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

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal and invites public comment on the application for release of approximately 1.33 acres of airport property at Hayfork Airport, Hayfork, California, from all conditions contained in Grant Agreement Assurances since the land is not needed for airport purposes. The property is located approximately 2,400-feet east ad 135-feet south of the Hayfork Airport Runway 25 threshold.

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 January 13, 2021. The information to be collected includes data required for performing launch site location analysis. The launch site license is valid for a period of 5 years. Respondents are licensees authorized to operate sites.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Salem Memorial Airport, Salem, MO. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Maples very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program.

FMCSA renews the exemption granted Cleveland-Cliffs Steel, LLC (Cliffs), formerly ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor, LLC, from certain hours-of-service (HOS) and cargo securement rules and requests public comment on the renewal. The renewal of the exemption allows Cliffs' employee-drivers with commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), who transport steel coils a fraction of a mile between their production and shipping locations on public roads, to continue to work up to 16 hours per day, and to operate with less than 10 consecutive hours off duty between work shifts. The renewal of the exemption also allows Cliffs to use metal coil carriers that do not meet the ``heavy hauler trailer'' definition, restrictions on the height of rear side marker lamps, tire loading restrictions, and the commodity-specific cargo securement requirements for metal coils. The Agency has concluded that granting the request for a renewal of the exemption will likely maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety achieved through compliance with the specific regulatory requirements. The Agency requests comments on the Cliff's request for a renewal of the exemption.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-01, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, and SA-365N1 helicopters. AD 2020-21-01 requires modifying the main gearbox (MGB) tail rotor (T/R) drive flange installation. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-21-01, the FAA has determined that additional helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require modifying the MGB T/R drive flange installation, and would also include new helicopters in the applicability for the required actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document grants in full the Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) petition for exemption from the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard (theft prevention standard) for its ARIYA vehicle line beginning in model year (MY) 2023. The petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the theft prevention standard. Nissan also requested confidential treatment for specific information in its petition. Therefore, no confidential information provided for purposes of this notice has been disclosed.

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 its review and approval and invites public comment. The purpose of this ICR titled, ``Financial Responsibility Motor Carriers, Freight Forwarders, and Brokers,'' is to provide registered motor carriers, property brokers, and freight forwarders a means of meeting financial responsibility filing requirements. This ICR sets forth the financial responsibility documentation requirements for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers as a result of the Agency's jurisdictional statutes.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model CABRI G2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that, during scheduled maintenance on two helicopters, cracks were found on a certain main rotor (MR) non- rotating scissor link. This AD requires replacing an affected MR non- rotating scissor link with a serviceable part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection of certain electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage avionics bay during production. This proposed AD would require installing protective rubber borders on the edge of the baggage avionics bay frames, 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-808C and DG-1000T gliders. This AD was prompted by 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 damaged fuel hoses due to environmental and fatigue deterioration. This AD requires inspecting the polyurethane (PU) fuel hoses, replacing the PU fuel hoses if there is damage, and establishing a life limit for the PU fuel hoses. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2002-20-01, which applies to certain Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH- 1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters; and Southwest Florida Aviation Model SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) for the Armed Forces of the United States. The NPRM would have required removing certain serial-numbered tension-torsion (TT) straps from service, reducing the retirement life for other TT straps, and establishing a retirement life in terms of calendar time in addition to hours time-in- service (TIS) for certain other affected TT straps. The NPRM also would have added two model helicopters to the applicability of the AD. The NPRM was prompted by fatigue cracking in certain TT straps that have stainless steel filament windings and a determination that corrosion damage, which is related to calendar time, necessitated a calendar time retirement life for certain TT straps in addition to the retirement life based on hours TIS. The NPRM was also prompted by fatigue cracking in other TT straps with encased thin stainless steel plates. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has re-reviewed the available information and determined that the totality of the available information does not support issuance of a final rule. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change 1.44 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at Brookings Regional Airport, Brookings, South Dakota. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The property is located approximately 6 miles south east of the airport, on the north side of 217th Street between 475th Ave. and 476th Ave., just east of the grove of trees. There was an FAA-owned outer marker located on the subject property, but the outer marker was abandoned when the runway it was serving was relocated and re-aligned. Currently the land is being used for agriculture and does not have an aeronautical use. The land will continue to be used for agriculture.

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, FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

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.

This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. The actions relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas. These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

By this notice, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) clarifies its position on the American Airlines (American) and JetBlue Airways (JetBlue) Northeast Alliance (NEA) joint venture agreements and the January 10, 2021 agreement between and among DOT, JetBlue and American (DOT Agreement) terminating the Department's review of the NEA, following the September 21, 2021 announcement of antitrust litigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The Department will work closely with DOJ should it seek data and documents that will help in the resolution of DOJ's action. The DOT Agreement remains in effect during the pendency of the DOJ litigation. The Department retains independent statutory authority to prohibit unfair methods of competition in air transportation to further its statutory objectives to prevent predatory or anticompetitive practices and to avoid unreasonable industry concentration.\1\ However, the Department intends to defer to DOJ, as the primary enforcer of Federal antitrust laws, to resolve the antitrust concerns that DOJ has identified with respect to the NEA. The Department also intends to stay the proceedings in a Spirit Airlines, Inc. (Spirit) formal complaint against the NEA's implementation while the DOJ action is pending. The Department will assess its next steps, if any, relating to the Spirit complaint and the NEA at the conclusion of the DOJ litigation.