Department of Transportation 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In response to issues raised by a petition for reconsideration of the Risk Reduction Program (RRP) final rule, FRA is issuing this NPRM to solicit information to help determine whether FRA should retain or remove a provision in the RRP final rule clarifying that contractors who perform a significant portion of a railroad's operations are considered the railroad's directly affected employees for purposes of the RRP rule.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the inflatable free aisle restrictor (IFAR) on certain single lane slide-rafts demonstrated inconsistent release behavior in aft wind conditions. This AD requires replacing an affected part with a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747- 200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that high temperature composite trim air diffuser ducts (TADD) showed composite degradation and signs of hot air leakage. This proposed AD would require a one-time low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspection of certain center tank upper skin panels on the right and left side for any structural damage due to heat exposure, and repair if necessary. 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 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII- G600 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of two landing incidents in which the alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in unstable air, resulting in high rate of descent landings and damage to the airplanes. This proposed AD would require updating the flight control computer (FCC) software. 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 The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and -8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. This proposed AD would require an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at the stringer splice for the presence of radius fillers at fastener locations, an inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-81 to realign a portion of the route to improve traffic flows, and to remove Canadian RNAV route Q-947 at the request of NavCanada. These changes support the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project.

This action amends 4 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways, (V-7, V-9, V-106, and V-214); and removes 5 VOR Federal Airways, (V-58, V-130, V-149, V-445, V-451) in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operation Network (MON) project.

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on August 29, 2022, that amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-232 in the vicinity of Fairbanks, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. The final rule identified the IMARE, AK, route point as a waypoint (WP), in error. This action makes an editorial correction to the references of the IMARE, AK, WP to change it to be reflected as a Fix and match the FAA's aeronautical database information.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by unclear and incomplete placard instructions for the doghouse door lock. This AD requires installing improved handling instruction placards on affected doghouses and re-identifying the doghouses, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected doghouses under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the information collection requests abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collections was published on June 16, 2022.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority for San Diego International Airport complies with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, refer to the supplementary information for details. Further, in conjunction with the noise exposure maps, FAA is reviewing the proposed noise compatibility program for the San Diego International Airport, which the FAA will approve or disapprove on or before February 28, 2023. This notice also announces the availability of this noise compatibility program for public review and comment.

The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 77- 04-06, which applies to Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD)) Model BO-105A and BO-105 C helicopters; AD 2002-13-06, which applies to certain Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD)) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105 C-2, BO-105 CB-2, BO-105 CB-4, BO-105 CS-2, BO-105 CBS-2, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-1 helicopters; AD 2016-25- 14, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters; and AD 2021-10-14, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model BO-105A, BO- 105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. AD 77-04-06 requires reducing the life limit on certain main rotor gearbox (MGB) supports. AD 2002-13-06 requires determining the calendar age, number of flights, and flight hours time-in-service (TIS) on certain tension-torsion (TT) straps; revising the Airworthiness Limitations Schedule (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual; removing and replacing each TT strap that has exceeded its life limit, or if the TT strap's total hours TIS or number of flights and age are not known; and modifying certain parts. AD 2016-25-14 requires establishing a life limit for certain TT straps and removing certain parts that have exceeded the new life limit. AD 2021-10-14 requires replacement of certain TT straps with serviceable parts, and implementation of a new storage life limit for certain TT straps. Since the FAA issued those ADs, new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been issued. This proposed AD would require incorporating into existing maintenance records requirements (airworthiness limitations) as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of certain part-numbered TT straps. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposes to rename, update, and reissue an existing system of records notice currently titled DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system of records DOT/FAA 811, ``Employee Health Record System.'' This system of records notice (hereafter referred to as ``Notice'') previously covered FAA employees only. FAA employee occupational health care records and Health Awareness Program records are currently covered under the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)/ Government (GOVT)10 Employee Medical File System Records SORN (80 FR 74815November 30, 2015). The updated Notice covers the FAA's collection, use, and maintenance of non-occupational health records on federal employees, as well as FAA contractors and members of the public, such as students, interns and training and research participants, who receive emergency medical services at either the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) Occupational Health Clinic located at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) in Oklahoma City, OK, or the FAA Headquarters (HQ) Health Unit located in the HQ building in Washington, DC. Additionally, it covers FAA's collection of participation status (i.e., eligible, ineligible) on members of the public who engage in research and training programs at the agency. Any medical records collected in the course of these research or training programs is outside the scope of this Notice. The data collected in the system is a combination of health information and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) which is used to provide proper medical care and case management.

On August 31, 2022, FMCSA announced the extension of its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration which provides regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers engaged in providing direct assistance in continued support of the Nation's COVID- 19 national emergency. The extension of the emergency declaration expires on October 15, 2022. FMCSA (the ``Agency'') seeks public comment concerning the extent to which motor carriers currently rely on the emergency declaration to deliver certain commodities and whether there has been any impact on safety.

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 renew information collection. Advisory Circular 70-2A provides guidance to civilian air crews on the reporting of laser illumination incidents and recommended mitigation actions to be taken in order to ensure continued safe and orderly flight operations.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to modify and re-issue a DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system of records notice titled, ``DOT/ FAA 830Representatives of the Administrator.'' This system of records notice (hereafter referred to as ``Notice'') covers FAA records collected and maintained in support of FAA's management and oversight of individuals applying to become or are Representatives of the Administrator ``designees.'' Modification of DOT/FAA 830 is necessary due to changes and consolidation of the systems and processes used to manage designee programs.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites public comments on its intent to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a new, one-time information collection titled: ``Voluntary Adoption of API RP 1173 for Gas Distribution Systems.'' The proposed information collection would provide data necessary to prepare the report required by Section 205 of the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020 for gas distribution systems.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by L2 Consulting Services, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for airplanes. This design feature is associated with the installation of an electronic network system architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources, (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-10- 24, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330- 300 series airplanes; AD 2018-23-14, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes; and AD 2021-05-12, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. AD 2017-10-24, AD 2018-23-14, and AD 2021-05-12 require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD revises the applicability by adding airplanes. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2018-23-14 and AD 2021-05-12, and requires 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) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release and sale of a 100.74-acre parcel of land at the Colorado Springs Airport.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A model turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to incorporate reduced life limits for certain stage 1 turbine aft cooling plates, stage 2 turbine forward cooling plates, turbine interstage seals, and stage 4 turbine disks. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate reduced life limits for these parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E Surface airspace, and Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to Class D airspace at Martin State Airport, Baltimore, MD. This action replaces the Baltimore Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Collocated Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) with the term Point of Origin. Also, this action removes unnecessary verbiage from the descriptor header. In addition, this action makes an editorial change replacing the term Airport/ Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the legal descriptions of associated Class D and E airspace and makes the editorial change replacing the term Notice to Airmen with the term Notice to Air Missions. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain grant funding for eligible projects under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program for Fiscal Year 2022. This notice solicits applications for program funds made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This notice also solicits applications for projects under the Magnetic Levitation Technology Deployment Program, funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The opportunity described in this notice is made available under Assistance Listings Number 20.325, ``Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements,'' and Assistance Listings Number 20.318, ``Maglev Project SelectionSAFETEA- LU.''

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a failed extension of inboard slats during the landing phase, which was not indicated to the flightcrew by the crew alerting system. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures for failed extension of inboard slats and flightcrew indication during landing, 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.