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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model ATR42 and ATR72 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP (type certificate previously held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model Galaxy and Gulfstream G150 airplanes; and Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 200 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:

FMCSA announces its denial of 107 applications from individuals who requested an exemption from the Federal vision standard applicable to interstate truck and bus drivers and the reasons for the denials. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions does not provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

Staff members of the Surface Transportation Board will hold a public meeting concerning the abandonment petition for exemption in the above-titled docket. The purpose of the meeting is to allow interested persons to comment on the petition for exemption.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the inner chords at both left-side and right-side stations 859.5, 883.5, and 903.5. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the frame inner chord transition radius for cracks, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent large cracks in the frames and adjacent structure that can adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

On May 25, 1989, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) granted in full Porsche Cars North America's (Porsche) petition for an exemption in accordance with Sec. 543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard for the Porsche 911 vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 1990. On August 16, 2011, Porsche submitted a petition to modify its previously approved exemption for the Porsche 911 vehicle line and notified the agency that all new successor models within the 911 line will be installed with the proposed antitheft device beginning with MY 2012. NHTSA is granting Porsche's petition to modify the exemption in full, because it has determined that the modified device is also likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 helicopters. That AD currently requires turning ON both Vertical Stabilizer Control System (VSCS) switches and turning OFF the autopilot (AP/SAS) switch; pulling certain AP/SAS circuit breakers; installing a placard near the AP/SAS master switch; installing an airspeed limitation placard on the instrument panel; and making changes to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). This amendment retains those requirements and provides an option of replacing each affected tube adapter with a newly-designed tube adapter, which provides terminating action for the unsafe condition. This amendment is prompted by the manufacturer introducing an improved, newly-designed tube adapter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 150F, 150G, 150H, 150J, 150K, 150L, 150M, A150K, A150L, A150M, F150F, F150G, F150H, F150J, F150K, F150L, F150M, FA150K, FA150L, FRA150L, FA150M, FRA150M, 152, A152, F152, and FA152 airplanes. There is an error in the compliance instructions. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) 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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 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:

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

This document announces the availability of a revised section of FAA Order 8900.1, regarding the qualification, authority, and limitations of Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiners (DADEs). This section provides guidance to FAA employees on the responsibilities, qualifications, and oversight of DADEs under 14 CFR part 183. Under this proposed revision, the FAA is clarifying its policy regarding the qualifications, privileges, and limitations of these designees, in addition to establishing guidelines for DADEs when testing applicants for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. Upon review of the comments and any necessary revision, this Order would cancel and replace FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 10, and Volume 13, Chapter 3, Sections 1-4, issued September 13, 2007.

PHMSA is co-sponsoring a one-day Emergency Responder Forum with the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives and the United States Fire Administration. The purpose of the forum is to convene a meeting of emergency response and management community leaders, pipeline safety regulators, pipeline industry representatives, and interested members of the public to solicit expert counsel that will inform the development of a strategy for improving emergency responders' ability to prepare for and respond to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline emergencies.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of projects funded under two discretionary programs: Bus and Bus Facilities and Alternatives Analysis, in support of DOT's Livability Initiative, which was announced in the Discretionary Livability Funding Opportunity notice of funding availability on June 27, 2011. The Bus Livability program makes funds available to public transit providers to finance capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities, including programs of bus and bus- related projects for assistance to subrecipients that are public agencies, private companies engaged in public transportation, or private non-profit organizations. The Alternatives Analysis program makes funds available to States, authorities of States, metropolitan planning organizations, and local governmental authorities to develop alternatives analyses. The Alternatives Analysis Program assists potential sponsors of major transit capital investments (``New Starts'' and ``Small Starts'' projects) in the evaluation of all reasonable modal and multimodal alternatives and general alignment options to address transportation needs in a defined travel corridor. Through these funding awards, FTA will support a limited number of alternatives analyses, or technical work conducted as part of proposed or on-going alternatives analyses, that seek to advance major transit investments that foster the six livability principles of the DOT-HUD-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with air distribution ducts in the environmental control system (ECS) wrapped with Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 or Aeronautical Materials Specifications (AMS) 3570 polyurethane foam insulation, a material with fire-retardant properties that deteriorate with age. This proposed AD would require reworking certain air distribution ducts in the ECS. We are proposing this AD to prevent ignition of the BMS 8-39 or AMS 3570 polyurethane foam insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS due to a potential electrical arc, which could start a small fire and lead to a larger fire that may spread throughout the airplane through the ECS.

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:

On November 3, 2011, the Board served a decision announcing the 2010 revenue adequacy determinations for the Nation's Class I railroads. One carrier, Union Pacific Railroad Company, was found to be revenue adequate.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for RR RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines. That NPRM proposed to revise the Trent 800 Time Limits Manual (TLM) of the Trent 800 engine maintenance manuals (EMMs). That NPRM was prompted by RR reducing the life limits of certain critical engine parts. This action revises that NPRM by proposing to supersede an existing AD to prohibit installation of one certain critical part and to increase the life of another critical part whose lives were previously reduced by that existing AD. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent the failure of critical rotating parts, which could result in uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane. Because of the extensive changes since the NPRM was issued, 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 PW4000 series turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require replacing the fuel metering unit (FMU), part number (P/N) 50U150, at the next shop visit after the effective date of this proposed AD. This proposed AD was prompted by an engine overspeed event that occurred during taxi and resulted in a high-pressure compressor (HPC) surge and tailpipe fire. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine overspeed on these engines, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the engines identified above. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the forward engine mount assembly side links for cracks, stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating on the side links at every exposure of the side link. This new AD requires those same inspections, stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating, and adds two part numbers to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a review of the inspection program, which revealed that GE had omitted two affected side link part numbers from the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the side links and possible engine separation from the airplane.