Department of Transportation February 10, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 and C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing a placard that corresponds to the maximum permissible flight altitude, amending the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to revise the maximum permissible operating altitude, and inserting revised performance charts into the RFM. The proposed AD would also require a repetitive maintenance ``MAX N1 CHECK'' to determine the appropriate maximum altitudes. The AD would also require, if the engine or a fuel control unit (FCU) or module 2 or 3 is replaced, repeating the maintenance ``MAX N1 CHECK.'' Finally, the proposed AD specifies that modifying both engines would provide terminating action for the proposed AD requirements. This proposed AD is prompted by the failure of a ``few'' engines to reach the specified one-engine-inoperative (OEI) rating at altitudes above 10,000 feet. The proposed actions are intended to prevent flights at altitudes where the full OEI engine power cannot be reached and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter if an OEI operation is required.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting public comment on the Delaware River and Bay Authority's (DRBA) request to grant the Delaware Department of Transportation a permanent easement on 2.424 +/- acres of airport property along portions of Old Churchman's Road bordering a portion of the Airport property perimeter for roadway improvements. The 2.424 +/- acres land covered by the purposed easement will no longer be dedicated for aviation use by the New Castle Airport. The DRBA, as operator of the New Castle Airport (ILG), has proposed the extension of Taxiway ``H'' and the development of an approximate thirty-eight (38) acre parcel of airport property on the southeasterly side of Old Churchman's Road for aviation related purposes. The Thirty- Eight Acre Parcel is currently undeveloped and separated from the main airport property by Old Churchman's Road. In order to gain connectivity and access to the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel and allow for the extension of Taxiway ``H'' and future development, 0.610 +/- acres of Old Churchman's Road must be vacated by the Delaware Department of Transportation and returned to New Castle County as fee owner for aeronautical use. Once the 0.610+/- acres of Old Churchman's Road is vacated, future road improvements to include, but not limited to, the upgrade of Old Churchman's Road from Route 13 to the easterly boundary of the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel, the construction of a public road connecting Old Churchman's Road and New Churchman's Road at the eastern boundary of the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel, and the construction of certain improvements along New Churchman's Road can be made on the proposed 2.424 +/- acre easement area. This will allow Delaware Department of Transportation to bring portions of Old Churchman's Road up to standards and accommodate a new connector from Old Churchman's Road to New Churchman's Road. The 2.424 +/- acre parcel is located at New Castle Airport (ILG), New Castle, DE, situated northwesterly of Dupont Highway, U.S. Route 13 and northeasterly of New Churchman's Road, Delaware State Road 58, New Castle Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. The parcel is comprised of several small, narrow, Right-of-Way easement ``strips'' totaling 2.424 +/- acres in aggregate and is generally located along Old Churchman's Road commencing at Route 13 and running in a westerly direction to the easterly property line of the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel. The property is currently depicted on the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) of record as airport property and consists of five sections of narrow strips of land varying 1.272 acres to 0.054 acres. The strips of land are parts of Tax Parcel No. 10-018.00-006. These areas, totaling 2.424 +/-, acres are not required for aeronautical use and can be used for road improvements.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 5 individuals. 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 exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

These special conditions are issued for the Learjet Model LJ- 200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with systems that, directly or as a result of failure or malfunction, affect structural performance. 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt fifteen individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.