Department of Transportation March 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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. This ICR is to collect data on the delays, by State, that applicants face when scheduling a CDL skills test. This information collection and subsequent data analysis is required by section 5506 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, 2015 (FAST Act).

This document announces the further extension of the effective date of the following regulations until May 20, 2017: National Performance Management Measures; Assessing Pavement Condition for the National Highway Performance program and Bridge Condition for the National Highway Performance Program, RIN 2125-AF53; and National Performance Management measures; Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Freight Movement on the Interstate System, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, RIN 2125- AF54.

This action extends the prohibition of flight operations in the Tripoli (HLLL) Flight Information Region (FIR) by all U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating a U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except operators of such aircraft that are foreign air carriers. The extension of the expiration date is necessary due to continued hazards to persons and aircraft engaged in such flight operations. This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) will now remain in effect until March 20, 2019.

On August 12, 2016, FRA published a final rule requiring commuter and intercity passenger railroads to develop and implement a system safety program (SSP) to improve the safety of their operations. On February 10, 2017, FRA stayed the SSP final rule's requirements until March 21, 2017. This document extends that stay until May 22, 2017.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-03-04, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 737-500 series airplanes. AD 2017-03-04 required inspections to detect cracks in the fuselage skin panels, permanent repairs of time-limited repairs, skin panel replacement, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD reduces the applicability of AD 2017-03-04. This AD was prompted by a determination that airplanes were inadvertently included in the applicability of AD 2017-03-04. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Department of Transportation is amending its regulations by extending the compliance date of its final rule on reporting of data for mishandled baggage and wheelchairs in aircraft cargo compartments from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2019. Under that final rule, the mishandled-baggage data that air carriers are required to report changed, from the number of Mishandled Baggage Reports and the number of domestic passenger enplanements to the number of mishandled bags and the number of enplaned bags. The rule also requires separate statistics for mishandled wheelchairs and scooters used by passengers with disabilities and transported in aircraft cargo compartments. This extension is in response to a request by Airlines for America (A4A) and Delta.

FHWA, on behalf of TxDOT, is issuing this notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the Notice of Intent (NOI) for the proposed SH 190 project from IH 30 to IH 20 in southeast Dallas County. An NOI to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2005.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 700 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 airplane electronic systems and networks that allow access, from aircraft internal sources (e.g., wireless devices, Internet connectivity), to the airplane's previously isolated, internal, electronic components. 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 Boeing Model 747-8 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Lufthansa Technik AG (Lufthansa), 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 the installation of large, non-structural glass panels in the cabin area of an executive interior occupied by passengers and crew. 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 Embraer, S.A., (Embraer) Model ERJ 190-300 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 a high-speed-protection system. 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 Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-700-2A12 and BD-700-2A13 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 lateral- directional and longitudinal stability, and low-energy awareness, provided through an electronic flight-control system (EFCS). 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 Boeing Model 777- 200 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Aerocon Engineering Company (Aerocon), 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 an access hatch, installed between the cabin and the Class C cargo compartment, to allow in-flight access to the Class C cargo compartment. 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 Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22 BETA helicopter. This helicopter as modified by Helitrak, Incorporated (Helitrak) will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with an autopilot (AP) system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that ensured by the existing airworthiness standards.

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 its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR titled ``Practices of Household Brokers'' to no longer include one-time costs previously incurred by brokers to come into compliance with applicable Federal regulations, and to update other wage related costs that have changed since the last approval. This ICR is necessary to support the requirements of applicable Federal regulations and FMCSA's responsibility to ensure consumer protection in the transportation of household goods (HHG).

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from eight individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

These special conditions are issued for the Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-300 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 an electronic flight control system that contains fly-by-wire control laws, including flight envelope protection functions that impose pitch-angle, bank-angle, and high- speed limits during normal 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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2017, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA whether or not it will use its fiscal year 2017 entitlement funds available under Section 47114 of Title 49, United States Code, to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP) eligible projects that the airport sponsor previously identified through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) process during the preceding year. The airport sponsor's notification must address all entitlement funds available to date for fiscal year 2017, as well as any entitlement funds not obligated from prior years. After Friday, July 7, 2017, the FAA will carry-over the remainder of currently available entitlement funds, and these funds will not be available again until at least the beginning of fiscal year 2018. Currently, the AIP has approximately 56 percent of the entitlements available through April 28, 2017. If congressional action is taken which provides for additional entitlements, the FAA will then work with airport sponsors to adjust accordingly. This notification requirement does not apply to non-primary airports covered by the block-grant program.

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 and revise a previously approved information collection. 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 is announcing its intent to reduce the burden associated with this information collection in response to its implementation of section 2307 of Public Law 114-190. Section 2307 of Public Law 114-190 established a new voluntary program of physical examination and education requirements for certain pilots in command in lieu of those pilots holding a medical certificate.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final within the meaning of Section 1308 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. The actions relate to a proposed highway project, State Route 79, from South of Domenigoni Parkway to Gilman Springs Road (post mile R15.78 to post mile R33.80, in the Cities of Hemet and San Jacinto and unincorporated Riverside County, in the County of Riverside, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was published in the Federal Register Vol. 80 No. 184, Sept. 23, 2015 for a proposed freeway corridor improvement project on Interstate (I)-39/90/94 from the United States Highway (US) 12/18 interchange to the I-39/Wisconsin State Highway (WIS) 78 interchange in Dane and Columbia counties in south-central Wisconsin. The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FHWA and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will no longer prepare a Tier 1 EIS in this corridor due to recent and on-going reprioritization of major transportation projects.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will not be prepared for a proposed transportation project in Alton and Godfrey, Illinois in an area bounded roughly by IL Route 3 on the south; Seminary Road on the east; Seiler Road on the north and US 67 on the west.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing. The information to be collected will be used to document tests conducted and actions taken to ensure safety in the workplace and/or is necessary because under the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, DOT is required to implement a drug and alcohol testing program in various transportation- related industries. DOT is required to publish this notice in the Federal Register in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

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 revisions of the following information collection: Nondiscrimination as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs.

These airworthiness criteria are issued for the Stemme AG model Stemme S12 powered glider. The Administrator finds the design criteria, which make up the certification basis for the Stemme S12, acceptable.

This notice announces OMB approved new information collection requests (ICRs) for 49 CFR parts 223, 228, 232, 234, 237, 238, and 270, under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). FRA also announces OMB re-approved other ICRs for 49 CFR parts 207, 209, 210, 212, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230, 232, 233, 235, 236, 238, 241, and 242, and related to other regulatory activities. Further, OMB reinstated two ICRs for 49 CFR parts 215 and 234, and approved one ICR under Emergency Processing procedures.