Department of Transportation 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of abnormal play on the collective torque tube on two Model AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of affected torque tube assemblies for any deficiency and corrective action if necessary; and the replacement of any affected part with a serviceable part, which is terminating action for the repetitive inspections, 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 certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a design deficiency. This AD requires modifying the hoist control power supply, 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 amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-7, V-341, and V-493, in the vicinity of Menominee, MI. The airway amendments are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Menominee, MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) which these airways utilize for navigation guidance. The Menominee VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

This action proposes to amend five high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes), and establish a new Q- route in the southeastern United States in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This proposal would improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by expanding the availability of RNAV routing and reducing the dependency on ground-based navigational systems.

This action proposes to modify six existing high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes), and establish one new Q-route, in support of the FAA's VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This proposal would improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by expanding the availability of RNAV routing and reducing the dependency on ground- based navigational systems.

In response to a joint petition for rulemaking filed by five Class I rail carriers, the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) proposes to modify its regulations to establish a voluntary arbitration program for small rate disputes.

Reshaping the United States transportation system with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is an important part of the solution to the climate crisis. EV charger manufacturing, assembly, installation, and maintenance all have the potential to not only support policies on sustainability and climate, but also to create good-paying, union jobs in the United States. This RFI is intended to gather information on shifting manufacturing and assembly processes to the United States considering the bold investment planned in EV charging. DOT and DOE (the Agencies) are interested in hearing from the public, including stakeholders (such as State and local agencies, the EV charger manufacturing industry, component suppliers, labor unions, related associations, and transportation advocates), on the availability of EV chargers manufactured and assembled in the United States, including whether they comply with applicable Buy America requirements.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 11 individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

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 of a broken forward guide arm found during a passenger door emergency opening test. Investigation results indicated that the opening speed of the door was higher than expected, likely caused by a reduced damping due to oil leakage of the passenger door damper emergency opening actuator (DEOA). This AD requires repetitively replacing certain forward and aft guide arms on the passenger door, inspecting the forward and aft guide arm support brackets for damage, modifying certain DEOAs, and repairing damage if necessary, and also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive replacements, 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 Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in certain components on left and right sides of the aft wing-to-body fairing (WTBF) structure near the tie-rod attachment at a certain fuselage station; this cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-rod preload. This AD requires inspecting the aft WTBF structure for any cracking or damage, adjusting the load on the two tie-rods at a certain fuselage station, and repair if necessary, as specified in two Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) ADs, which are incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Huntsville International Airport Reentry Site Operator License and Sierra Space Corporation Vehicle Operator License (Draft EA).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-07-02 for all Pratt & Whitney (P&W) JT8D-209, JT8D-217, JT8D-217A, JT8D-217C, and JT8D-219 model turbofan engines. AD 2011-07-02 required initial and repetitive torque inspections of the 3rd-stage and 4th-stage low- pressure turbine (LPT) blades. AD 2011-07-02 also required replacement of the LPT blade if wear limits are exceeded, replacement of the LPT- to-exhaust case bolts and nuts, and installation of crushable sleeve spacers on the bolts. This AD was prompted by a report of an MD-82 airplane, equipped with a JT8D-217C model turbofan engine, experiencing an engine surge that resulted in the fracture of the LPT blade and uncontained release of the LPT blade. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2011-07-02, while revising the inspection thresholds and replacement intervals for the 3rd-stage and 4th-stage LPT blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-36 and V-316; and revokes VOR Federal airway V-180, in the northeastern United States. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada, NDB and the Dryden, Ontario, Canada, NDB. Both NDBs are being decommissioned as part of NAV CANADA's navigational aid (NAVAID) Modernization Program.

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 collection involves Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) applicants and certificate holders. The information to be collected will be used to ensure AMTS applicants and certificate holder meet the requirements of part 147 prior to being certificated, and on an ongoing basis following FAA certification.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-12-08, which applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes. AD 2017-12-08 requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised structural inspection requirements. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-12-08, 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. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FRA announces the charter renewal of the RSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee established by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the FRA Administrator on matters relating to railroad safety. This charter renewal will be effective for two years from the date it is filed with Congress.

The FAA is considering a request from the Port of Orcas, Washington to waive the Airport Improvement Program property requirements for approximately 1,120 square feet of airport property located at Orcas Island Airport, in Eastsound, Washington. The subject property is located in the east section of the airport. This release will allow the Port to sell 1,120 feet of Parcel 271142024000 to East Side Sewer District and construct a chain link fence for additional water treatment. There will be proceeds generated from the proposed release of this property for capital improvements at the airport. The Port will receive not less than fair market value for the property and the revenue generated from the sale will be used for airport purposes. It has been determined through study that the subject partial parcel will not be needed for aeronautical purposes.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 16 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA that are final. The actions relate to the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the Interstate-11 (I-11), Nogales to Wickenburg, in Santa Cruz, Pima, Pinal, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties, AZ. The actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This notice announces a meeting of the ARAC.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes and Model ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a certain procedure in the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) that incorrectly described a visual inspection of the fire handle. This AD requires a general visual inspection of both engine fire handles and applicable corrective actions, 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.

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 June 8, 2021. The collection involves regulations that prescribe the requirements governing air carrier operations. The information collected is necessary to determine air operators' compliance with the minimum safety standards and the applicants' eligibility for air operations certification.

FMCSA announces that the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has requested an exemption from the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements that will be implemented in February 2022. The exemption request applies to drivers, trained through ODE's ``Pre-Service School Bus Driver Training'' curriculum, who are seeking to obtain their Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with school bus (S) and passenger (P) endorsements, and to current Class B CDL holders wishing to add the P and S endorsements. The ODE believes the Ohio theory (i.e., classroom) curriculum and behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction meet or exceeds all the new ELDT requirements.