Department of Transportation 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300- 600 series airplanes), and 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.

We are revising Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-03-03 for certain Textron Aviation Inc. Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, 421, 421A, 421B, 421C, and 425 airplanes. AD 2018-03-03 required repetitively inspecting the left and the right forward lower carry through spar cap for cracks and replacing the carry through spar cap if cracks were found. This AD addresses the same unsafe condition and requires the same actions as AD 2018-03-03, but clarifies the compliance times for the initial inspection of the carry through spar cap. This AD was prompted by several reports of confusion in interpreting the compliance times for the initial inspection of the carry through spar cap. We are issuing this AD to eliminate confusion in interpreting the compliance times for this inspection.

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.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC).

In accordance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44 of the U.S. Code (Pub. L. 104-13, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995), this notice announces the intention of BTS to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new data collection: Oil and Gas Industry Safety Data. In August 2013, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and BTS signed an Interagency Agreement to develop and implement SafeOCS, a voluntary program for confidential reporting of `near misses' occurring on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Oil and Gas Industry Safety Data (ISD) program, is a component of BTS's SafeOCS data sharing framework, that provides a trusted, proactive means for the oil and gas industry to report sensitive and proprietary safety information, and to identify early warnings of safety problems and potential safety issues by uncovering hidden, at-risk conditions not previously exposed from analysis of reportable accidents and incidents. Companies participating in the ISD are voluntarily submitting safety data. There is no regulatory requirement to submit such data. The ISD identifies a broader range of data categories to ensure safe performance and appropriate risk management, which adds a learning component to assist the oil and gas industry in achieving improved safety performance. BTS will be the repository for the data, and will analyze and aggregate information proffered under this program, and publish reports providing identification of potential causal factors and trends or patterns before safety is compromised, and affording continuous improvement opportunities by focusing on repairing impediments to safety.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Fitch H. Beach Airport, Charlotte, MI, due to the decommissioning of the Lansing VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and collocated tactical air navigation (TACAN) which provided navigation guidance for the instrument procedures to this airport. The Lansing VOR/TACAN is being decommissioned as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action enhances safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport. Additionally, the geographic coordinates of the airport are being adjusted to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. An editorial change is also being made removing the city associated with the airport name in the airspace legal designation.

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as a surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D or Class E surface area at Jackson County Airport-Reynolds Field, Jackson MI. The FAA is proposing this action due to the decommissioning of the Jackson VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) which provided navigation guidance for the instrument procedures to this airport. The VOR is being decommissioned as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and the geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Additionally, this action would replace the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' in the associated airspace legal descriptions.

This action modifies Class E airspace designated as a surface area and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Muscatine Municipal Airport, Muscatine, IA. This action is required due to the decommissioning of the Port City VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) facility, which provided navigation guidance for the instrument procedures to this airport. The VOR has been decommissioned as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes and Model A319 series airplanes; all Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and all Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left- and right-hand wings are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires modifying the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left- and right-hand wings. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are revising an earlier proposal for all Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracking found in the wing rear spar web at the wing station where the flap outboard hinge is attached. This action revises the proposal by issuing an SNPRM that changes the compliance times to more closely match the compliance times in the MCAI. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions may impose an additional burden over those in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the opportunity to comment on these changes.

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation published a document in the Federal Register of April 27, 2018 concerning the solicitation of applications for National Infrastructure Investments, known as BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants. This document contained an incorrect deadline date.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-131, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fan cowl door (FCD) losses during take-off. This proposed AD would require modification and re-identification, or replacement, of certain FCDs, and installation of a placard in the flight deck. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, at Hoonah Airport, Hoonah, AK, to accommodate area navigation (RNAV) procedures at the airport. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove Class E airspace designated as an extension at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, AK. Airspace redesign is necessary as the FAA transitions from ground-based to satellite-based navigation for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This proposal would also update the airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's aeronautical database for the associated Class D and E airspace areas, and would make an editorial change to the Class D airspace legal description replacing Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation models B300, B300C, B300C (MC-12W), and B300C (UC-12W) series airplanes. The airplane, as modified by St. Louis Helicopter LLC, will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of a rechargeable lithium battery. 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 established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, remove Class E airspace designated as an extension, and establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, MS. The Olive Branch non-directional radio beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, requiring the redesign of the airspace. This proposal would replace the outdated term Airport/ Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the Class D legal description.

This action proposes to amend Class E surface airspace at Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, Knoxville, TN, by adding to the airspace description the exclusion of a 1-mile radius around University of Tennessee Medical Center Heliport, to allow helicopters departing from the heliport to no longer require a clearance. Also, the BENFI non-directional beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, requiring redesign of Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at McGhee-Tyson Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, McGhee Tyson Airport, and Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport in the associated Class E airspace areas to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CFM International S.A. (CFM) Model CFM56-7B engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the concave and convex sides of the fan blade dovetail to detect cracking and replacement of any blades found cracked. This AD was prompted by a recent engine failure due to a fractured fan blade, that resulted in the engine inlet cowl disintegrating and debris penetrating the fuselage, causing a loss of pressurization, and prompting an emergency descent. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FHWA is announcing that the Indefinite Delivery and Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) method of contracting (including Job Order Contracts) for low-cost construction contracts in the Federal-aid highway program will be allowed, without prior FHWA approval, under certain circumstances.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.