Department of Transportation 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the surface protection is missing between certain aluminum brackets and the struts to which they are attached in the flight deck air distribution system. This proposed AD would require applying surface protection to the affected aluminum brackets and struts, 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 modifying an airplane using certain service information. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FAA invites public comments about their intention to request 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 September 26, 2022.

Mercedes-Benz AG (MB AG) and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) (collectively, ``Mercedes-Benz''), formerly known as Daimler AG has determined that certain model year (MY) 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact. Mercedes-Benz filed a noncompliance report dated October 18, 2019, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on November 7, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces the denial of Mercedes-Benz's petition.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area and modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Visalia Municipal Airport, Visalia, CA. This proposal would add and remove extensions of the Class E airspace extending from 700 feet above the surface at the airport. Additionally, this action proposes several administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions will support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends three low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (T-routes) and establishes five T-routes in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The purpose is to enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by transitioning from ground-based navigation aids to a satellite-based navigation system.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GE90-90B, GE90-94B, GE90-110B1, and GE90-115B model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disks, HPT stage 2 disks, and stages 7-9 compressor rotor spools were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This AD requires the replacement of the affected HPT stage 1 disks, HPT stage 2 disks, and stages 7-9 compressor rotor spools. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to revise certain regulations governing airman certification. Specifically, the FAA Airman Certification Standards and Practical Test Standards are currently utilized as the testing standard for practical tests and proficiency checks for persons seeking or holding an airman certificate or rating. The FAA proposes to incorporate these Airman Certification Standards and Practical Test Standards by reference into the certification requirements for pilots, flight instructors, flight engineers, aircraft dispatchers, and parachute riggers.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-06- 14, which applied to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. AD 2005-06-14 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the outer links on the main landing gear (MLG) side stays, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2005-06-14 also provided an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2005-06-14, there has been a report of additional cracking on a MLG side stay on which the terminating action has been done. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2005-06-14 and requires new repetitive inspections for cracking of the MLG side stay outer link and replacement if necessary as specified in a United Kingdom (U.K.) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (U.K. CAA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-171 in the vicinity of Roseau, MN. The amendment is due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Roseau, MN (ROX), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected airway. The Roseau VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the Secretary of Transportation, the Maritime Administrator is authorized to issue an Aquaculture Support Operations Waiver to U.S. documented vessels with registry endorsements or foreign flag vessels in operations that treat aquaculture fish or protect aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic infestation, or other threats to their health upon a finding that suitable vessels of the United States are not available that could perform those operations. MARAD has received an Aquaculture Support Operations waiver request and is publishing this notice to solicit comments that may assist MARAD in determining whether suitable vessels of the United States are available that could perform the proposed aquaculture support operations set forth in the request. A brief description of the proposed aquaculture support operations is listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

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.

A final rule was published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2022, amending Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Edward F. Knapp State Park Airport, Montpelier, VT, by creating a cutout of the airspace around Warren-Sugarbush Airport. This action corrects the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface description by adding Warren-Sugarbush Airport to the Class E description header.

This technical amendment contains non-substantive corrections to address typographical errors, editorial errors, and outdated or incorrect references in various parts of FAA regulations.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project, State Route 88 from just east of Comstock Road to just east of the City of Lockeford in San Joaquin County State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This action proposes to amend the Class D at Mesquite, TX, and the Class E airspace at Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. The FAA is proposing this action due to an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Mesquite localizer (LOC). The geographic coordinates of Granbury Regional Airport, Granbury, TX, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the passenger door failing to dampen during opening at regularly scheduled maintenance checks, causing the door to open more rapidly than normal. An investigation found that a contributing factor was erroneous aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) procedures. This AD prohibits using certain versions of certain AMM tasks for the passenger door. 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 767-300F airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that the installation requirements were not followed for the first observer seat in the flight deck. This proposed AD would require installing placards in various locations of the flight deck to indicate the proper position for the first observer seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing, and revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-15-20, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2020-15-20 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-15-20, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2020-15-20 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 (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-02-07, which applies to certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6- 45 and CF6-50 series model turbofan engines with a specified low- pressure turbine (LPT) rotor stage 3 disk installed. AD 2012-02-07 requires inspections of high-pressure turbine (HPT) and LPT rotors, engine checks, vibration surveys, an optional LPT rotor stage 3 disk removal after a failed HPT blade borescope inspection (BSI) or a failed engine core vibration survey, establishes a lower life limit for the affected LPT rotor stage 3 disks, and requires removing these disks from service at times determined by a drawdown plan. Since the FAA issued AD 2012-02-07, four additional events of separation of the LPT rotor assembly have been reported resulting in the LPT rotor assembly departing the rear of the engine. The manufacturer has improved the design of the LPT rotor stage 3 disk. This proposed AD would continue to require inspections of HPT and LPT rotor stage 1 and stage 2 blades, vibration surveys, and use of a lower life limit for the affected LPT rotor stage 3 disks. As a terminating action to the inspections, engine checks, and vibration surveys, this proposed AD would require removal and replacement of the LPT rotor stage 3 disk with a redesigned LPT rotor stage 3 disk. This proposed AD would also revise the compliance time of the drawdown plan for the removal and replacement of the LPT rotor stage 3 disk. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation or reinstallation of certain LPT rotor stage 3 disks. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to amend certain airworthiness regulations to standardize the criteria for conducting safety assessments for systems, including flight controls and powerplants, installed on transport category airplanes. With this action, the FAA seeks to reduce risk associated with airplane accidents and incidents that have occurred in service, and reduce risk associated with new technology in flight control systems. The intended effect of this proposed action is to improve aviation safety by making system safety assessment (SSA) certification requirements more comprehensive and consistent.