Department of Transportation February 13, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA corrects the hours of service (HOS) final rule published on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 81143). This correction notice corrects the amendatory language or guidance to legal editors of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) on the proper codification of the December 27, 2011 rule. This notice does not change, in any manner, the regulatory text.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes an existing collection of information for 49 CFR Part 574, Tire Identification and Recordkeeping, for which NHTSA intends to seek renewed OMB approval. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period was published on December 1, 2011 (76 FR 74845).

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 11 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision requirement.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to nonaeronautical use and to authorize the conversion of the airport property. The proposal consists of three parcels of land containing a total of approximately 127 acres located on the east side of the airport between South Portland Avenue and Interstate Highway 44. These parcels were originally acquired under the following grants: Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Nos. 3-40-0072-03 and 3-40-0072-07 in 1990; AIP No. 3-40-0072-23 in 1992; and AIP No. 3-40-0072-24 in 1993. The land comprising these parcels is outside the forecasted need for aviation development and, thus, is no longer needed for indirect or direct aeronautical use. The Airport wishes to develop this land for compatible commercial, nonaeronautical use. The income from the conversion of these parcels will benefit the aviation community by reinvestment in the airport. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the conversion of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the conversion of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a rudder hard-over event on a Model 747-400 series airplane, caused by a rudder power control module (PCM) manifold cracking and separating in the area of the yaw damper cavity end-cap. This condition could result in a hard-over of the rudder surface leading to an increase in pilot workload and a possible high-speed runway excursion upon landing, in the event of failure of the lower or upper rudder PCM manifold. This AD requires replacing or modifying the upper and lower rudder PCMs. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The Regulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department. The Agenda provides the public with information about the Department of Transportation's regulatory activity. It is expected that this information will enable the public to be more aware of and allow it to more effectively participate in the Department's regulatory activity. The public is also invited to submit comments on any aspect of this Agenda.