Department of Transportation 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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. Part A of Subtitle VII of the Revised Title 49 U.S.C. authorizes the issuance of regulations governing the use of navigable airspace. Information is collected to determine compliance with Federal regulations. Respondents are individual airmen, state or local governments, and businesses.

This action proposes special conditions for the Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP) Model G250 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the pilot-compartment view through a hydrophobic windshield coating, 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.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS class passenger cars manufactured prior to September 1, 2006, that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS class passenger cars manufactured prior to September 1, 2006,) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards. DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is June 24, 2011.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Cocoa, FL, as the Merritt Island Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Merritt Island Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted regarding the Petitions for Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on February 4, 2011 (76 FR 6514). The agency received no comments.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) has applied for a limited exemption from FMCSA's regulation that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) may not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty. The exemption would apply solely to the operation of CMVs by 9 designated APA-member motor carriers in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day during the periods June 28July 8, 2011, and June 28July 8, 2012, inclusive. During these two periods, the approximately 375 CMVs and drivers employed by these 9 APA-member motor carriers would be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers would not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on- duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and would continue to be subject to the 11-hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70- hour on-duty limits. The APA maintains that the terms and conditions of the limited exemption would ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

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 petitions or their final disposition.

This action would modify Class D and Class E airspace at Lawson Army Airfield (AAF), Columbus, GA, by removing the reference to the Columbus Metropolitan Airport Class C airspace area from the description. Controlled airspace at Columbus Metropolitan Airport is being downgraded due to decreased air traffic volume. This action is necessary for the safety and management of air traffic within the National Airspace System. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the Columbus Lawson AAF.

The Federal Aviation Administration published a proposed airworthiness directives legal interpretation for comment. In response to several requests, we are extending the comment period to allow additional time for comment. Comments from the public are requested to assist the agency in developing the final legal interpretation.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require the installation of new relays adjacent to two of the spoiler control modules that would prevent the deployment of certain spoiler pairs when landing flaps are selected. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would require torquing the bracket assembly installation nuts and ground stud nuts, and doing bond resistance tests between the bracket assemblies and the terminal lugs on the ground studs. This proposed AD is prompted by numerous reports of unintended lateral oscillations during the final approach, just before landing. We are proposing this AD to reduce the chance of unintended lateral oscillations near touchdown, which could result in loss of lateral control of the airplane, and consequent airplane damage or injury to flight crew and passengers.

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-2011-0054 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 (68 FR 23084, April 30, 2003), 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-2011-0060 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 (68 FR 23084, April 30, 2003), 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.

Recent pipeline incidents involving seam weld anomalies and gaps in data and recordkeeping are driving a stronger focus on better managing these challenges. PHMSA is holding important public meetings to discuss its review of inspection reporting and incident findings in these areas. In addition, these public meetings are part of PHMSA's efforts to address the Secretary of Transportation's ``Call to Action'' to address pipeline infrastructure risks, drive for more aggressive safety efforts and to be more transparent when executing these safety measures. These public meetings are designed to provide an open forum for exchanging information on the challenges associated with pipeline seam welds and improving pipeline risk assessments and recordkeeping. Specifically, these public meetings will facilitate individual, panel and working group discussions for the following objectives:

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to the products listed above. The service information reference in paragraph (g)(7) in the Actions section of the AD is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

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-2011-0056 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 (68 FR 23084, April 30, 2003), 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-2011-0059 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 (68 FR 23084, April 30, 2003), 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.

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 for 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 March 10, 2011, vol. 76, no. 47, page 13264-13265. 14 CFR part 17 sets forth procedures for filing solicitation protests and contract claims in the FAA's Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition. The regulations seek factual and legal information from protesters or claimants primarily through written submissions.

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.

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.

The Federal Highway Administration is issuing this notice to advise the public of its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation for potential transportation improvements along the Interstate 64 Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) corridor in Virginia.

The FMCSA extends until June 30, 2012, the compliance date of the requirement for drivers and motor carriers to prepare a driver- vehicle inspection report (DVIR) on an item of intermodal equipment (IME) when no damage, defects, or deficiencies are discovered by, or reported to, the driver (hereafter ``no-defect DVIR''). The previous compliance date was June 30, 2011, as a result of the Agency's August 20, 2010, amended final rule which extended the compliance date of the same provision of the December 17, 2008, final rule concerning maintenance responsibilities for IME. As a result of this action, drivers and carriers are not required to prepare no-defect DVIRs until June 30, 2012. This action is being taken to provide the Agency with sufficient time to address, through a notice-and-comment rulemaking proceeding, a petition to rescind the requirement for no-defect DVIRs. The Agency emphasizes that all requirements concerning drivers' preparation of DVIRs to report damage, defects, or deficiencies to intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) remain in effect, as well as the requirements for IEPs to take appropriate action in addressing the safety issues identified by such reports.

This action proposes to modify Class D and Class E airspace at Fort Huachuca, AZ, to accommodate aircraft departing and arriving under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista Municipal Airport-Libby Army Airfield. This action, initiated by the biennial review of the Fort Huachuca airspace area, would enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport. This action would also update the airport name.

On January 12, 2009, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking on qualification, service, and use of crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers. Because of the complexity of the issues and the concerns raised by commenters, the FAA is issuing this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking. The FAA proposes to amend the regulations for crewmember and aircraft dispatcher training programs in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. The proposed regulations enhance traditional training programs by requiring the use of flight simulation training devices for flightcrew members and including additional training and evaluation requirements for all crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers in areas that are critical to safety. The proposal also reorganizes and revises the qualification, training, and evaluation requirements. The proposed changes are intended to contribute significantly to reducing aviation accidents.

In September 2006, the FAA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for actions associated with the proposed relocation of the Panama City- Bay County International Airport (PFN) in Bay County, Florida. The FAA's ROD was based on information and analysis contained in the FAA's 2006 FEIS for the project. The new airport approved in the 2006 ROD was named the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), and began operations at the new site in May 2010. The FAA noted in the 2006 FEIS that further federal action would be necessary to decommission and dispose of the existing airport property from aeronautical use, and that additional environmental review would be necessary due to the preliminary nature of the redevelopment information. In April 2010, the Airport Sponsor requested full release of the old airport property from federal grant obligations. Subsequent to this request, the FAA published a notice in the Federal Register (FR) in August 2010, regarding the intent to rule on the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Sponsor) request to release airport property at PFN. The Federal Action addressed in the written reevaluation is FAA approval of the disposal (closure) of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN) property and release of PFN's grant obligations. Based on the best information currently available regarding reuse of the PFN site, the written reevaluation assessed the continuing validity of the environmental analysis contained in the 2006 FEIS with regard to the disposal and release actions requested by the Airport Sponsor. After the written reevaluation was completed and based on information contained therein, the FAA signed a ROD environmentally approving disposal of the property and release of grant obligations on May 5, 2011. This is not, however, the final step in the disposal and release process. Upon FAA's final approval of the disposal of the property, the Airport Sponsor will be released from their grant obligations over the property known as PFN.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.