Department of Transportation July 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces and requests public comment on data and information concerning the Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) for Jose Guadalupe Morales Guevara (DBA Fletes Morales) which applied to participate in the Agency's long-haul pilot program to test and demonstrate the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the municipalities in the United States on the United States-Mexico international border or the commercial zones of such municipalities. This action is required by the ``U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007'' and all subsequent appropriations.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 23 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA is issuing a SNPRM for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on March 15, 2012, in order to elicit comments addressing the proposed amendment to create Class E surface airspace and further expand the previous proposed amendment of Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Dillon Airport, Dillon, MT, to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures. The original NPRM only proposed an amendment of Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan engines, including models with any dash number suffix. This proposed AD was prompted by 16 reports of damaged or failed 3rd stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) duct segments. This proposed AD would require removing from service certain part numbers (P/Ns) of 3rd stage LPT duct segments. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the 3rd stage LPT duct segments, which could lead to LPT rotor damage, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

This document notifies the public of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) approval of the information collection requirement contained in the FAA's final rule, ``Flightcrew Member Duty and Rest Requirements,'' which was published on January 4, 2012.

This action reopens the comment period for a Petition for Exemption that was published on June 12, 2012. The petition for exemption from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), if granted, would allow AOPA and EAA members to conduct certain operations of aircraft without having to hold an FAA-issued medical certificate.

This document notifies the public of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) approval of the information collection requirement contained in the FAA's final rule, ``Operations Specifications,'' which was published on February 10, 2011.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) 250-C20, -C20B, and -C20R/2 turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by seven cases reported of released turbine blades and shrouds, which led to loss of power and engine in- flight shutdowns (IFSDs). This AD requires a one-time visual inspection and fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) on certain 3rd and 4th stage turbine wheels for cracks in the turbine blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 3rd or 4th stage turbine wheel blades which could cause engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This action removes eighteen Domestic and Alaskan compulsory reporting points defined by navigation aids previously decommissioned, removed, or shutdown and taken out of the FAA aeronautical database as compulsory reporting points. Additionally, this action also requires changes to the name of four navigation aids that define associated compulsory reporting points. The FAA is removing the outdated Part 71 compulsory reporting points since they are no longer valid, and amending those Part 71 compulsory reporting points that require name changes, to be consistent with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action changes the name of the airport associated with the Class D and Class E airspace at Lakehurst, NJ. The airport's name is being changed to Lakehurst Naval Support Activity/Maxfield Field (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst). The FAAs Aeronautical Products office requested the change to reflect the current airport name.

This action removes Class D Airspace at Andalusia, AL, as the Air Traffic Control Tower at South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field has closed, and amends Class E Airspace at Fort Rucker, AL, by recognizing the airport's name change to South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the three listed Class E airports. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-200F, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, without a stretched upper deck or stretched upper deck modification. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracks of each affected tension tie and of the surrounding structure, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires, for certain airplanes, modifying the tension tie structure or tension tie and frame structure at certain stations; and a post-modification inspection of the modified area and post-modification repetitive inspections of the unmodified area, and repair if necessary. Doing the modification would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements in the existing AD. This AD reduces the compliance time and adds inspections for certain airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain airplanes have tension ties that are susceptible to widespread fatigue damage. This AD also results from reports of cracks on the forward and aft tension tie channels at station (STA) 740 and STA 760, and a determination that initial inspection intervals need to be reduced. We are issuing this AD to prevent tension ties from becoming severed or disconnected from the frames, which could lead to rapid in-flight decompression.

The Federal Aviation Administration is correcting a document published on June 26, 2012 (77 FR 38016). That document extended the comment period on its proposed policy regarding the registration of aircraft to U.S. citizen trustees in situations involving non-U.S. citizen trustors and beneficiaries. This document revises the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of that document. Due to a clerical error, language from a prior document was inadvertently included; this correction is made to provide clarity. Also, this document corrects the Authority cite.

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. Title 49 U.S.C., Section 44702 authorizes issuance of air carrier operating certificates. 14 CFR part 135 prescribes requirement for Air Carrier/Commercial Operators. The info collected shows compliance and applicant eligibility.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a non-aeronautical land- use change for approximately 38 acres of airport property at Delano Municipal Airport, Delano, California, from the aeronautical use provisions of the Quitclaim Deed and Grant Agreement Assurances since the land is not needed for aeronautical purposes. The property will be leased for its fair market value and the rental proceeds deposited in the airport account for airport use. The reuse of the land for a solar farm and the non-aeronautical use of an old administrative building represent compatible land uses that will not interfere with the airport or its operation, thereby protecting the interests of civil aviation and contributing to the self-sustainability of the airport.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew the approval of the following information collection:

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that 8 States have rescinded Notices of Intent (NOIs) to prepare 14 Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for proposed highway projects. The FHWA Division Offices, in consultation with the State departments of transportation (State DOTs), determined that six projects were no longer viable and have formally cancelled the projects. No further Federal resources will be expended on these projects; the environmental review process has been terminated. Four projects have been reduced in scope or found not to have significant impacts and now meet the criteria for an Environmental Assessment (EA) or a Categorical Exclusion (CE). Two projects will be constructed using solely State funds, so EISs will not be required. One project will be divided into two future projects and NOIs will be issued as needed. Finally, one project is being significantly rescoped and required a new NOI, which has already been issued.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has requested FHWA approval of MDTA's proposed plan to temporarily close a portion of I-395 (just south of Conway Street in Baltimore City) from approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, until approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. The closure is requested to accommodate the construction and operation of the Baltimore Grand Prix (BGP), which will use the streets of downtown Baltimore as a race course. The request is based on the provisions in 23 CFR 658.11 which authorizes the deletion of segments of the federally designated routes that make up the National Network designated in Appendix A of 23 CFR Part 658 upon approval by the FHWA. The FHWA seeks comments from the general public on this request submitted by the MDTA for a deletion in accordance with section 658.11(d) for the considerations discussed in this notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on a new information collection (IC) to help determine the effectiveness of PHMSA's 811 Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign. In calendar year 2012, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of 811 as the national ``Call Before You Dig'' toll-free telephone number, PHMSA produced a 30-second video PSA, a 30-second radio PSA and a 60-second radio PSA. All were produced in both English and Spanish and are available in several formats for downloading and broadcasting. PHMSA seeks to measure the effectiveness of the campaign through an online survey. After the comments to this notice are addressed, PHMSA will request approval for this new information collection from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at PortlandHillsboro Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), now 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2). The FAA is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to nonaeronautical use and to authorize the sale and/or conversion of the airport property. The proposal consists of two parcels of land containing a total of approximately 3.21 acres located in the southeast portion of the airport southeast of Cornell Rd. The FAA may approve the request, in whole or in part, no later than August 6, 2012.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at La Belle, FL, to accommodate the Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at La Belle Municipal Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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.

This amendment clarifies aircraft engine vibration test requirements in the airworthiness standards. The clarification is in response to inquiries from applicants requesting FAA engine type certifications and aftermarket certifications, such as supplemental type certificates, parts manufacturing approvals, and repairs. We are revising the regulations to clarify that ``engine surveys'' require an engine test. The change is not substantive in nature, and will not impose any additional burden on any person.