Department of Transportation December 9, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) requests applications from eligible candidates for possible participation in the Tanker Security Program (TSP). This request for applications is issued in accordance with certain provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21 NDAA) and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA). The FY21 NDAA authorized the Secretary of Transportation to establish a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States. The fleet will meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping. The FY22 NDAA made minor adjustments related to the participation of long-term charters in the TSP. This request for applications provides, among other things, application criteria and a deadline for submitting applications for the enrollment of vessels in the TSP.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, 737-200, 737-200C, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500, 737-600, 737-700, 737-700C, 737-800, 737-900, 737- 900ER, 757-200, 757-200PF, 757-200CB, 757-300, 767-200, 767-300, 767- 300F, and 767-400ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating premature aging of certain passenger chemical oxygen generators. This proposed AD would require repetitively replacing affected chemical oxygen generators with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would also limit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On March 22, 2022, PHMSA announced an initiative to convert historical letters of interpretation (LOI) applicable to the Hazardous Materials Regulations that have been issued to specific stakeholders into broadly applicable frequently asked questions (FAQ). As such, PHMSA requested comment on the initiative and for input on the prioritization of future sets of FAQ. During the initial comment period, several commenters requested that PHMSA further clarify the future disposition of the LOI process and address commenters' initial concerns. In response to this feedback, PHMSA published a second notice on June 13, 2022, extending the comment period to July 22, 2022, and announcing that a webinar would be held on June 27, 2022. In this final notice, PHMSA is responding to comments received from stakeholders, summarizing the webinar event, finalizing the first set of FAQ, and announcing the topic for future FAQ.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-09-06, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2022-09-06 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-09-06, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2022-09-06 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and E airspace and revoke Class E airspace at Topeka, KS. The FAA is proposing these actions as the result of biennial airspace reviews. The name of Topeka Regional Airport, Topeka, KS, and the geographic coordinates of Philip Billard Municipal Airport, Topeka, KS, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Christmas Valley Airport, OR. These actions will support the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) at the airport.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-07- 10, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-07-10 required revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) to include dispatch restrictions. AD 2022- 07-10 allowed operators to inspect affected parts for discrepancies, and do applicable replacements, in order to terminate the revision of the operator's existing MEL. AD 2022-07-10 also prohibited the installation of affected parts. This AD was prompted by a determination that the optional inspection and applicable replacements should be required. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-07-10, and mandates the inspection of affected parts and applicable replacements, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which was incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Daimler AG (DAG) and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) collectively referred to as ``DAG-Mercedes-Benz,'' and Pirelli Tire, LLC (Pirelli), have determined that certain Pirelli P7 Cinturato RUN FLAT radial tires that were installed as original equipment in certain model year (MY) 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz motor vehicles and also sold as replacement equipment do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Pirelli filed a noncompliance report dated February 25, 2019, and later amended it on March 15, 2019, and DAG-Mercedes-Benz filed a noncompliance report dated March 4, 2019. Pirelli subsequently petitioned NHTSA (the ``Agency'') on March 18, 2019, and DAG-Mercedes- Benz petitioned NHTSA on March 27, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces and explains the denial of DAG-Mercedes- Benz's and Pirelli's petitions.

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.