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

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of severe corrosion on bonding jumpers installed on the flight control surfaces. This proposed AD would require repetitive bonding jumper inspections for corrosion, sealant disbond, and insufficient sealant coverage, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also specifies an optional action of doing an inspection for corrosion damage of the bonding brackets, and corrective actions if necessary, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require installing certain bonding jumpers and related ground clips and fasteners to the elevators, horizontal stabilizers, rudder, and vertical fin, removing certain bonding jumpers and installing new bonding jumpers, and replacing single-tabbed brackets with two-tabbed brackets. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on bonding jumpers installed on the flight control surfaces, which, in the event of a lighting strike, could damage the actuator control electronics (ACEs) and result in the loss of the ability to command individual flight control surfaces or cause uncommanded motion of individual flight control surfaces.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on certain information collections pertaining to hazardous materials transportation for which PHMSA intends to request renewal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

These special conditions are issued for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the architecture and connectivity capabilities of the airplanes' computer systems and networks, which may allow access to or by external computer systems and networks. Connectivity to, or access by, external systems and networks may result in security vulnerabilities to the airplanes' systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action amends the Minneapolis, MN, Class B airspace area to contain large turbine-powered aircraft conducting published instrument procedures at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), MN, within Class B airspace. The FAA is taking this action to ensure containment of aircraft being vectored to and conducting dual Simultaneous Instrument Landing System (SILS) approaches to parallel Runways 12L/R and 30L/R; aircraft being vectored to and conducting approaches to Runway 35; and, aircraft being re-sequenced from approaches to Runway 35 to approaches to Runway 30L. This action supports the FAA's national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and en route airspace areas to enhance safety, improving the flow of air traffic, and reducing the potential for near midair collision in terminal airspace areas.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-05-09 for Bell Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. AD 2009-05-09 required reidentifying each affected part-numbered main rotor yoke (yoke) on its data plate, reducing the retirement life of the reidentified yoke, and revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs) accordingly. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-05-09 with the exception of the P/N marking location. This AD was prompted by fatigue analysis that shows the retirement life should be reduced on certain yokes. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD requires certain inspections of each tail rotor pitch horn assembly (pitch horn) for a crack, and if there is a crack, before further flight, replacing the pitch horn with an airworthy pitch horn. This AD is prompted by a report of a crack in the yoke of a pitch horn. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the pitch horn to prevent failure of the pitch horn, loss of the anti-torque function, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a request to release and authorize the sale of three parcels totaling 266.954-acres of airport property located at the Charleston International Airport, Charleston, South Carolina, and invites public comment on this notice. The three parcels of airport property are planned to be sold by the Charleston County Aviation Authority for the proposed use of aircraft manufacturing. Currently, ownership of the property provides for protection of FAR Part 77 surfaces and compatible land use which would continue to be protected with deed restrictions required in the transfer of land ownership.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of 0.5 in. x 0.008 in. steel fibers with ultimate tensile strength of 290 ksi. in Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) at the joints and closure pours between deck pours of a Federal-aid project; US-6 over D&RGW Railroad in Utah.

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 for to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 27, 2013, vol. 78, no. 124, page 38795. The collection involves requirements for operators and repair stations to report any malfunctions and defects to the Administrator.

This action amends Class E airspace at St. George Municipal Airport, St. George, UT, by removing the operating hours established by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) due to the airport changing from a part time to a full time facility. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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.