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

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from John Olier requesting an exemption from certain hours of service (HOS) regulations including the 11-, 14-, and 70-hour rules with all ``mandatory break'' periods which would include the 10-hour and 30- minute break requirements. The applicant requests a permanent exemption for himself and believes that his safe driving record and experience demonstrate an equivalent level of safety. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that the exemption would not likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

FHWA, in coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to solicit comment and advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that an environmental impact statement will be prepared to study potential improvements to 67 miles of Interstates 39, 90, and 94 (I-39/90/94) in Dane, Columbia, Sauk, and Juneau counties, Wisconsin. The study corridor begins at United States Highway (US) 12/18 in Madison and terminates at US 12/Wisconsin State Highway (WIS) 16 in Wisconsin Dells. The study will also evaluate I-39 from its split with I-90/94 (the I-39 I-90/94 split) to Levee Road near Portage. Persons or agencies who may be affected by the study are encouraged to comment on the information in this NOI and the NOI Additional Information document. All comments received in response to this NOI document will be considered, and any information presented herein, including the preliminary purpose and need, preliminary alternatives, and potential impacts, may be revised in consideration of comments.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Sugarloaf Regional Airport, Carrabassett, ME, as an airspace evaluation determined a southern extension is necessary for this airport. This action also removes the airport's existing extension and updates the airport's geographic coordinates.

This notice serves to inform the public that United States custody and control extends to any shipwreck of a vessel that at the time of its sinking was owned or under charter of MARAD or one of its predecessor agencies. United States custody and control also extends by right of subrogation to shipwreck cargoes, as the loss of which was covered and paid for by insurance programs administered by MARAD or by one of its predecessor agencies. MARAD's predecessor agencies include the United States Shipping Board, the Emergency Fleet Corporation, the Merchant Fleet Corporation, the Shipping Board of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the War Shipping Administration, and the United States Maritime Commission. MARAD is authorized to protect the property interests of the United States government and to protect the war graves associated with all such shipwrecks. Pursuant to its authority, on behalf of the United States, MARAD does not consent to the salvage of such shipwrecks and or their cargoes. Those engaging in unauthorized activities involving shipwrecks and cargoes in MARAD's custody or control whether located in the waters of the United States, a foreign nation, or in international waters are advised that no disturbance or recovery from these shipwrecks or their cargoes may legally take place without the express permission of MARAD.

The FAA is withdrawing the NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2018, proposing to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-299, and establish T-318 and T-360 in support of transitioning the National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based navigation.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that some of the multi-function spoiler (MFS) anti-rotation plates failed in-service due to a thin wall design. This proposed AD would require replacing the MFS anti-rotation plates, inspecting the MFS anti-rotation plates for cracking and hinge bolts for evidence of rotation, accomplishing applicable corrective actions, and performing a functional test of the multi-function spoiler control surfaces. 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 Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report the axis index washers on the forward and rear main landing gear door hinges were found inverted in production. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of the axis index washers for correct installation, and, depending on findings, replacement of the axis index washers, 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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-21-13, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000 engines. AD 2021-21-13 requires the operator to revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of their existing approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by incorporating the revised tasks of the applicable time limits manual (TLM) for each affected model turbofan engine. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-21-13, the manufacturer has revised the TLM, introducing new and more restrictive instructions. This proposed AD would require revisions to the ALS of the operator's existing approved AMP, 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.

This action revokes Jet Route J-184 and establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-180 in the southwest United States. The existing Jet Route has service limitations associated with signal coverage related issues. The new RNAV route replaces the Jet Route, as well as provides additional RNAV routing within the National Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from a ground- based to satellite-based navigation system.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the collection of ``FAST Act'' Dispute Resolution Procedures, as described 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.

The Board hereby gives notice of a vacancy on RSTAC for an at- large (public interest) representative. The Board seeks nominations for candidates to fill this vacancy.

On June 23, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the notice of proposed rulemaking, Public Aircraft Logging of Flight Time, Training in Certain Aircraft Holding Special Airworthiness Certificates, and Flight Instructor Privileges. In that document, the FAA inadvertently provided an incorrect docket number in the heading. This correction corrects that error.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Benton Field Airport, Redding, CA. The Class E airspace supports the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release and sale of a 17,803 square foot parcel of land at the Colorado Air and Space Port.

This notice announces the FAA's intent to designate Aviation Composite Technologies, Inc., Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SH4537SW as abandoned and make the related engineering data available upon request. The FAA has received a request to provide engineering data concerning this STC. The FAA has been unsuccessful in contacting Aviation Composite Technologies, Inc., concerning the STC. This action is intended to enhance aviation safety.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-483 and T-485. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX (BPT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Beaumont VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for seven 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band), and a recent determination that this interference may affect other airplane systems using radio altimeter data, including the ground spoiler deployment system. This AD requires revising the limitations section of the existing AFM to incorporate limitations prohibiting the use of a certain master minimum equipment list (MMEL) item. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-03- 06, which applied to all Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD- 700-1A11 airplanes. AD 2023-03-06 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate limitations to mitigate identified hazards when in the presence of interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band) as identified by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). Since the FAA issued AD 2023-03-06, the FAA determined that additional limitations are needed due to the continued deployment of new 5G C-Band stations whose signals are expected to cover most of the contiguous United States at transmission frequencies between 3.7-3.98 GHz. This AD requires revising the limitations section of the existing AFM to incorporate limitations prohibiting dispatch under a certain master minimum equipment list (MMEL) item. The FAA is issuing 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.

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.