Department of Transportation 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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:

This document amends NHTSA's regulations pertaining to registered importers (``RIs'') of motor vehicles not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety. The agency is amending RI application and renewal requirements to enable the agency to deny applications for registration from entities that have been convicted of a crime related to the importation, purchase, or sale of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment and to revoke existing registrations held by such entities. Another amendment will require an RI to certify that it destroyed or exported nonconforming motor vehicle equipment removed from a vehicle during conformance modifications. The agency is also establishing new requirements for motor vehicles imported under import eligibility petitions, adopting a clearer definition of the term ``model year'' for import eligibility purposes, and requiring that import eligibility petitions include the type classification and gross vehicle weight rating (``GVWR'') of the subject vehicle. This notice also adopts several amendments to the RI regulations that add citations to provisions that can be used as a basis for the non-automatic suspension of an RI registration, deletes redundant text from another provision, and revises several sections to include the agency's current mailing address.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the products listed above. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the shim installation between the engine strut vertical flange and bulkhead, and repair if necessary. The existing AD also requires, for certain airplanes, an inspection for cracking of the four critical fastener holes in the horizontal flange, and repair if necessary. Additionally, the existing AD requires that the existing action be performed on airplanes without conclusive records of previous inspections. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of loose fasteners and cracks at the joint common to the aft torque bulkhead and strut-to-diagonal brace fitting and one report of such damage occurring less than 3,000 flight cycles after the last inspection. This proposed AD would reduce the repetitive inspection interval, and add repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the bulkhead, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide an option, for certain airplanes, to extend the repetitive intervals by also doing repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking of the bulkhead, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also add an option for the high frequency eddy current inspection for cracking of the critical fastener holes, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks, loose and broken bolts, and shim migration in the joint between the aft torque bulkhead and the strut-to-diagonal brace fitting, which could result in damage to the strut and consequent separation of the strut and engine from the airplane.

This document responds to a petition for reconsideration from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers regarding a March 2010 final rule on the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for side impact protection. Today's rule makes minor changes to the standard's testing requirements and clarifies some aspects of the standard.

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. This information collection involves certain organizations applying to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. These function may include approving data, issuing various kinds of aircraft and organization certificates, and other functions.

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 Airport Safety Data Program involves the collection and dissemination of civil aeronautics information.

FRA proposes amendments to the regulations implementing a provision of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that requires certain passenger and freight railroads to install positive train control (PTC) systems. This notice proposes the removal of various regulatory requirements that require railroads to either conduct further analyses or meet certain risk-based criteria in order to avoid 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.

This notice announces the planned revocation of all Technical Standard Order authorizations (TSOA) issued for the production of Underwater Locating Devices (Acoustic) (Self-Powered) manufactured to the TSO-C121 and TSO-C121a specifications. These actions are necessary because the planned issuance of TSO-C121b, Underwater Locating Devices (Acoustic) (Self-Powered), with a minimum performance standard (MPS) that will increase the minimum operating life of Underwater Locating Devices from 30 days to 90 days.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on request by the Bowling GreenWarren County Airport Board to change a portion of airport property from aeronautical to non-aeronautical use at the Bowling GreenWarren County Regional Airport, Bowling Green, Kentucky. The request consists approximately of 4.66 acres of fee simple release. This action is taken under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is changing the way the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) makes its permits, licenses, and all accompanying orders (authorizations) available to the public. The FAA intends to post all current and future authorizations online on the AST Web site \1\ beginning on October 24, 2011. The FAA will not publish license or permit applications or evaluations. The FAA has determined that posting authorizations online will allow it to more effectively and efficiently inform the public of its commercial space transportation permit and license determinations.

The FHWA has approved a request from Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to temporarily close a portion of I-395 (just south of Conway Street in Baltimore City) from approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2011, until approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. The closure is requested to accommodate the construction and operation of the Baltimore Grand Prix (BGP), which will use the streets of downtown Baltimore as a race course. The approval is granted in accordance with the provisions of 23 CFR 658.11 which authorizes the deletion of segments of the federally designated routes that make up the National Network designated in Appendix A of 23 CFR Part 658. The FHWA published a Notice and Request for Comment on June 28, 2011, seeking comments from the general public on this request submitted by the MDTA for a deletion in accordance with 23 CFR 658.11(d). No public comments were received.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of non-domestic 5 \3/8\'' stud link chain for a Recovery Act bridge replacement project in Larose, Louisiana.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The nature of the information collection is described as well as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 27, 2011, and comments were due by July 26, 2011. No comments were received.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above with certain part number (P/N) fan rotor spinners installed. This AD requires removing from service certain fan rotor blade retainers, and removing from service the fan rotor spinner support that was installed with those fan rotor blade retainers. This AD was prompted by a fan rotor spinner support found cracked at the attachment lugs. We are issuing this AD to prevent high-cycle fatigue cracking of the fan rotor spinner support attachment lugs, leading to separation of the fan rotor spinner assembly, uncontained failure of the engine, and damage to 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) 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:

This action establishes a high altitude area navigation (RNAV) route, designated Q-37, extending between the Pueblo, Colorado, VHF omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid and the Fort Stockton, Texas, VORTAC. The new route provides pilots and air traffic controllers with an efficient alternate route around potentially constrained airspace during convective weather events in west Texas.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Jacksonville, NC, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Albert J Ellis Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Forest, VA, to accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures serving New London Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action revises the operating rules for flight in icing conditions. For certain airplanes certificated for flight in icing, the new standards require either installation of ice detection equipment or changes to the airplane flight manual to ensure timely activation of the airframe ice protection system. This action is the result of information gathered from icing accidents and incidents. It is intended to increase the level of safety when airplanes fly in icing conditions.

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) 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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the lower rear spar caps of the wings, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires repetitive inspections of certain repaired areas. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the wing rear spar lower cap at the outboard flap and inboard drive hinge at station Xrs=164.000; the cracking is due to material fatigue from normal flap operating loads. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in fuel leaks, damage to the wing skin or other structure, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wing.

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 application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2011-0109 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388, that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.- flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2011-0104 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388, that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.- flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.