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

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

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is issuing this advisory bulletin to remind owners and operators of natural gas distribution pipelines of the possibility of failure due to an overpressurization on low-pressure distribution systems. PHMSA is also reminding such owners and operators of existing federal integrity management regulations for gas distribution systems.

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 7, 2016. The collection involves the development and approval of new and revised training curriculum for certificate holders using part 121 pilot training and qualification programs.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70C/P2, -1B70/75/P2, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76/P2, -1B76A/P2, and GEnx- 2B67/P model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by the detection of melt-related freckles in the billet, which may reduce the life limits of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 2 disks and a certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool. This AD requires the removal of certain HPT rotor stage 2 disk and the removal of a certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool before reaching their new life limits. 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This 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 AD requires 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The information collection described in this document is for NHTSA's planned Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative, which involves the collection of voluntarily-submitted information from entities involved in the testing of vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS) and from States and local authorities involved in the regulation of ADS testing. The purpose of this collection is to provide information to the public about ADS testing operations in the United States and applicable State and local laws, regulations, and guidelines. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collection was published on July 2, 2020 (85 FR 39975). NHTSA received 20 comments and a brief summary and NHTSA's response to those comments is provided in this document.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each fire extinguisher bottle for a crack. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked fire extinguisher bottle. 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 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as insufficient sealing of a steering select/bypass valve installed in the nose landing gear (NLG) manifold. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny an application from Right-A-Way, LLC (Right-A-Way) requesting an exemption from the requirement that its short-haul drivers use electronic logging devices (ELDs) when they are required to prepare records of duty status (RODS) more than eight days in a 30 consecutive day period. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption application and has determined that the applicant would not achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption. FMCSA therefore denies Right-A-Way's application for exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny Pronto.ai, Inc.'s (``Pronto'') application for an exemption from the 11-hour driving limit and the prohibition against driving after the 14th hour after coming on duty. Under the exemption, drivers of 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, would be allowed to drive up to 13 hours during a work shift within 15 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption application and the public comments and determined that the applicant has not demonstrated that the requested exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent the exemption.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. 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 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of certain cyclic and collective assembly bearings. This AD was prompted by reports that precipitation can lead to reduced effectiveness of the grease in the bearings. 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 all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the need to revise the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) to introduce new mandatory repetitive inspections for the flap pivot arm assemblies and for certain wing angle brackets, and to implement a change to the Oxygen cylinder and pressure reducer task item. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Federal airways J-502, and J-511 in Alaska. It also proposes to establish 2 Q routes, Q-902, and Q-811. The modifications are necessary due to the decommissioning of the Burwash Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) in Yukon Territory, Canada, which provided navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes. The Burwash NDB was decommissioned effective March 26, 2020 due to ongoing maintenance problems and logistic issues.

The FAA is reopening the comment period for an earlier proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for certain Pacific Scientific Aviation Services seat restraint rotary buckle assemblies (buckles). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting each buckle and buckle handle vane, and depending on the inspection results, removing the buckle from service and installing an airworthy buckle. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of the affected buckles. The NPRM was prompted by several reports of cracked buckle handles. This action reopens the comment period because a significant amount of time has elapsed since the NPRM was published. Additionally, this action clarifies the applicability and updates nomenclature, contact information, and the design approval holder's (DAH) name.

FMCSA announces that United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) seeks reconsideration of the Agency's denial of its application for exemption from provisions in the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) final rule requiring two years of experience for training instructors. UPS believes that its current process of preparing driver trainers exceeds any skill set gained merely by operating a tractor-trailer for two years. UPS also believes that a two-year experience requirement doesn't automatically equate to success as a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver trainer. UPS makes this reconsideration request to ensure that it can continue to exceed the current regulatory requirements and provide proper training of its drivers and improve highway and public safety. FMCSA requests public comment on the UPS application for reconsideration.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 11 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The Board approves the fourth quarter 2020 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The fourth quarter 2020 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.941. The fourth quarter 2020 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.394. The fourth quarter 2020 RCAF-5 is 0.372.

This action removes two Colored Federal airways, A-7 and G-11, and amends one Colored Federal airway, A-1 in Alaska. The modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Campbell Lake Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) in Anchorage, AK, which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes. The Campbell Lake NDB is to be decommissioned due to ongoing maintenance problems.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 505 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each swashplate assembly bearing (bearing), and depending on the inspection results, removing the bearing from service. This AD was prompted by a report of a bearing that migrated out of the swashplate inner ring. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Frankfort Dow Memorial Field Airport, Frankfort, MI. This action as the result of an airspace review caused by the cancellation of instrument procedures at the airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.