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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the upper and lower rainbow fittings on the outer wing are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires repetitive inspections of the upper and lower rainbow fittings on the outer wing to detect cracks propagating from fasteners attaching the fittings to skin panels, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; and replacement of the upper and lower rainbow fittings on the outer wing. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the upper and lower rainbow fittings on the outer wing and skin-panel- to-fitting fastener holes, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and possible separation of the wing from the airplane.

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 22, 2014. This collection involves organizations applying to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA, including approving data and issuing various aircraft and organization certificates.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Stemme AG TSA-M Models S6 and S6-RT gliders. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a bending defect of the fork head installed in the aileron, speed brake, and flap control systems. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Model SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. The amendment number in the Agency Identification Numbers in the preamble section of the AD is incorrect. Although no other part of the preamble or regulatory information has been corrected, we are publishing the entire rule in the Federal Register.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the nineteenth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery Systems.

This notice announces the 2015 random testing rates for employers subject to the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) drug and alcohol rules.

Recent FRA investigations identified several railroad tank cars transporting hazardous materials and leaking small quantities of product from the cars' liquid lines. FRA's investigation revealed that the liquid lines of the leaking tank cars were equipped with a certain type of 3 ball valve marketed and sold by McKenzie Valve and Machining (McKenzie) (formerly McKenzie Valve & Machining Company), an affiliate company of Union Tank Car Company (UTLX). FRA further found certain closure plugs installed on the 3 valves cause mechanical damage to the valves, which leads to the destruction of the valves' seal integrity and that the 3 valves, as well as similarly-designed 1 and 2 valves provided by this manufacturer are not approved for use on tank cars. FRA is issuing this Railworthiness Directive (Directive) to all owners of tank cars used to transport hazardous materials within the United States to ensure they identify and appropriately remove and replace these valves with approved valves consistent with Federal regulations.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant the application of the Oregon Trucking Associations (OTA) for a limited exemption from the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulation requiring commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to take 30-minute rest breaks at specified intervals in their duty day. This exemption is limited to CMV drivers engaged in transporting timber from Oregon forestlands, and further limited to periods of the year in which the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has formally restricted logging operations to certain hours of the day due to an elevated risk of forest fire. FMCSA believes that the rest breaks during these periods of restricted operating hours may reduce the volume of timber that OTA drivers can deliver, affecting the economic viability of the Oregon lumber industry. The Agency grants this limited exemption on condition that these exempt drivers do not drive after the 12th hour of their duty day. The Agency finds that the CMV operations of OTA timber transporters under this limited exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant Mobileye, Inc.'s (Mobileye) exemption application to enable motor carriers to utilize its camera-based collision avoidance systems (CAS) mounted within the swept area of the windshield wipers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) currently require antennas, transponders, and similar devices to be located outside the area swept by the windshield wipers. The Mobileye CAS is able to warn drivers of potential hazards by detecting other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists on the road, and lane markings and traffic signs. The Agency believes the use of the CAS promotes improved safety performance and that the placement of the system in the swept area of the windshield wipers will not obstruct drivers' view of the roadway and potential hazards. The Agency has concluded that the limited 2-year exemption will achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the rule restricting the placement of devices in the windshield area.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 21 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.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York Trailways (``Trailways'') for a renewal of their exemption from the hours-of- service (HOS) record of duty status (RODs) provision in 49 CFR 395.8(c). Trailways currently holds an exemption for the period of May 31, 2013 to May 31, 2015. FMCSA extended the exemption to include all regular-route passenger carriers and their drivers rather than limiting it to Trailways' drivers. The renewal of the exemption would allow these drivers to perform their daily duties without having to record entries in the daily log for breaks in driving time of 10 minutes or less. Such activity would not be considered a change of duty status. FMCSA requests public comment on Trailways' application for exemption.

In preparation for the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel's (DGP's) meeting to be held April 27-May 1, 2015, in Montreal, Canada, the FAA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety announce a public meeting.

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about its intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew the following information collection:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the revision of the currently approved information collection: Job Access and Reverse Commute Program.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Flugzeugwerke Altenrheim AG (FFA) Models AS 202/15 ``BRAVO'', AS 202/ 18A ``BRAVO'', and AS 202/18A4 ``BRAVO'' airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as corrosion on the upper forward fuselage stringers. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the skin panels and skin splice joints and angles at certain stringers at various locations between certain fuselage stations. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations, and incorporating structural repairs and modifications to preclude widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct WFD, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20594. This will be the 61st meeting of the COMSTAC. The proposed schedule for the COMSTAC working group meetings on April 1 is below:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the aft fuselage upper skin (upper skin) for a crack and the upper left longeron assembly (longeron assembly) for a crack, corrosion, or defect. This AD requires replacing or repairing a part or section, depending on the inspection's outcome. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the upper left-hand longeron. This AD's actions are intended to prevent failure of the longeron assembly or the upper skin, which could lead to a structural failure and loss of helicopter control.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announce the availability of its revised Section 139 Environmental Review Process guidance (previously referred to as the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process Final Guidance), which was amended to reflect provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The document provides guidance on environmental review process requirements and best management practices for transportation projects funded or approved by the FHWA, FTA, or both agencies. The revisions to the joint guidance reflect the FHWA and FTA's proposed implementation of the MAP-21 changes within their statutory environmental review process requirements, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other Federal laws. The FHWA and FTA request public comments on the proposed guidance.

This document provides the public notice that FRA has created an electronic mailbox to receive petitions for waivers and exemptions from railroad safety rules and regulations, as well as applications for modification or discontinuance of railroad signal systems (block signal applications) and certain special approvals from railroad safety rules and regulations. The email address for this inbox is FRAWaivers@dot.gov. FRA requests that all railroad safety waiver and exemption requests, as well as block signal applications and special approval applications be submitted either to FRA's Docket Clerk in accordance with the existing requirements in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 211, Rules of Practice, or to this email address.

This action establishes Class E airspace at the Rogue Valley VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), Rogue Valley, OR, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Seattle and Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). This action enhances the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action establishes Class E airspace and modifies Class D and Class E surface area airspace at Prescott, AZ, to accommodate aircraft departing and arriving under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Ernest A. Love Field. New Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport are adjusted in the respective Class D and Class E airspace areas. This also corrects the airport name to Ernest A. Love Field.