Department of Transportation February 4, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action removes the prohibition against certain flights within the territory and airspace of Ethiopia contained in Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 87 from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The prohibition only applied to flight operations within the territory and airspace of Ethiopia north of 12 degrees north latitude conducted by United States (U.S.) air carriers or commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, unless that person was engaged in the operation of a U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators using an aircraft registered in the United States, except where the operator of such aircraft was a foreign air carrier. The FAA has now determined that the safety and security situation that prompted the above flight prohibition has significantly improved, and that it is safe for U.S. civil flights to be operated within the entire territory and airspace of Ethiopia, subject to the approval of and in accordance with the conditions established by the appropriate authorities of Ethiopia.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the eighteenth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 222, Inmarsat AMS(R)S. The purpose of this meeting is threefold. First, we will consider the draft Change 4 to DO-210D. The draft will be submitted to the workspace no later than close of business Eastern time on January 12. Second, we will consider a work plan to progress development of Iridium NEXT material for DO-343, as approved by the PMC on December 16, 2014. Third, we will consider a work plan to progress cooperation with Eurocae WG-82, as approved by the PMC on December 16, 2014.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47151(d), notice is being given that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a request from Georgetown County to waive the requirement that eleven parcels (approximately 18.32 acres) of surplus property, located at the Georgetown County Airport be used for aeronautical purposes.

Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is publishing this notice of multiple special permit renewal requests that we have received from two natural gas transmission pipeline operators, seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This notice seeks public comments on these requests, including comments on any safety or environmental impacts the renewal of these special permits would have. For each listed Special Permit renewal request, an Environmental Assessment is available for review and comment in the respective dockets. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the comments received and the technical analysis of the renewal requests to determine whether to grant or deny the renewal requests.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site proposed guidance on FTA's Emergency Relief (ER) Program for states and transit agencies that may be affected by a declared emergency or disaster and that may seek funding under FTA's ER Program. The proposed guidance is contained in the newly revised Reference Manual for States & Transit Agencies on Response and Recovery from Declared Disasters and FTA's Emergency Relief Program, which replaces ``Response and Recovery from Declared Emergencies and Disasters: A Reference for Transit Agencies,'' last updated in June 2013. In addition to proposed guidance on the ER Program, this document provides information on other disaster relief resources available through FTA and from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). By this notice, FTA seeks public comment on the proposed ER Program guidance.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 12 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical examiner. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs for 2 years in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 23 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.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-24-13 for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. AD 2013-24-13 required replacing the pivot link assembly for certain airplanes, replacing the seat track link assemblies or modifying the existing seat track link assembly for certain airplanes, or modifying the existing seat track link assembly fastener for certain other airplanes. AD 2013-24-13 also required inspecting, changing, or repairing the seat track link assembly for certain other airplanes. Since we issued AD 2013-24-13, a certain paragraph reference in that AD was found to be mis-identified; this AD corrects this paragraph reference. We are issuing this AD to prevent seat detachment in an emergency landing, which could cause injury to occupants of the passenger compartment and affect emergency egress.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100 series turboprop engines and AE 3007A and 3007C series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of pitting in the wheel bores and subsequent RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed for the affected turbine wheels. This AD requires a reduction for the approved life limits of the affected turbine wheels. This AD also requires an eddy current inspection (ECI) of certain RRC engines with affected turbine wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the turbine wheels, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Quest Aircraft Design, LLC Model KODIAK 100 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the inboard upper and lower elevator skins for cracking, repairing cracks, and installing doublers. This AD was prompted by a report that fatigue cracks were found in the lower elevator skins. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant), and CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that, during a routine inspection, corrosion was discovered on the lower bearing of the rudder upper torque tube. This AD requires applying grease to the bearing; doing a general visual inspection of the expelled old grease for any contaminants, metal wear, and indication of corrosion, and replacing the bearing if necessary; and revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the rudder spring tab operational test and a check of the rudder spring tab operation into the daily inspection. We are issuing this AD to prevent corroded bearings, which could result in a partial or total loss of axial support.