Department of Transportation June 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. That AD currently requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for chafing and other damage of the case drain tube from the hydraulic pump case installed on the left-hand engine, and corrective action if necessary. That AD also requires, for all airplanes, repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the left engine's nacelle tubing, repetitive inspections for evidence of fluid leakage within the left engine accessory compartment, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also requires replacing the left engine fuel and hydraulic tubing and installing a tubing support channel, which terminates the repetitive inspections required in the existing AD. This new AD also removes airplanes from the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of chafed hydraulic tubes in the left- hand engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafed hydraulic tubes in the left-hand engine and consequent hydraulic tube failure and uncontrolled loss of flammable fluid within the engine cowling, which could result in a fire in the engine nacelle and loss of control of the airplane.

This rule 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.

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 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:

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt twenty-four individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 14 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 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of discretionary Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facilities grant funds in support of its ``State of Good Repair'' initiative. The State of Good Repair (SGR) Bus initiative will be funded with up to $750 million in unallocated Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities Program funds, authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5309(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59, August 10, 2005. FTA may use additional Bus and Bus Facilities program funding that becomes available in the future to further support this initiative. The SGR Bus initiative will make funds available to public transit providers to finance capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct/rehabilitate bus- related facilities, including programs of bus and bus-related projects which may include assistance to subrecipients that are public agencies, private companies engaged in public transportation, or private non- profit organizations. This notice includes priorities established by FTA for these discretionary funds, the criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious projects for funding, and describes how to apply. This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https:// www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will announce final selections on the Web site and in the Federal Register notice. A synopsis of this announcement will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https://www.grants.gov. See Appendix B of this notice for information related to other discretionary program opportunities available in FY 2011.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the apportionment of the FY 2011 Capital Investment (New Starts and Small Starts) program funds. The funds will be used for construction of new fixed guideway systems, or extensions to existing fixed guideway systems, or corridor based bus systems to promote livable communities, improve mobility by providing alternatives to automobile, and reduce the impact on the environment.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

The Board has approved the third quarter 2011 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The third quarter 2011 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.206. The third quarter 2011 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.534. The third quarter 2011 RCAF-5 is 0.506.

This action announces the FAA's recommended guidance for the voluntary marking of Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs) erected in remote and rural areas that are less than 200 feet above ground level (AGL). This guidance will enhance the conspicuity of the towers for low level agricultural operations in the vicinity of these towers.

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is providing notice that it intends to conduct a competition for University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program grants for the purpose of performing multi-modal and multidisciplinary research, education and technology transfer activities supportive of Departmental priorities. Proposals will be evaluated through a competitive process on the basis of demonstrated ability, research, technology and education resources, leadership, multi-modal research capability, commitment to transportation workforce development programs, technology transfer capability, the use of peer review, and effective partnerships to advance diversity. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration RITA will release a detailed notice for these funds.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to authorize the release of 0.101 acres of the airport property at the Shell Lake Municipal Airport, Shell Lake, WI. A recently-completed boundary survey of the airport found that a privately-owned structure encroaches onto land owned by the airport. This finding has resulted in a proposal to transfer the affected parcel of airport land to the neighboring owner in exchange for that owner transferring a parcel of its own land to the airport. Release of the 0.101 acre parcel from land assurances would allow the encroaching structure to remain standing. The parcel to be acquired by the airport in the land exchange (0.021 acres) would give the airport ownership of a key parcel of land located within the 14 CFR part 77-defined, primary surface of Runway 14/32. A categorical exclusion for this land release action was prepared by Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation-Bureau of Aeronautics and issued on February 28, 2011. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use, as shown on the Airport Layout Plan. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The parcel to be released was originally acquired with local funds in 1961. To compensate for the uneven exchange of land area (0.101 acres to be released by the airport vs. 0.021 acres to be acquired by the airport), the airport will receive $1,000 in additional compensation to be used at the airport for maintenance and/or improvement purposes. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream GVI airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with an electronic flight control system that provides roll control of the airplane through pilot inputs to the flight computers. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream GVI airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with the architecture and connectivity capabilities of the airplane's computer systems and networks, which may allow access by external computer systems and networks. Connectivity by external systems and networks may result in security vulnerabilities to the airplane's systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream GVI airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features include systems that affect the structural capability of the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action extends the comment period for an SNPRM that was published on May 20, 2011. In that document, the FAA proposed to amend the regulations for crewmember and aircraft dispatcher training programs in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. This extension is a result of requests for extension of the comment period. One request for extension was from the Air Transport Association of America, Cargo Airline Association, Air Carrier Association of America, Regional Airline Association, National Air Carrier Association, Boeing Company, and Airbus Americas. The second request for extension was from the Air Line Pilots Association. The third request for extension was from the International Air Transport Association.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the proposed Illinois Route 336 (IL 336) highway project, for construction of an access-controlled, four- lane expressway on new right-of-way between the proposed Macomb Bypass in McDonough County, passing through Fulton County to Interstate 474 (I-474) on the west side of Peoria in Peoria County, Illinois. Those actions grant licenses, permits and approvals for the project.

This document requests comments on data about passenger motor vehicle thefts that occurred in calendar year (CY) 2009 including theft rates for existing passenger motor vehicle lines manufactured in model year (MY) 2009. The preliminary theft data indicate that the vehicle theft rate for CY/MY 2009 vehicles (1.33 thefts per thousand vehicles) decreased by 21.3 percent from the theft rate for CY/MY 2008 vehicles (1.69 thefts per thousand vehicles). Publication of these data fulfills NHTSA's statutory obligation to periodically obtain accurate and timely theft data, and publish the information for review and comment.

This notice proposes updated regulations to enhance the integration of value engineering (VE) analysis in the planning and development of highway improvement projects. The intent of these actions is to bring the FHWA's VE regulations up-to-date and consistent with prior changes in legislation and regulations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine whether a third Halon fire extinguisher bottle is installed in the auxiliary power unit (APU) fragment impact zone, revising the limitations section of the airplane flight manual to add restrictions for APU usage for certain airplanes having a third fire extinguisher bottle, and removing the third fire extinguisher bottle from certain airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by notification from the airplane manufacturer that the third fire extinguisher bottle is mounted in a small-fragment impact zone. We are proposing this AD to prevent penetration of the bottle by fragments released due to a failure of the APU rotor system. The bottle could rupture and cause substantial damage to primary airframe structure and primary flight controls.

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: * * * * * A recent analysis conducted by the manufacturer showed a particular risk for explosive failure of the * * * hydraulic accumulator. This condition, if not detected and corrected, might, for some aeroplane installations, lead to damage to all three hydraulic circuits, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane or could, for certain other aeroplane installations, lead to an undetected fire in the wheel bay. * * * * * The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

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: