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

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This action amends Jet Route J-133 by revoking a portion of the airway and establishes Canadian Area Navigation Route (RNAV) Q-801 in the vicinity of Anchorage, AK. The amendment of J-133 is due to the pending decommissioning of several Navigational Aids (NAVAID) that provide course guidance along the airway. The establishment of RNAV route Q-801 serves as a mitigation to the revoked segments of J-133 and provides additional routing to the southeast for aircraft traveling to Canada or to the Pacific Northwest United States.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-328 by changing the name of the DAINA, WA, waypoint (WP) to the ZAGGS, WA, WP. The FAA is taking this action due to a similarly pronounced fix (DIANN) being located within five miles of the DAINA, WP. This action is an administrative change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus T gliders. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of gliders' canopies opening during air tow. This proposed AD would require modifying the canopy locking mechanism. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Akiachak Airport, Akiachak, AK, to support the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR).

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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-18-09, which applies to all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes; and certain Model C-295 airplanes. AD 2018-18-09 requires a detailed inspection of the upper and lower lugs of each horizontal stabilizer-to-fuselage rear attachment fitting, repair if necessary, and a report of findings. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-18-09, new occurrences of cracking were reported. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The proposed AD would also revise the applicability. 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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 17, 2024. The collection involves regulations that prescribe the requirements governing air carrier operations. The information collected is necessary to determine air operators' compliance with the minimum safety standards and the applicants' eligibility for air operations certification.

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 establishes Class E airspace at Utopia, TX. The FAA is taking this action to support new public instrument procedures.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters, LLC, Model 369 (Army YOH-6A), 369A (Army OH-6A), 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracked tail rotor (T/R) pedal support brackets. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered T/R pedal support brackets and depending on the results, replacing the T/R pedal support bracket or refinishing any exposed areas. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain part-numbered T/R pedal support brackets. 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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 28, 2024. The collection involves applying for a repair station certificate, requesting amendments to the certificate, developing required programs and manuals, and maintaining employee qualification and training records. Additionally, repair stations located outside of the United States must apply to renew their FAA air agency certificate every two years. The information to be collected will be used to ensure applicants and certificate holders of FAA-issued repair station certificates use appropriate facilities and equipment, have sufficient processes and procedures, and use qualified personnel with appropriate training to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations of aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts. The title of this collection is being revised to better reflect the purpose of the information collected.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145EP, -145ER, -145LR, -145MP, -145MR, and -145XR airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a structural assessment that indicated certain central fuselage longitudinal splices are subjected to fatigue damage on multiple sites due to loose fasteners, which may reduce the structural residual strength below the required levels. This proposed AD would require performing repetitive inspections of certain upper central fuselage longitudinal splices and reporting the inspection results, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also require performing corrective actions if necessary. 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.

The FAA is amending certain airworthiness regulations to standardize the criteria for conducting safety assessments for systems, including flight controls and powerplants, installed on transport category airplanes. With this action, the FAA seeks to reduce risk associated with airplane accidents and incidents that have occurred in service, and reduce risk associated with new technology in flight control systems. The intended effect of this rulemaking is to improve aviation safety by making system safety assessment (SSA) certification requirements more comprehensive and consistent.

By Federal Register notice on June 26, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), invited interested persons to apply to fill one current and one upcoming vacancy on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notice informs the public of the selections made for the one current vacancy representing Native American tribes and one upcoming vacancy representing commercial air tour operators.

On August 7, 2024, NHTSA received a request to extend the period during which manufacturers and any interested person may submit written information in response to the agency's Supplemental Initial Decision published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2024. The original written submission deadline was September 4, 2024. NHTSA is extending the deadline to October 4, 2024.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Zeeland, MI. The FAA is proposing this action due to the development of new public instrument procedures at The Ottawa Executive Airport, Zeeland, MI, and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

Polaris Industries Inc. (Polaris) and Indian Motorcycle Company have determined that windscreens installed on certain model year (MY) 2015-2021 Slingshot three-wheeled motorcycles and MY 2019- 2022 Indian motorcycles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, Glazing Materials and ANSI/SAE Z26.1- 1996. On September 29, 2021, Polaris and Indian Motorcycle Company each filed a noncompliance report. Polaris subsequently amended its noncompliance report on October 27, 2021, and on August 23, 2022. On October 29, 2021, Polaris (the parent company of Indian Motorcycle) petitioned NHTSA, on behalf of both companies, regarding the two noncompliance reports for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of Polaris' two petitions.

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 renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 26, 2024. The collection involves requesting that small on- demand operators voluntarily provide the number of revenue passengers that boarded their aircraft at each airport annually. This information is used in determining an airport's category and eligibility for federal funding on an annual basis. It is not available through any other federal data source.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of October 10, 2024, for Summer 2025 flight schedules at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).