Department of Transportation October 26, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 24, 2011, vol. 76, no. 164, page 53024-53025. The collection involves requirements for certain repair stations to provide documentation showing that persons handling hazmat for transportation have been trained following DOT guidelines.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 24, 2011, vol. 76, no. 164, page 53024. Information is used to determine if licensees have complied with financial responsibility requirements (including maximum probable loss determination) as set forth in FAA regulations.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 24, 2011, vol. 76, no. 164, page 53025. The Airport Safety Data Program involves the collection and dissemination of civil aeronautics information.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 222, Inmarsat Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services for the Eighth Meeting.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. This proposal would require revising the Operating Limitations section of the Sikorsky Model S-92A Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). This proposal is prompted by the manufacturer's analysis of engine data that revealed the data was inaccurate in dealing with available above specification engine power margin. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent the use of inaccurate engine performance data in calculating maximum gross weight by revising the Operating Limitations section of the RFM.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76A helicopters. This proposal would require modifying the electric rotor brake (ERB). Thereafter, the AD would also require inserting changes to the ``Normal Procedures'' and ``Emergency Procedures'' sections of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), which revises the information of the basic RFM when the ERB is installed. This proposal is prompted by a reported incident of a fire occurring in an ERB installed on a Model S- 76A helicopter. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent overheating of the ERB assembly, ignition of the ERB hydraulic fluid, a fire in the main gearbox area, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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:

Tireco, Inc., (Tireco), has determined that approximately 6,170 of its ``GEO-Trac'' brand P235/75R15 passenger car tires, manufactured between June 12, 2009 and August 20, 2009 by the fabricating manufacturer, the Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd., and imported into the United States by Tireco, do not comply with paragraph S5.5(c) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New pneumatic radial tires for light vehicles. Tireco has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports (dated August 31, 2009). Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule implementing those provisions at 49 CFR part 556, Tireco has petitioned for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Notice of receipt of Tireco's petition was published, with a 30-day public comment period, on April 21, 2010, in the Federal Register (75 FR 20879). No comments were received. To view the petition and all supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System Web site at: https://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number ``NHTSA-2010-0047.'' For further information on this decision, contact Mr. George Gillespie, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-5299, facsimile (202) 366-7002. Affected are approximately 6,170 tires imported into the United States by Tireco who identified the tires as ``Geo-Trac'' brand P235/75R15 passenger car tires. In consultation with the fabricating manufacturer, the Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd., Tireco has determined that all of the noncompliant tires were manufactured between June 12, 2009 (Serial Week 24) and August 20, 2009 (Serial Week 34). A total of 6,170 these noncompliant tires have been recovered from its distributors and dealers and are currently in Tireco's possession for relabeling. The remaining tires (approximately 3,370) are still in the hands of Tireco's customers. Tireco explains that the noncompliance is that the markings on the non-compliant tires specifying the maximum inflation pressure in kPa and in psi are reversed from the order required by paragraph S5.5.5(c). The Company said that the maximum inflation pressure should have been marked as ``300 kPa (44 psi)'' but were ``inadvertently'' marked on both sidewalls with a maximum inflation pressure of ``44 kPa (300 psi).'' Tireco reported that this noncompliance was brought to their attention on August 19, 2009 by one of the company's distributor customers. Tireco argues that no vehicle operator would ever inflate the tires to the incorrect pressures that appear on the sidewalls of the subject tires, and specifically stated that ``it would be virtually impossible to do so.'' Tireco supports this conclusion with the following statements:

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. 14 CFR part 21 may require applicants to demonstrate compliance with the latest regulations in effect on the date of application for amended Type Certificates (TC) or Supplemental TCs for aeronautical products.

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 rule allows some experienced pilots who would otherwise qualify as flight instructors or check airmen, but who are not medically eligible to hold the requisite medical certificate, to perform flight instructor or check airmen functions in a simulator.

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.

The FMCSA amends its proposal regarding establishment of the Unified Registration System (URS) required by the ICC Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA) and originally announced in a May 19, 2005 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). URS is the replacement system for several existing registration and information systems for motor carriers, property brokers, and freight forwarders under FMCSA jurisdiction. This SNPRM responds to comments to the 2005 URS NPRM, incorporates new proposals implementing requirements imposed by final rules published after the 2005 URS NPRM, and includes new proposals to implement certain provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The Agency believes the proposed URS would improve the registration process for motor carriers, property brokers, freight forwarders and other entities that register with FMCSA.