Department of Transportation June 18, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the installation of unapproved main gearbox (MGB) forward and rear suspension bar attachment plates. This proposed AD would require inspecting or measuring the MGB forward and rear suspension bar attachment plates and, depending on the results, taking corrective action, as 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.

This action revokes Colored Federal airway Amber 1 (A-1) in Alaska due to the pending decommissioning of the navigational aids (NAVAID) that support the airway.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the State of Alaska for a renewal of its exemption from the limitations imposed by the commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations on the State's ability to issue restricted CDLs. The exemption renewal would allow the State to waive specified portions of the CDL skills test for drivers who reside and operate in 14 defined geographic areas that lack the infrastructure to allow completion of the full skills test. Drivers who receive a restricted CDL under the provisions of the current exemption would also be exempt from the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. The State of Alaska currently holds an exemption for the period December 28, 2022, through December 30, 2024, and requests a five-year renewal of the exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on Alaska's request for exemption.

FMCSA announces its final decision to renew the U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. (USCHI) exemption from the intrastate restriction ("K") on commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for custom harvester drivers operating in interstate commerce for a two-year period, with additional terms and conditions. FMCSA's regulations currently provide an exception to the minimum age requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) engaged in custom harvesting operations in interstate commerce. However, under the Agency's CDL regulations, States may impose an intrastate-only (or "K") restriction for these drivers. On October 11, 2023, FMCSA announced its decision to provisionally renew USCHI's exemption for two years, pending a review of any comments received in response to that notice. After reviewing the four comments submitted to the docket, which are discussed later in this notice, the Agency believes that drivers who qualify for the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved by complying with the "K" restriction.

FCA US LLC (f/k/a Chrysler Group LLC) (FCA), has determined that certain MY 2014-2019 Fiat 500 motor vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. FCA filed a noncompliance report dated April 11, 2019, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 3, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces and explains the denial of FCA's petition.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of an obstructed tail rotor (TR) pedal control that was blocked during flight. This AD requires a one-time inspection for proper positioning of the TR actuator harness and cable ties installation and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action, 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 action modifies the designated altitudes of restricted area R-4201B, Camp Grayling, MI, by raising the restricted area ceiling from 9,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) to 23,000 feet MSL to match the ceiling of the adjacent restricted area R-4201A, Camp Grayling, MI. Additionally, this action adds a "tie-in" boundary point in the R- 4201A boundaries description to ensure a shared R-4201A and R-4201B boundary. Lastly, this action makes minor administrative changes to the R-4201B time of designation information and the R-4201A and R-4201B using agency information to standardize the format of the information provided describing these restricted areas.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-13, V-133, and V-300, and United States (U.S.) Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-331; establishes Canadian RNAV Routes Q- 924, T-765, T-776, and T-810 in U.S. airspace; and revokes Jet Route J- 533 and VOR Federal Airway V-348. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Thunder Bay, Ontario (ON), Canada, VOR navigational aid (NAVAID). This action supports NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization Program within Canada.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04-06 and AD 2024-04-07, which apply to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes. AD 2023-04-06 and AD 2024- 04-07 require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-04-06 and AD 2024-04-07, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-04-06 and AD 2024-04-07 and would require 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 proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.