Department of Transportation September 6, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace at Addison Airport, Dallas, TX. Changes to air traffic flows in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area has made it necessary to lower the ceiling of the airspace area to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter Model EC225 LP helicopters. This proposed AD would add a new operating limitation that would require increasing the minimum density altitude flight limitation for helicopters without certain Eurocopter modifications installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that flights below a certain density altitude create oscillations in the main rotor which can transfer dynamic loads to the structure, the main gearbox (MGB), and the main servo-control inputs, which could result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was published on June 11, 2013. In that document, the FAA proposed to permit operators to use an EFVS in lieu of natural vision to continue descending from 100 feet height above runway touchdown zone elevation and land on certain straight-in instrument approach procedures under instrument flight rules. This rule would also permit certain operators using EFVS-equipped aircraft to dispatch, release, or takeoff under instrument flight rules (IFR), and to initiate and continue an approach, when the destination airport weather is below authorized visibility minimums for the runway of intended landing. Pilot training, recent flight experience, and proficiency would be required for operators who use EFVS in lieu of natural vision to descend below decision altitude, decision height, or minimum descent altitude. EFVS- equipped aircraft conducting operations to touchdown and rollout would be required to meet additional airworthiness requirements. This rule would also revise pilot compartment view certification requirements for all vision systems. Given the technical complexity of the NPRM, Dassault-Aviation has requested that the FAA extend the comment period to October 15, 2013 to allow time to adequately analyze the NPRM and provide meaningful comments.

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 one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. (BHT) Model 206A, 206B, and 206L helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight system. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent a disabled auto-relight system, failure of the engine to relight after a flame-out, increased pilot workload during a power loss emergency, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have applied to GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Model G 115E airplanes. The proposed airworthiness directive (AD) would have required a one-time inspection to verify correct cable routing behind the LH cockpit instrument panel and, depending on findings, correction and replacement of damaged parts. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has re-evaluated this airworthiness concern and determined that the airplanes affected are not type certificated in the United States. This withdrawal does not prevent the FAA from initiating future rulemaking on this subject.