Department of Transportation October 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. The collection involves survey responses from U.S. operator (Part 121 and Part 135) employees who lead departments responsible for Operations and Standards, Training, and Safety to understand how industry has addressed recommendations from SAFO 17007 and to inform future guidance on manual flight skill proficiency in future en-route and terminal environments. This information collection is necessary, as no other information sources have been identified that would provide the required information. Operator policies and procedures are not publicly shared; therefore, this is the only reliable method to gather anonymous information from a representative industry sample.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency has had a significant impact on transit operations. During a series of FTA listening sessions held over the last three months, transit agencies asked FTA to support research to identify solutions to address the operational challenges that they are facing as a result of COVID- 19. In response, FTA makes available through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) funding to support research demonstration grants to public transit agencies to develop, deploy, and demonstrate innovative solutions that improve the operational efficiency of transit agencies, as well as enhance the mobility of transit users affected by the COVID- 19 public health emergency. Demonstration grants under this NOFO are authorized under FTA's Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312). Eligible projects will demonstrate innovative solutions to improve the operational efficiencies of transit systems and enhance mobility for their communities in four major areas: (1) Vehicle, facility, equipment and infrastructure cleaning and disinfection; (2) exposure mitigation measures; (3) innovative mobility such as contactless payments; and (4) measures that strengthen public confidence in transit services. The total funding available for awards under this NOFO is $10,000,000. FTA may supplement this amount if additional funding becomes available.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 44 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirements in one eye.

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 a 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 22, 2019. The information collected is necessary to ensure compliance and proper registration of an individual for the necessary knowledge test for the certification or rating pursued by the individual.

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 all General Electric Company GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an in-service occurrence of loss of engine thrust control resulting in uncommanded high thrust. This AD prohibits dispatch of an airplane if certain status messages are displayed on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) and if certain conditions are present per the manufacturer's service information. As a terminating action, this AD requires revision of the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating into the MEL the dispatch restrictions listed in this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-17- 05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2018-17-05 required a check of the insulation resistance of the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV) of each affected electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA) and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-17-05, it was determined that certain EHA part numbers can be modified and re- identified as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which could inadvertently remove certain part numbers from the applicability in other EHA-related ADs including AD 2018-17-05. This AD was prompted by reports of EHA units that were returned to the manufacturer with degraded insulation resistance in the DDSOV; investigation results revealed that moisture ingress, due to incorrect sealing application, had caused this degradation. This AD was also prompted by a report of a technical issue detected on EHAs installed on inboard ailerons and elevators, causing potential erroneous monitoring of those actuators. This AD requires a check of the insulation resistance of the DDSOV of each affected EHA and applicable corrective actions, and modification or replacement of certain EHAs; as specified in two EASA ADs, which are 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 A330-202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, - 302, -303, -323, -343, and -941 airplanes; and Model A340-313, -541, and -642 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the results of laboratory tests on non-rechargeable lithium batteries installed in emergency locator transmitters (ELTs), which highlighted a lack of protection against currents of 28 volts DC or 115 volts AC that could lead to thermal runaway and a battery fire. This AD requires modifying a certain ELT by installing a diode between the ELT and the terminal block, 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 has determined to extend through March 27, 2021, the coronavirus disease 2019 (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 already has made available through October 24, 2020, with additional conditions as described herein. In addition, the FAA also has determined to extend, through March 27, 2021, its COVID-19-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, also with additional conditions as described in this notice. 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 remain subject to the stated policy on reciprocity that applied to the COVID-19-related relief that the FAA earlier granted through October 24, 2020.

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.

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 FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the cabin lateral sliding plug door failed its emergency jettisoning test; subsequent investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered with the cable clamps. This proposed AD would require modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, 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 FAA is requesting public comment on the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority proposed land release and sale of 32.566 acres of on airport property at the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. The subject property was purchased with federal financial assistance under the Airport Improvement Program. FAA grants affecting the parcels to be released are identified below.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 172N, 172P, 172Q, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172K, R172K, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, T182, F182P, F182Q, FR182, R182, TR182, 206, P206, P206A, P206B, P206C, P206D, P206E, TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E, U206, U206A, U206B, U206C, U206D, U206E, U206F, U206G, TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E, TU206F, TU206G, 207, 207A, T207, T207A, 210-5 (205), 210-5A (205A), 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, and T210F airplanes. This AD was prompted by cracks found in the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the lower area of the forward cabin doorposts at the strut attach fitting for cracks and repairing any cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FRA is revising its regulations governing the minimum safety requirements for railroad track. The changes include allowing inspection of rail using continuous rail testing; allowing the use of flange-bearing frogs in crossing diamonds; relaxing the guard check gage limits on heavy-point frogs used in Class 5 track; removing an inspection-method exception for high-density commuter lines; and other miscellaneous revisions. Overall, the revisions will benefit track owners, railroads, and the public by reducing unnecessary costs and incentivizing innovation, while improving rail safety.

Specialty Tires of America, Inc. (STA) has determined that certain STA light truck tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles, or FMVSS No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. STA filed noncompliance reports dated August 27, 2019, November 15, 2019, and November 18, 2019. STA also petitioned NHTSA on September 16, 2019, and December 13, 2019, and later amended the former on March 3, 2020, for a decision that the subject noncompliances are inconsequential as they relate to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of STA's petitions.

This final rule further amends the regulatory relief originally provided in the Relief for Certain Persons and Operations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) final rule and the Limited Extension of Relief for Certain Persons and Operations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency final rule. The relief in this final rule applies to a new population of airmen and does not extend the relief provided in the amended Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). The amended relief applies to new persons who may have challenges complying with certain training, recent experience, testing, and checking requirements. This relief allows operators to continue to use pilots and other crewmembers in support of essential operations during this extended period. This SFAR also provides regulatory relief to additional persons unable to meet duration and renewal requirements due to the public health emergency. Finally, this rule allows certain air carriers and operators to fly temporary overflow aircraft to a point of storage pursuant to a special flight permit with a continuing authorization.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that the adhesive seal prevented the doors from jettisoning properly. This AD requires removing certain seals, replacing certain seals with newly certified seals and revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. 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 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the FAA's analysis of the Model 747 fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This AD requires modifying the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) to prevent development of an ignition source inside the center fuel tank due to electrical fault conditions. This AD also provides alternative actions for cargo airplanes. 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 Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of primary display unit (PDU) data flickering on airplanes equipped with EASy software. This AD requires amending the applicable Dassault airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate the applicable AFM change project (CP), 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 FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of a new (periodic) information collection. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on February 4, 2020. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.