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

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the third meeting of RTCA Special Committee 232, Airborne Selective Calling Equipment.

This notice provides information regarding FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of non-domestic U-69 guard bars, manganese casting, turnout braces, and weld kits for CREATE rail projects in Chicago, Illinois.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of non-domestic brakes and bearings for rehabilitation of a ferry lift bridge on Governors Island, New York.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating that certain hinge sleeves on the cowl doors of the thrust reverser units (TRUs) were not heat treated. This proposed AD would require replacing the sleeves of certain hinges on the cowl doors of the TRUs with new parts. We are proposing this AD to prevent, in the event of a fan- blade-off event due to high vibration, in-flight loss of TRU heavy components, which might damage airplane structure or control surfaces, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; Airbus Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating that, on airplanes that received a certain repair following crack findings, cracks can re-initiate. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the frame (FR) 40 forward fittings for airplanes previously repaired. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking on the FR 40 forward fittings, which could result in rupture of the forward fittings and reduction of in-flight structural strength.

FMCSA announces the appointment of members to the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC) established to complete a negotiated rulemaking on Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) for individuals who want to operate Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs). ELDTAC is a negotiated rulemaking committee established to develop a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement section 32304 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) concerning ELDT standards for individuals applying for a commercial driver's license (CDL) or CDL upgrade. Additionally, the Agency announces that the first meeting of the ELDTAC will be held on February 26 and 27, 2015. The meeting is open to the public for its entirety and there will be a public comment period at the end of each day.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the thirteenth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 227, Standards of Navigation Performance

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) renews an exemption that allows commercial motor vehicle operators to use trailer-mounted electric brake controllers which monitor and actuate electric trailer brakes based on inertial forces developed in response to the braking action of the towing vehicle. The Agency has concluded that granting this exemption renewal to allow the use of trailer- mounted electric brake controllers will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption. However, the Agency requests comments on this issue, especially from anyone who believes this standard will not be maintained.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity and Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new National Public Transportation/TOD Technical Assistance Initiative, which supports the Ladders of Opportunity initiative of the President and the Secretary of Transportation by providing technical assistance for transit-oriented development activities around public transportation stations, including technical assistance to economically distressed communities across the country. FTA has budgeted up to $4,000,000 over a four-year period and seeks proposals that will demonstrate the ability to organize a technical assistance team with practical expertise in a range of disciplines including public transportation, transit-oriented development, land use, urban planning, affordable housing, environmental justice and community-based economic development. This announcement is available on the FTA's Web site at: www.fta.gov. This Notice of Funding Opportunity and RFP are posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https:// www.grants.gov.

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.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project on Interstate 5 (I-5) from postmile R28.4 to R55.4 in the County of San Diego, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

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 December 4, 2014. Fractional Ownership offers increased flexibility in aircraft ownership. Owners purchase shares of an aircraft and agree to share their aircraft with others having an ownership share in that same aircraft. Owners agree to put their aircraft into a ``pool'' of other shared aircraft and to lease their aircraft to another owner in that pool.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of dislodged engine fan cowl panels. This AD requires installing additional attaching hardware on the left and right fan cowl access panels and the nacelle attaching structures. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the fuselage and flight control surfaces from dislodged engine fan cowl panels.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter France) Model EC130T2 helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the attachment points where the fan attaches to the main gearbox (MGB) oil cooler hopper (hopper) and replacing any cracked hopper with an airworthy hopper. This AD is prompted by several cases of a cracked hopper. The cracks were found on the hopper at the fan attachment points. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the hopper at a fan attachment point to prevent failure of the fan attachment, interference of the fan with the control rod of the front servo-control or with the flight control bellcrank, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This AD requires replacing a fitting that is part of the refuel control solenoid valve assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

On December 16, 2014, President Obama signed the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (FY 2015 Appropriations) which provided $11.008 billion in new budget authority including a full fiscal year's funding for the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) programs funded from the General Fund of the Treasury, which funds its administrative expenses as well as its Research, Technical Assistance and Training programs, Capital Investment Grants program, and Grants to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The FY 2015 Appropriations Act follows several continuing resolutions that provided funds for these programs through December 15, 2014. The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 extended FTA's contract (budget) authority to carry out its formula assistance programs only through May 31, 2015. The act pro-rated the amount of budget authority available for the period October 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015 based on an anticipated full FY 2015 total of $8.595 billion. As a result, FTA may apportion only 8/12th or $5.722 billion in contract authority at this time. When combined with the full-year funding from the General Funded programs listed above, FTA is apportioning or allocating in this notice a total of $8.136 billion of the $11.008 billion of new budget authority provided in the FY 2015 Appropriations. Congress will have to extend the authorization for public transportation beyond May 31, 2015, before additional contract authority can be provided for the formula assistance programs. FTA annually publishes one or more notices apportioning funds appropriated by law. This notice apportions and provides information on the FY 2015 funding currently available for FTA assistance programs, provides program guidance and requirements, and information on several program issues important in the current year. This notice also provides information on FTA's discretionary programs and forthcoming program guidance.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting the information collection requests (ICRs) below for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

This notice announces a public meeting via teleconference of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) Transport Airplane and Engine (TAE) Subcommittee to discuss TAE issues.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting proposals under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act's Section 5314 Technical Assistance and Standards Development Program from national non-profit organizations for a cooperative agreement to fund a National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). FTA is releasing this notice of funding availability to promote the availability and accessibility of transportation options that serve the needs of people with disabilities, seniors and caregivers with a focus on effectively leveraging MAP-21 Section 5310 (5310) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Formula Grants and other transit investments. The NADTC builds upon twenty-five years of investment in accessible transportation training and technical assistance that improves mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the country by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding community transportation mobility options.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the South Texas Regional Airport at Hondo under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

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.