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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a non- conforming installation of spoiler wire bundles that led to unintended spoiler motion, including one instance of spoiler hardover. Further investigation identified the potential for a hardover of more than one flight spoiler on the same wing, which can exceed full lateral control capability leading to loss of control of the airplane. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the clearance between the spoiler control wire bundles and the adjacent structure, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-11-17 and AD 2021-11-22, which apply to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. AD 2021-11-17 requires a one-time visual inspection of certain part-numbered main rotor actuators (MRAs). AD 2021-11-22 requires revising the life limits of certain parts and removing each part that has reached its life limit. Since the FAA issued those ADs, it was determined that repetitive inspections of the MRAs are necessary, new and more restrictive tasks and limitations have been issued, and that it is necessary to expand the applicability. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions required by AD 2021-11-17 and AD 2021-11-22, except this proposed AD would require changing the one-time MRA inspection to a repetitive inspection and incorporating other new and more restrictive tasks and limitations by revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. This proposed AD would also expand the applicability by adding Model EC635T2+ helicopters. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing 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 FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by occurrences of premature cracks in the outer layer of certain flight deck side windows caused by interference due to manufacturing tolerances. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections of the flight deck side windows and applicable corrective actions, and would prohibit the installation of affected flight deck side windows, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes special conditions for BETA Technologies Inc. (BETA) Model H500A electric engines that operate using electrical technology installed on the aircraft, for use as an aircraft engine. These engines have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards applicable to aircraft engines. The design feature is the use of an electric motor, motor controller, and high-voltage systems as the primary source of propulsion for an aircraft. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Anderson, IN. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Muncie very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The name of the airport is also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

This notice announces the FAA's intent to designate North American Flying Service Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA1-150 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 North American Flying Service concerning the STC. This action is intended to enhance aviation safety.

DOT OST announces a virtual meeting of ACTE's Interventions Subcommittee, which will take place via Zoom Webinar.

DOT OST announces a virtual meeting of ACTE's Expanding Access Subcommittee, which will take place via Zoom Webinar.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notification provides the date, location, and agenda for the meeting.

This notice announces three meetings of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

Following coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FHWA announces its proposal to adopt the Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET) as a voluntary tool transportation authorities can use to assist in identifying, detecting, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents. The FHWA requests comments on its proposal.

This notice announces a meeting of the TLTF.

This action amends the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, KY, Class B airspace area description by making editorial changes to three sub-area shelf boundaries of the Class B airspace from using the Cincinnati, KY, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) to a reference point. The reference point uses the same geographic coordinates as the Cincinnati VORTAC location listed in the existing description. Additionally, this action also removes the airport name from the airspace designation to comply with FAA regulatory guidance, updates the Airport Reference Point (ARP) geographic coordinates for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to match the FAA National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database, and changes the Class B airspace center point from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to ``Point of Origin''. The point of origin uses the same geographic coordinates as the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport listed in the existing description. Finally, this action makes minor edits to the sub-area descriptions for clarity and readability. These changes are editorial only and do not alter the current boundaries, altitudes, ATC procedures, or operating requirements for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Class B airspace.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine failures and the determination that certain batches of cap screws, installed on the inner main bearing positions of the engine, were manufactured at the lower end of the material strength tolerance. This AD requires replacing certain cap screws with a part eligible for installation and prohibits installing certain cap screws on any inner main bearing position of any engine. This AD also prohibits installing certain engine cores on any engine unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) 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 AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-33 and Q-66 in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation Project and continued Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts providing a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

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.

On September 19, 2023, FRA published a public notice in Docket Number FRA-2018-0041 announcing that on July 1, 2023, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (Petitioner) submitted a petition seeking renewal of a waiver. In this notice, FRA is announcing a public hearing to allow interested persons the opportunity to provide comments on the petition. FRA is also announcing it is reopening the comment period for 15 days to allow time for interested parties to submit comments on the petition or in response to views or information provided at the public hearing.

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 FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for certain brake accumulators are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would also require determining the accumulated landings on the affected brake accumulators. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.