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

This document announces the publication of the final policy changes to the Federal Aviation Administration's policy requiring a benefit cost analysis (BCA) for capacity projects funded by Airport Improvement Program (AIP) discretionary funds. On December 16, 2010, the FAA issued a Notice of Availability of Draft Guidance and Request for Comments with regard to the modification of its policy requiring benefit cost analyses (BCA) for capacity projects, which was published in the Federal Register. (78 FR 78798-02, December 16, 2010). The FAA now is (1) Issuing the final policy modifying the threshold at which BCAs are required from $5 million to $10 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Discretionary funds, and (2) responding to comments requested in the Notice on December 16, 2010.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, US 41 (Memorial Drive to County M) in Brown County, Wisconsin. Those actions grant approvals for the project. The project will widen the US 41 freeway mainline from 4 to 6 lanes and add auxiliary lanes at certain locations along US 41 northbound and southbound from Memorial Drive to County M, The project will also reconstruct I-43 from US 41 to Atkinson Drive and reconstruct the Velp Avenue, I-43, and County M interchanges. The I-43/US 41 interchange will be reconstructed as a System Interchange with directional ramps and will include a realignment of the US 41 mainline, raising of the northbound gradeline, and elimination of existing access between Velp Avenue and I-43 via US 41. The project limits on US 41 extend from Memorial Drive to County M, a distance of approximately 3.5 miles and the project limits on I-43 extend from US 41 to Atkinson Drive, a distance of approximately 2 miles. The project also includes construction of roundabouts, construction of new bridges and replacement of existing bridges.

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 applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes. 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 State of New York has petitioned for approval of alternate odometer requirements to certain requirements under Federal odometer law. New York's proposed program would apply to vehicles that have been transferred to New York motor vehicle dealers. Ultimately, the proposed program would generate the issuance of a non-secure paper odometer disclosure receipt when a vehicle is transferred from a licensed New York dealer to a person other than a licensed New York dealer, such as an out-of-state person. In view of the nature of this receipt as an odometer disclosure for vehicle titling, NHTSA preliminarily denies New York's petition. This notice is not a final agency action.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with connectivity of the passenger domain computer systems to the airplane critical systems and data networks. 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 installation of a single-place side facing seat on Embraer S.A. EMB 500 aircraft. Side- facing seats are considered a novel design, and their installation in a part 23 airplane was not envisaged and is not adequately addressed in 14 CFR part 23. The FAA has determined that the existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate safety standards for occupants of single-place side-facing seats. In order to provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that afforded to occupants of forward and aft facing seating, additional airworthiness standards, in the form of special conditions, are necessary.

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as required by the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, established the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) in March 2001. The NPOAG was formed to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tour operations over and near national parks. This notice informs the public of a vacancy (due to completion of membership on April 2, 2012) on the NPOAG (now the NPOAG Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)) for a representative of Native American tribal concerns and invites interested persons to apply to fill the vacancy.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), District of Columbia Division and the District Department of Transportation are announcing the availability for public review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the I-395 Air Rights Projects in conjunction with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The EA was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations; and the FHWA Environmental Impact and Related Procedures. The project is also being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the EA includes a Section 106 Effects Assessment. Interested persons are invited to comment on both the EA and the Effects Assessment.

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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to include new or more restrictive life-limits and inspections. This proposed AD was prompted by changes to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the maintenance manual, which adds life-limits, revises life-limits, or adds inspections not previously identified. We are proposing this AD to limit exposure of flight critical components to corrosion, cracking, or failure due to life-limits, which if not corrected, could result in loss of roll control, fatigue cracking, or loss of structural components.

We propose to supersede two existing airworthiness directives (ADs) that apply to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45 and CF6-50 series turbofan engines with certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) rotor stage 3 disks installed. The existing ADs currently require inspections of high pressure turbine (HPT) and LPT rotors, engine checks, and surveys. Since we issued those ADs, GE has determined that the low- cycle fatigue (LCF) lives of the LPT rotor stage 3 disks affected by those ADs are below the current published engine manual life limits and has introduced a new LPT rotor stage 3 disk part number. This proposed AD would establish a new lower life limit for the LPT rotor stage 3 disks. We are proposing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB- 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). 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 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 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:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency approval. FMCSA requests approval of this ICR by 30 days from the publication of this notice. The purpose of this information collection is to assess the current levels of voluntary compliance by motorcoach operators to provide pre-trip safety awareness and emergency preparedness information to passengers and to obtain passenger opinions of the implementation of the pre-trip program and any recommended improvements. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and FMCSA will use this data to further inform future policy and regulatory decisions, as well as other initiatives to improve motorcoach safety in the United States.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (the Construction Authority) are issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed improvements in the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Transit Corridor from Azusa to Montclair is being rescinded.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6- 80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B1F1, CF6-80C2B1F2, CF6- 80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B3F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2B8F, CF6- 80C2D1F, CF6-80C2K1F, and CF6-80C2L1F turbofan engines, including engines marked on the engine data plate as CF6-80C2B7F1. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a supplier shipping a batch of nonconforming No. 3 bearing packings that had incorrect cooling holes, and by subsequent reports of nonconforming No. 3 bearing packings being installed on engines in service. This proposed AD would require a one- time inspection of the No. 3 bearing packing for an incorrect cooling hole size and, if it is found nonconforming, removing the packing and removing certain engine rotating life-limited parts, if they were operated with the wrong packing for a specified number of cycles. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the high- pressure compressor (HPC) rotor or the low-pressure turbine (LPT) rotor or both, which could cause damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require removing from service certain serial number (S/N) fan blades, part number (P/N) 338- 002-114-0. This proposed AD was prompted by a normal quality sampling at CFM that isolated a production batch of fan blades with nonconforming geometry of mid-span shroud tips of the fan blades. This defect would cause the upper panel of the fan blade to be liberated following foreign object damage (FOD) or bird strike, and likely result in an inflight shutdown (IFSD). We are proposing this AD to prevent an IFSD of one or more engines following FOD or a bird strike.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all RR RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. The existing AD currently requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks. Since we issued that AD, we received reports of one RB211-Trent 700 and two additional RB211-Trent 800 IP compressor rotor shafts that have been found cracked. This proposed AD would continue to require initial inspections, add additional inspections, and an optional terminating action. The cracking identified above could lead to IP compressor rotor shaft failure, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Huntington, WV, as the Huntt Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) have been developed at Tri-State/Milton J Ferguson Field Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Nahunta, GA, to accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures serving Brantley County Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System. This action also makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.