Department of Transportation September 2015 – 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.

The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to provide recommendations on how the agency can utilize external training providers for its new-hire air traffic controller training program. The ongoing modernization of the air traffic control system, NextGen, will continually introduce advanced tools and procedures to enhance the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. Controllers will continue to need to know basic air traffic control skills but will also need to understand how to operate in the future operational environment. The FAA seeks to transform the air traffic controller training structure by shifting the Agency's focus from basic air traffic control qualification training to training the certified controller work force on advanced NextGen tools and procedures. This would mirror the changes that were required in the pilot community. The Agency is exploring alternative options to utilize external training provider capabilities that would expose prospective air traffic controllers to the profession. It would also provide a level of training commensurate to the current Air Traffic Basic Qualification Training, before or during the FAA controller hiring process. This notice informs the public of the new ARAC activity and solicits membership for the new Air Traffic Controller Basic Qualification Training Working Group.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafed wiring at the upper left corner of the cockpit door. The affected wire bundle was not grounded on the cockpit door frame. This proposed AD would require modifying the cockpit door frame structure, installing bonding-leads to the upper cockpit door frame, and modifying the upper cockpit door plate cover. We are proposing this AD to prevent electrical shock injury to persons contacting the cockpit door.

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.

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.

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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-14- 06 for all Airbus Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes; Model A319-111, - 112, -113, -114, and -115 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, and - 214 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes. AD 2014-14-06 currently requires inspecting the aft engine mount retainers for surface finish, cracks, and failure, and replacement if necessary. Since we issued AD 2014-14-06, inspection results have shown that the main cause of crack initiation remains the vibration dynamic effect that affects both retainers, either with ``dull'' or ``bright'' surface finishes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for damage, cracks, broken, and missing aft engine mount retainers, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of retainer brackets of the aft engine mount and consequent loss of the locking feature of the nuts of the inner and outer pins; loss of the pins will result in the aft mount engine link no longer being secured to the aft engine mount.

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

This action discontinues the availability Airport Advisory services within the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. The FAA is taking this action because the frequency of Remote Airport Advisories service use at the 19 locations within the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, no longer justifies the continuation of the service due to the lack of productivity.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the renewal Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on June 22, 2015.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the FAA invites public comments about our intention to request OMB approval to revise an existing information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 22, 2015. The information collected is used to determine if applicants are medically qualified to perform the duties associated with the class of airman medical certificate sought. The FAA intends to revise the information it is collecting via FAA form 8500-8, in part, to respond to recommendations made in an April 2014 General Services Administration report entitled ``FAA Should Improve Usability of its Online Application System and Clarity of the Pilot's Medical Form.'' This change will have a negligible effect on the estimated time to complete form 8500-8.

In preparation for the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) meeting to be held October 19-October 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety announce a public meeting.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of latently failed fuel shutoff valves discovered during fuel filter replacement. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to include a new airworthiness limitation. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine, which could result in the inability to shut off fuel to the engine and, in case of certain engine fires, an uncontrollable fire that could lead to wing failure.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of latently failed fuel shutoff valves discovered during fuel filter replacement. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to include new airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine and auxiliary power unit (APU), which could result in the inability to shut off fuel to the engine and APU and, in case of certain fires, an uncontrollable fire that could lead to structural failure.

On February 27, 2015, FRA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require certain railroads to develop a Risk Reduction Program (RRP). On August 27, 2015, FRA held a public hearing to provide interested persons an opportunity to provide oral comments on the proposal. FRA is reopening the comment period for this proceeding to allow additional time for interested parties to submit written comments in response to views or information provided at the public hearing.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Aerospace Inc. Model BD-500-1A10 and -A11 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology and design envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is a high incidence protection system that limits the angle of attack at which the airplane can be flown during normal low-speed operation. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Model Falcon 5X airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is hydrophobic windshield coatings in lieu of windshield wipers. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an analysis of the production methods used to increase fatigue resistance of the upper closure fittings at the nose cargo door portal's C-3 frame, which indicated that cracking could start too early to be caught in a timely manner by the inspection or maintenance program. This proposed AD would require inspections of the upper closure fitting and connected strap and doubler at the nose cargo door portal for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in sudden decompression and loss of the airplane's structural integrity.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-7B and CFM56-3 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) on a CFM CFM56-7B engine following rupture of the 73-tooth gearshaft located in the engine accessory gearbox (AGB). This AD requires AGB/transfer gearbox (TGB) magnetic chip detector (MCD) inspection of the affected gearshafts until removal. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain engine AGB gearshafts, which could lead to failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the sixteenth NextGen Advisory Committee meeting.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 6 individuals for exemptions from the regulatory requirement that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' 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. The Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these CMV drivers will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions. FMCSA grants exemptions that will allow these 6 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The exemptions preempt State laws and regulations and may be renewed.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 9 individuals for exemptions from the regulatory requirement that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' 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. The Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these CMV drivers will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions. FMCSA grants exemptions that will allow these 9 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The exemptions preempt State laws and regulations and may be renewed.

This action proposes to modify jet routes J-6, J-97, and J- 222, and VOR Federal airways V-196, and V-489, in the northeastern United States due to the planned decommissioning of the Plattsburgh, NY, VORTAC facility.