Department of Transportation February 15, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in the Flight Management System (FMS), and by a determination that indication of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. This AD requires installing updated software. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-16- 11, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A300 F4-605R and FR-622R airplanes. AD 2019-16-11 required repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the aft lower deck cargo door (LDCD) frame forks; a one-time check of the LDCD clearances; a one-time detailed visual inspection of hooks, eccentric bushes, and x-stops; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that the threshold for the (repetitive) HFEC inspection needs to be corrected, and the LDCD frame forks modified. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2019-16-11, requires correcting the HFEC inspection threshold and modifying the LDCD frame forks, and prohibits the installation of affected LDCDs under certain conditions; 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.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the six information collection requests abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collections was published on November 6, 2023.

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.

FMCSA announces its final decision to grant the exemption from the electronic logging device (ELD) requirements requested by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers providing transportation to or from a theatrical or television motion picture production site. This renewal of the exemption allows drivers to complete paper records of duty status (RODS) instead of using an ELD. FMCSA announced its decision to provisionally renew MPA's exemption on November 3, 2022, pending a review of any comments received in response to that notice. After reviewing the four comments submitted to the docket, which are discussed in this notice, the Agency believes that drivers who qualify for the exemption will likely maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved by complying with the ELD requirements.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.