Department of Transportation June 12, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 ``FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012,'' enacted on February 14, 2012, in Section 305 of the Act, removed the line check performance evaluation requirements for pilots over 60 years of age that applied to air carriers engaged in part 121 operations. This technical amendment conforms to the FAA's regulations as a result of the Act.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failure of wire support clamps in the forward section of the aft pressure bulkhead. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the clamps on the power feeder cable auxiliary power unit (APU) to determine if certain clamps are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the clamp, which could result in wire chafing and potential arcing and consequent fire in section 48 (a flammable fluid leakage zone) or heat damage to the APU power feeder cable, insulation blankets, or pressure bulkhead.

On January 13, 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) granted in full Ford Motor Company's (Ford) 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 Ford Fusion vehicle line beginning with its model year (MY) 2012 vehicles. On February 16, 2012, Ford submitted a petition to modify its previously approved exemption for the Ford Fusion vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2013. Ford also requested confidential treatment of specific information in its petition by letter dated April 25, 2012. The agency will address Ford's request for confidential treatment by separate letter. NHTSA is granting Ford'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.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a renewal of an information collection. The collection involves vehicle manufacturers submitting updated future product plans, as well as production data through the recent past, including data about engines and transmissions for model year (MY) 2012 through MY 2025 passenger cars and light trucks and the assumptions underlying those plans. The information to be collected will be used to assist NHTSA with the setting of future fuel economy standards for light duty vehicles. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

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 was prompted by reports of burned contacts in a certain production break plug and its corresponding receptacle. This proposed AD would require modifying galley power supply wiring by disconnecting it from the affected plug/receptacle and reconnecting the power supply wiring through splices. We are proposing this AD to prevent a high electrical load which may lead to overheating of the galley power supply wiring and/or the electrical connector and consequent smoke or fire in the galley area, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a teleconference of the Operations Working Group (OWG) of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The teleconference will take place on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, starting at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Individuals who plan to participate should contact Susan Lender, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), (the Contact Person listed below) by phone or email for the teleconference call in number. The proposed agenda for this teleconference is to follow up on issues raised during the May 10, 2012, OWG meeting. These issues include: Discussing the question of on-orbit authority for the FAA and the jurisdiction and regulation aspects of this question; and Examining possible next steps for the white paper that discussed possible revisions to the requirements for launch site licensing. Interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements for the COMSTAC working group members to consider under the advisory process. Statements may concern the issues and agenda items mentioned above or additional issues that may be relevant for the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Interested parties wishing to submit written statements should contact Susan Lender, DFO, (the Contact Person listed below) in writing (mail or email) by July 10, 2012, so that the information can be made available to COMSTAC members for their review and consideration before the July 17, 2012, teleconference. Written statements should be supplied in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature or one electronic copy via email. An agenda will be posted on the FAA Web site at https://www.faa.gov/ go/ast. Individuals who plan to participate and need special assistance should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.