Department of Transportation 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves information on voluntary airport noise compatibility programs. The information to be collected is necessary because noise compatibility program measures are eligible for Federal grants in- aid if they are provided to FAA for review and approval in advance. The respondents are airport sponsors that voluntarily submit noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs to the FAA for review and approval.

TAP Worldwide, LLC, (TAP) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2017-2019 Smittybilt SCOUT Trailer Kits do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. TAP filed a noncompliance report dated June 26, 2019. Tap also petitioned NHTSA on July 8, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces the grant of TAP's petition.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-354, and establish RNAV route T-421 in the eastern United States. The proposed changes to the routes would expand the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. Additionally, a portion of the RNAV routes would provide en route structure where VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway segments would be removed due to VORs scheduled for decommissioning under the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-251 in the central United States due to the decommissioning of the Malden, MO, (MAW) VHF Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC), in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) program for improved efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the dependency on ground based navigational systems.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt six 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.

In a final rule published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2021, FMCSA amended its regulations to establish requirements for State Driver's Licensing Agencies to access and use information obtained through the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, an FMCSA- administered database containing driver-specific controlled substance and alcohol records. The final rule included amendatory instructions that need to be corrected because of a subsequent, unrelated rulemaking action affecting the same section of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. This notice makes that correction.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Model BD-100-1A10 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Honeywell, 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 the installation of a system that provides wireless data download capability from the engine electronic control unit to Honeywell cloud-based storage. 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.

The FAA is proposing to designate certain reports, data, and information created as part of the development and implementation of safety management systems (SMS) as protected information when the information is voluntarily provided to the agency. Protected information generally is not subject to public disclosure. The designation is intended to encourage certificate holders to voluntarily share SMS-related data with the FAA and to protect the voluntarily provided information if the FAA has a need to share it with other Federal agencies with safety or security responsibilities.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters; Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters; and Model SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of increased vibration during flight. This proposed AD would require the application of alignment markings on, and repetitive inspections of, the main rotor (MR) pitch rod upper links and, depending on findings, the accomplishment of 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model (type certificate previously held by Agusta S.p.A.) A109A and A109A II helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of internal corrosion on a main rotor (M/R) blade. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting affected M/R blades and accomplishing film analysis and repair in accordance with certain approved methods. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-11-23, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2021-11-23 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, and, for certain airplanes, and updating the hydraulic monitoring system to include additional redundancy. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-11-23, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require 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). This proposed AD would also revise the applicability to include different airplanes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that applied to certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters. This action revises the NPRM by requiring modification of certain pilot and co-pilot yaw pedal assemblies with an improved design and re- identification of the affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announce 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. A SDEIS was prepared to ensure meaningful engagement of identified Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons in the environmental impact review process. To provide the most current information developed through the environmental review process, the SDEIS responds to comments received on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Additionally, MARAD and USCG announce a virtual public meeting for the SDEIS.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer's report of two findings of sheared compressor discharge pressure (CDP) bolts during engine shop visits. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections of the CDP bolted joint and, depending on the findings, a piece part inspection of the stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool, CDP seal, and high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disk. As a terminating action, this proposed AD would require operators to reassemble the CDP bolted joint using a specific torque wrench. 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 Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found on the external tail boom skin, under the Very High Frequency (VHF) antenna. This proposed AD would require inspecting the tail boom at the VHF antenna attachments and depending on the results, repairing or modifying the tail boom skin, 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.

This action proposes to modify the Class D and Class E surface airspace at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport, North Bend, OR. It also proposes to modify the Class E airspace by establishing an area that is designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, and to modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Lastly, this action proposes to remove navigational aids (NAVAID) from the legal description of the Class E2 and Class E5 text headers, and to update the Class D, Class E2, and Class E5 airspace legal descriptions and establish Class E4 airspace. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-11-15, which applies to certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 model turbofan engines. AD 2021-11-15 requires performance of an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd-stage disk and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT 1st-stage disk or HPT 2nd-stage disk. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-11-15, the FAA determined the need to clarify the compliance time for inspection of any HPT 1st-stage disk or HPT 2nd-stage disk that is installed on a low-thrust model engine but had been previously operated on a high-thrust model engine. This proposed AD would require performance of a USI of the HPT 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd-stage disk and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT 1st-stage disk or HPT 2nd-stage disk. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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. FMCSA requests approval to renew the previously approved ICR now titled, ``Annual Report of Class I and Class II For-Hire Motor Carriers,'' OMB Control No. 2126- 0032. This ICR is necessary to comply with FMCSA's financial and operating statistics requirements at chapter III of title 49 CFR part 369 titled, ``Reports of Motor Carriers.''

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-435 in the vicinity of Sand Point, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport Forney Field, Fort Leonard Wood, 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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-12-06, which applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model G-IV airplanes. AD 2020-12-06 requires replacing the nose wheel steering servo valve manifold, incorporating revised operating procedures into the airplane flight manual (AFM), doing a records inspection for any incidents of un-commanded nose wheel steering turns, and reporting the results to the FAA. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-12-06, the FAA determined that a typographical error was made in a citing one of the AFM documents. This proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2020-12-06 and would correct the citation to the AFM. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.