Department of Transportation 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection consists of an application required for all citizens who own or operate vessels in the U.S. foreign or domestic commerce and desire tax benefits under the Construction Reserve Fund (CRF) program. The annual statement sets forth a detailed analysis of the status of the CRF when each income tax return is filed. The information to be collected is required in order for MARAD to determine whether the applicant is qualified for the benefits of the CRF program. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/ 350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1- H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes that would supersede AD 2013-11-08. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a need to incorporate new revisions into the aircraft maintenance manual or in the limitations document of the FAA-approved maintenance program. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 5 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 its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 12 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 receipt of applications from 13 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. 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. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.

This action amends 5 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways (V-6, V-30, V-126, V-133, and V-416) and removes 1 VOR Federal airway (V-65) in the vicinity of Sandusky, OH. The FAA is taking this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Sandusky, OH, VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) facility that provides navigation guidance for a portion of the airways listed.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of October 9, 2014, for summer 2015 flight schedules at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Slot Guidelines. The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Slots Conference for the summer 2015 scheduling season.

PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to alert operators of hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines of the potential significant impact flow reversals, product changes and conversion to service may have on the integrity of a pipeline. Failures on natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines have occurred after these operational changes. This advisory bulletin describes specific notification requirements and general operating and maintenance (O&M) and integrity management actions regarding flow reversals, product changes and conversion to service. This advisory bulletin also recommends additional actions operators should take when these operational changes are made including the submission of a comprehensive written plan to the appropriate PHMSA regional office regarding these changes prior to implementation.

This action makes minor adjustments to the latitude/longitude positions of two points in the descriptions of restricted areas R- 2901A, B, G, H, J, K, L and N at the Avon Park Air Force Range, FL. The corrections are the result of more accurate digital plotting of the points.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-09- 03, which applies to all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. AD 2011-09-03 currently requires repetitive eddy current inspections to detect cracks in the center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings, and corrective actions if necessary; and repetitive replacement of rainbow fittings, which would extend the repetitive interval for the next inspection. Since we issued AD 2011-09-03, analysis of in-service cracking has shown that a reduction in the inspection intervals is necessary for the upper rainbow fittings. 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 reduced intervals for inspections of the upper rainbow fittings. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper and lower rainbow fittings on the center wings, which could grow large and lead to the failure of the fitting and a catastrophic failure of the center wing.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, replacement of the 5th Street Bridge (No. 18C-0012) over the Feather River and improvement of approach roadways to the bridge, in the Counties of Sutter and Yuba, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is hosting an industry day to introduce the Mini Global II project to the aviation community. The FAA will demonstrate that operational benefits to aviation stakeholders can be realized sooner, while also potentially identifying new synergistic technologies and capabilities.

This final rule amends the application requirements for the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (Program). This rulemaking is prompted by enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which converted the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program into a permanent program, allowed any State to apply for the Program, created a renewal process for Program participation, and expanded the scope of the Secretary's responsibilities that may be assigned and assumed under the Program to environmental review responsibilities for railroad, public transportation, and multimodal projects, in addition to highway projects.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for projects in San Francisco, CA; Mukilteo, WA; and Santa Clara County, CA. 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.

In response to section 32709 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the FMCSA requests public comments concerning the current knowledge and skills testing requirements for a commercial driver's license (CDL) passenger endorsement to determine whether improvements to the knowledge test, the examination of driving skills, and the application of the requirements are necessary to ensure the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers. Section 32709 requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the issue. FMCSA has reviewed information from State licensing agencies responsible for conducting such tests and now provides an opportunity for all interested parties to share their perspectives on this issue as the Agency completes its report to Congress.

On April 26, 2013, NHTSA released the Visual-Manual NHTSA Driver Distraction Guidelines for In-Vehicle Electronic Devices (Phase 1 Guidelines) in an effort to promote safety by discouraging the introduction of excessively distracting devices in vehicles. These Guidelines cover original equipment (OE) in-vehicle (i.e., integrated) electronic devices that are operated by the driver through visual- manual means (i.e., the driver looks at a device, manipulates a device- related control with his or her hand, and/or watches for visual feedback from the device). This document clarifies some ambiguities that have been identified in these Guidelines. For some of these clarifications, revisions to the Guidelines text are indicated. A revised version of the Visual-Manual NHTSA Driver Distraction Guidelines for In-Vehicle Electronic Devices (Phase 1 Guidelines), including these revisions, will be posted on www.regulations.gov in Docket NHTSA-2014-0088.

This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was published on July 10, 2014. In that document, the FAA proposed new and updated flight simulation training device (FSTD) technical evaluation requirements that are necessary to fully implement the training requirements recently adopted in the Qualification, Service, and Use of Crewmembers and Aircraft Dispatchers final rule (Crewmember and Aircraft Dispatcher Training Final Rule) published on November 12, 2013. Additionally, the FAA proposed further changes to address several NTSB safety recommendations, aviation rulemaking committee recommendations, and to conduct a limited alignment of the part 60 FSTD technical evaluation requirements with that of the latest international FSTD evaluation guidance document. One airline, an association that represents several airlines, and an FSTD sponsor have requested that the FAA extend the comment period to allow time to adequately analyze the NPRM and prepare comments.

This action establishes Class D airspace and amends Class E airspace at Blackstone, VA, to accommodate the new air traffic control tower at Allen C Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airfield. This action updates the geographic coordinates of the airfield's Class E airspace, and adds exclusion of Restricted area airspace in Class D airspace.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Pine Knot, KY, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Mc Creary County Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with a Fueltron flowmeter installed. This proposed AD would require removing each flowmeter, replacing the fuel system hoses, and disabling the electrical connections for the flowmeter installation. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of particle contamination creating an obstruction in a flowmeter which resulted in an uncontrolled flame-out of the engine. The proposed actions are intended to prevent obstruction of the fuel supply to the flowmeter, which could result in engine flame-out and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Harry E. Williams de Havilland Model DH 82A airplanes, all Cliff Robertson de Havilland Model DH 82A airplanes, and all de Havilland Model DH 83 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of structural failure of the attachment of the wing to the fuselage that resulted from failed lateral fuselage tie rods. This proposed AD would require inspecting the aircraft maintenance records to determine the date of installation or the date of last replacement of the lateral fuselage tie rods. This proposed AD would also require repetitively replacing all lateral fuselage tie rods and attaching nuts at a specified life limit interval. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500- 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Final EA for the Midland International Air and Space Port, City of Midland, Midland County, Texas, and FONSI.

China Manufacturers Alliance, LLC (CMA) and Double Coin Holdings, Ltd (DCHL) have determined that certain Double Coin and Dynatrac brand truck & bus radial replacement tires that were imported by CMA and manufactured by DCHL do not fully comply with paragraph S6.5 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 Pounds) and Motorcycles. CMA and DCHL filed an appropriate report dated June 17, 2014, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

The FAA is revising airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-07-04 that published in the Federal Register to correct certain errors. AD 2014-07-04 applied to certain Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. The range of serial numbers in the Applicability section and a reference to the service information in the Required Actions section of the regulatory text are incorrect. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.