Department of Transportation March 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends the Class E airspace by adding a designated surface area at Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, OR. This airspace area is designed to enhance safety at the airport by providing controlled airspace to the surface. This action also establishes an airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This area is designed to contain aircraft on instrument approaches when they descend below 1,000 feet above the surface. Additionally, this action amends the airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface. Amendments to this airspace area are designed to properly contain arriving and departing IFR aircraft.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements of this collection are related to FAA rules governing the operation of aircraft (other than moored balloons, kites, rockets, unmanned free balloons, and small unmanned aircraft) within the United States. These reporting and recordkeeping requirements are necessary for the FAA to assure compliance with these provisions.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-52 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Bowling Green, KY, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Bowling Green VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD would require various inspections of the main rotor (M/R) damper, and depending on the inspection results, removing from service or replacing certain parts. This proposed AD would also require reducing the torque of the M/R damper hub attachment bolts, marking parts, installing a special washer, and installing a certain part-numbered M/R damper and prohibit installing other part- numbered M/R dampers. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of failed M/R dampers. The proposed actions are intended 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The FAA requires that small unmanned aircraft accidents be reported to the FAA if they result in injury or damage exceeding certain thresholds.

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 an information collection. This collection affects persons who have a need to deviate from certain regulations that govern use of airspace within the United States. The request also describes the burden associated with authorizations to make parachute jumps and operate unmanned aircraft (including moored balloons, kites, unmanned rockets, and unmanned free balloons) and small unmanned aircraft systems

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan engines. This AD requires the removal from service of certain electronic engine control (EEC) full authority digital electronic control (FADEC) software and the installation of a software version eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by reports of four in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) due to failure of the low-pressure compressor (LPC) rotor 1 (R1) and by subsequent findings of cracked LPC R1s during inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FRA proposes metrics and minimum standards for measuring the performance and service quality of intercity passenger train operations. Consistent with the statutory mandate, FRA and Amtrak jointly developed the proposed metrics and minimum standards.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project on Interstate 5 (Post Miles 21.3 to PM 30.3) in the Cities of Irvine and Tustin in Orange County, California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of wear on fuel couplings, bonding springs, and sleeves as well as fuel tube end ferrules and fuel component end ferrules. This AD requires repetitive inspections of certain parts for discrepancies that meet specified criteria, and replacement as necessary; repetitive inspections of certain parts for damage and wear, and rework of parts; and electrical bonding checks of certain couplings. This AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. For certain airplanes, this AD allows a modification that would terminate the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report that a passenger entry door assist handle became detached during use. The NPRM would have required a detailed inspection of all passenger and service entry door assist handles for correct installation and applicable on-condition actions. Since issuance of the NPRM, we determined that the service information is ineffective in addressing the unsafe condition and must be revised. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-13-06, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. AD 2015-13-06 requires repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking, repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of any modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-13-06, the FAA has determined that additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2015-13-06 and include additional airplanes in the applicability. For those additional airplanes, this proposed AD would require only repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking and repair if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of passenger door girt bar fitting assembly safety hooks being stuck in the upward position. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of girt bar fitting assemblies, repetitive greasing of girt bar fitting assembly bushes, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of failure of a wing strut leak test due to a missing bolt on the firewall. This AD requires a one-time leak test of the strut upper spar areas for the left and right wing struts, and corrective action if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This proposal is one of a series of regulatory actions that NHTSA is considering to address the near- and long-term challenges of testing and verifying compliance with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that lack the traditional manual controls necessary for human drivers, but that are otherwise traditional vehicles with typical seating configurations. This document seeks to clarify the ambiguities in applying current crashworthiness standards to ADS-equipped vehicles without traditional manual controls, while maintaining the regulatory text's application to more traditional vehicles and vehicles equipped with ADS that may have alternate modes. This proposal is limited to the crashworthiness standards and provides a unified set of proposed regulatory text applicable to vehicles with and without ADS functionality. This NPRM builds on NHTSA's efforts to identify and address regulatory barriers to vehicles with unique designs that are equipped with ADS technologies, including the advance notice of proposed rulemaking on removing barriers in the crash avoidance (100 Series) FMVSS in May 2019, the request for comments on this topic in January 2018, and the research that NHTSA is currently conducting. NHTSA also intends to issue a separate notice regarding removal of barriers in the FMVSS that pertain to telltales, indicators, alerts, and warnings in ADS-equipped vehicles.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comment on a request from Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline, LLC, (KMLP) to modify a previously issued special permit. KMLP requests a modification to the pipeline gas stream quality requirements that limit the amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the gas. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit modification request.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comment on a request from Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company to renew a previously issued special permit. The special permit renewal request is seeking continued relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit renewal request.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comment on a request for special permit received from the Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGT). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on a request by the Taylor County, Florida to release federally obligated land from conditions of the Surplus Property Quitclaim Deed dated April 11, 1947 at the Perry Foley Airport, Perry, Florida. This property was transferred to Taylor County under the authority of the April 11th, 1947, the United States, War Assets Administration and Section 13 of the Surplus Property Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 765). The request includes five (5) parcels adjacent to the airport totaling approximately 17.28 acres. Fair market value of the commercial properties at time of sale was $94,470. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Perry Foley Airport and the FAA Airports District Office. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 125 of The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) requires the FAA to provide an opportunity for public notice and comment prior to the ``waiver'' or ``modification'' of a sponsor's Federal obligation to use certain airport land for non-aeronautical purposes.

The FAA has tentatively determined to extend through October 24, 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19)-related limited waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that the FAA has already made available through May 31, 2020. Similarly, the FAA has tentatively determined to extend through October 24, 2020, its coronavirus-related policy for prioritizing flights canceled at designated International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 airports in the United States, for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding season. These IATA Level 2 airports include Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). These extensions through October 24, 2020, would be on the same terms as the relief that the FAA already has announced through May 31, 2020. This notice affords interested persons an opportunity to show cause why the FAA should or should not finalize this tentative decision to extend relief through October 24, 2020, and to submit any information relevant to making this decision. The FAA anticipates subsequently providing notice of its final decision.

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.

This action proposes to establish restricted area R-5306F at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, NC. R-5306F would extend from flight level (FL) 180 to FL 290. The proposed restricted area would overlie the existing restricted area R-5306A, and the adjacent Core Military Operations Area (MOA). Due to altitude constraints, the existing restricted airspace structure around MCAS Cherry Point cannot fully support the training requirements for current legacy aircraft as well as 4th and 5th generation aircraft such as the F-35. In conjunction with R-5306A, the proposed restricted area would provide realistic training to enable pilots and aircrews to counter evolving threat nation warfare anti-aircraft capabilities.

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. The information to be collected will be used by the Maritime Administration to evaluate and review applications being submitted for project designation. The review will assess factors such as project scope, impact, public benefit, environmental effect, offsetting costs, cost to the government (if any), the likelihood of long-term self-supporting operations, and its relationship with Marine Highway Routes once designated. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 600N helicopters. This AD requires establishing a life limit for the main rotor (M/R) blade upper control collective/longitudinal link assembly (link assembly). This AD was prompted by the discovery that the life limit was omitted from the maintenance manual. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends 11 high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes) in support of the Florida Metroplex Project. The amendments provide more efficient, streamlined route options for users, and improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).