Department of Transportation 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed bridge retrofit or replacement project in Multnomah County, Oregon.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) discussed below will be forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal and extension. These ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on these ICRs was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2020 under Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0221 (Notice No. 2019-12).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Thales AVS France SAS (Thales) Global Positioning System/ Satellite Based Augmentation System (GPS/SBAS) receivers installed on airplanes and helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that Thales GPS/SBAS receivers provided, under certain conditions, erroneous outputs on aircraft positions. This AD requires the installation of a software update to the aircraft navigation database and insertion of a change to the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, at Bryce Canyon Airport, Bryce Canyon, UT, by adding an extension to the northeast of the airport. Also, this action amends Class E airspace by establishing an area, designated as an extension to a surface area, to the southwest of the airport. Additionally, this action amends Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, by reducing the area to the east and southeast of the airport. Further, this action removes Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This airspace is wholly contained within Denver en route airspace and duplication is not necessary. Lastly, this action makes an administrative update to the Class E surface airspace's legal descriptions.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the Small Business in Transportation Coalition's (SBTC) request for reconsideration of its application for exemption from the electronic logging device (ELD) rule that was denied by the Agency on July 17, 2019. SBTC has resubmitted its application for exemption from the ELD requirements for all motor carriers with fewer than 50 employees, including, but not limited to, one-person private and for-hire owner-operators of commercial motor vehicles used in interstate commerce. SBTC believes that the exemption would not have any adverse impacts on operational safety as motor carriers and drivers would remain subject to the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, as well as the requirements to maintain paper records of duty status (RODs). FMCSA has analyzed SBTC's petition for reconsideration and the public comments received and has determined that neither the applicant nor the commenters provided information that would change the Agency's previous decision to deny the exemption.

This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace at the Mountain Home Air Force Base Airport by removing the extensions to the northwest and southeast of the airport. This action also proposes to amend the Class E surface area to match the new dimensions of the Class D. Additionally, this action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface by properly sizing the area to contain arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface. This action also proposes to properly size the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface to contain IFR aircraft transitioning to/ from the en route environment. Further, this action proposes to remove Mountain Home Municipal Airport from the Class E airspace legal description for the area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface. A notice of proposed rulemaking and Final Rule, FAA-2019- 0972, have been published to establish Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface, for Mountain Home Municipal Airport. Lastly, this action proposes two administrative corrections to the airspace legal descriptions.

This action establishes Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface, at Owyhee Airport, Owyhee, NV. Class E airspace facilitates the airport's transition from visual flight rules to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. The airspace, to the extent possible, contains IFR arrival and departure procedures at the airport. The first area extends upward from 700 feet above the surface. The second area extends upward from 1,200 feet above the surface.

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 February 7, 2020.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-22-24 for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 model turbofan engines. AD 2008- 22-24 required initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (USIs), both on-wing and during overhaul, to detect cracks on the installed low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade roots. AD 2008-22-24 also required re-lubrication of the fan blade roots according to accumulated life cycles. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-22-24 and extends these requirements to engines operating under additional flight profiles and adds the RB211-535E4-C-37 model turbofan engines to the applicability of this AD. This AD requires initial and repetitive USIs to detect cracks on the installed LPC fan blade roots, both on-wing and at engine overhaul, and replacement of certain blades that exceed the criteria established by the manufacturer. This AD was prompted by small cracks found in the LPC fan blade roots on the concave root flank during an engine overhaul. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.