Department of Transportation 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on information collections pertaining to hazardous materials transportation for which PHMSA intends to request renewal and extension from the Office of Management and Budget. PHMSA published a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on these information collections in the Federal Register on March 22, 2023, and did not receive any comments.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On March 24, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

On March 3, 2020, the Department announced the availability of a regulatory guidance portal to provide public access to the Department's guidance documents. This notice clarifies the reissuance date of FMCSA guidance published in FMCSA's guidance portal (``Guidance Portal'' or ``Portal'') as of March 3, 2020. This notice also clarifies the reissuance dates for guidance posted between March 4 and June 27, 2020, during the ``grace period.''

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series; A330-200 Freighter series; A330-300 series; A330-800 series; A330-900 series; A340-200 series; and A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the scroll housing assembly of Honeywell GTCP331-350 auxiliary power units (APUs). This proposed AD would require replacing each affected APU or re-identifying certain APU scroll housing assemblies, 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 the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-401 in the vicinity of Paynesville, CA.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-18-12, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and -941 airplanes. AD 2022-18-12 requires installing serviceable engine electronic control (EEC) software or EEC units having the serviceable software, limiting certain parts installation configurations, and prior or concurrent modification of EEC software. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-18-12, there was a determination that engine crystal icing protection could be (temporarily) lost if an erroneous total pressure value is provided by the airplane system, which is addressed through EEC software. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2022-18-12 and would require adding new limitations for intermixing of certain EEC software standards and a new operational limitation for engines with certain EEC software installed, 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 the installation of certain engines under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA issues final guidance, in response to a mandate in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to inform the public and regulated entities about FMCSA's interpretation of the definitions of ``broker'' and ``bona fide agents'' as it relates to all brokers of transportation by motor vehicle. FMCSA previously published a notice seeking public comment on the IIJA provision on June 9, 2022, and issued interim guidance on November 16, 2022. Today's notice makes updates to November 2022 guidance in response to the public comments the Agency received.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a design deficiency was discovered which could allow a no-back pawl to be incorrectly installed in a horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This AD requires a check for part number and serial numbers of the HSTA, and if necessary, inspection of the no-back pawl installation, and corrective action. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release 14.6 acres at the Palatka MunicipalLt. Kay Larkin Field, Palatka, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Palatka, dated February 24, 1947. The release of property will allow the City of Palatka to use the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located off of Reid Street at the Palatka MunicipalLt. Kay Larkin Field in Putnam County. The parcel is currently designated as surplus property. The property will be released of its federal obligations for the purpose of selling the property at fair market value for construction of municipal development. The fair market value of this parcel has been determined to be $169,000. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Palatka MunicipalLt. Kay Larkin Field and the FAA Airports District Office.

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. This collection involves the certification and operation of aircraft with seating capacity of 20 or more passengers, or maximum payload of 6,000 pounds or more, and includes the operator application requirements, maintenance requirements, and various operational requirements.

This action modifies the Class E airspace designated as a surface area, modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and removes the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman/Moscow, WA. Additionally, this action makes administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends the Class D and Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Huntsville, AL, as the result of a biennial airspace evaluation. This action extends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface surrounding Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) and Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp Jr. Field. The FAA will also update terminology in the Class D and Class E surface airspace descriptions for Redstone AAF.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Grand Coulee Dam Airport, Electric City, WA, in support of the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Carthage, TX. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Carthage non-directional beacon (NDB). The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Madison Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field, WI, and establishes Class E airspace at Madison, WI. This action is the result of an airspace review requested by the FAA Airspace Rules and Regulations office. The name and geographic coordinates of various airports are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 15 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL, created the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (the Program) to provide early-stage development assistance for rural and tribal infrastructure projects. The Program will award grants for either the hiring of staff or the procurement of expert firms to provide financial, technical, and legal assistance; assistance with development-phase activities; and information regarding innovative financing best practices and case studies. Entities eligible for award include rural local governments or political subdivisions, states, Tribes, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The Build America Bureau (Bureau) will administer the Program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) makes $3.4 million available for awards under the Program. Assistance will be provided in the form of direct monetary grants for recipients to hire staff or procure advisory assistance. Procurements for and contracts with grantee-contracted advisors procured for this award must comply with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as further described below.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Williams, AZ. This action supports the establishment of new public instrument procedures.

PHMSA has terminated the Explosive (EX) classification approvals listed below. PHMSA published a Federal Register Notice on May 4, 2021, notifying the approval holders listed below that PHMSA intended to terminate their approvals for failure to provide proof that the approved explosives successfully completed the UN Test Series 6(d) of Part I of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. The notice advised approval holders that they must either show why their approvals should not be terminated or apply for a modification of their approval prior to June 3, 2021.

This action proposes a Special Federal Aviation Regulation for alternate eligibility requirements to safely certificate initial groups of powered-lift pilots, as well as determine which operating rules apply to powered-lift on a temporary basis to enable the FAA to gather additional information and determine the most appropriate permanent rulemaking path for these aircraft. Powered-lift will be type certificated as special class aircraft under the existing regulations. Currently, there is not an established path for civilian pilots to be certificated with a powered-lift category rating. The general and commercial operating regulations do not contemplate operation of powered-lift. In addition to proposed changes for powered-lift, this action also proposes changes that would affect practical tests in aircraft that require type ratings, including airplanes and helicopters, training center rotorcraft instructor eligibility, training, and testing requirements, and training center use of rotorcraft in flight instruction.

On May 15, 2023, Van Pool Transportation LLC (Van Pool or Applicant), a noncarrier, filed an application for Van Pool to acquire control of an interstate passenger motor carrier, Royal Coach Lines, Inc. (Royal Coach), by acquiring all of the outstanding equity shares from Steven DiPaolo, the sole shareholder of Royal Coach. The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.