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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500- 1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the waste box, waste access doubler, and waste service door of the rear fuselage due to contamination from waste valve leakage. This AD requires an inspection for corrosion of the waste box, waste access doubler, and waste service door, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is 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 all Airbus Helicopters (type certificate previously held by Eurocopter France) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a quality control check that revealed some stretcher attachment holes were improperly located on the frame where there was insufficient edge distance. This AD requires 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, and installation of a reinforcement plate (reinforcing angle), as specified in two Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) 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 all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the identification of misleading information in the emergency procedure for the ``1(2) FUEL LOW'' caution message. This AD requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Monhegan Island Heliport, Monhegan Island, ME, to accommodate area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from eight individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

This action proposes to establish Class E surface airspace for East Hampton Airport, East Hampton, NY, to assist aircraft landing and departing the airport when the air traffic control tower is closed. In addition, this action would amend Class D airspace by replacing the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the airport description and amend the radius and ceiling as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) deemed the airspace adjustments were necessary. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 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.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) closed the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge (I-40 Bridge) over the Mississippi River between Arkansas and Tennessee on May 11, 2021, for safety considerations when a mechanical fracture was discovered within the elements of a steel box beam. FHWA is providing notice that ARDOT and TDOT are continuing the temporary closure of the I-40 Bridge for an indefinite period of time. FHWA has approved a request by the Arkansas and the Tennessee Divisions of the FHWA for an emergency deletion of a segment of I-40 between the I-55 Split (Exit 279B) in West Memphis, Arkansas, and the I-240 Interchange (Exit 1E) in Memphis, Tennessee, from the National Network in accordance with applicable regulations due to the safety considerations discussed in this notice. FHWA is requesting comments from the public on the alternate routes selected by TDOT and ARDOT due to the closure.

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 SAS external portal is a web-based tool developed for 14 CFR part 121, 135, 141, 142, 145 and 147 applicants and certificate holders (also referred to as external users) to exchange information with Flight Standards (FS) employees, primarily to collaborate and communicate with their FS counterparts regarding initial certification applications, and requesting new programs for acceptance and approval.

The Federal Transit Administration is seeking suggestions from all transit stakeholders (transit authorities, planning officials, States, cities, the private sector, and the public) on improvements that could be made to the evaluation process for projects seeking funding from the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. Specifically, FTA seeks input on evaluation measures and data sources that can better capture the benefits and costs of transit and how the CIG program can facilitate outcomes that maximize those benefits.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew a previously approved information collection. The information to be collected is necessary for MARAD to identify the effect of potential foreign-built small passenger vessel coastwise operations on U.S. vessel builders and coastwise trade businesses. 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 certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) BR700-715A1-30, BR700-715B1-30, and BR700-715C1-30 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of HPT stage 1 blades failing in service due to sulphidation and subsequent crack initiation. This AD requires removal and replacement of the HPT stage 1 blade and HPT stage 1 blade damper. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt three 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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that during investigation of a fuel leak, fatigue cracking was found on the forward inboard side of the fuel tank access door cutouts on the left and right lower wing skin. The cause of the cracking is attributed to corrosion damage. This AD requires repetitive inspections for any existing repair of the wing lower skin fuel tank and dry bay access door cutouts on the left and right lower wing skin, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 reports of burned Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam found in certain locations on the airplane; investigation revealed that the fire-retardant properties degrade with age. This AD requires inspecting the insulation blankets in certain areas of the forward cargo compartment for exposed BMS 8-39 urethane foam, not encapsulated by a protective fire resistant barrier, and for seal integrity, and replacing the BMS 8-39 urethane foam and seal if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-25-01 which applied to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Models AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. AD 2003-25-01 required modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator control unit and replacing certain fuses. This AD was prompted by the identification of multiple errors in the applicable service information for the AS350-series and AS355-series helicopters and of other needed changes. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2003-25-01, revises the applicability, and requires using corrected service information. This AD also requires reporting certain information and prohibits the installation of an affected hoist until the required actions are accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on June 4, 2021 that amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-25, V-27, V-494, V-108, V-301, and United States Area Navigation route (RNAV) T-257 in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, CA. This action makes an editorial correction to include the Mendocino VOR, which was inadvertently deleted from the legal description for V-494. Amendments are due to the planned decommissioning of the Santa Rosa, CA VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected airways. The Santa Rosa VOR/DME is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing issue involving misalignment of a cabin seat pin and plate that can prevent the recline locking mechanism from properly engaging when the seat is in taxi, take-off, or landing position. This proposed AD would require an inspection of certain cabin seats for discrepancies and corrective action, 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.

FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption from EROAD Inc. (EROAD) to allow its Dashcam system, which is equipped with cameras, to be mounted lower in the windshield on commercial motor vehicles than is currently permitted.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from a group of affiliated driveaway motor carriers for an exemption from the requirement that drivers transporting certain empty passenger vehicles hold a commercial driver's license (CDL). The exemption would cover drivers delivering commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with seating capacities of 16 or more, including the driver, but with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds. The application was submitted by Dealers' Choice Truckaway System, Inc. dba Truckmovers; Irontiger Logistics, Inc.; TM Canada, Inc.; and Victory Driveaway, Inc. (the applicants). The applicants transport minibuses from points of manufacture or distribution to school districts around the country. They argue that the current shortage of CDL drivers threatens to leave bus manufacturers without sufficient means to move their minibuses to customers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that would allow an individual who completes a training program consistent with a set of Recommended Practices (RPs) developed by ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) to be considered a qualified inspector for purposes of the periodic inspection rule, or a qualified brake inspector, for purposes of the brake system inspection, repair and maintenance requirements.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777- 200/-200LR/-300/-300ER Series Airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Archeion Holdings, LLC (Archeion), 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 a digital systems architecture for the installation of a system with wireless network and hosted application functionality that allows access from external sources to the airplane's internal electronic components. 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.