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

This action proposes to amend one jet route, J-6; three VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways, V-5, V-49, and V-243; and two area navigation (RNAV) routes, Q-68 and T-325. The FAA is proposing this action 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 (MON) program.

This action changes the effective date of a final rule published in the Federal Register on February 21, 2020, amending VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-82 and V-217, and area navigation (RNAV) route T-383 in the vicinity of Baudette, MN. The ATS route amendments were due to the planned decommissioning of the Baudette VOR. The FAA is delaying the effective date to coincide with the expected completion of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT) purchase and flight check of a new Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) facility to support the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Localizer (LOC) Approach to Runway (RWY) 31 instrument approach procedure, which is affected by the loss of the Baudette VOR, at Warroad International Memorial Airport, MN.

The Board has approved the second quarter 2020 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The second quarter 2020 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.051. The second quarter 2020 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.442. The second quarter 2020 RCAF-5 is 0.417.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 15, 2020. The FAA uses the information collected to register aircraft or hold an aircraft in trust. The information to register and prove ownership of an aircraft is required from any person wishing to register an aircraft.

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.

This action proposes to amend two VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways, V-55 and V-271; amend two low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, T-215 and T-265; and remove two VOR Federal airways, V-215 and V-450, in the vicinity of Muskegon, MI. The air traffic service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Muskegon, MI, VOR/ Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID). The NAVAID provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. This VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-07-08, which applies to certain Leonardo S.p.A (type certificate previously held by Agusta S.p.A) Model A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. AD 2018-07-08 requires reducing the life limit of the tail rotor blade retention bolt and an inspection of that bolt for cracking, and replacement of any cracked bolt. Since issuing AD 2018-07-08, the FAA has determined that repetitive inspections of the tail rotor blade retention bolt are needed to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require reducing the life limit of the tail rotor blade retention bolt, inspecting that bolt for cracking, and replacing any cracked bolt. In addition, this proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the tail rotor blade retention bolt for cracking. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that fast and easy access to the portable oxygen bottle may be prevented by the portable oxygen bottle installation's upper bracket latch assembly catching on the pressure gauge tube or on the pressure gauge bezel of the portable oxygen bottle. This proposed AD would require a check to identify the manufacturer and part number of the portable oxygen bottle installation, and, if necessary, modification of the portable oxygen bottle installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On December 20, 2019, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

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. The information collection is required to receive the benefit of obtaining an FAA Air Agency Certificate, known as a certificated repair station. The collection involves the applicant entering information onto and submitting the FAA Form 8310-3. Application for Repair Station Certificate/and or Rating to the appropriate FAA field office. Persons requesting to obtain an initial Air Agency Certificate to operate as an FAA certificated repair station or request changes to an existing repair station (air agency) certificate do so by submitting the request through the submission of the FAA Form 8310-3. This form is available to the applicant/respondent via www.faa.gov, email, in person, or by mail. The FAA Form 8310-3, Application for Repair Station Certificate and/or Ratings captures information such as, but not limited to; official name of repair station, location where business is conducted, official mailing address, any doing business as name, changes in ratings, or if initial certification, ratings sought, changes in location or housing and facilities, change in name or ownership, or any other purpose for which the applicant requests, including a request for approval to contract maintenance functions to outside entities. The FAA has identified an inaccuracy in how burden calculations are determined associated with initial repair station certifications and subsequent changes to an existing repair station certificate. The FAA has identified that the information collected through the FAA Form 8310-3 does not capture the entire repair station certification activities or changes to an existing certificate. OMB Control Number 2120-0682 is not only authorizing the Agency to receive information collected on the FAA Form 8310-3, but should also encapsulate the entire calculation burden associated with repair station certification and subsequent changes to an existing certificate. Once burden calculations associated with repair station certification activities are properly assessed, the FAA will publish a new notice to the Federal Register capturing the entire burden calculation for repair station certification and subsequent changes to an existing certificate.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the attachment screws of each main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar rear attachment fitting, and depending on the outcome, applying a sealing compound, performing further inspections, and replacing affected parts. This AD was prompted by reports of an elongated attachment screw and loss of tightening torque of the nut. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A319-131, -132, and -133 airplanes, Model A320-231, - 232, and -233 airplanes, and Model A321-131, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of rupture of a hydraulic reservoir air pressurization hose on an in-service airplane, leading to air leakage that was undetectable during normal operation, and found during subsequent zonal inspection. This AD requires modifying the airplane by replacing the affected bleed air hoses with a modification of hydraulic pressurization lines, 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 Airbus SAS Model A319-112, -115, and -132 airplanes; and Model A320-214, -216, -232, and -233 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a possible interference was identified between 1M and 2M wiring harnesses and the tapping units, and that the interference could adversely affect the lavatory smoke detection system and/or the passenger oxygen system. This AD requires modifying the 1M and 2M harness routing, 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 all International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G- JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, and PW1129G-JM model turbofan engines with a certain low- pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage blade installed. This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the turbine stator intermediate outer rear air seal (turbine piston seal) and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of turbine piston seals leading to fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage blades. 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 Yabor[atilde] Ind[uacute]stria Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Embraer S.A.) Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of erroneous indications of certain engine parameters and reports of ``pitch up'' and ``pitch down'' uncommanded attitudes with autopilot engaged in cruise flight. This AD requires installing updated PRIMUS EPIC LOAD software, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) Brazilian 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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters. This AD requires removing the drain plugs from the fuel tank compartments located under the bottom structure. This AD was 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 AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks on continuity fittings at the lower framing of the front windshield on airplanes on which a certain production modification has been embodied. Additional analysis showed that certain certification requirements for damage tolerance and fatigue are not met on airplanes in a certain post-production modification configuration. This proposed AD would require repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the central node windshield area for cracking, and applicable corrective actions if cracking is found, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls in their respective jurisdictions. The Tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and vessels transiting the facilities operated by the SLSDC and the SLSMC. The SLSDC is revising its regulations to reflect the fees and charges levied by the SLSMC in Canada starting in the 2020 navigation season, which are effective only in Canada. An amendment to increase the minimum charge per lock for those vessels that are not pleasure craft or subject in Canada to tolls under items 1 and 2 of the Tariff for full or partial transit of the Seaway will apply in the U.S. The Tariff of Tolls are in effect in Canada.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and failure of fuel injectors on these engines. This proposed AD would require replacement of the timing chain and fuel injectors on the affected Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $11 million in fiscal year (FY) 2019 research funds for Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) Challenge Grants in the form of cooperative agreements for eligible projects. AIM Challenge Grants are part of FTA's new AIM Initiative to foster innovative transit technologies, practices and solutions that incentivize travelers to choose public transportation, promote economic development in communities, and enhance public/private partnerships to improve personal mobility. FTA will competitively award AIM Challenge Grants for projects that can accelerate the development, implementation and adoption of innovative technologies, practices, and service models to improve mobility and enhance the rider experience, with a focus on innovative service delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated payment solutions. The AIM Initiative also includes the launch of a national network of innovative transit agencies, or AIM Incubators, to test new mobility solutions and broadly share the results with the public transit industry. AIM Challenge Grant recipients selected through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be designated as the inaugural class of AIM Incubators. The FTA may award additional funds, if they are made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

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 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.

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 comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on December 26, 2019.

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.