Department of Transportation October 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA, on behalf of FDOT, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by FDOT and other Federal Agencies that are final agency actions. These actions relate to the proposed Cortez Bridge improvement project on State Road (S.R.) 684 from S.R. 789 (Gulf Drive) in Bradenton Beach, Florida to 123rd Street West in unincorporated Manatee County, Florida (Federal-Aid Project Number 8886-227-A). These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This rulemaking would modify U.S. and foreign air carrier obligations with respect to tarmac delays and conform carrier obligations with respect to departure delays with the changes made to the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. This rulemaking would also make changes to the notification requirements regarding the status of the tarmac delay and the opportunity to deplane as well as carrier tarmac delay reporting and record retention requirements.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

FMCSA announces that Teupen North America, Inc. (Teupen) has requested an exemption from the commercial driver's license (CDL) requirement for Mr. Martin Borutta, a Lead Engineer for Teupen, who holds a valid German commercial license and wants to transport Teupen's aerial lift product to various sites in the U.S. for testing. Teupen believes the requirements for a German commercial license ensure that operation under the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption. FMCSA requests public comments on Teupen's application for exemption.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, and requests comments on the ICR. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on July 12, 2019. NHTSA received one comment on the 60-day notice, stating the importance of gathering crash data, leveraging technology, and engaging in analysis to find commonalities in crashes and better protect the public. NHTSA has concluded that it is not necessary to make any changes to the information collection based on this comment.

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.

This notice announces a joint public meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC). The GPAC and LPAC will meet jointly to discuss a variety of policy issues and topics relevant to both gas and liquid pipeline safety.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-12-05, which applies to certain CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5B, CFM56-5C, and CFM56-7B model turbofan engines with a certain rotating air high-pressure turbine (HPT) front seal. AD 2019-12-05 requires replacement of the affected rotating air HPT front seal with a part eligible for installation. The actions required by AD 2019-12-05 are interim and only address the highest risk engines with an affected rotating air HPT front seal that have a specified number of cycles since being reconfigured. This proposed AD would require removal and replacement of the rotating air HPT front seals installed on all CFM CFM56-5B, CFM56- 5C, and CFM56-7B model turbofan engines, including engines that have fewer cycles since being reconfigured. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Kentucky Equipment Distributors (KED) requesting an exemption from the requirement that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) qualifying for the ``short-haul100 air-mile radius driver'' exception must return to the original work reporting location within 12 hours of coming on duty. KED asks that its short-haul CMV drivers be permitted to return within 14 hours instead of 12 without losing their short-haul status. FMCSA requests public comment on KED's application for exemption.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation that determined fatigue cracks could develop in the underwing longerons. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the underwing longerons and certain fuselage skins for any crack, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. In order to work continuously to ensure that our programs are effective and meet our customers' needs, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) seeks to obtain OMB approval of previously approved generic clearance to collect feedback on our service delivery. By feedback we mean information that provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions, but are not statistical surveys that yield quantitative results that can be generalized to the population of study. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

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 of a new collection. The collection involves the voluntary submission of information for registration of an Airman Knowledge Test as part of the FAA Airman Certification Process. The information collected is necessary to ensure compliance and proper registration of an individual for the necessary knowledge test for the certification or rating pursued by the individual.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that cracks can develop on the ripple damper weld of the hydraulic pressure tube assembly and reports of failure of the ripple damper of the hydraulic pressure tube assembly. This AD requires replacement of the affected hydraulic pressure tube assembly or modification of both engines, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes a new system of records titled ``Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse)''. This system of records allows FMCSA to collect and maintain records on commercial driver's license (CDL) and commercial learner's permit (CLP) holders who have received verified positive DOT drug or alcohol test results, refuse such testing, or otherwise violate FMCSA's drug and alcohol use prohibitions. The Clearinghouse will collect and maintain records on the completion of substance abuse programs as part of the return-to-duty process and will collect and maintain drivers' consent to the release of information. In addition, the Clearinghouse will collect and maintain records of queries of the system conducted by employers or service agents acting on their behalf, and State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs). The information in this system will be used to enhance compliance with drug and alcohol use testing regulations by identifying CDL or CLP holders who have committed drug and alcohol violations that render them ineligible to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). This new system will be included in the DOT inventory of record systems.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The ``Aging Aircraft Program (Widespread Fatigue Damage)'' final rule amended FAA regulations pertaining to certification and operation of transport category airplanes to preclude widespread fatigue damage in those airplanes.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-05 for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2017-14- 05 requires replacing certain right-hand (RH) hydraulic pumps and is prompted by reports of broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. This proposed AD would continue to require the same actions as AD 2017-14-05 but would also require replacing the left-hand (LH) hydraulic pump. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

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.

In accordance with the procedures in 49 CFR part 555, Audi of America (``Audi'') has petitioned NHTSA for a temporary exemption of vehicles from the requirements in FMVSS No. 111 that passenger cars, MPVs, and light trucks be equipped with an outside mirror on the driver's side that meets certain field-of-view and mounting requirements. Instead of being equipped with FMVSS No. 111-compliant outside mirrors that would provide the required view to the rear, the vehicles, if exempted, would be equipped with a Camera Monitor System (CMS) that, according to Audi, provides the driver with a video- generated image on a monitor. Audi states that the video-generated image meets the standard's field-of-view requirements that apply to outside mirrors on the driver's side. Audi submitted its petition on the basis that an exemption is needed to facilitate the development and field evaluation of a new motor vehicle safety feature (the CMS) and that that feature provides a level of safety at least equal to the level of safety would be provided if the vehicle were equipped with FMVSS-compliant outside mirrors. NHTSA is publishing this document in accordance with statutory and administrative provisions, and requests comments on the petition. NHTSA has made no judgment on the merits of the petition.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the information collection and their expected burdens.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-26- 07, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2018-26-07 required repetitive greasing of the thrust reverser actuators (TRAs), dispatch restrictions, and maintenance procedure revisions. This AD requires actions specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination to add a requirement to replace the TRAs, which AD 2018-26-07 specified was not required at the time to provide the opportunity for the public to comment on the merits of that action. The FAA is 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 renew a previously approved information collection. The final rule titles ``Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Equipage Mandate to Support Air Traffic Control Service,'' requires performance requirements for certain avionics equipment on aircraft operating in specified classes of airspace within the United States National Airspace System (NAS). The rule facilitates the use of ADS-B for aircraft surveillance by FAA air traffic controllers to accommodate the expected increase in demand for air transportation.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for three 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.