Department of Transportation 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-83 in the eastern United States. This action supports the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Routes (NEC ACR) Optimization Project to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Ottumwa, IA. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Ottumwa very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action would also update the name and geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

This action extends the prohibition against certain flight operations in the Tehran Flight Information Region (FIR) (OIIX) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier, for an additional three years, from October 31, 2024, to October 31, 2027. The FAA finds this action necessary to address significant unacceptable safety-of-flight risks to U.S. civil aviation operations that continue in the Tehran FIR (OIIX) during periods of heightened regional tensions and increased military activities. The FAA also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.

This document provides the public with notice that, on September 20, 2024, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system to establish a Construction Zone (CZ) during November and December 2024, in order to install Automatic Train Control (ATC) on the final segment of MBTA's Fitchburg Line between CPF-330 and CPF-335. As this RFA may involve a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified PTC system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on MBTA's RFA to its PTC system.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) will hold a free Hazardous Materials Transportation Seminar from October 30, 2024, through November 1, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, One South Capital Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The seminar will be a three-day event with a broad focus on outreach and engagement with PHMSA's stakeholders. Targeted stakeholders include shippers, transporters, and small business particularly in underserved communities, and emergency responders.

This action proposes to revoke Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155 and amend Jet Route J-115 in Alaska. These proposed actions are due to the decommissioning of the Chandalar Lake Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) in Alaska.

FRA is taking direct final action to amend its Accident/ Incident Regulations governing reporting, classification, and investigations by codifying FRA's policy for gathering information from, and consulting with, stakeholders during an accident/incident investigation.

This action removes the expiration date on flight instructor certificates to align with other airman certificates. Additional amendments include updating renewal requirements to recent experience requirements, introducing a new method for establishing recent flight instructor experience, and allowing instructors with a lapse of no more than three months to reinstate privileges via an approved flight instructor refresher course instead of a practical test. This final rule also adds two new methods for flight instructors to qualify to train initial applicants. Finally, this final rule relocates and codifies the requirements for relief for U.S. military and civilian personnel who seek to renew their expired flight instructor certificate.

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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is announcing the availability of Advisory Circular (AC) 187-1T which transmits an updated schedule of charges for services of FAA Flight Standards Aviation Safety Inspectors outside the United States.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0032 (Application for Construction Reserve Fund (CRF) and Annual Statements) is used to evaluate an applicant's eligibility for CRF program benefits. There was a reduction in the public burden since the last renewal. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

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 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.