Department of Transportation 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as interference between the emergency exit trim panel and the upholstery panel, which could result in additional effort required to open the emergency exit door. This proposed AD would require modification of the gripping strap, which maintains the upholstery panel on the emergency exit trim panel. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-06-07, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, - 200, and -300 series airplanes; and A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. AD 2017-06-07 requires identification of potentially affected inboard flap parts, a one-time eddy current inspection to identify which material the parts are made of, and, depending on findings, replacement with serviceable parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-06-07, it was determined that, even if affected inboard flaps were not installed on airplanes during production, affected inboard flaps could be installed on airplanes as spare parts. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2017-06-07, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also reduce the allowance for the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA is reopening the comment period for its interim guidance, Definitions of Broker and Bona Fide Agents. The interim guidance informs 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 commercial motor vehicle. FMCSA is taking this action to better define the terms in response to a mandate in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). After consideration of public comments received, FMCSA provided clarification on its interpretation of the definitions of broker and bona fide agents, in addition to meeting other criteria required by the IIJA. While the interim guidance was effective immediately upon publication, FMCSA sought comments to the interim guidance and will issue final guidance by June 16, 2023. FMCSA is reopening the comment period in anticipation of hosting a public listening session allowing comments on this topic. FMCSA will host the session at 10 a.m. on March 31, 2023, in Louisville, KY, and concurrently with the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS). Anyone wishing to attend can register at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/fmcsa-session-2-broker-regulatory-sessio n-tickets- 549535173497. In addition, a transcript of the public listening session will be placed in the guidance docket.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project, on State Route 99 from post mile 21.2 to 24.4 in the County of Fresno, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Mefford Field Airport, Tulare, CA. The establishment of Class E airspace supports the safety of instrument flight rules (IFR) arrival, departure, and missed approach operations at the airport.

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW), a subsidiary of BMW AG, Munich, Germany, has determined that certain model year (MY) 2018 BMW M4 Coupe and BMW M4 convertible motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. BMW filed a noncompliance report dated April 26, 2017, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 19, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces the grant of BMW's petition.

The FAA published a document in the Federal Register on March 2, 2023, inviting the public to submit comments on the draft policy statement regarding Submission of Outline of New and Changed Systems at the Beginning of the Type Certificate Amendment Process for Transport Category Aircraft. The document contained an incorrect uniform resource locator (URL).

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.

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.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Sandusky, MI. The FAA is proposing this action to support new public instrument procedures.

This action proposes to remove Jet Route J-590, amend Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-365. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Greene County VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the surface protection is missing between certain aluminum brackets and the struts to which they are attached in the flight deck air distribution system. This AD requires applying surface protection to the affected aluminum brackets and struts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits modifying an airplane using certain service information. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-09- 11, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-09-11 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-09- 11 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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) 2020-22- 16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A320, and A321 series airplanes; and Model A319-111, - 112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and -153N airplanes. AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03, and also requires 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 incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Kentucky Dam State Park Airport, Calvert City, KY, to accommodate area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this airport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the existing wet runway performance tables in the airplane flight manual (AFM) may not provide an acceptable level of safety. This AD requires revising the existing AFM to incorporate new wet runway performance tables, as specified in a Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``Training Certification for Drivers of Longer Combination Vehicles'' OMB Control No. 2126-0026. This ICR relates to Agency requirements for drivers to be certified to operate longer combination vehicles (LCVs), and associated recordkeeping requirements that motor carriers must satisfy before permitting their drivers to operate LCVs. Motor carriers, upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State, or local officials, must produce an LCV Driver-Training Certificate for each of their LCV drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for eight 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.

FMCSA announces that John Olier requests an exemption from the 11-, 14-, and 70-hour hours of service (HOS) regulations along 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 requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus SAS (Airbus) A320-200 Series Model -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N (known as A320neo) airplanes and A321-200 Series Model -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX (known as A321neo) airplanes. The airplanes 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 flight attendant seats mounted on movable lavatory doors. 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.