Department of Transportation March 25, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-13-11, which applies to certain AVOX Systems Inc. (formerly Scott Aviation) oxygen cylinder and valve assemblies; and oxygen valve assemblies; installed on but not limited to various transport airplanes. AD 2023-13-11 requires an inspection of the oxygen valve assemblies, and oxygen cylinder and valve assemblies, to determine the serial number of the valve, cylinder, and entire assembly; and for certain assemblies and parts, a detailed inspection for correct spacing of the gap between the bottom of the packing retainer and top of the valve body on the assemblies and replacement of assemblies having unacceptable gaps. AD 2023-13-11 also limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions and requires reporting inspection results and returning certain assemblies to the manufacturer. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-13-11, the manufacturer identified additional assemblies and parts subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2023-13-11 and require similar actions for those additional assemblies and parts. 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of a single-point failure within the left-hand and right-hand heater current monitor (HCM) units. This proposed AD would require installing a monitor circuit comprising relays external to the HCM units. This proposed AD would also require revising the normal and non-normal procedure sections of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to add new procedures associated with revised crew alerting system (CAS) messages. The FAA is proposing 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 to renew an information collection. This collection involves two distinct methods of collecting. The first method of collecting uses the traditional paper/ hardcopy forms which is limited in scope. The second method is more expansive and uses online web-based forms or Application Programming Interface (API) upload functionality. The information can then be shared with a potential employer to aid them in their hiring decision- making process. The information collected can be release to a hiring employer by the pilot. Disclosure of their information is not possible unless the pilot first authorizes the release. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot, and air carrier or operator shall receive and evaluate all relevant information pertaining to the individual.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of several occurrences of a power transfer unit (PTU) control valve that failed to open when commanded. This proposed AD would require installing new relays and changing certain wire bundles leading to the PTU control valve. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On February 15, 2024, the Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system in order to temporarily disable its PTC system between Milepost (MP) 749.60 and MP 755.4 to perform necessary maintenance and improve an existing a crossing. FRA published a notice inviting public comment on CFRC's request to disable its PTC system to perform necessary maintenance, with the initial comment period closing on March 18, 2024. This document provides the public with notice that FRA is extending the comment period on CFRC's request from March 18, 2024, to April 1, 2024, as CFRC's request was uploaded to the docket late due to a technical error, and was not available for review during the full initial comment period.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is proposing minimum safety standards for rail transit roadway worker protection (RWP) to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems and to prevent accidents, incidents, fatalities, and injuries to transit workers who may access the roadway in the performance of work. This NPRM would apply to rail transit agencies (RTAs) covered by the State Safety Oversight (SSO) program, SSO agencies (SSOAs), and rail transit workers who access the roadway to perform work. It would set minimum standards for RWP program elements, including an RWP manual and track access guide; requirements for on-track safety and supervision, job safety briefings, good faith safety challenges, and reporting unsafe acts and conditions and near-misses; development and implementation of risk-based redundant protections for workers; and establishment of RWP training and qualification and RWP compliance monitoring activities. RTAs would be expected to comply with these Federal standards as a baseline and use their existing Safety Management System (SMS) processes to determine any additional mitigations appropriate to address the level of RWP risk identified. SSOAs would oversee and enforce implementation of the RWP program requirements.