Department of Transportation October 23, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Board provides notice that any material due to be submitted to the Board during the Federal government shutdown will now be due no later than October 24, 2013. Further, submissions that arrived by mail during the shutdown will be considered received on October 17, 2013.

This Notice implements Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act of 2002). It is the annual obligation for Federal agencies to notify all employees, former employees, and applicants for Federal employment of the rights and protections available to them under the Federal Anti-discrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes equipped with General Electric Model CF6- 80C2 engines. The NPRM proposed to require modifying a relay installation and associated wiring of the engine cowl anti-ice system and performing a functional test of the thrust reverser system. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing the operational program software of certain indicating/recording systems. Since we issued the NPRM, we have received new data that indicate the unsafe condition would not be adequately addressed by the proposed action. The manufacturer has issued new service information to address the unsafe condition. Consequently, we issued new rulemaking action that positively addresses the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM, and eliminates the need for the actions proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fire that originated near the first officer's seat and caused extensive damage to the flight deck. This proposed AD would require replacing the low-pressure oxygen hoses with non-conductive low-pressure oxygen hoses in the stowage box and supernumerary ceiling area. We are proposing this AD to prevent electrical current from passing through an internal, anti-collapse spring of the low-pressure oxygen hose, which can cause the low- pressure oxygen hose to melt or burn and lead to an oxygen-fed fire on the flight deck.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 16 individuals for exemptions 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 5 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 14 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 25 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 37 individuals for exemptions 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 considering a proposal to change a portion of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at French Lick Airport, French Lick, Indiana. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The proposal consists of 18.606 acres located in the southern section of airport property which is not being used by the airport presently. The land is to be sold to Commissioners of Orange County for the construction of County Road CR 300 South/Airport Road to facilitate access to the airport.

FMCSA makes corrections to its August 23, 2013, final rule regarding the Unified Registration System. This document makes four minor revisions to the URS final rule to be consistent with the Agency's ``General Technical, Organizational and Conforming Amendments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations'' final rule published on September 24, 2013.

The FAA is making technical changes to a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2012. That final rule amended the emission standards for certain turbine engine powered airplanes to incorporate the standards promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 18, 2012. The final rule contained six minor technical errors: One in the authority citation, and five in tables listing the emissions standards for engines manufactured on and after July 18, 2012. In addition, we are correcting an error in a definition that existed before the final rule and was overlooked. The FAA is issuing this technical amendment to correct these errors.