Department of Transportation September 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.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. The existing AD currently requires establishing a revised life limit for each tail rotor blade (blade), updating the helicopter's historical records, repetitively inspecting each blade for a crack, and replacing certain blades. Since we issued that AD, the manufacturer has improved the design of the blades using different materials and established life limits for each newly-designed blade. This proposed AD would expand the applicability to include the newly-designed blades and establish their life limits. This proposed AD would also retain the requirement to inspect each blade for a crack and, if there is a crack, replace each blade with an airworthy blade. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack in a blade to prevent failure of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes an Information Collection Request (ICR) for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes an Information Collection Request (ICR) for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

On November 1, 2012, the Board issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) proposing rules that would establish additional disclosure requirements for notices and petitions for exemption where the underlying lease or line sale includes an interchange commitment. Based on the comments received and further evaluation, the Board now adopts as final the proposed rules, with modifications that reduce the amount of information required to be submitted. The final rules are set forth below.

This Notice provides NHTSA's finding that a waiver of the Buy America requirements is appropriate for the purchase of Can-Am Spyder motorcycles by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), using Federal grant funds, for use as training vehicles in its Motorcycle Safety Program. NHTSA has determined that a waiver is appropriate because there are no comparable three-wheeled ``trike'' motorcycles produced domestically that use the same wheel configuration as the Spyder.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, the agency must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval, relating to confidential business information.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 airplanes. Table 1 of paragraph (g) lists the incorrect model/part number for the Model PA-31-350, tail pipe assembly, top. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Star, NC, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Montgomery County Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces an operational test of procedural changes to the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program. The operational test began in July 2013 and will be in effect for up to 12 months. It is applicable to new entrant motor carriers domiciled in the States of California, Florida, Illinois, Montana, New York and the Canadian Provinces contiguous to Montana and New York. The operational test procedures allow FMCSA to complete an off-site safety audit of eligible new entrant motor carriers that can demonstrate basic safety management controls by submitting compliance documentation as requested by FMCSA. The purpose of the operational test is to compare off-site and on-site new entrant safety audits in terms of resource allocation and subsequent safety performance of new entrant motor carriers.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 90-23-14 for certain The Boeing Company Model 747 series airplanes. AD 90-23-14 required inspections of the fuselage skin lap splice between body station (BS) 340 and BS 400 at stringers (S)-6L and S-6R, and repair if necessary. This new AD adds new repetitive inspections for cracking in the S-6 skin lap splice, which terminates the inspections required by AD 90-23-14; eventual modification of the lap splice, which terminates the repetitive inspections; post-modification inspections; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks up to 18.5 inches that were found at S-6L and S-6R on several airplanes, and subsequent analysis results that indicated that the protruding head fastener modification and related post-modification inspections required by AD 90-23-14 are not adequate to prevent cracking at the upper row of fasteners in the S-6 lap joint before the cracks reach a critical length. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking at the upper row of fasteners in the S-6 lap joint, which could result in a sudden loss of cabin pressurization and the inability of the fuselage to withstand failsafe loads.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various aircraft equipped with Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A Series Engine. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as oil leaks in the intake channel in the area of the valve guide on some cylinder heads could increase the oil consumption and result in engine stoppage. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350 and AS355 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the tail rotor control stop screws to determine if they are correctly aligned and adjusting the screws if they are misaligned. This AD is prompted by the discovery of a loose nut on the tail rotor control stop and a misaligned tail rotor control stop screw. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a loose nut or a misaligned stop screw, which, if not corrected, could limit yaw authority, and consequently, result in a loss of helicopter control.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. app. 2 10(a)(2).

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.