Department of Transportation 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Oskaloosa Municipal Airport, Oskaloosa, IA, to accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Oskaloosa non directional radio beacon (NDB), and cancellation of the NDB approach procedure, and would enhance the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) model Tay 620-15 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by RRD recalculating the life limit for certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 12 rotor disks. This proposed AD would require reducing the maximum approved life limit. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ashburn, GA, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) serving Turner County Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Johnson City, TN, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving Johnson City Medical Center Heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the heliport.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-11- 20, which applies to certain B/E Aerospace protective breathing equipment (PBE) that is installed on airplanes. AD 2016-11-20 requires replacing part number (P/N) 119003-11 PBE units. Since we issued AD 2016-11-20, we received a report that PBE units, P/N 119003-21, within a certain serial number range are made with candle tube material determined to have a low yield strength and may be volatile upon use or disposal. This proposed AD would retain the actions required in AD 2016-11-20 and would require inspecting and replacing P/N 119003-11 and 119003-21 PBE units. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DRV, LLC (DRV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc., has determined that certain model year (MY) 2003-2016 DRV trailers do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. DRV filed a noncompliance report dated July 31, 2015, that was later revised on August 18, 2015. DRV also petitioned NHTSA on August 14, 2015, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD requires fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the compressor intermediate case (CIC) for cracking. This AD was prompted by CICs that were weld repaired and have a higher probability of cracking as a result of the weld repair process. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-11-01 for Slingsby Aviation Ltd. Models T67M260 and T67M260-T3A airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 failure of a brake master cylinder pivot pin, which could cause the rudder pedal mechanism to detach from the brake cylinder. 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 DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of interruptions in the airstair door operation. This AD requires repetitive inspections and modification of the handrail hardware. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. This AD was prompted by changes to the airworthiness limitations, which add life-limited landing gear parts not previously identified. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations that add life limits for previously unidentified landing gear parts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-223F, -223, -321, -322, and -323 airplanes. This AD was prompted by fatigue load analysis that determined the need for reduced inspection intervals and updated torque values of the bolts. This AD requires repetitive torque checks of the forward engine mount bolts, an inspection of the forward mount assembly, and replacement of the bolts or repair of the forward mount assembly as necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, CN- 235-300, and C-295 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a reported inability to extend the external handle of the emergency door from its recess due to a jammed spring mechanism. This AD requires a one-time functional check of each emergency door handle, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the fuselage skin is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires modification of the lap joint and repetitive inspections for cracking of the skin at critical fastener rows. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Zodiac Seats California LLC seating systems. This AD was prompted by a determination that the affected seating systems may cause serious injury to the occupant during forward impacts when subjected to certain inertia forces. This AD requires removing affected seating systems. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a land-use change for approximately 2.7 acres of airport property at Reid Hill View Airport, and approximately 2.999 acres at San Martin Airport, Santa Clara County, California. The land use change will allow a partial release of airport land from the aeronautical use provisions of the Grant Assurances that require it to serve an airport purposes since the land is not needed for aeronautical uses. The land for partial release is 2.7 acres of a 55.09 acre parcel at Reid Hill View Airport and is currently vacant. The land for partial release is 2.999 acres of a 63.79 acre parcel at San Martin Airport and is also currently vacant. Solar systems will be placed on the leased parcels to generate clean renewable energy for Santa Clara County. In return, fair market value rent will be paid as lease revenue at both airports. This project will serve the interest of civil aviation by contributing to the self- sustainability of the two airports.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 18 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). 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. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt eight individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 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 exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 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 exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.