Department of Transportation 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-241 in the vicinity of Level Island, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

FMCSA denies an application from the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) seeking reconsideration of the Agency's March 31, 2015 denial of the Association of Independent Property Brokers and Agents' (AIPBA) application for an exemption from the $75,000 bond requirement for all property brokers and freight forwarders. FMCSA treats the SBTC request as a new exemption application. After reviewing SBTC's application and the public comments, the Agency has concluded that the exemption request should be denied because it does not meet the statutory factors for an exemption.

This document announces the acceptance of a means of compliance (MOC) in accordance with a rule issued by the FAA on January 21, 2021, and went into effect on April 21, 2021. The Administrator finds the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (VT MAAP) MOC Version 1.0 an acceptable means, but not the only means, of demonstrating compliance with the requirements of Category 2 and Category 3 small unmanned aircraft systems (small UAS) operations over people.

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 (OMB) approval for a new Information Collection (IC) effort. The collection involves in-person sessions between researchers, certified pilots, and air traffic control specialists (ATCS). Computerized neurocognitive tests are a non-invasive way to measure cognitive function (e.g., attention, working memory, information processing speed, reaction time) and are used as part of the FAA's overall aeromedical physical exam process to determine if a pilot is safe to operate an aircraft within the National Airspace System (NAS) and if an ATCS is safe to return to duty. Neurocognitive tests are required only for pilots and ATCSs with certain medical conditions associated with aeromedically significant cognitive impairments (i.e., not all pilots and ATCSs are tested). The FAA needs to ensure that the tests and data used to maintain the safety of the NAS are based on the most current scientific knowledge. The purpose of this IC effort is to obtain updated pilot and ATCS normative data for the FAA's current neurocognitive test and alternative neurocognitive tests under consideration. The IC effort will be used to potentially revise the FAA's Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) Guide, update clinical practices, and assure aeromedical safety. Information will be collected from representative pilots and ATCSs across the United States, who will complete two different 1-hour neurocognitive tests. Total IC effort/time per person will be approximately four hours (i.e., to include check-in processing, informed consent, neurocognitive test-taking, rest breaks, and participant debrief).

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.

This action proposes special conditions for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 737-10 airplane. This airplane 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 single-occupant, passenger oblique seats, with airbag devices and 3-point restraints, installed at 49 degrees relative to the airplane cabin bow-to-stern centerline. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the Noise Exposure Maps submitted by the Naples Airport Authority for the Naples Municipal Airport under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act and are in compliance with applicable requirements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine Time Limits Manual (TLM) life limits of certain critical rotating parts and updating certain maintenance tasks. This AD requires the operator to revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of their existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) by incorporating the revised tasks of the applicable TLM for each affected model turbofan engine, 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.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments from affected agencies and members of the public on the information collection detailed below. PHMSA is preparing to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the renewal of the information collection covering the Gas Pipeline Safety Program Performance Progress Report and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Performance Progress Report currently approved under OMB control number 2137-0584.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) will hold a public hearing in this docket on January 13, 2022. The hearing will be entirely virtual and held online. If necessary, the hearing will continue on January 14, 2022. All interested persons are invited to appear. Additionally, the Board will set a limit of 20 pages on the filing of final briefs.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C and CF34-8E model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown of an engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed a broken variable geometry (VG) actuator rod end caused by corrosion and seizure of the rod end bearing. This AD requires performing an inspection of the master compressor VG actuator and slave compressor VG actuator and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the part with a part eligible for installation. This AD also requires reporting the results of the inspection to GE. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these GE CF34-8C and CF34-8E model turbofan engines and is now issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) Model DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a loose rudder T-yoke axle nut. This proposed AD would require replacing the rudder T-yoke axle with an improved rudder T-yoke axle. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of failed main rotor (MR) dampers. This AD requires various inspections of certain MR dampers, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Goodyear), has determined that certain Goodyear Convenience Spare tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 109, New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty Tires. Goodyear filed an original noncompliance report dated June 8, 2021, and subsequently, Goodyear petitioned NHTSA on June 21, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Goodyear's petition.

This action proposes to modify 7 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways, (V-18, V-115, V-222, V-241, V-245, V-321, and V- 333) and remove 5 VOR Federal Airways, (V-311, V-325, V-415, V-417, and V-463) in association with the Atlanta VOR Minimum Operation Network (MON) project in the southeastern United States. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the following five ground-based navigational aids (NAVAIDs): Dyersburg, TN, (DYR) VOR and Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC); Crimson, AL, (LDK) VORTAC; Malden, MO, (MAW) VORTAC; Monticello, AR, (MON) VOR/DME; and the Muscle Shoals, AL, (MSL) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). This proposal would provide for the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace within the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing NAVAID dependencies throughout the NAS as part of the FAA VOR MON program.

The FAA proposes to amend two Jet Routes; extend one high altitude RNAV Q-route; amend four VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways; remove one VOR Federal airway; and remove one Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point, in the vicinity of Fort Dodge, IA. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Fort Dodge, IA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC), which provides navigation guidance to portions of the affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes. The Fort Dodge VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program. Although the Fort Dodge VOR is being decommissioned, the FAA plans to retain the collocated Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) portions of the navigational aid.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-229 in the vicinity of Point Hope, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action proposes to amend three jet routes and remove four jet routes in the eastern United States. This action supports the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) program to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency on ground-based navigational systems.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-233 in the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

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.