Department of Transportation 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to deny United Parcel Service, Inc.'s (UPS) application for exemption from two provisions in the entry-level driver training (ELDT) final rule published on December 8, 2016. UPS requests a five-year exemption from the following provisions in the ELDT final rule: The requirement that a driver training instructor hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and have two years' experience driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), as set forth in the definitions of ``behind-the-wheel (BTW) instructor'' and ``theory instructor;'' and the requirement to register each training location in order to obtain a unique Training Provider Registry (TPR) number applicable to that location. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption application and the public comments and determined that the applicant has not demonstrated that it would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent the requested exemptions.

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.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-09- 02, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2009-09-02 required repetitive inspections for damage of certain main landing gear (MLG) forward stabilizer brace assemblies, repetitive inspections for cracking of both MLG forward stabilizer braces, liquid penetrant inspections for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD retains the existing actions and also requires installation of an elbow restrictor. This AD was prompted by reports of failures of the aft hinge of the MLG forward stabilizer brace due to fatigue cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board or STB) is adopting a final rule amending its regulations related to the National Trails System Act to: (1) Provide that the initial term for Certificates or Notices of Interim Trail Use or Abandonment will be one year (instead of the current 180 days); (2) permit up to three one-year extensions of the initial period if the trail sponsor and the railroad agree; and (3) permit additional one-year extensions if the trail sponsor and the railroad agree and extraordinary circumstances are shown.

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 its review and approval and invites public comment. The information collected will be used to help ensure that motor carriers of passengers and property maintain appropriate levels of financial responsibility to continue their operating authority.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 15 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew an exemption for one individual 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 exemption enables this individual who has had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from seven individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FHWA is issuing this rescinded NOI to advise the public that the FHWA will not be preparing and issuing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve NYS Route 9A in the Towns of Greenburgh and Mount Pleasant and the Village of Elmsford, Westchester County, New York [New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Project Identification Number (PIN) 8103.22]. The NOI to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2002.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application for exemption from Lytx, Inc. (Lytx) to allow its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to be mounted lower in the windshield on commercial motor vehicles (CMV) than is currently permitted.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing the drain plugs from the fuel tank compartments located under the bottom structure. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that a modification to the fuel tank could lead to fuel accumulating in an area containing electrical equipment and subsequent ignition of fuel vapors. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 turbofan engine models. This proposed AD was prompted by a predicted reduction in the cyclic life of the combustion chamber assembly aft flange, which could result in certain combustion chamber assemblies failing before reaching their published life limit. This proposed AD would require revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) and to the air carrier's approved Continued Airworthiness Maintenance Programs (CAMP) to incorporate initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) of the combustion chamber assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03- 19, which applied to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. AD 2019-03-19 required a functional check of certain fuel probes, and replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. This AD continues to require a functional check of certain fuel probes, and replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. This AD also revises the definition of a ``serviceable part.'' This AD was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading fuel quantities on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposal for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by reducing the compliance time for certain airplane configurations. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

The Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program allows a State to assume FHWA's environmental responsibilities for review, consultation, and compliance for Federal highway projects. When a State assumes these Federal responsibilities, the State becomes solely responsible and liable for the responsibilities it has assumed, in lieu of FHWA. This program mandates annual audits during each of the first 4 years to ensure the State's compliance with program requirements. This notice makes available the final report of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) second audit under the program.

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 a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 22, 2019. The collection involves aircraft operators using pre- flight availability predictions for navigation and surveillance and submitting a request for an authorization from air traffic control (ATC) via a web-based tool and application process. The collected information is necessary to: (1) Predict whether an aircraft flying the proposed route of flight will have sufficient position accuracy and integrity for:

This notice is being given that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a request from the City of Augusta to waive the requirement that 0.13 acres of surplus property located at the Daniel Field Airport be used for aeronautical purposes. Currently, the ownership of the property provides for the protection of FAR Part 77 surfaces and compatible land use which would continue to be protected with deed restrictions required in the transfer of land ownership.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) PW1122G-JM, PW1124G- JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, PW1133G-JM model turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement of certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage blades. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of LPT 3rd-stage blade failures causing a reduction of engine thrust. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces action taken by FHWA and that are final. This final agency action relates to a proposed highway project, improvements to US 340, from the Charles Town Bypass in Jefferson County, West Virginia to just south of the state boundary in Clarke County, Virginia. This decision will be used by Federal agencies in subsequent proceedings, including decisions to grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the proposed highway project. The FHWA's Record of Decision (ROD) provides details on the Selected Alternative for the proposed improvements.

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Madera Municipal Airport, Madera, CA, eliminates references to the Clovis and Friant Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation Aids (VORTAC) from the Airspace description, and updates the airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's aeronautical database. In addition, this action updates the airspace lateral dimensions to meet current requirements. This action supports the operation of Instrument flight Rules (IFR) under standard instrument approach and departure procedures in the National Airspace System.