Department of Transportation December 6, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on October 1, 2019. The collection involves an aircraft pilot's voluntary submission of weather conditions that were encountered while in flight. The information to be collected is necessary because Pilot Report (PIREP) Solicitation and Dissemination has been identified by the ATO as one of the Top 5 hazards in the National Airspace System (NAS). For certain weather conditions, PIREPs are the only means of confirmation that forecasted conditions are occurring. The FAA 7110-2 PIREP Form is a guide to assist pilots in submitting PIREPs into the NAS.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. 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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 427 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the inboard skin of the vertical fin around the four tailboom attachment points. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked vertical fin skins that resulted from metal fatigue. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.