Department of Transportation October 27, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96- 12-11, which applies to all Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 airplanes. AD 96-12-11 requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the microswitches fitted at the water door actuator; replacement of any discrepant microswitch; and modification of the water door actuator switches, which terminates the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 96-12-11, it has determined that the corrective actions of that AD have not been effective at mitigating the risk of uncommanded opening of the water doors. This proposed AD would continue to require the modification of the water door actuator switches. This proposed AD would also require modification of the water door solenoid valve common grounds, add airplanes to the applicability, and prohibit installing certain water door solenoid valve selector assemblies. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant the exemption requested by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) for commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants seeking a school bus endorsement, from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement, known as the ``under-the-hood'' testing requirement. Drivers issued a CDL pursuant to the requested exemption would be restricted to the intrastate operation of school buses only. FMCSA also grants an exemption from the requirement that states administer this portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test in accordance with an FMCSA pre-approved examiner information manual. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that granting the exemption is likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.

On July 28, 2022, FRA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would establish minimum safety requirements for the size of train crews, depending on the type of operation. FRA is announcing a public hearing to allow interested persons the opportunity to provide comments on the proposal. FRA is also announcing a second extension of the comment period, providing an 86-day extension to the original comment period, to allow time for interested parties to submit comments on the proposal or in response to views or information provided at the public hearing.