Department of Transportation September 10, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of debonding on the leading edge protection of certain part-numbered main rotor blades (MRBs). This AD requires repetitively tap inspecting the MRB and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing an affected MRB on any helicopter unless its requirements are met. These actions are 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant a limited 5-year exemption to the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) on behalf of motor carriers in Wisconsin to use cargo securement methods that do not comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for securing shortwood logs transported lengthwise in crib-type vehicles that have been modified or manufactured without front structures, rear structures, or which have a center-mounted crane for loading and unloading. The Agency has determined that the use of the alternate cargo securement method will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than the level of safety achieved by the current regulation.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-20-12, AD 2018-17-21, and AD 2019-14-04, which apply to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2019- 14-04 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and terminates the provisions of AD 2018-17-21, which in turn terminates the provisions of AD 2016-20-12. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-14-04, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD 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.

On April 1, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a final rule in the Federal Register to incorporate certain Airman Certification Standards and Practical Test Standards by reference into the certification requirements for pilots, flight instructors, flight engineers, aircraft dispatchers, and parachute riggers. That final rule incorrectly set forth certain regulatory text that includes duplicative requirements. This correction remedies the error. This correction does not make any substantive revisions to the regulations.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Beloit, KS. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Mankato very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the airport are 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) to allow commercial driver's license (CDL) holders with a passenger (P) endorsement to operate a school bus without holding a school bus (S) endorsement, provided an adult chaperone is present on the bus who is responsible for ensuring the safe loading and unloading of children. This exemption applies to drivers operating traditional school buses, i.e., buses designed to be school buses, and to motorcoaches and vans not designed to be school buses. Drivers operating a traditional school bus must have an S endorsement commercial learner's permit (CLP) and obtain their full S endorsement within 90 days of the date they obtained the S endorsement CLP. Drivers operating motorcoaches or vans not designed to be a school bus must operate between designated central locations, such as parks or parking lots, and school or school-sponsored events.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by report that some Model 767-300 series airplanes that had been converted into a freighter configuration are missing an electrical bracket for a wire bundle in the main equipment center. This AD requires installing an electrical support bracket and re-installing wire bundles. The FAA is issuing 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.