Department of Transportation 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by multiple recent reports of cracks in the left-hand elevator auxiliary spar. This AD requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the entire left-hand elevator auxiliary spar for cracks, corrosion, and previous repairs, and depending on the findings, replacement of the left-hand elevator auxiliary spar. This AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes and is now issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

These special conditions are issued for a supplemental type certificate (STC) to install non-rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems on certain transport-category airplanes. The airplanes, as modified by Aptoz EHF (Aptoz), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is non-rechargeable lithium batteries and battery system in emergency locator transmitters (ELTs). 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.

FRA is publishing the Northeast Corridor (NEC) project inventory (NEC Project Inventory), which is a requirement of the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP). FRA is required to publish the NEC Project Inventory not later than one year after the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to maximize the use of American-made products and materials in all federally funded projects as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act (the Act), which was included in the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The implementation of this law will transform the Department's approach to domestic procurement requirements. The Department is taking three concurrent actions: (1) DOT is not extending its temporary waiver for construction materials, making that requirement applicable effective November 10, 2022; (2) in a separate notice, DOT is proposing a waiver for narrow categories of contracts and solicitations; and (3) in this notice, DOT is proposing a narrow waiver to allow DOT and its assistance recipients to focus their domestic sourcing efforts on products that provide the greatest manufacturing opportunities for American workers and firms and reduce delays in the delivery of important transportation infrastructure projects that provide jobs and promote economic growth. DOT is seeking comments on whether a waiver of Buy America requirements under the Act and related domestic preference statutes administered by DOT and its Operating Administrations (OAs) should be granted in the public interest for de minimis costs, small grants, and minor components.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

FMCSA confirms its May 1, 2017, decision to withdraw its April 27, 2016, advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) concerning the establishment of requirements for States to implement annual inspection programs for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) designed or used to transport passengers (passenger-carrying CMVs). On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was enacted, directing FMCSA to solicit additional comment on the 2016 ANPRM. The Agency solicited additional comments for 30 days, ending June 9, 2022. After reviewing the additional public comments received, FMCSA has determined there is not enough data and information available to support moving forward with a rulemaking action.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GE90-76B, GE90-85B, GE90-90B, and GE90-94B model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a commanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) due to cracking and rockback of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 nozzles resulting in blade liberation, severe rotor imbalance, and liberation of the exhaust centerbody. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) of the forward platforms of the HPT stage 2 blades or the leading edges of the HPT stage 2 nozzles and, depending on the results of the inspections, removal and replacement of the HPT stage 2 nozzles with a part eligible for installation. As a mandatory terminating action to the repetitive BSIs of the forward platforms of the HPT stage 2 blades or the leading edges of the HPT stage 2 nozzles, this proposed AD would require replacement of the HPT stage 2 nozzles. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the scoping comment period for the proposed Airfield, Safety, and Terminal Improvement Project and its connected actions (Proposed Action) has been extended by 12 days. This notice announces the extension of the public comment period to solicit public comments on the scope of the environmental impact statement (EIS).

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA will seek approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-14-14, which applies to all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-14-14 requires repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-14-14, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to add all Model ASW-15B gliders to the applicability. This proposed AD is prompted by MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. This proposed AD would retain the requirements from AD 2022-14-14 of repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage; and would add the Model ASW-15B gliders to the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection and update the name of this information collection to Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive and Low or No Emissions Program.

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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a safety analysis that lithium batteries installed in the personal electronic devices (PED) are a potential risk of an in-flight fire in the flight deck stowage boxes. This AD requires installing a placard and stowing the fire gloves on the left-hand (LH) flap door of the flight deck step; and installing the placards on the LH and right-hand (RH) flight deck stowage boxes. This AD also requires revising the operator's existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to include emergency procedures, 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.

This Notice announces a two-day public meeting of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC), to be held virtually. On the first day, the ACPAC will consider the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees. On the second day, the ACPAC will deliberate on three topics: information provided to consumers adversely affected by airline delays or cancellations, availability of airline flight information, and the Department's NPRM on Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-19, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX airplanes. AD 2020-21-19 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-21-19, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2020-21-19 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.

On October 13, 2022, WeDriveU, Inc. (WeDriveU or Applicant), a noncarrier, filed an application for WeDriveU to acquire direct control of an interstate passenger motor carrier, TransAction Corporate Shuttle, Inc. (TCS), from its sole shareholder, Cynthia C. Fren[eacute] (Seller). The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing this transaction. If no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-09-03, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2022-09-03 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-09-03, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2022-09-03 and 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.