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

This action modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area at Gulkana Airport, Gulkana, AK. This action also modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. The NPRM for this action proposed a modification to the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface, however, the proposed change has been removed from the Final Rule. Additionally, this action removes the Gulkana VORTAC and the Glenallen NDB from the Class E2 text header and airspace description. Further, this action removes the Gulkana VOR/DME from the Class E5 text header and airspace description. Lastly, this action implements administrative updates to the Class E2 and E5 text headers and the Class E2 airspace description. The airspace is designed to support instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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 for renewal and extension. These ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the National Grain Car Council (NGCC), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

This action modifies the Class D airspace at Kodiak Airport, Kodiak, AK. This action also removes the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, east of the airport. Further, this action increases the size of the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Finally, this action updates the geographic coordinates in the third line of the Class D text header and updates the term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement'' in the last sentence of the Class D airspace description.

FMCSA proposes to update the Transportation of Household Goods regulations to incorporate recommendations from the Household Goods Consumer Protection Working Group (Working Group) contained in the Recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation to Improve Household Goods Consumer Education, Simplify and Reduce Paperwork, and Condense FMCSA Publication ESA 03005 (Recommendations Report). The Agency proposes to update the regulations to reflect those aspects of the Recommendations Report which require a rulemaking to implement and are within the Agency's authority. The proposed updates based on these recommendations would result in an aggregate reduction in costs for household goods motor carriers and provide clarity for individual shippers.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 (737 MAX) airplanes; and certain Model 737-800 and 737-900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that the aft cargo compartment fire suppression capability is reduced if the airplane is dispatched or released with failed electronic flow control of air conditioning packs, as is currently allowed by these airplane models' master minimum equipment lists (MMELs). This AD prohibits the carriage of cargo in the aft cargo compartment when the airplane is dispatched or released with failed electronic flow control of air conditioning packs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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. Comments are invited on whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on April 7, 2021.

This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a petition, DP21-001, submitted by Mr. Derek Colvin to NHTSA (the ``agency'') by a letter dated November 20, 2020. The petition requests that the agency initiate a safety defect investigation into an alleged defect in the reversing light system experienced in certain Model Year (MY) 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera manual transmission vehicles (the ``subject vehicles''). As the driver shifts the gear into reverse, the reversing light fails to illuminate. After conducting a technical review of: (1) The consumer complaint submitted by the petitioner; (2) consumer complaint information in NHTSA's database; and (3) information provided by Porsche in response to our Information Request letter regarding reversing light failure to illuminate and complaints received by Porsche, NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has concluded that no further investigation of the issue raised by the petition is warranted and the agency, accordingly, has denied the petition.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at County Memorial Airport, New Madrid, MO. The FAA is taking this action as a result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Malden Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) collocated with Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) in the area.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-25-16, which applies to certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. AD 2018-25-16 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-25-16, the FAA has determined that additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, including inspections for discrepancies (cracking) of certain structural elements, are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, and repetitive inspections for discrepancies (cracking) of certain structural elements and corrective actions, 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the thrust reverser (TR) translating sleeve secondary sliders due to contact between the slider and the slider track liner. This damage was only found on TR sleeves installed on certain engines. This proposed AD would require determining the serial number of the TR and performing applicable on-condition actions; or replacing the TR with a serviceable TR. 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 Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as insufficient separation of ground terminations for individual power sources and static grounds. This proposed AD would require inspecting and separating, if applicable, the battery and generator common ground connections on the airframe. 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 Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 340B airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the circuit breaker for the emergency cabin lighting tripped without fault in the system. This proposed AD would require replacing a certain circuit breaker with a part having a higher rating, 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 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 information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 15, 2021. Aircraft Operators seeking specific operational approval to conduct Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) operations must submit application to the FAA for RVSM specific approval. Specific approval is required when aircraft operators intend to operate outside the United States (U.S.) or their aircraft are not equipped with Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) Out.

This action proposes to remove Class E airspace in Concord, NH, as Class E surface airspace is no longer required at Concord Municipal Airport. This action would also amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and update the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action would enhance the safety and management of controlled airspace within the national airspace system.

This document provides the public notice that on July 23, 2021, Canadian National Railway (CN) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to transition from phase 2 to phase 3 of a previously approved Test Program and associated temporary suspension of some visual track inspections. The Test Program is designed to test track inspection technologies (i.e., an autonomous track geometry measurement system) and new operational approaches to track inspections (i.e., combinations of autonomous inspection and traditional visual inspections).

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 all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain oxygen supply solenoid valves are a potential source of increased flow resistance within the flightcrew oxygen system. This AD requires a special detailed inspection (flow test) of certain solenoid valves, and replacement if necessary, 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing or disbonded pressure seals on two thrust reverser (TR) translating cowls. This AD requires a one-time inspection of each thrust reverser for damage, seal bonding rework, and replacement of translating cowl pressure seals if necessary, 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This 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 AD requires replacing all affected flight deck escape hatches with serviceable hatches, 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 proposes to issue a new AD to supersede emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-23-52, which applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters. AD 2018-23-52 requires inspecting the nut, cotter pin, lock-wire, and hinge bracket connected to the tail rotor servo-actuator (TRA) feedback lever link, and each connection of the TRA feedback lever link, and repair if necessary. AD 2018-23-52 also requires applying a paint stripe or torque seal on the nut and reporting certain information. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-23- 52, the FAA has determined certain inspections and checks of the tail rotor duplex bearings (TR DB), installation of an improved TRA and TR DB, certain other actions, and applicable corrective actions are necessary to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the TRA, repetitive inspections and checks of the TR DB, installation of an improved TRA and TR DB, repetitive installations and checks of thermal strips, replacement of improved TR DB (life limit), and applicable corrective actions, 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 13 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 123 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 18 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.