Department of Transportation 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The I-75 Express Lanes Project will design a managed lane system along I-75 from the SR 155 (Zack Hinton Parkway, South) interchange in Henry County north to the SR 138 (Stockbridge Highway) interchange in Clayton counties, a distance of approximately 17.94 miles. Those actions grant licenses, permits and approvals for the project.

This action establishes Class E airspace at the Grand Canyon VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid, Grand Canyon, AZ, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). This improves the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Twin Falls Joslin Field-Magic Valley Regional Airport, Twin Falls, ID, to accommodate aircraft using the Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Localizer (LOC) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport and navigation aid for the respective Class E airspace areas, as well as corrects the airport name to Twin Falls Joslin Field-Magic Valley Regional Airport. Reference to Class D airspace, omitted from the Title in the notice of proposed rulemaking is included in this rule. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 19, 2013, vol. 78, no. 76, page 23627. Fractional Ownership is a program that offers increased flexibility in aircraft ownership. Owners purchase shares of an aircraft and agree to share their aircraft with others having an ownership share in that same aircraft. Owners agree to put their aircraft into a ``pool'' of other shared aircraft and to lease their aircraft to another owner in that pool.

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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 19, 2013, vol. 78, no. 76, pages 23627-23628. Information is maintained by owners and operators of light-sport aircraft and is collected to be used by FAA safety inspectors in determining whether required maintenance actions have been accomplished on light-sport aircraft. The information is also used when investigating accidents.

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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 19, 2013, vol. 78, no. 76, page 23628. This collection ensures that U.S. operators have proper noise certification information when they fly outside the U.S., in compliance with ICAO, Annex 16, Volume 1, Amendment 8.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the second meeting of the RTCA Tactical Operations Committee.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the Cody VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid, Cody, WY, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations within the National Airspace System.

This action amends the operating regulations for flight data recorders by correcting errors in recording rates in three different appendices. These errors create requirements that could not be met by certain airplanes without extensive modification, which was not intended when the requirements were adopted. The corrected recording rates are as intended when the applicable flight data recorder parameter requirements were adopted, but which have been omitted from the current publication of the regulatory text.

On June 4, 2013, Conway's Bus Service, Inc. (CBS), and Academy Express, L.L.C. (Academy) (collectively, Applicants), motor carriers of passengers, filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 for approval of the purchase of certain assets of CBS's Charter Division by Academy.\1\ The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.\2\ Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the rules set forth at 49 CFR 1182.5 and 1182.8.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. The existing AD requires inspecting to determine whether a cross-member is installed at station X 2165 and doublers at X 2325 and Y 269, and installing them if they are missing. Since we issued that AD, we discovered that the applicability of the AD should be limited to those helicopters with collective-to-yaw control coupling. We also sought to revise the inspection of the tail rotor control rigging to clarify the procedures. This proposed AD would retain the requirements in the existing AD with the mentioned clarifications but would supersede it to include only those helicopters with collective-to-yaw control coupling. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced yaw control and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, and EC135 T2+ helicopters. This proposed AD would require analyzing the main gearbox (MGB) oil for indications of metal chips or pieces, reviewing the MGB log or equivalent record, and inspecting certain teeth in the MGB after two chip indications. This proposed AD is prompted by a partial tooth rupture found in an MGB that was returned to the manufacturer for repairs. The proposed actions are intended to detect wear in the MGB that could lead to a gear tooth rupture, failure of the MGB, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce engines. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks of the outer V-blades of the thrust reverser, and corrective action if necessary. The existing AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of cracked outer V-blade fittings at the hinge beam end of Rolls-Royce engine thrust reversers, on airplanes on which the optional terminating action was done. This proposed AD would add, for airplanes on which the optional terminating action is done, repetitive inspections for cracking in the outer V-blade fittings of the hinge beam and latch beam ends of each thrust reverser half, and replacement of an affected thrust reverser half if necessary. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane during normal reverse thrust or during a refused takeoff, which could result in unexpected thrust asymmetry and a possible runway excursion.

We are revising an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to issue an airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with a certain wire strike protection system (WSPS) top cable cutter assembly installed. The existing NPRM proposes to require reworking or replacing the top cable cutter assembly to increase clearance between the WSPS and the main rotor (M/R) blades. The NPRM was prompted by a report of in-flight contact between the top cable-cutter assembly and two M/R blades. This action revises the proposals in the NPRM by requiring that the reworked or replaced part be marked with ``BT 139-126 Rev./'' or ``FAA'' at the end of the part number to reflect the field modification. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. The existing AD currently requires adding an automatic reversion logic and a means for the pilot to override pitch trim control normal modes, and installing placards in the cockpit; replacing the frame of the emergency switch box; replacing certain horizontal stabilizer electronic control units (HSECU); operating the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in the airplane flight manual (AFM); revising the Limitations section of the AFM; and revising the maintenance program to incorporate a certain maintenance planning document (MPD) task. Since we issued that AD, Dassault Aviation has developed a modification of the fly-by-wire (FBW) standard; changed the AFM to incorporate changes resulting from the FBW modification; and revised the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) to incorporate repetitive operational tests of the electric motors reversion relays and trim emergency command of the horizontal stabilizer trim system (HSTS). Once incorporated, these actions allow restoration of the originally certified minimum equipment list items. This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of the previous AD; would require modifying the FBW standard; operating the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in an approved AFM; and operational testing of the electric motors reversion relays and trim emergency command of the HSTS, and repairs if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontrolled pitch trim runaway, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of certain sliding windows that were difficult to operate after landing. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection to identify part numbers of sliding windows and sliding window seals, and modification if necessary. This proposed AD also includes an optional replacement. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct incorrect seals, which could lead to the functional loss of the sliding window as an exit, possibly preventing the flightcrew from safely evacuating the airplane during an emergency.

This notice announces action taken by the FHWA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that is final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. Sec. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the proposed Mitchell River Bridge (Bridge Street over the Mitchell River) Replacement Project in Chatham-Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The action grants an approval for the project.

This rulemaking amends the airplane operating regulations to include certain provisions of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that affect jet airplanes with a maximum weight of 75,000 pounds or less operating in the United States. The law provides that after December 31, 2015, such airplanes will not be allowed to operate in the contiguous United States unless they meet Stage 3 noise levels. This final rule incorporates that prohibition and describes the circumstances under which an otherwise prohibited airplane may be operated.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to supersede three existing airworthiness directives (ADs) that apply to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, - 200PF, and -200CB series airplanes. The existing ADs currently require repetitive inspections and audible tap tests of the upper and lower skins of the trailing edge wedges on certain slats, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued these ADs, we have received reports of slats disbonding on airplanes on which the terminating actions of the existing ADs were completed and also reports of slats disbonding on airplanes outside of the applicability of the existing ADs. This proposed AD would require a determination of the type of trailing edge wedges of the leading edge slats, repetitive inspections on certain trailing edge wedges for areas of skin-to-core disbonding, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD would revise the applicability of the existing ADs to include additional airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent delamination of the trailing edge wedge of the leading edge slats, possible loss of pieces of the trailing edge wedge assembly during flight, reduction of the reduced maneuver and stall margins, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a high-speed rejected takeoff caused by all four main landing gear (MLG) tires blowing out during the takeoff roll. This AD requires installing new rigid hydraulic tube assemblies to the MLG struts; installing a new MLG squat switch bracket, modifying the MLG squat switch wire harness; modifying the MLG anti-skid wheel transducer electrical wire harnesses; routing and securing the anti-skid wheel and squat switch electrical wire harnesses to the MLG strut assembly; installing outboard bracket assemblies, anti-skid shield, forward electrical cover on the forward stiffener, upper and lower inboard bracket assemblies, and clamps that support the electrical wire harness; modifying the aft stiffener for the new electrical wire harness support; installing the aft electrical cover and strap on the aft stiffener; installing a new flat landing light lamp if necessary; and, for certain airplanes, installing a new wheel speed detect box assembly, nutplates, and brackets and a new thrust reverser interface box, and modifying the wiring for the new thrust reverser interface box. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the braking system or adverse operation of the spoiler and thrust reverser system due to external damage, particularly from tire failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of each carriage spindle of the outboard mid-flaps; repetitive gap checks of the inboard and outboard carriages of the outboard mid-flaps to detect fractured carriage spindles; measuring to ensure that any new or serviceable carriage spindle meets minimum allowable diameter measurements taken at three locations; repetitive inspections, measurements, and overhaul of the carriage spindles; replacement of any carriage spindle when it has reached its maximum life limit; and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we received a report of failure of both flap carriages. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of the carriages, reducing the repetitive interval for certain inspections and gap checks for certain carriages. This proposed AD would also add an option, for certain replacements, of doing an inspection, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked, corroded, or fractured carriage spindles, which could lead to severe flap asymmetry, and could result in reduced control or loss of controllability of the airplane.