Department of Transportation January 5, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes on landing gear retracting mechanisms and the pilot compartment view. This proposal would adopt the 1-g stall speed as a reference stall speed instead of the minimum speed obtained in a stalling maneuver, and would add an additional requirement to keep the landing gear and doors in the correct retracted position in flight. This proposal would also revise the requirements for pilot compartment view in precipitation conditions. Adopting these proposals would eliminate regulatory differences between the airworthiness standards of the U.S. and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), without affecting current industry design practices.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the FAA- approved maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. That AD also requires the accomplishment of certain fuel system modifications, the initial inspections of certain repetitive fuel system limitations to phase in those inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would correct certain part number references, add an additional inspection area, and for certain airplanes, require certain actions to be re- accomplished according to revised service information. This proposed AD results from a report of incorrect accomplishment information in the service information cited by the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

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

The FAA is considering revising its current Advisory Circular on Obstruction Marking and Lighting to include guidance for Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs). These towers are erected in remote and rural areas, often are less than 200 feet above ground level (AGL), and fall outside of FAA regulations governing tall structures and their impact on navigable airspace. The proposed marking guidance would enhance the conspicuity of the towers and address the safety related concerns of low level agricultural operations. The FAA seeks comment on the proposed guidance.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a teleconference of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The teleconference will take place on Thursday, January 20, 2011, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Individuals who plan to participate should contact Susan Lender, DFO, (the Contact Person listed below) by phone or e-mail for the teleconference call in number. The proposed agenda for this teleconference is to review the structure of the COMSTAC Working Groups. The Committee will examine the current Working Groups and discuss whether it should make changes to the current structure. If changes are necessary, what should they be? Interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements for the COMSTAC members to consider under the advisory process. Statements may concern the issues and agenda items mentioned above or additional issues that may be relevant for the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Interested parties wishing to submit written statements should contact Susan Lender, DFO, (the Contact Person listed below) in writing (mail or e-mail) by January 14, 2011, so that the information can be made available to COMSTAC members for their review and consideration before the January 20, 2011, teleconference. Written statements should be supplied in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature or one electronic copy via e-mail. An agenda will be posted on the FAA Web site at https://www.faa.gov/ go/ast. Individuals who plan to participate and need special assistance should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of a new information collection. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on September 7, 2010. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

We are superseding an existing 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 earlier MCAI, Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2007-08-01, effective September 27, 2007, 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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking on the hinge bearing lugs of the left and right sides of the center section ribs of the horizontal stabilizer, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on either the left or right (or in one case, both) sides of the center section ribs of the horizontal stabilizer. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the hinge bearing lugs of the center section of the left and right ribs, which could result in failure of the hinge bearing lugs and consequent inability of the horizontal stabilizer to sustain the required loads.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to 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 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: