Department of Transportation 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as a surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Eau Claire, WI. The FAA is proposing this action as a result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Eau Claire nondirectional radio beacon (NDB)/outer compass locator (LOM). The name and geographic coordinates of the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport and the name of the May Clinic Health System-Eau Claire Heliport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

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 certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 and -300F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking on airplanes with Aviation Partners Boeing winglets installed. This AD requires high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the lower outboard wing skin, and repair or modification if necessary. This AD also requires one of three follow-on actions: Repeating the HFEC inspections, modifying certain internal stringers and oversizing and plugging the existing fastener holes of the lower wing, or modifying the external doubler/tripler and doing repetitive post-modification inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the four retaining pins in the main landing gear support structure (MLGSS) trunnion block, left- and right-hand sides, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that short retaining pins may have been installed at the incorrect location of the MLGSS forward pintle. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-02-01, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. AD 2014-02-01 required repetitive inspections of the rudder travel limiter (RTL) return springs and primary actuator, and corrective actions if necessary; and replacement of certain RTL return springs. This AD requires an inspection of the RTL return springs for signs of chafing; an inspection of the casing of the primary actuator for signs of chafing or missing paint; replacement of the RTL return springs; and an inspection of the lugs of the RTL limiter arm assembly for cracks, and modification or replacement, as applicable; and applicable corrective actions. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports that when installing the RTL return springs, the RTL limiter arm assembly lug(s) can become deformed. 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.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 F4-605R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the frame (FR) 47 angle fitting. This proposed AD would require, depending on airplane configuration, a modification of certain angle fitting attachment holes, repetitive inspections for cracking of certain holes of the internal lower angle fitting web, certain holes of the internal lower angle fitting horizontal splicing, the aft bottom panel, and the FR47/Rib 1 junction area, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt 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 proposed AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on the door mechanism actuator shaft assemblies of the nose landing gear (NLG). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the NLG door mechanism actuator shaft assemblies having certain part numbers, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections for Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN- 235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of unreliable performance of the water and fuel scavenge system; failure of the fuel scavenge function can cause trapped fuel, resulting in unavailable fuel reserves. This proposed AD would require incorporating operating limitations, or modifying the water and fuel scavenge systems in the fuel tanks and certain electrical panels. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 700 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 the installation of rechargeable lithium batteries. 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, and SA-365C2 helicopters. This AD requires establishing a life limit of 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) for the Starflex star/mast connecting bolt (bolt) and removing from service each bolt that exceeds its life limit. This AD is prompted by the discovery that the bolt's life limit was not included in helicopter maintenance records. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines and for all model E4P engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of considerable wear on the timing chain on these engines. This proposed AD would require replacement of the timing chain and amending certain airplane flight manuals to limit use of windmill restarts. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the establishment of the DAC for 2 years. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing the DAC under agency authority in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The DAC is necessary and in the public interest. The nature and purpose of the DAC is to provide an open venue for FAA and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) stakeholders to work in partnership to develop a consensus-based set of resolutions for issues and challenges regarding the efficiency and safety of integrating UAS into the National Airspace System and to develop recommendations to address these issues and challenges.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Office of the Secretary (OST) 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. Executive Order 12862 directs Federal agencies to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector. In order to work continuously to ensure that our programs are effective and meet our customers' needs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to obtain OMB approval of a generic clearance to collect feedback on our service delivery. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 6, 2018 [Vol. 83, No. 44, Page 9575]. No comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days of public comment.

NHTSA seeks comments on the economic impact of its regulations on small entities. As required by Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, we are attempting to identify rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. We also request comments on ways to make these regulations easier to read and understand. The focus of this notification is rules that specifically relate to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, motorcycles, and motor vehicle equipment.

This final rule repeals the performance management measure that assessed the percent change in tailpipe carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, from the reference year 2017, on the National Highway System (NHS) (also referred to as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) measure). The GHG measure was one of several performance measures that FHWA required State departments of transportation (State DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to use to assess performance in a variety of areas. After considering the comments received in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on October 5, 2017, FHWA has decided to repeal the GHG measure.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the allocation of $277.5 million under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (Emergency Relief Program) to States, Territories, and public transportation agencies affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Within the $277.5 million announced in this notice, FTA is allocating $233.3 million for response, recovery, and rebuilding projects and $44.2 million for project elements or stand-alone projects that increase the resilience of the affected transit systems to future disasters. Such resilience investments shall be subject to specific conditions cited in this notice.

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 for renewal and revision to an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 30, 2018. This information collection is used to allocate airport landing and takeoff slots and maintain accurate records of slot transfers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) under the High Density Rule. The FAA is requesting a renewal for the DCA information collection and a revision to include six additional airports managed under similar FAA programs to manage congestion and delay: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The information collection is required from carriers and other operators at the airports to assist the FAA in reducing delays at congested airports.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Inc. Model BD-700-2A12 and Model BD-700-2A13 airplanes. 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 an autobrake system that allows earlier braking at landing without pedal input from the pilot. 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the nose landing gear (NLG) locking in a partially extended position due to loose bushings on the lock link of the NLG locking mechanism. This proposed AD would require inspecting the bushings and the lower lock link of the NLG for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of rejected take-offs due to untimely inboard flap retraction. This proposed AD would require modification of the slat/flap control wiring and replacement of the slat/flap control box with an improved box. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.