Department of Transportation 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

On September 12 and 14, 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced and requested public comment on data and information concerning the Pre-Authorization Safety Audits (PASAs) for two motor carriers that applied to participate in the Agency's long-haul pilot program to test and demonstrate the ability of Mexico- domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border. This action is required by the ``U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007'' and all subsequent appropriations. The Agency received responses to the PASA notices from 11 commenters. The purpose of this notice is to respond to those comments that were in the scope of the PASA notice.

On August 24, 2011, FRA published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would remove regulatory provisions requiring railroads to either conduct further analyses or meet certain risk-based criteria in order to avoid positive train control (PTC) system implementation on track segments that do not transport poison- or toxic-by-inhalation (PIH) hazardous materials traffic and are not used for intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation as of December 31, 2015. FRA is announcing a public hearing to provide interested persons an opportunity to provide comments on the proposal and to discuss further development of the regulation. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires the implementation of PTC systems. FRA is also extending the comment period for this proceeding to allow time for interested parties to submit comments after the public hearing.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP) model G280 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with engine torque loads imposed by sudden engine stoppage. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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 proposes special conditions for the Learjet Model LJ-200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with hydrophobic windshield coatings in lieu of windshield wipers. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.

We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Model EA500 airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. (P&WC) Model PW610F-A engines. The existing AD currently requires incorporating an operating limitation of a maximum operating altitude of 30,000 feet into Section 2, Limitations, of the airplane flight manual (AFM). Since we issued that AD, P&WC has developed a design change for the combustion chamber liner assembly. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of the current AD, clarify the engine applicability, and allow the option of incorporating the design change to terminate the current operating limitation and restore the original certificated maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces the FAA's cancellation of TSO-C129a, Airborne Supplemental Navigation Equipment Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) effective October 21, 2011. TSO cancellation will not affect production according to an existing TSO authorization (TSOA). Articles produced under an existing TSOA can still be installed according to existing airworthiness approvals and applications for new airworthiness approvals will still be processed. The effect of the cancelled TSO will result in no new TSO-C129a design or production approvals. However, we will accept applications for new TSO-C129a TSO Authorizations (TSOA) until October 21, 2012 if we know that you were working toward a TSO-C129a approval prior to October 21, 2011.

Since entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mexico on November 21, 1991, on the equivalency of a Mexican Licencia Federal de Conductor (LF) and a commercial driver's license (CDL) issued in the United States, the U.S. motor carrier safety regulations have recognized the LF as equivalent to a CDL. As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) explained in its Federal Register notice of April 13, 2011 (the April Notice), proposing the requirements for the United States-Mexico cross border long-haul trucking pilot program, the Secretary of Transportation will accept only three areas of Mexican regulation as being equivalent to U.S. regulations. One of those areas is the reciprocal recognition of the LF and the CDL. In the Agency's July 8, 2011, Federal Register notice (the July Notice), however, FMCSA recognized concerns about the on-going acceptance of the existing CDL MOU and committed to site visits at Mexican driver training, testing, and licensing locations prior to beginning the pilot program to review Mexico's on-going compliance with the terms of the current MOU. The Agency agreed to post reports of these visits on the FMCSA pilot program Web site at http:/ www.fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/Trucking-Program.asp x. The Agency also added copies of the 1991 MOU regarding CDL reciprocity to the docket for the pilot program. This notice is provided to summarize the results of the site visits and make interested parties aware that the report has been posted on the pilot program Web site and added to the docket for this pilot program.

In accordance with Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' and Executive Order 13579, ``Regulation and Independent Regulatory Agencies,'' the Surface Transportation Board is undertaking review of its existing regulations to evaluate their continued validity and determine whether they are crafted effectively to solve current problems facing shippers and railroads. As part of this review, the Board seeks public comments on whether any of its regulations may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and how to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal them, as appropriate.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Record of Decision (ROD), resulting from an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Re-evaluation has been prepared for Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, Connecticut.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require installing an automatic shutoff system for the center and auxiliary tank fuel boost pumps, as applicable, and installing a placard in the airplane flight deck if necessary; replacing the P5-2 fuel system module assembly; and installing the un-commanded on (UCO) protection system for the center and auxiliary tank fuel boost pumps, as applicable. This proposed AD would also require revisions to the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew of certain operating restrictions for airplanes equipped with an automatic shutoff system. This proposed AD would also require revising the maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This proposed AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent operation of the center and auxiliary tank fuel boost pumps with continuous low pressure, which could lead to friction sparks or overheating in the fuel pump inlet that could create a potential ignition source inside the center and auxiliary fuel tanks. These conditions, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model (Diamond) DA 40 airplanes equipped with cabin air conditioning vapor cycle system (VCS) installed per STC SA03674AT held by Premier Aircraft Services (originally held by DER Services, Inc.) following DER Services Master Document List MDL-2006- 020-1, Revision C, dated February 3, 2009; Revision D, dated April 22, 2009; Revision E, dated May 12, 2010; or Revision F, dated July 6, 2010. This AD was prompted by reports of damage around the VCS compressor mounting areas found during maintenance inspections. This AD requires deactivation of the VCS, removal of the compressor and bracket, and revision to the airplane weight and balance. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

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 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 requires installing foreign object debris (FOD) rubber shields over the primary and secondary external power connectors for certain airplanes, and wrapping silicone tape around the hydraulic tube for certain other airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a fire in the main equipment center due to failure of an external power connector, which caused high-temperature arcing and subsequent splatter of molten copper on an adjacent hydraulic tube, creating a hole in the tube and spraying hydraulic fluid into the power connector, resulting in a fire. In addition there were several reports of overheating or arcing of external power connectors, and one report of a fire due to arcing caused by FOD. We are issuing this AD to prevent FOD from entering the primary and secondary external power connectors, which could result in overheating or arcing and consequent fire in the main equipment center.

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:

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of a new information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD), for certain Airbus Model A300 B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4- 203 airplanes and Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, and F4-605R airplanes, 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:

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 certain Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing cargo bulkhead supports, ceiling supports, secondary dam support, drainage tubing, and ceiling panels to the forward lower lobe in the forward cargo compartment. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of water accumulation in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment. We are proposing this AD to prevent water from accumulating in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment and entering the adjacent electronic equipment bay, which could result in an electrical short and the potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 767 airplanes. That NPRM proposed repetitive inspections to detect fatigue cracking in the wing skin, and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of cracking in the upper wing skin at the fastener holes common to the inboard and outboard pitch load fittings of the front spar which could result in the loss of the strut-to-wing upper link load path and possible separation of a strut and engine from the airplane during flight. This action revises that NPRM by reducing compliance times. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to correct the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of water leaking into electrical and electronic equipment in the main equipment center, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight. This proposed AD would require modifying the floor panels, removing drains; installing floor supports, floor drain trough doublers, drain troughs, and drains; and sealing and taping the floor panels. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 (Otter) airplanes equipped with a Honeywell TPE331- 10 or -12JR turboprop engine installed per STC SA09866SC (Texas Turbines Conversions, Inc.). The wording on how the AD is justified and the wording of the temporary placard need clarification. The clarification does not affect the actions of the AD. This document makes this clarification. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.