Department of Transportation August 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA proposes reductions in the annual registration fees States collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement for the 2019, 2020, and subsequent registration years. The proposed fees for the 2019 registration year would be reduced below the 2017 registration fee level that was in effect by approximately 17.59 percent to ensure that fee revenues do not exceed the statutory maximum, and to account for the excess funds held in the depository. The proposed fees for the 2020 registration year would be reduced below the 2017 level by approximately 9.5 percent. The reduction of the current 2019 registration year fees (finalized on January 5, 2018) would range from approximately $10 to $9,530 per entity, depending on the number of vehicles owned or operated by the affected entities. The reduction in fees for subsequent registration years would range from approximately $4 to $3,565 per entity.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting and altering the rescue hoist. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a damaged hoist cable that detached after load application. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-05-28, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2014-05-28 required revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include a revised task. This AD was prompted by a determination that the interval from Maintenance Review Board (MRB) task number 323100-202 should not be escalated, and that Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) task number 323100-102 should be applicable to all Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes, regardless of which main landing gear (MLG) up-lock assembly is installed. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the updated noise exposure maps submitted by the Chicago Executive Airport under the provisions of the (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at New Castle-Henry County Municipal Airport, New Castle, IN. This action is the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Richmond VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the airport are also updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the National Grain Car Council (NGCC), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-18, V-102, and V-278 in the vicinity of Guthrie, TX. The modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Guthrie, TX, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected air traffic service (ATS) routes. The Guthrie VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the September 26, 2013, NOI to prepare an EIS for a proposed project, the I-90 Tolling Project, to manage congestion and traffic flow on I-90 between I-5 and I-405, and contribute revenue to the sustainable, long-term funding for timely completion of the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program and maintenance and future transportation improvements on I-90.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-24-01, which applied to certain ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-212A airplanes. AD 2017-24-01 required an inspection for routing attachments of electrical harness bundles and for wire damage, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds additional airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a determination that additional airplanes are affected by the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain B/E Aerospace Fischer GmbH Attendant Seats NG and Pilot Seats 120/335. This AD requires removing and replacing the energy absorber (EA) assemblies on affected pilot seats and the removing and replacing affected attendant seats. This AD was prompted by the discovery that rivets with insufficient strength were used during the manufacture of EA assemblies installed on certain seats. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by in-service findings that a cotter pin at the main fitting joint of the nose landing gear (NLG) retraction actuator to the NLG strut showed evidence of shearing after a NLG retraction-extension cycling. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, a general visual inspection for damage of a certain cotter pin present on certain configurations of the NLG strut assembly and for the modification number shown on the identification plate for the NLG strut, and modification of the NLG retraction actuator hardware on any damaged NLG strut assembly. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the Chicago, IL, Class B airspace area description by changing references for defining the center point of the Chicago Class B airspace from the Chicago O'Hare VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) to ``Point of Origin.'' The ``Point of Origin'' uses the same geographic coordinates as the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME location. This action also amends the Chicago Midway Airport, IL, Class C airspace description by changing the reference for defining a portion of the Class C airspace boundary from using the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME to using the geographic coordinates of the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME instead. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME. Additionally, the Chicago Class B and Chicago Midway Airport Class C airspace descriptions are edited further to reflect the Chicago Midway International Airport name change to match the current information in the FAA's aeronautical database, and the Chicago Midway Airport Class C airspace designation is amended to remove the airport name from the airspace designation to comply with FAA regulatory guidance. These changes are editorial only and do not alter the current charted boundaries, altitudes, or ATC procedures for the Chicago Class B or the Chicago Midway International Airport Class C airspace areas.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 30 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 86 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

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. The information is collected from holders of FAA production approvals and selected suppliers in the form of a feedback survey, to obtain their input on how well the agency is performing the administration and conduct of the Aircraft Certification Systems Quality System Audit (QSA).

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 114 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 53 individuals from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 19 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

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 will enable FMCSA to document the burden associated with the marking regulations in ``Marking of Self-Propelled CMVs and Intermodal Equipment.'' These regulations require marking of vehicles and intermodal equipment by motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) engaging in interstate transportation. The FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``Commercial Motor Vehicle Marking Requirements.''

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 20 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 continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.