Department of Transportation March 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A321neo Cabin Flex (ACF) airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is single-occupant oblique seats with 3- point restraints. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Model BD-100-1A10 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Rockwell Collins, will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport- category airplanes. This design feature is the installation of a system that allows connection to airplane electronic systems and networks, and access from sources internal to the airplane to the previously isolated internal airplane electronic assets. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks and geometrical non- conformities of the tail rotor blades (TRBs); all cracks initiated in the drain hole area at the blade root section. This proposed AD would require cleaning affected parts, visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks of affected parts, a dimensional inspection to verify conformity of affected parts, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (now Erickson Incorporated) (Erickson) Model S-64E and S-64F helicopters. The NPRM was prompted by several reports of cracking in the strap and pocket areas of the tail rotor blade. The NPRM would have required inspecting certain tail rotor blade assemblies (blade assembly) for a crack and replacing any cracked blade assembly. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the unsafe condition no longer exists. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of an oil leak from the main gearbox (MGB) during engine start up. This proposed AD would require modification and subsequent repetitive functional testing of the MGB emergency lubrication (EMLUB) system as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to revoke the Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-271 and amend the VOR Federal airway V-285 in the vicinity of Manistee, MI. The airway amendments are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Manistee, MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) that these airways utilize for navigation guidance. The Manistee VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC 155B, EC155B1, EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the snap fasteners on the windows. This AD was prompted by incidents of difficulty unbuttoning the extraction tape on the windows. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is reopening the comment period for an earlier proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 206L series helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require replacing certain low fuel level detector switch units (switch units) and testing certain other switch units to determine if replacement is required. The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturing flaw that could cause the switch units to hang in the high position and fail to indicate a low fuel condition. This action reopens the comment period because a significant amount of time has elapsed since the NPRM was published. This action also revises the NPRM by updating the type certificate holder's name, updating the estimated cost information, clarifying and expanding the applicability, clarifying the requirements, adding a compliance time, and adding parts installation prohibitions. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial-numbered Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard in the baggage compartment, revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, and inspecting the installation of the terminal lugs. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, this AD requires restoring the installation of the terminal lugs. This AD would also require modifying the helicopter to shim the baggage fairing assy (fwd up) away from the circuit breaker panel and incorporating protective coverings. This AD was prompted by reports of several occurrences of fire ignition and smoke in the baggage compartment. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-15- 02, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2018-15-02 required repetitively inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch rod for a damaged elastomeric ball joint, and corrective action if necessary. This AD continues to require the repetitive inspections and allows the repetitive inspection interval to be extended under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a report of several cases of damaged TR pitch rod ball joints. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-23- 05, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N1, AS- 365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. AD 2016- 23-05 required repetitive checks of the oil level of the tail rotor gearbox and, if necessary, filling the oil to the maximum level; and replacement of a certain control rod double bearing (bearing) with a new bearing. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-23-05 and also requires modifying the helicopter by replacing the tail gearbox (TGB) control shaft guide bushes; repetitive inspections of the TGB magnetic plug and corrective actions if necessary; repetitive replacements of the bearing; and modifying the helicopter by replacing the TGB; as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also adds helicopters to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of occurrences of loss of yaw control due to failure of the TGB bearing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-04-06, which applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran Helicopter Engines) Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, 2B2, and 2K1 model turboshaft engines. AD 2014-04-06 requires initial and repetitive inspections of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) high pressure pump drive gear shaft splines, cleaning and inspections of the sleeve assembly splines, and replacement of the sleeve assembly on the affected high pressure pump drive gear shaft or replacement of the HMU if the HMU fails inspection. Since the FAA issued AD 2014-04-06, the manufacturer has published new service information that revises the inspections for certain HMUs and reduces compliance times for initial inspections. This proposed AD would require revised inspections and continue to require cleaning of the sleeve assembly splines, and replacement of the sleeve assembly on the affected high pressure pump drive gear shaft or replacement of the HMU if the HMU fails an inspection. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires removing certain forward facing center seats (seats). This AD was prompted by a design deficiency that affects seats on certain main cabin floor installations. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-19- 01, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters. AD 2018-19-01 required repetitive inspections of the aft fuselage outer skin. This AD continues to require repetitive inspections and adds Model SA-365N helicopters, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by aft fuselage (baggage compartment area) outer skin disbonding and a determination that Model SA-365N helicopters are also affected by the unsafe condition identified in AD 2018-19-01. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that non-destructive tests of the main gearbox (MGB) housing may have been evaluated incorrectly during production. This AD requires replacing affected MGBs with serviceable MGBs, 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 notice announces a meeting of the SOCAC.

This notice announces a meeting of the Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force (YIATF).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C- 212-CD, C-212-CE, C-212-CF, C-212-DE, and C-212-DF airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) side fuselage skin and on frame (FR) 5 underneath the skin, near the leading edge of the wing. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the LH and RH side center wing fairings at FR 5, around the wing leading edge for discrepancies (cracks) and repair, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need and usefulness of BTS collecting reports from air carriers on the aggregated indebtedness balance of a political candidate or party for Federal office. The reports are required when the aggregated indebtedness is over $5,000 on the last day of a month.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of BTS requiring certificated air carriers to preserve accounting records, consumer complaint letters, reservation reports and records, system reports of aircraft movements, etc. Also, public charter operators and overseas military personnel charter operators are required to retain certain contracts, invoices, receipts, bank records and reservation records.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that, for certain lower deck mobile crew rest (LDMCR) units, the connection of a certain halon outlet tube to the outlet of a certain fire extinguisher bottle may be incorrect. This proposed AD would require replacing each affected halon outlet tube with a flexible hose, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.