Department of Transportation 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action modifies the Little Rock, AR, Class C airspace area by amending the legal description to update the current airport name and updated airport reference point (ARP) information to match the FAA's aeronautical database and charted information. Additionally, exclusion language is added to the legal description to ensure flight safety and address any potential for confusion where the Class C and restricted area R-2403B airspace areas overlap. This action does not change the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the Class C airspace area.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Leesville City Airport, Leesville, LA, and Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport, Patterson, LA. Airspace redesign is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Leesville non-directional radio beacon (NDB), and the Patterson radio beacon (RBN), and cancellation of NDB and RBN approaches, and for the safe management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

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

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Model RB211-Trent 800 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of inadequate clearance between the thermal protection system (TPS) insulation blankets and the electronic engine control (EEC) wiring, which resulted in damaged wires. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the EEC wire bundles and clips, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule provides the 2017 inflation adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and the Hazardous Materials Regulations, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. It also finalizes the catch-up inflation adjustment interim final rule required by the same Act.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159B airplanes. This AD was prompted by a review of airplane maintenance records, which revealed that incorrect rudder assemblies were installed on certain airplanes. This AD requires certain inspections, and replacement or modification of the rudder assembly if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 reinstate a previously approved information collection. FAA regulations prescribe certification standards for pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. The information collected is used to determine compliance with applicant eligibility.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. (Harley-Davidson), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2016-2017 Harley-Davidson XL 1200XC Roadster motorcycles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). Harley-Davidson filed a noncompliance information report dated November 4, 2016. Harley-Davidson also petitioned NHTSA on November 28, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2016-2017 Freightliner and Western Star trucks do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, Controls and Displays. DTNA filed a noncompliance report dated September 22, 2016, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. DTNA also petitioned NHTSA on September 22, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2012-2016 Hyundai Accent motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. Hyundai filed a noncompliance information report dated December 12, 2016. Hyundai also petitioned NHTSA on December 16, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO), has determined that certain Bridgestone VSB heavy-duty radial truck tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles. BATO filed a noncompliance report dated April 7, 2016. BATO then petitioned NHTSA on May 5, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2014 EMU Camper Trailer 4x4 Extreme Adventure trailers that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States because they have safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all such standards.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Models BD-700-2A12 and BD-700-2A13 airplanes. These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. These design features are electrical and electronic systems that perform critical functions, the loss of which could be catastrophic to the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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.

This action amends Class E airspace at Monongahela, PA, as the Allegheny VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR) has been decommissioned, requiring airspace reconfiguration at Rostraver Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Fayetteville, TN, as the Kelso Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, requiring airspace reconfiguration at Fayetteville Municipal Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D airspace at Morgantown, WV, by removing Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status at Morgantown Municipal Airport Walter L. Bill Hart Field, and would amend the airport's geographic coordinates. The geographic coordinates of the airport in Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace and Class E 700 foot airspace also would be adjusted. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Laurel, MS, as the Tallahala Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, requiring airspace reconfiguration at Hesler-Noble Field Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action proposes to remove Class E airspace designated as an extension at Fort Eustis, VA, as the Felker Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, and the approaches cancelled at Felker Army Airfield, (AAF). This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport under Class D airspace.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the engine mount bushings. This AD was prompted by reports of delaminated and worn bushings. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces a meeting of its Post-Accident Reporting (PAR) Advisory Committee on Monday, April 24, 2017, at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Workshop in Atlanta, GA. Under section 5306 of the FAST Act, the PAR was charged with reviewing post-accident reports and made recommendations on the data elements required by the reports and modifications that may improve their use through the addition of data elements at its meeting in December 2016. At this meeting, the PAR will provide suggestions concerning the implementation of its recommendations to the FMCSA Administrator. The meeting is open to the public for its entirety.