Department of Transportation November 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all the Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This proposed AD is intended to complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that support the established structural maintenance program. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the inboard and outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle struts and of the torque bulkhead, midspar chords, drag fitting, and front spar support, and doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions; replacing the midspar fittings; and doing other specified actions. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the midspar fittings of the inboard and outboard nacelle struts, which could result in the loss of the structural integrity of the midspar fitting. This condition could cause an unsafe separation of the engine and consequent wing fire.

This document notifies the public of the Federal Aviation Administration's policy regarding enforcement of the pilot pairing requirement in the ``Part 121 Pilot Age Limit'' final rule. Currently, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards allow a person between the age of 60 and 65 to serve as pilot in command (PIC) of an airplane with two or more pilots, in international commercial air transport operations, the PIC must be paired with a pilot younger than 60 years of age. Parts 61 and 121 of title 14, of the Code of Federal Regulations contain similar limitations. However, a recent amendment to the ICAO standards would remove this pilot pairing requirement. Instead, all pilots serving on airplanes in international commercial air transport operations with more than one pilot may serve beyond 60 years of age (until age 65) without being paired with a pilot under 60 years of age. This ICAO amendment triggers the sunset of the statutory authority that provides the basis for the crew pairing limitations in title 14.

The FTA in cooperation with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed public transportation improvement project in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia is being rescinded.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 76-06-09 for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes. AD 76-06-09 required repetitive inspection of certain exhaust system parts with replacement of parts mating with the turbocharger, as necessary, and allowed installation of a certain tailpipe v-band coupling as terminating action. This new AD requires the use of new service information and expands the scope of the inspections of the turbocharger exhaust system. This AD was prompted by reports of exhaust system failures, new service information, and the tailpipe v-band coupling used for terminating action is obsolete. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) procedures, this notice announces the availability of the ROD regarding the Virginia Avenue Tunnel Reconstruction Project in Washington, DC The Division Administrator, FHWA-District of Columbia signed the ROD on November 4, 2014.

The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10902 for Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (WSOR), a Class II rail carrier, to acquire from the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) and operate a permanent exclusive freight rail operating easement over approximately 69.62 miles of rail line (the Line) in the State of Wisconsin. Specifically, the Line includes: (a) The Reedsburg Line, between milepost 134.0 and milepost 191.90 near Reedsburg; (b) the Central Soya Industrial Lead, between milepost 83.78 and milepost 85.5 in Madison; and (c) the Cottage Grove Industrial Lead, between milepost 81.00 and milepost 71.00. WSOR has been the exclusive operator over the Line since 1996 pursuant to a lease with UP, and upon consummation of the transaction, will continue to operate the line. The exemption is subject to standard labor protective conditions. In the same decision, the Board is granting WSOR a waiver of the employee notice requirements of 49 CFR 1121.4(h).

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for projects in San Diego, CA; Tarrant County, TX; and Washington, DC. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject projects and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site proposed guidance in the form of seven additional proposed circular chapters to assist transportation providers in meeting the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. These proposed circular chapters include Chapter 3 (Transportation Facilities), Chapter 6 (Fixed Route Service), Chapter 7 (Demand Responsive Service), Chapter 9 (ADA Paratransit Eligibility), Chapter 10 (Passenger Vessels), Chapter 11 (Other Modes), and Chapter 12 (Oversight, Complaints, and Monitoring). Also included is additional text on monitoring practices, published as addenda to Chapter 2 (General Requirements) and Chapter 8 (Complementary Paratransit Service). Along with the proposed Chapter 4 (Vehicle Acquisition) published on October 2, 2012, and Chapter 1 (Introduction and Applicability), Chapter 2 (General Requirements), Chapter 5 (Equivalent Facilitation), and Chapter 8 (Complementary Paratransit Service) published on February 19, 2014, these chapters are part of a series of 12 chapters that will compose a complete ADA circular. By this notice, FTA invites public comment on these seven additional proposed circular chapters and the addenda to two previously published chapters.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-13-08 for certain the Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, without a stretched upper deck or stretched upper deck modification. AD 2012-13- 08 required inspections of tension ties and surrounding structure for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; modification of tension tie structure or tension tie and frame structure at specified stations; and post-modification inspections of some modified and unmodified areas, and repair if necessary. This new AD adds inspections in unmodified center section tension ties, and repair if necessary; post-modification inspections of modified and unmodified areas, and repair if necessary; a new modification of tension tie and frame structures; and inspections of tension ties and surrounding structure, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD reduces an inspection interval. This AD was prompted by widespread fatigue damage analysis that resulted in a determination that more inspections are necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent tension ties from becoming severed or disconnected from the frames, which could lead to reduced structural integrity and sudden decompression of the airplane in flight.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program as applicable. We are issuing this AD to prevent a safety-significant latent failure (which is not annunciated) which, in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, would result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) in section 35001(b)(2) directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Secretary of the Interior to provide quiet aircraft technology incentives for commercial air tour operators at Grand Canyon National Park. The FAA and the National Park Service (NPS) propose to implement this directive by giving effect to section 804(c) of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act (NPATMA) to provide seasonal relief from allocations in the Dragon and Zuni Point corridors for commercial air tour operators that convert or have converted to quiet aircraft technology. The FAA and the NPS will ensure that seasonal relief from allocations complies with statutory conditions that the cumulative impact of such operations does not increase noise at the Grand Canyon and that this incentive does not diminish the statutory mandate to achieve the substantial restoration of natural quiet. This incentive is proposed to be made available in the Dragon and Zuni Point corridors during the first quarter (January- March) beginning in 2015, may be extended to include part or all of the fourth quarter beginning in 2016, and will remain in effect unless it violates the statutory conditions or until a longer term approach for managing air tour noise is in place.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The purpose of this ICR is to examine, by a one-time collection of survey data, the relationship of commercial driver license (CDL) entry level driver training (ELDT), as influenced by any subsequent employer training that may have been received, to safety performance of the drivers. The goal of this research is to contribute to other related research being done evaluating the relationship of CDL ELDT to subsequent safety performance of the drivers. The results of this study, along with others, will provide FMCSA with information to support its consideration of the congressionally mandated requirement to establish enhanced minimum training requirements for CDL entry-level drivers from those currently required at 49 CFR 380.503. There is no national database that contains or collects data on the training received by drivers to enable them to qualify for a CDL. Recently licensed freight CDL drivers will be surveyed. (This will contain both drivers without hazardous material endorsements and drives with hazardous materials endorsements.) Motorcoach and bus drivers recently observed to have begun driving such vehicles in the most recent three years, as indicated by data in MCMIS, will be surveyed. The goal is to obtain a better understanding of the amount and type of total training they received, and its composition between that received before obtaining the CDL, and that received after obtaining the CDL. Type of training is divided into hours-based versus performance-based. Data on the amount and type of training received will be collected using a one-time survey effort. The data will be analyzed to describe the details of the driver training reported by the survey participants. Results of the training survey data will be analyzed in relation to the safety performance data of the responding drivers available from two databases: the State-operated Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) and the Federally-operated Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, Model 757 airplanes, Model 767 airplanes, and Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if certain spar-mounted motor-operated valve actuators for the spar-mounted fuel valves are installed, and replacement of any affected actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent electrical energy from lightning, hot shorts, or fault current from entering the fuel tank through the actuator shaft, which could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action adopts an amendment to the FAA Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue published in the Federal Register at 64 FR 7696 on February 16, 1999 (``Revenue Use Policy''). This action confirms FAA's long-standing policy on Federal requirements for the use of proceeds from taxes on aviation fuel. Under Federal law, airport operators that have accepted Federal assistance generally may use airport revenues only for airport-related purposes. Local taxes on aviation fuel are subject to airport revenue use requirements. State taxes on aviation fuel (imposed by either an airport sponsor or a non-sponsor) are subject to use either for a State aviation program or for airport- related purposes. The statutory revenue use requirements apply to certain State and local government taxes on aviation fuel, as well as to revenues received directly by an airport operator. This document formally adopts, through an amendment to the Revenue Use Policy, FAA's interpretation of the Federal requirements for use of revenue derived from taxes on aviation fuel.

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 September 3, 2014, vol. 79, no. 170, pages 52404-52405. Information collected is used to determine certification eligibility of Flight Engineers and Flight Navigators.

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 September 3, 2009, vol. 79, no. 170, page 52406. Information required from the public by 14 CFR part 133 is used by the FAA to process the operating certificate as a record of aircraft authorized for use, and to monitor Rotorcraft External-Load Operations.

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 September 3, 2014, vol. 79, no. 170, pages 52405-52406. The information will determine if applicant proposals for conducting commercial space launches can be accomplished according to regulations issued by the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Regional Transportation District (RTD), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed North Metro Corridor project in Denver, Colorado is being rescinded.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-23-08 for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 F4- 605R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. AD 2005-23- 08 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks of certain attachment holes, installation of new fasteners, follow-on inspections or repair if necessary, and modification of the angle fittings of fuselage frame FR47. This new AD adds new repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracks of the center wing box lower panel; and repair if necessary. This new AD also removes certain airplanes from the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on the horizontal flange of the Frame 47 internal corner angle fitting while accomplishing the modification required by AD 2005-23-08. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the forward fitting of fuselage frame FR47, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the frame.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9- 50 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the bulkhead dome tees, which connect the bulkhead web to the fuselage, are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires repetitive inspections of the improved ventral aft pressure bulkhead tees, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the bulkhead dome tees, which could result in reduced structural integrity and rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action establishes Class E airspace and modifies Class D and E airspace at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, CA. This action, initiated by the FAAs biennial review of the airspace area, enhances the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Class D and E airspace is amended to reflect the airport's name change. Also, a minor adjustment is made to the geographic coordinates of the airport.