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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking on the radius of the rib 0 forward longeron at a certain frame. This AD requires a one-time inspection for defects of the radius, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -302, -343, and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a certain aft bulkhead cover panel may have been made with a non-conforming material. This AD requires replacing the aft bulkhead cover panel and prohibits the installation of affected parts, 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG (THOMMEN) AC32 Digital Air Data Computers. This proposed AD results from occurrences of AC32 Digital Air Data Computers (ADCs) that stop functioning below certain temperatures. This proposed AD would require replacing an affected AC32 Digital ADC with a serviceable part. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to rename, update, and reissue an existing system of records notice currently titled "DOT/ALL 24 Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) System." This Notice is necessary for DOT records that are not covered by the Government-wide System of Records Notices (SORNs) for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM/GOVT-1) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC/GOVT-1). OPM/GOVT-1 covers general personnel records pertaining to Federal employees. The EEOC/GOVT-1 covers equal employment opportunity records pertaining to claims by Federal employees and applicants for Federal employment who allege they have been discriminated against by a Federal agency under title VII of the Civil Act of 1964, as amended; section 15 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Equal Pay Act. The DOT system known as the DOCR General Support System (GSS) covers Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) appeal records and includes correspondence, inquiries, complaints, and appeals filed by individuals, small businesses, or representatives of individuals or small businesses who believe they have been subjected to prohibited discrimination or retaliation by a DOT federally assisted or federally conducted program or activity. Modification to DOT/ALL 24 is necessary due to updates, consolidation and processes used to manage the records in the system.

This notice provides information regarding FHWA's finding that it is appropriate to grant a Buy America waiver to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the procurement of submersible pumps with non-domestic iron and steel components. Specifically, this waiver covers the procurement by IDOT of 4 main, submersible pumps with discharge capacity of 3,000 gallons per minute (gpm) each and 2 low flow submersible pumps with discharge capacity of 921 gpm each ("waiver items"), for the relocation of existing Pump Station No. 37.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-20-03, which applies to certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. AD 2023-20-03 requires repetitive engine oil analysis for aluminum content outside the acceptable limits and, if necessary, replacement of the pistons, piston rings, con-rods assembly, and crankcase or, as an alternative, replacement of the engine core. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-20-03, the manufacturer identified errors in the lists of affected engines and provided updated information, which prompted this proposed AD. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2023-20-03, add compliance times for additional affected engine serial numbers, and remove certain engine serial numbers from the applicability of the existing AD. 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 DAHER AEROSPACE (DAHER) (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of wear of the inner flap actuator drive nut. This proposed AD would require cleaning and lubricating the internal actuator rods, measuring the play between the drive nuts and the internal actuator rods, and if any play is found, replacing the drive nuts. This proposed AD would also allow replacing the drive nuts with certain other design drive nut as terminating action for the proposed requirements. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing to waive the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act's domestic preference requirements for certain products that Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) needs for its Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant project. The proposed waiver would exempt the following products used in PGW's project from BABA requirements on the basis of nonavailability: electro-fusion tapping tees, anodeless risers, transition fittings, lockwing valves, magnesium anodes, service adapters, curb valves, caps, couplings, and stiffeners. In accordance with section 70914(c) of BABA, PHMSA is seeking public comments on the proposed waiver.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), on behalf of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by the Authority that are final agency actions. The actions relate to the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) Palmdale to Burbank Project Section (Project). The Project will provide the public with electric-powered HSR service that provides predictable and consistent travel times between the Antelope Valley and the San Fernando Valley; provide connectivity to airports, mass transit systems, and the highway network in the Antelope Valley and the San Fernando Valley; and connect the Northern and Southern portions of the planned statewide HSR system. These actions grant permits, approvals, or authorizations for the Project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has finalized an updated circular, to assist recipients in their implementation of the Rural Areas Formula Program and the rural component of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The update and consolidation of the circulars incorporates provisions from the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL); the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities; and current FTA policies and procedures. This notice responds to the comments FTA received on the proposed circular, which was published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2024.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has finalized a new circular entitled, "Urbanized Areas Formula Grant Programs Guidance," which consolidates and replaces the circulars for the Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program (FTA Circular C 9030.1), the State of Good Repair Grants Program (FTA Circular C 5300.1), and the Urbanized Area formula component of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (FTA Circular C 5100.1). The update and consolidation of the circulars incorporate provisions from the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities; and current FTA policies and procedures. This notice responds to the comments FTA received on the proposed circular, which was published in the Federal Register on July 12, 2023.

Van Pool Transportation LLC (Van Pool or Applicant), a noncarrier, filed an application to acquire control of an interstate passenger motor carrier, TransAction Corporate Shuttles, Inc. (TCS), from its sole shareholder, the Cynthia Cain Fren[eacute] Revocable Trust (Seller). The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction subject to the owners of Van Pool filing to join the application. If the owners' filing is satisfactory and no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Victoria, TX. The FAA is proposing this action to support new instrument procedures at this airport.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-15-06, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, - 200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. AD 2022-15-06 requires disconnecting certain connectors and capping and stowing the wires that had been attached to the affected transorb modules. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-15-06, the agency has determined additional connectors are affected. Also, a replacement has been developed to address the unsafe condition, which would terminate the existing actions. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2022- 15-06 and would require those actions for additional connectors. This proposed AD would also require determining if affected transorb modules are installed, replacing or testing affected transorb modules, and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of a fractured clutch shaft forward yoke (yoke) on the main rotor (M/R) drive due to fatigue cracking. This AD requires visually inspecting a certain part-numbered flex plate assembly (flex plate) and certain part-numbered yokes, including each flex plate bolt, and depending on the inspection results, removing an affected part from service and replacing an affected part with an airworthy part. This AD also requires removing a certain part-numbered yoke from service after accumulating a certain number of hours time-in-service (TIS) or a certain number of years, or as an alternative to removing the part from service, performing a 10x or higher power magnification visual inspection and, if needed, a magnetic particle inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new air traffic control tower will service the airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 23 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) announces a public meeting of the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee (TTAC) on Thursday, October 17, 2024. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be virtually open to the public. The purpose of the TTAC is to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to transportation innovations.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant a five-year exemption to the Oregon Department of Transportation (Oregon) from the commercial driver's license (CDL) rules concerning acceptable proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency for citizens of Freely Associated States (FAS) who reside in Oregon and wish to obtain a CDL or commercial learner's permit (CLP). The FAS are the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allows States to issue full- term REAL ID licenses and ID cards to citizens of the FAS. The exemption allows Oregon to accept from citizens of the FAS a valid, unexpired passport issued by a FAS and an Arrival/Departure Record, meaning an I-94 or I-94A form, as proof of lawful entry into the United States, and issue standard CLPs and CDLs, rather than non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs, to these individuals. FMCSA concludes that granting the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, is likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained absent the exemption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a request for an extension without change to an existing information collection: Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the compliance time for the initial ultrasonic inspection required by AD 2019-11-06 is insufficient for certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require reducing the compliance time for the ultrasonic inspection of the skin under the drag link assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a revised restrictive airworthiness limitation is necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a revised restrictive airworthiness limitation for the aft engine mount attachment bolts. 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 Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 freighter, A330-800, and A330-900 series airplanes; Model A330-301, -302, -303, -323, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-312 and -313 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of quality non-conformity on main landing gear (MLG) axles where the high velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) coating on the bearing journal runout areas had a coating that was thicker than allowable limits. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the affected parts (MLG axles) for any discrepancy, corrective actions, and eventual replacement of affected parts, and prohibits the installation of affected parts, 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.