Department of Transportation May 12, 2020 – 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 for a new information collection. This survey is necessary to prepare and plan for the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system (NAS), as required by Section 376 under the FAA Reauthorizations Act of 2018.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B model turbofan engines with a certain interstage high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seal installed. This AD requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (USIs) of the interstage HPT rotor seal and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the interstage HPT rotor seal with a part eligible for installation. This AD also requires the removal of the interstage HPT rotor seal at the next engine shop visit. This AD was prompted by investigative findings from an event involving an uncontained interstage HPT rotor seal failure that resulted in debris penetrating the fuselage and the other engine. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Tahlequah Municipal Airport in Tahlequah, OK. This action is the result of airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Tahlequah non-directional radio beacon (NDB). The geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Pratt Regional Airport, Pratt, KS. This action is the result of airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Pratt non-directional beacon (NDB), which provided navigation information for the instrument procedures at this airport. This amendment also updates the airport name and the geographic coordinates to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.