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

This action changes the effective date of a final rule published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2020, removing VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-61 and extending area navigation (RNAV) route T-286 in its place due to the planned decommissioning of the Robinson, KS, VOR navigation aid (NAVAID). The FAA is delaying the effective date to coincide with the slipped decommissioning date of the Robinson VOR to September 10, 2020, and the anticipated completion of pre-requisite air traffic control (ATC) training necessary to safely implement new air traffic procedures necessary to adopt the rule amendments.

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, the State Route 241 and State Route 91 Tolled Express Lanes Connector Project from the County of Orange (12- ORA-241 p.m. 36.1/39.1 and 12-ORA 91 p.m. 14.7/18.9) to the County of Riverside (08-RIV-91 p.m. 0.0/1.5), in the State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below. Before submitting these ICRs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection.

This action proposes to modify low altitude RNAV routes T-325 and T-354 in the northcentral United States. The proposal would expand the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based navigation.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Pronto.ai, Inc. (``Pronto'') on behalf of its interstate motor carrier customers, for a renewable five-year exemption from the 11-hour driving limit and the 14-hour driving window in the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) requirements. Pronto is requesting that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) equipped with the Copilot by Pronto advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the SmartDrive[supreg] Video Safety Program, and operating under certain other safeguards, be allowed to drive up to 13 hours during a period of 15 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. FMCSA requests public comment on Pronto's application for exemption.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the I-84 Hartford Project in Hartford County, Connecticut.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-06- 01, which applied to certain Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes; and AD 2009-06-09, which applied to all Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes. AD 2004-06-01 required replacement of the existing main landing gear (MLG) leg assembly with a modified assembly. AD 2009-06-09 required modifying the MLG main body and trailing arm bushings, and revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD continues to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. 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 ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by occurrences of smoke in the flight deck and flap extension difficulties due to wire chafing on the electrical harness under a certain panel. This AD requires modifying the clamp installation of the electrical routing on a certain rib of the left- and right-hand side of the wing rear spars, 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew McKee Foods Transportation, LLC's (MFT) exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulation pertaining to the use of a sleeper berth. Current HOS rules require that all sleeper-berth rest regimens include, in part, the regular use of a sleeper-berth period for at least 8 hourscombined with a separate period of at least 2 hours, either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or some combination of bothto gain the equivalent of at least 10 consecutive hours off duty. The exemption enables MFT team drivers to take the equivalent of 10 consecutive hours off duty by splitting sleeper-berth time into two periods totaling 10 hours, provided neither of the two periods is less than 3 hours. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption application and the public comments and has determined that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions imposed, will achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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.

This action proposes to amend Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, (previously Warren County Airport), Glens Falls, NY due to the decommissioning of the Glens Falls VORTAC, and cancellation of associated approaches. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area. This action also would update the airport's name.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invites public comments about its intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary for the purpose of selecting, evaluating, and determining eligibility of applicants for potential grant award under the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program. Grants awarded under this program are for the potential benefit of the long- term growth of civil aviation and Commercial Space Transportation.

The FAA has 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 determined to extend through October 24, 2020, its coronavirus-related policy for prioritizing flights canceled or otherwise not operated as originally intended 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, are available on the same terms as the relief that the FAA already has announced through May 31, 2020.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the collection of the Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue, as described below.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, transit agencies across the country are continuing to provide millions of trips a day to lifeline services and to carry healthcare and other essential workers to critical jobs. FTA has published Safety Advisory 20-1 recommending that transit agencies develop and implement procedures and practices consistent with all applicable guidance and information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure the continued safety of transit passengers and employees. A copy of Safety Advisory 20-1 can be found on the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/coronavirus.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. model GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520-D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO- 520-N, IO-550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550-G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF- 550-K, and TSIOF-550-P reciprocating aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines with a certain cross-flow cylinder assembly installed. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies. This proposed AD would require visual inspection and, depending on the results of the inspection, modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. 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 Airbus SAS Model A318 series 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 a report that cracks were detected on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the first rivet hole of the frame (FR) 43 foot coupling during scheduled maintenance. This proposed AD would require a rotating probe test of the fastener holes at FR43 on the LH and RH sides for any cracking, and on-condition actions if necessary, 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.

On March 10, 2020, FRA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would establish safety standards for the Texas Central Railroad (TCRR) high speed rail system. On March 12, 2020, FRA announced three public hearings to provide members of the public an opportunity to provide oral comments on the proposed safety requirements, which were subsequently postponed on March 30, 2020. FRA is now announcing the rescheduling of the public hearings. Additionally, FRA is extending the comment period to May 26, 2020, to afford members of the public time to comment on opinions and views expressed during these hearings, that will be captured in a transcript of the proceedings and placed in the rulemaking docket.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that when the number 2 engine thrust reverser (T/R) was opened, the right-hand T/R hinge nut located at position 4 was found detached; investigation revealed that certain nuts could have been installed with noncompliant locking features, or with locking features that could degrade quicker than anticipated. This proposed AD would require inspecting each T/R hinge for the presence of a nut and washer, installing a new nut and washer if necessary, and applying a torque stripe at each T/R hinge location, 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.

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 is used to identify foreign airmen in order to allow the agency to verify their foreign license when used to qualify for a US certificate. Respondents are holders of foreign licenses wishing to obtain US Certificates.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below. Before submitting these ICRs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt six 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 operate CMVs in interstate commerce.