Department of Transportation 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

This joint interim final rule implements for all Federal award-making agencies the final guidance Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on December 26, 2013. This rule is necessary in order to incorporate into regulation and thus bring into effect the Uniform Guidance as required by OMB. Implementation of this guidance will reduce administrative burden and risk of waste, fraud, and abuse for the approximately $600 billion per year awarded in Federal financial assistance. The result will be more Federal dollars reprogrammed to support the mission, new entities able to compete and win awards, and ultimately a stronger framework to provide key services to American citizens and support the basic research that underpins the United States economy.

This final notice announces the availability of Major Project Financial Plan Guidance. February 2, 2015

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.

The FAA proposes to amend certain airworthiness regulations for transport category airplanes regarding lightning protection of fuel tanks and systems. This action would establish design requirements for both normal conditions and possible failures of fuel tank structure and systems that could lead to fuel tank explosions, add new maintenance requirements related to lightning protection features, and impose specific requirements for airworthiness limitations in the instructions for continued airworthiness. We would create performance-based standards for prevention of catastrophic fuel vapor ignition caused by lightning by regulating the risk due to both ignition sources and fuel tank flammability. This change would allow designers to take advantage of flammability reduction technologies whose effectiveness was not foreseen when earlier revisions to these rules were written. This change would also relieve some of the administrative burdens created by the current regulations. These proposed amendments are based on recommendations from the Large Airplane Fuel System Lightning Protection Aviation Rulemaking Committee (Lightning ARC).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an analysis, which determined that in a limited flight envelope with specific conditions, divergent flutter could occur during a high g-load maneuver in combination with certain system failures. This proposed AD would require replacing the lateral control electronic (LCE) modules, replacing the inboard elevator power control packages (PCPs), installing new external compensators for the PCPs, and revising the maintenance or inspection program. We are proposing this AD to prevent certain system failures from resulting in divergent flutter, and subsequent loss of continued safe flight and landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to nonaeronautical use and to authorize the conversion of the airport property. The proposal consists of one parcel of land containing a total of approximately 3.09 acres located on the east side of the airport, along FM 758. The parcel was originally acquired as federal surplus property in 1969. The land comprising this parcel is outside the forecasted need for aviation development and, thus, is no longer needed for indirect or direct aeronautical use. The airport wishes to develop this land for compatible commercial, nonaeronautical use. The income from the conversion of this parcel will benefit the aviation community by reinvestment in the airport. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the conversion of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the conversion of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with Section 47107(h) of Title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

This notice provides NHTSA's finding with respect to a request from the Texas Department of Transpiration, Traffic Safety Section (TxDOT) to waive the requirements of Buy America. NHTSA finds that a cost waiver of the Buy America requirements is appropriate for TxDOT to purchase Light-Up Magnifier Loupes using Federal highway safety grant funds because the cost of domestically produced products is twenty-five percent more than the cost of the foreign-made products.

This Notice provides NHTSA's finding with respect to a request from the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Safety Office, Highway Safety Section (MVSO) to waive the requirements of Buy America. NHTSA finds that a cost waiver is appropriate for MVSO to purchase eight foreign-made training motorcycles using Federal grant funds because the cost of domestically produced products is twenty-five percent more than the cost of the foreign-made products.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announce the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Liberty Natural Gas LLC, Port Ambrose Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application for the importation of natural gas. Please note that this application is only for the construction and operation of a deepwater port that could only be used as a natural gas import facility. The considerable technical, operational, and environmental differences between import and export operations for natural gas deepwater ports is such that any licensed deepwater port facility that proposed to convert from import to export operations would be required to submit a new license application (including application fee) and conform to all licensing requirements and regulations in effect at such time of application. In addition to payment of the application fee, licensing requirements include, but are not limited to, completion of an extensive environmental impact assessment and financial resources review which would include public participation. The Port Ambrose application describes an offshore natural gas deepwater port facility that would be located 16.1 nautical miles southeast of Jones Beach, New York, 24.9 nautical miles east of Long Branch, New Jersey, and 27.1 nautical miles from the entrance to New York Harbor in a water depth of approximately 103 feet. The DEIS complies with the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) (DWPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (Section 102[2][c]), as implemented by Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500 to 1508). Publication of this notice begins a 60 day comment period, requests public participation in the process, provides information on how to participate in the process, and announces informational open houses and public meetings in New York and New Jersey. Pursuant to the criteria provided in the DWPA, both New Jersey and New York are the Adjacent Coastal States for this application.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of early ruptures on the levers of the nose landing gear (NLG) sequence valve. This AD requires a one-time inspection for damage of the landing gear sequence valve levers and pin shearing indicating areas on the NLG and the main landing gears (MLGs); and depending on findings, replacing the sequence valve and lever, or doing a one-time inspection to detect interference between control rods and sequence valves and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct interference between a landing gear leg and door, which could result in failure of that landing gear to extend and could damage the airplane and injure occupants.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking in the skin assembly and bear strap of the aft lower corner of the forward airstair stowage doorway. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the skin assembly and bear strap of the forward airstair stowage doorway; post-repair and post-modification inspections for certain airplanes; and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating actions for certain inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid loss of cabin pressure.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on June 30, 2014 (79 FR 36865-36867).

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 10 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 7 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.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the Hazen VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), Hazen, NV, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Oakland 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (type certificate previously held by Schweizer Aircraft) (Sikorsky) Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration A helicopters. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of the ring gear carrier assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by cracks in the ring gear carrier assembly. The proposed actions are intended to reduce the life of the ring gear carrier assembly to prevent failure of the main rotor transmission, loss of engine power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain the Boeing Company Model 737-700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of troughs in the skin along the chem-mill pocket edges of certain fuselage crown skin panel assemblies. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections to detect cracking in the crown skin panel assembly. This proposed AD would also provide optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking from troughs in the chem-mill pocket edges, which could lead to rapid decompression of the airplane.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-14- 05, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747- 400F series airplanes. AD 2013-14-05 currently requires repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2013-14- 05 also provides optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 2013-14-05, we determined that more work is necessary on airplanes on which a terminating action (permanent repair, longeron extension fitting replacement, or modification) was accomplished. This proposed AD would continue to require the requirements of AD 2013-14-05, and would add new repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of any modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking, and applicable related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the longeron extension fittings, which can become large and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the Maxwell VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), Maxwell, CA, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Oakland 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.

FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 78 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports from multiple operators that have found fatigue cracking in the corners of the forward galley service doorway. This AD requires repetitive inspections for any cracking of the skin and bear strap doublers in the corners of the forward galley service doorway, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating actions for certain repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid loss of cabin pressure.