Department of Transportation February 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Seventh RTCA Special Committee 229 meeting.

In this final rule, FRA is revising and clarifying existing regulations related to the use of glazing materials in the windows of locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses. This final rule reduces paperwork and other economic burdens on the rail industry by removing a stenciling requirement for locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses that are required to be equipped with glazing. This final rule also clarifies the application of the regulations to older equipment and to the end locations of all equipment to provide more certainty to the rail industry and more narrowly address FRA's safety concerns. In addition, this final rule clarifies the definition of passenger car, updates the rule by removing certain compliance dates that are no longer necessary, and, in response to comments on the proposed rule, modifies the application of the regulations to passenger cars and cabooses in a railroad's fleet that are used only for private transportation purposes and to older locomotives used in incidental freight service.

This request for comments is related to the implementation of a specific provision in section 32707 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) that requires an annual safety fitness assessment of certain motor carriers of passengers that serve primarily urban areas with high passenger loads. FMCSA requests comments about an appropriate definition of a ``curbside bus operator'' that will be subject to this annual safety fitness assessment and will be consistent with Congressional intent.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines with modification TU34 or TU34A installed. This AD requires inspecting the torque conformation box (TCB) for correct resistance values and removing TCBs that fail inspection before further flight. This AD was prompted by TCB failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TCB, loss of engine thrust control, and damage to the helicopter.

General Motors LLC, (GM) has determined that certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks manufactured between January 29, 2013, and October 28, 2013, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.3.1(e) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, Controls and Displays, and paragraph S3.1.4.1 of FMVSS No. 102, Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect. GM filed a report dated October 31, 2013, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. GM then petitioned NHTSA in accordance with 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-13-01 for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a certain Goodrich rescue hoist damper unit (damper unit) installed. AD 2014-13-01 required repairing or replacing the damper unit or deactivating the rescue hoist. AD 2014-13-01 was prompted by a report of an uncommanded detachment of a damper unit from the cable. This new AD retains the optional requirement of deactivating the rescue hoist, expands the applicability, and requires either replacing or modifying the damper unit with a newly developed single- piece retainer. These actions are intended to prevent the hoist damper unit detaching from the cable resulting in loss of an external load or person from the helicopter hoist and injury to persons being lifted by the hoist.

FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 41 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 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 two individuals for exemptions from the following two Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) which prohibit operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. Section 391.41(b)(8) of the FMCSRs prohibit operation of a commercial motor vehicle by persons with either a clinical diagnosis of a condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a CMV safely. Section 391.41(b)(9) of the FMCSRs prohibit operation of a commercial motor vehicle by persons with a mental, nervous, organic, functional disease, or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with his/her ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle safely. If granted, the exemption would enable these individuals who have been diagnosed with narcolepsy and are receiving medical treatment to operate CMVs for 2 years in interstate commerce.

FTA in cooperation with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the NOI to prepare an EIS for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES) is being rescinded.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The changes will update the following sections of the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Seaway Navigation; and, Information and Reports. These amendments are necessary to take account of updated procedures and will enhance the safety of transits through the Seaway. Several of the amendments are merely editorial or for clarification of existing requirements.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is proposing requirements for Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans as authorized by Section 20021 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This proposed rule would require operators of public transportation systems that receive Federal financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 to develop and implement Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans based on the Safety Management System approach. Development and implementation of agency safety plans will help ensure that public transportation systems are safe nationwide. FTA seeks public comments on all aspects of this proposed rule, including information related to its benefits and costs, as well as alternative approaches that may more cost-effectively satisfy the statutory requirements and help ensure the safety of the nation's public transportation system.

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 a previously approved information collection. The information collected is needed to determine applicant eligibility and compliance for certification of Civil Aviation mechanics and operation of aviation mechanic schools.

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. This information will be used to issue special flight authorizations for non-revenue transports and non-transport jet operations of Stage 2 airplanes at U.S. airports. Only a minimal amount of data is requested to identify the affected parties and determine whether the purpose for the flight is one of those enumerated by law.

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. Title 49 U.S.C., Section 44702 authorizes issuance of air carrier operating certificates. 14 CFR part 135 prescribes requirement for Air Carrier/Commercial Operators. The information collected shows compliance and applicant eligibility.

This notice is to inform the interested public that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a public meeting for the Research and Development Forum to be held on March 23 and 24, 2016, in Washington, DC. The OHMS will host the forum to present the results of recently completed projects, brief on new project plans with stakeholders input, and discuss the direction of current and future research projects. During the meeting OHMS will solicit comments related to new research topics that may be considered for inclusion in its future work. The OHMS will accept research needs statements from industry, academia, and other stakeholders. Some examples of particular interest to OHMS are the research gaps associated with energetic materials characterization and transport, safe transport of energy products (STEP), safe containment and transportation of compressed gasses, safe packaging and transportation of charge storage devices, etc. Identification of other research gaps related to the transportation of hazardous materials will be encouraged in an effort to meet the holistic needs of the transportation community and the DOT's goals: Safety, infrastructure repair, environmental responsibility, quality communities, and economic competitiveness. Time and Location: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West Building, Oklahoma Conference Room, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT) is updating its regulations governing the organization of NHTSA and delegations of authority from the Administrator to Agency officials, to provide for a reorganization of the Agency's internal structure. These changes will enable NHTSA to achieve its mission more effectively and efficiently.

The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a continuation of a task to provide recommendations regarding standards, training guidance, test management, and reference materials for airman certification purposes. The FAA added the Aircraft Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings to the existing list of certificates and ratings for which the ARAC will provide recommendations. This notice informs the public of the continuing ARAC activity and solicits additional membership for the existing Airman Certification System Working Group (ACS WG).

This action amends the legal description of the Class E airspace area at Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City, SD, eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status of the Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace designated as an extension, at the airport. This is an administrative change to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Hollis, OK. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures developed at Hollis Municipal Airport, for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Beach, ND. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures developed at Beach Airport, for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action establishes 13 high altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes) in the western United States. The routes promote operational efficiencies for users and provide connectivity to current and proposed RNAV en route and terminal procedures. The low altitude RNAV route, T-326, published in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, requires more coordination and is removed from this rule.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine that would revise AD 2015-09-04. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as engine shaft failure and consequent propeller detachment. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.