Department of Transportation June 9, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Board is publishing, and providing the public an opportunity to comment on, the 2013 weighted average state tax rates for each Class I railroad, as calculated by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), for use in the Revenue Shortfall Allocation Method (RSAM).

The FAA announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (formerly the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150 (hereinafter referred to as ``Part 150''). On January 15, 2014, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On May 20, 2014 the FAA approved the Willow Run Airport noise compatibility program. This is the first Record of Approval (ROA) for the YIP NCP, which included nine measures recommended for approval. No program elements relating to new or revised flight procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport operator.

FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an EIS for the B&P Tunnel Project (Project) is being prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Project is intended to address transportation deficiencies associated with the existing rail tunnel and is located on the NEC in the area of Baltimore that surrounds the existing B&P Tunnel. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of alternatives that address transportation deficiencies. To ensure significant issues are identified and considered, the public and all interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed scope of environmental review, the project purpose and need, alternatives to be considered, environmental effects to be considered and evaluated, and methodologies to be used for evaluating effects.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Conway, AR. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Cantrell Field. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-21- 01 that currently applies to Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2013-21-01 currently 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. AD 2013-21-01 also requires a one-time visual inspection for pitch horns above certain hours time-in-service (TIS). This NPRM would retain the requirements of AD 2013-21-01 but would require a repetitive visual inspection for all pitch horns regardless of hours TIS, which requires allowing the public an opportunity to comment. These proposed 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.