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

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection, Vehicle Information for the General Public, and its expected burden. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collection was published on July 7, 2020. One comment was received in general support of this collection request.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-374 in the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action proposes to amend the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-26, V-193, and V-285, and revoke the White Cloud, MI, domestic low altitude reporting point. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the White Cloud, MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The White Cloud VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-05-16 for certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4164, PW4164-1D, PW4168, PW4168-1D, PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 model turbofan engines. AD 2021-05-16 required initial and repetitive replacements of the low- pressure turbine (LPT) 4th-stage air sealing ring segment assemblies with parts eligible for installation. AD 2021-05-16 also required initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the LPT case for bulging and, depending on the results of the dimensional inspections, repair or replacement of the LPT case. This AD was prompted by notification to the FAA of an inadvertent omission in the LPT 4th-stage air sealing ring segment assembly part numbers. This AD requires initial and repetitive replacements of the LPT 4th-stage air sealing ring segment assemblies with parts eligible for installation. This AD also requires initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the LPT case for bulging and, depending on the results of the dimensional inspections, repair or replacement of the LPT case. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-05-02, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, and AS350D helicopters; Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters; and Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2021-05-02 required determining whether the helicopter has been operated in a severe environment since the last inspection of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws, an inspection of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws if the helicopter has been operated in a severe environment, and replacement of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which was incorporated by reference. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05- 02, reported inspection results and further investigation have confirmed that the report of failed main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws, which prompted AD 2021-05-02, was an isolated case which resulted from a maintenance mistake. Therefore, the FAA has determined that no unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws on other helicopters in the fleet. Accordingly, AD 2021-05-02 is removed.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12/47E 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 inward vent valves installed during production without chromate conversion coating on the bonding surface. This proposed AD would require modifying the inward vent valves and prohibiting installation of unmodified inward vent valves. 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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the identification of certain parts needing maintenance actions, including life limits and maintenance tasks. This proposed AD would require incorporating into maintenance records requirements (airworthiness limitations), as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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 amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Frankfort Dow Memorial Field, Frankfort, MI. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Manistee very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace at Janesville, WI. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Rockford very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace at Rochester International Airport, Rochester, MN, and St. Cloud Regional Airport, St. Cloud, MN, and revoke Class E airspace at Rochester International Airport. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of biennial airspace reviews. The geographic coordinates of St. Cloud Regional Airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Glass Ranch Airport, Carrizo Spring, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of the cancellation of the instrument procedures and closure of the airport. The geographic coordinates of the Indio-Faith Airport, Carrizo Spring, TX, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1 Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.

This notice announces a solicitation for nominations for membership on the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (AAAC) previously known as Drone Advisory Committee. This solicitation supersedes the previous Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Drone Advisory Committee published June 18, 2020.

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.

FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to include rear impact guards on the list of items that must be examined as part of the required annual inspection for each commercial motor vehicle (CMV). In addition, FMCSA amends the labeling requirements for rear impact guards, and excludes road construction controlled (RCC) horizontal discharge trailers from the rear impact guard requirements, consistent with changes made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to the corresponding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). This final rule responds to rulemaking petitions, as well as a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

On October 29, 2021, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced the availability of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the SPOT Terminal Services LLC (SPOT) Deepwater port license application for the export of oil from the United States to nations abroad, announced a virtual public meeting for the SDEIS, and the October 29 notice began a 45-day comment period seeking public participation in the environmental impact review process, provided information on how to participate in the environmental impact review process, directed interested parties to a Notice of Application that summarized the SPOT Deepwater Port License Application published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2019, a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Notice of Public Meetings that were published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2019. This notice restates the same information and serves only to correct the email address Efrain.Lopez@dot.gov in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal and invites public comment to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use at Brown Field Municipal Airport, San Diego, San Diego County, California. The proposal consists of 51 parcels containing approximately 197.96 acres of airport land, located on the airfield.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) invites public comments on a proposed procedural schedule for this proceeding. On September 15, 2021, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (Canadian Pacific), Canadian Pacific Railway Company, and their U.S. rail carrier subsidiaries, Soo Line Railroad Company, Central Maine & Quebec Railway US Inc., Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation, and Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, Inc. (collectively, CP) and Kansas City Southern and its U.S. rail carrier subsidiaries, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR), Gateway Eastern Railway Company, and The Texas Mexican Railway Company (collectively, KCS) (CP and KCS collectively, Applicants) filed an amended notice of intent to file an application seeking authority for the acquisition of control by Canadian Pacific, through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary Cygnus Merger Sub 2 Corporation, of Kansas City Southern, and through it, of KCSR and its railroad affiliates, and for the resulting common control by Canadian Pacific of its U.S. railroad subsidiaries, and KCSR and its railroad affiliates.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-215 in the central United States due to the decommissioning of the Holston Mountain, TN, (HMV) VHF Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC), and the Hazard, KY, (AZQ) Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. Additionally, this action would extend T-215 to the north and south of its current limits to expand the availability of RNAV in the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action proposes to amend 11 low altitude United States Area Navigation (RNAV) T-routes, and remove 1 T-route, in support of the South-Central FL Metroplex Project. The proposed route changes would expand the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based navigation.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-212, T-216, T-218, and T-221 in the eastern United States. The proposed route changes would add RNAV waypoints (WP) to replace VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation aids (NAVAIDS) that are scheduled for decommissioning under the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

PHMSA, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations to suspend authorization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation in rail tank cars pursuant to a final rule published in July 2020, pending the earlier of either completion of a separate rulemaking under RIN 2137-AF54 evaluating potential modifications to requirements governing rail tank car transportation of LNG, or June 30, 2024.

FMCSA announces a meeting of MCSAC, which will take place via videoconference.