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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that shimming requirements were not met during the assembly of certain structural joints, which can result in reduced fatigue thresholds and cracking of the affected structural joints. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of certain areas of the aft wheel well bulkhead (AWWB) body chord and AWWB side fitting and failsafe straps, and repair of any cracking found. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend three jet routes, and remove four jet routes, in the eastern United States. This action is in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency on ground-based navigational systems.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an in-service occurrence of loss of engine thrust control resulting in uncommanded high thrust. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive replacement of the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) integrated circuit (MN4) microprocessor. 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 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVII- G500 airplanes. This proposed AD results from flap yoke fittings with design features that cause decreased fatigue life. This proposed AD would require replacing the flap inboard and outboard yoke fitting assemblies and establishing a 20,000 flight cycle life limit for the fittings. 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 all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during an inspection of the flight deck escape hatches it was found that they were difficult to open from the inside, and several hatches were found impossible to open from the outside. Subsequent investigation revealed corrosion on the flight deck escape hatch mechanism due to condensation penetrating inside the mechanism. This proposed AD would require replacing all affected flight deck escape hatches with serviceable hatches, 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 revising a SNPRM for all Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters. The SNPRM retained the proposed requirements in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and added recurring inspections and references to an engineering report that lists approved U.S. alternative fasteners and materials that may be used in any required repairs. The FAA is reopening the comment period because a significant amount of time has elapsed since the SNPRM was published. This proposed AD would require measuring the 9-degree frame flange (frame) for the correct edge distance of the four attachment holes for the stretcher support and inspecting for cracks, and repairing the frame, if necessary, as specified in two Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) ADs, which are proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This action also revises the SNPRM by updating the type certificate holder's name and estimated cost information. 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 SNPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

The FHWA, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), is issuing this Notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the 1999 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a previous proposal to rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace the Shore Road Bridge (a.k.a. Pelham Park bridge) over the Hutchinson River Project (the Project), in Bronx County, New York [New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Project Identification Number (PIN) X760.75]. We are rescinding the NOI because a substantial amount of time has passed since its publication and previously identified funding had been realocated to more urgent projects after September 11, 2001.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The Executive Order, ``Setting Customer Service Standards,'' directs Federal agencies to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector. These principles were reaffirmed in the Executive Order, ``Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service.'' In order to work continuously to ensure that our programs are effective and meet our customers' needs, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seeks to obtain OMB approval of a currently approved generic clearance to continue collecting feedback on our service delivery. By feedback we mean information that provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions but are not statistical surveys that yield quantitative results that can be generalized to the population of study.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) invite interested persons to apply to fill one current and one upcoming vacancy on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notice invites interested persons to apply for the openings. The current opening is for a representative of Native American tribes. The upcoming opening is for a representative of air tour operator concerns.

As directed by Executive Order 13990, ``Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,'' and Executive Order 13992, ``Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal Regulation,'' the U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is currently reviewing its existing regulations and other agency actions to determine whether they are consistent with the policies and National objectives set forth in these executive orders. As part of this review, the Department invites the public to provide input on existing rules and other agency actions for the Department's consideration regarding consistency with the policies and objectives of these executive orders.

PHMSA is issuing this notice to serve process in accordance with 49 CFR 105.35(a)(3) and inform all persons who currently hold Explosive (EX) approvals for four specific Division 1.4S explosives of the process necessary for maintaining or upgrading these approvals.

FMCSA announces that it has received applications from the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) requesting renewal of exemptions from certain hours of service (HOS) regulations that expired on July 8, 2020. The requests are being made on behalf of 60 APA member companies. The exemption requests would allow drivers for its members to exclude off-duty and sleeper berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour limit and to use paper records of duty status (RODS) in lieu of electronic logging devices (ELD) during the designated Independence Day periods. The requests are for the transportation of pyrotechnics from June 28 through July 8 of every year from 2021 through 2025.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-07- 16, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2020-07-16 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 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. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing 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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 16, 2020. The Advanced Qualification Program uses data driven quality control processes for validating and maintaining the effectiveness of air carrier training program curriculum content.

This notice announces a meeting of the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (the Board).

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department) is issuing a final rule to modify U.S. and foreign air carrier obligations with respect to tarmac delays and to conform carrier obligations with respect to departure delays with the changes made to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. The final rule also makes changes to passenger notification requirements during tarmac delays, as well as carrier tarmac delay reporting and record retention requirements.

In accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, this final rule provides the 2021 inflation adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations. In addition, this rule amends the Federal Aviation Administration regulations to set forth the new civil penalties established in Division V, Title I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The rule also corrects a rounding error in an FAA penalty.