Department of Transportation May 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2022 Rivian Electric Delivery Van (EDV) motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. Rivian filed a noncompliance report dated October 24, 2022, and amended the report on November 14, 2022. Rivian subsequently petitioned NHTSA (the ``Agency'') on November 15, 2022, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of Rivian's petition.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., (Volkswagen), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2021-2022 Volkswagen and Audi motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. Volkswagen filed an original noncompliance report dated November 19, 2021, and later amended the report on November 22, 2021, and December 1, 2021. Volkswagen petitioned NHTSA on December 13, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces the grant of Volkswagen's petition.

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 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 February 1, 2023. The collection involves voluntary reporting of bird/other wildlife strike information following a wildlife strike incident with aircraft. This data becomes part of the publicly available National Wildlife Strike Database. Strike reports provide critical information that allows the FAA to determine high-risk species, track national trends, evaluate the FAA's wildlife hazard management program, and provide scientific foundation for regulatory guidance. Additionally, this essential information allows engine and airframe manufacturers to evaluate the effectiveness of aircraft components. It also helps airports identify and mitigate hazardous species and the location of wildlife attractants, affords a better understanding of strike dynamics, and provides key metrics for an airport to evaluate the effectiveness of its wildlife management program.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $220.2 million in competitive grants under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Passenger Ferry Program) and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (Rural Ferry Program). Of the amount being made available, $50.1 million is for the Passenger Ferry Program and approximately $170 million is for the Rural Ferry Program. FTA may award additional funding made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Polk County Airport/ Cornelius Moore Field, Cedartown, Georgia, has been designed as a new instrument approach procedure for this airport. This action would also update this airport's name and geographic coordinates to coincide with the FAA's database.

The FAA, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), has initiated development of ATMPs for Haleakal[amacr] National Park, Hawai[revaps]i Volcanoes National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Badlands National Park (collectively referred to as the Parks) pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 and its implementing regulations. This notice announces the public availability of the draft ATMPs and draft EAs for comment and the dates of the public meetings for each of the Parks. The purpose of the public meetings is to review the draft ATMPs with the public. The draft ATMPs provide acceptable and effective measures to mitigate or prevent the significant adverse impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations upon the Parks' natural and cultural resources and visitor experiences, as well as on tribal lands. In accordance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the FAA and the NPS are also seeking public comment on the potential of the draft ATMPs to cause adverse effects to historic properties.

FMCSA announces receipt of an application from one individual for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope (transient loss of consciousness), dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive heart failure. If granted, the exemption would enable this individual with an ICD to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This document provides the public with notice that, on May 4, 2023, Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner Commuter Rail System (UTA) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP). As this RFA involves a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on the railroad's RFA to its PTCSP.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public input on the development of a national strategy on Advanced Air Mobility as required by the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act. DOT has formed a team composed of multiple executive agencies that is seeking input on a variety of topics as outlined below.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (Allied Ag Cat) Model G-164A and G-164B airplanes with certain supplemental type certificates (STCs) installed. This AD was prompted by an accident involving an Allied Ag Cat Model G- 164B airplane where the airplane's propeller pitch control (PPC) linkage detached from the PPC of the engine and resulted in an accident that significantly damaged the airplane and injured the pilot. This AD requires installing a secondary retention feature (bolt, washer, and safety wire) on the PPC lever and the PPC assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The DOT 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.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-05-06 and AD 2021-08-19, which both applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes. AD 2018-05-06 required repetitive inspections of the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged decompression panels, and reinstalling any disengaged panels; and required replacing the existing decompression panels with new panels and straps, which terminated the repetitive inspections. AD 2021-08-19 required repetitive general visual inspections for disengaged or damaged decompression panels of the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo compartments, reinstallation of disengaged but undamaged panels, and replacement of damaged panels. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents of torn decompression panels found in the bilge area, and the development of new procedures for changing or replacing the bilge barrier assembly in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2021-08-19 and requires changing or replacing the bilge barrier assembly in the forward and aft cargo compartments, which terminates the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159A and G-1159B airplanes and all Model G-IV and GIV-X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the ground spoiler actuator installation does not preclude improper hydraulic line connections that could result in unintended asymmetrical spoiler deployment. This AD requires incorporating corrective actions that physically prevent improper connection of the hydraulic lines to the ground spoiler actuator. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and - 402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel, including a finding of corrosion where the skin thickness had been substantially reduced, which affected design margins. This AD requires inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel for corrosion, and reworking, repairing, or replacing the lower center skin panel if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of broken lower attachment studs on the AFT galley complex. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the lower attachment studs and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower attachment studs, 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 is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-18- 09, which applied to all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes; and Model C-130A, HP-C-130A, EC-130Q, C-130B, and C-130H airplanes. AD 2019-18-09 required a visual inspection of the center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings for cracks, an eddy current inspection of the center wing lower rainbow fittings for cracks, and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by an analysis of reported cracks showing repetitive inspections are needed to adequately address cracked inner tangs of the center wing lower rainbow fittings. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings for cracks and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 for a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on October 03, 2022. The collection involves Regulated Entity (RE) users that create and submit Compliance and Enforcement Action (CE) activity and Voluntary Disclosure Report (VDR) submittals to the FAA. The FAA enters and processes this activity and submittals using the Aviation Safety Knowledge Management Environment Compliance and Enforcement Actions (ASKME CEA) application. The information to be collected will be used to support processing CE and VDR processing for ASKME CEA application users and is necessary because it automates the process by which REs may disclose to the FAA potential occurrence of noncompliance to requirements.

This action amends four Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways (V-33, V-157, V-213, and V- 433) in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action amends the Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-6, V-338, V-494, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-331 descriptions to reflect the Squaw Valley, CA, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) navigational aid (NAVAID) name changing to the Palisades, CA, VOR/DME. This action only makes editorial amendments to the affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes listed above, it does not change the NAVAID identifier (SWR), the ATS route structures, or the Fixes and waypoints on the routes.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for eight individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This action revokes Colored Federal airways Blue 38 (B-38) and Blue 40 (B-40) in the vicinity of Haines, AK due to the pending decommissioning of the Haines (HNS) Non-directional Beacon (NDB).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC155B1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failure of the main gearbox (MGB) oil cooling fan hub (fan hub). This proposed AD would require for helicopters with an affected part (fan hub) installed, using an endoscope, repetitively inspecting the fan hub, including the area around the fan hub attachment screws, for a crack. Depending on the inspection results, this proposed AD would require performing additional inspections and replacing an affected fan hub. This proposed AD would also allow an affected fan hub to be installed on a helicopter if certain actions are accomplished, 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 special conditions for the Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model H160B helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for helicopters. This design feature is the extended duration of safe flight beyond 30 minutes after the loss of main gearbox lubrication. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.