turbine (HPT) wheel. This AD requires removing or performing initial and repetitive ECIs or SWUT inspections on HPT stage 2 wheels for cracks. This AD also reduces the approved life limits of certain HPT stage 2 wheels. This AD results from reports of cracked HPT stage 2 wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the HPT stage 2 wheel and damage to the airplane.