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

FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 54 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.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 19 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 14 individuals have applied for a medical exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). In accordance with the statutory requirements concerning applications for exemptions, FMCSA requests public comments on these requests. The statute and implementing regulations concerning exemptions require that exemptions must provide an equivalent or greater level of safety than if they were not granted. If the Agency determines the exemptions would satisfy the statutory requirements and decides to grant theses requests after reviewing the public comments submitted in response to this notice, the exemptions would enable these 14 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant Volvo Trucks of North America's (Volvo) application for a limited 2-year exemption from 49 CFR 393.60(e)(1) on behalf of motor carriers operating Volvo commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to use a rain and ambient light detection sensor mounted in the windshield area at a height lower than what is currently allowed by the regulation. The sensor is part of a hands-free driver aid equipment package intended to improve driver safety. The Agency has determined that the placement of the rain and ambient light detection sensor in the windshield area would not have an adverse impact on safety and that the terms and conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation.

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 is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-08- 17 for Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365-N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters. AD 2013-08-17 currently requires an initial and recurring inspections of the 9-degree fuselage frame for a crack and a repair of the frame if a crack exists. Since we issued AD 2013-08-17, additional information has prompted us to propose modifying the compliance times and expanding the inspection area of the 9-inch frame. These proposed actions are intended to detect a crack in the 9- degree frame to prevent loss of structural integrity and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action proposes to modify Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bert Mooney Airport, Butte, MT. After a review, the FAA found it necessary to amend the standard instrument approach procedures for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Truckee-Tahoe Airport, Truckee, CA. The FAA found modification of the airspace necessary to ensure the minimum airspace necessary for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations, and to remove references to closed runways from the legal description.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release approximately 20.05 acres at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Orlando, dated August 9, 1961. The release of property will allow the City of Orlando to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located within the Southeast quandrant of the airport. The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be released of its federal obligations for municipal purposes. The fair market value of this parcel has been determined to be $3,880,000. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at Orlando International Airport and the FAA Airports District Office.

In accordance with 49 CFR part 555, NHTSA seeks comments on a petition for exemption from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 224, Rear impact protection by Columbia Body Manufacturing Co. (``Columbia Body'' or ``petitioner'') of Clackamas, Oregon. Columbia Body is seeking a three year exemption from the standard, asserting that compliance with the standard would cause substantial economic hardship to a manufacturer that has tried in good faith to comply with the standard. We are publishing this notice of receipt of the application in accordance with our exemption regulations. This action does not mean that we have made a judgment about the merits of the application.

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.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-15- 04 for certain Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. AD 2014-15-04 currently requires deactivating the potable water system, or alternatively filling and activating the potable water system. Since we issued AD 2014-15-04, the manufacturer developed a modification that would address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would also require inspecting the in-line heater for correct brazing and corrective action if needed, and installing a shrinkable tube on the water line and a spray shield on the in-line heater. We are proposing this AD to prevent rudder pedal restriction due to the pitch control mechanism becoming frozen as the result of water spray, which could prevent disconnection and normal pitch control, and consequently result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

On December 19, 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation, with other Federal agencies, published a joint interim final rule implementing the guidance titled ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'' that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published on December 26, 2013. While the Department received two comments on related implementation guidance, to which we respond, the Department did not receive any comments on the final rule implementing the OMB guidance. Therefore, this rule confirms that the changes that the Department published in the interim final rule on December 19, 2014, are final.

This action provides an alternative, streamlined and simple, web-based aircraft registration process for the registration of small unmanned aircraft, including small unmanned aircraft operated as model aircraft, to facilitate compliance with the statutory requirement that all aircraft register prior to operation. It also provides a simpler method for marking small unmanned aircraft that is more appropriate for these aircraft. This action responds to public comments received regarding the proposed registration process in the Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft notice of proposed rulemaking, the request for information regarding unmanned aircraft system registration, and the recommendations from the Unmanned Aircraft System Registration Task Force. The Department encourages persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments on or before the closing date for comments. The Department will consider all comments received before the closing date and make any necessary amendments as appropriate.

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 revise a previously approved information collection. The FAA collects data from airport sponsors and planning agencies to determine eligibility, and to ensure proper use of Federal Funds and project accomplishment for the Airports Grants Program.

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) provides comparative information on the safety of new vehicles to assist consumers with vehicle purchasing decisions and encourage motor vehicle manufacturers to make vehicle safety improvements. To keep pace with advancements in occupant protection and the introduction of advanced technologies, NHTSA has periodically updated the program. This notice describes and seeks comments on NHTSA's plan to advance the capabilities and safety outcomes of NCAP.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the United States Department of Transportation proposes to rename, update and reissue a current Department of Transportation system of records titled, ``Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration; DOT/ FAA-801, Aviation Registration System.'' Given that this system of records is comprised of multiple electronic databases, we are changing the name from ``Aviation Registration System'' to ``Aviation Registration Records'' to reflect that the system of records includes all Privacy Act records related to aircraft registration that are maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registration Branch. In addition, this system is being updated to clarify the purpose of the Aircraft Registration Records system of records, which maintains electronic records of aircraft registration, including registration forms and supporting documents, instruments affecting ownership, aircraft financing, leases, and lien interests, as well as airworthiness applications and major repair and alteration reports. This system also includes registration records for small unmanned aircraft used for hobby and recreational purpose (i.e., model aircraft) and unmanned aircraft and small unmanned aircraft used for commercial purposes. The system of records notice is also being updated to add categories of records and to remove duplicative routine uses and clarify the remaining routine uses. Finally, the authorities, record retention, safeguarding and storage procedures, and notification, record access, and contesting records sections have been updated to reflect changes since the last publication of the system of records notice in 2000.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Sixth RTCA Special Committee 230 meeting.

Nitto Tire U.S.A., Inc. (Nitto), has determined that certain Nitto NT05 passenger car tires manufactured between December 14, 2014 and August 1, 2015, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5(e) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Nitto filed a report \1\ pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval and invites public comment. The FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR titled, ``Motor Carrier Identification Report,'' which is used to identify FMCSA regulated entities, help prioritize the agency's activities, aid in assessing the safety outcomes of those activities, and for statistical purposes. This ICR is being revised due to a Final Rule titled, ``Unified Registration System (80 FR 63695) dated October 21, 2015, which changed the effective and compliance dates for the on- line Unified Registration System (URS) from October 23, 2015, in the URS Final Rule, (78 FR 52608) dated August 23, 2013, to September 30, 2016.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 90-11-05 for certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes and Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes. AD 90-11-05 currently requires repetitive detailed inspections for cracking in the aft hinge brackets of the outer shroud box that is located in the outer wing box, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 90-11-05, we have determined that a change to certain compliance times is needed. This proposed AD would continue to require doing repetitive detailed inspections for cracking in the hinge brackets of the forward and aft outer shroud boxes that are located in the outer wing box, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; and would add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the aft hinge brackets of the outer shroud box; such cracking could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Deer Lodge-City-County Airport, Deer Lodge, MT. After a review, the FAA found it necessary to amend the airspace area for the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.