Department of Transportation March 1, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-09-04 R1, which applied to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH (currently Solo Vertriebs-und Entwicklungs-GmbH) (Solo) Model 2350 C engine. AD 2015-09-04 R1 prohibited operation of the engine and required performing a magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspection of the propeller shaft and reporting the results of the inspection to Solo. This AD is prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as occurrences of rupture of the eccentric axle on Solo Model 2350 C engines (installed on DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders in the United States) and an occurrence on a Solo Model 2350 D engine (installed on Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp-Hirth) Model Duo Discus T gliders in the United States). This AD requires repetitive replacement of the eccentric axle, adds the Schempp-Hirth Model Duo Discus T gliders to the applicability, and retains from AD 2015-09-04 R1 the option of operating the glider with the engine non-operative instead of replacing the eccentric axle. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, remove Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, establish a Class D airspace extension, and amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Quantico MCAF (Turner Field), Quantico, VA, as an airspace evaluation determined an update is necessary. In addition, this action would remove the Brooke Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range Collocated Tactical Air (VORTAC) from the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in the legal description, remove the extension to the south, and increases the radius of the Class E airspace. This action would also update the airport's geographic coordinates and replace the terms Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions and Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in the descriptions.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-71 and V-245, revoke VOR Federal airways V-554 and V-570, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-471, T-473, and T-474. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Natchez, MS (HEZ), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Natchez VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.