Department of Transportation 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-20-08, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340- 200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600, and A380-800 series airplanes. AD 2021-20-08 requires replacing certain parts manufacturer approval (PMA) nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries with serviceable Ni-Cd batteries. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-20-08, it was determined that the on-wing preservation procedures originally provided in the service information did not ensure the expected preservation of the battery capacity. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability and require replacement of certain affected parts with serviceable parts as a precondition for return to service of airplanes from storage or parking, 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.

This action establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-476, and amends RNAV Route T-393 in support of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA is correcting a final rule that published in the Federal Register on December 22, 2023. The final rule modified Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Minden- Tahoe Airport, Minden, NV. This action corrects a typographical error within the airspace legal description text.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project, on State Route 99 from post miles 25.2 to post mile 30.6 in Tulare County, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On July 21, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

FMCSA updates the Medical Advisory Criteria published as an appendix in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The appendix provides guidance for medical examiners listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) on the applicability and interpretation of the physical qualification standards for operators of commercial motor vehicles. The advisory criteria in the appendix are also intended to provide recommendations and information to assist medical examiners in applying the standards, basic information related to testing, and matters to consider when making a qualification determination. The updated Medical Advisory Criteria replace all previous versions of the criteria.

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.

FMCSA announces its decision to provisionally renew the exemption currently held by WestRock from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations that prohibit drivers from operating property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) after 14 hours on duty and require 10 hours off duty before resuming driving. FMCSA renews this limited exemption for WestRock's shipping department employees and occasional substitute commercial driver's license (CDL) holders who transport paper mill products short distances on a public road between its shipping and receiving locations. The exemption is restricted to a specific route, measuring less than 300 feet in one direction, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This exemption will allow these individuals to occasionally work up to 16 consecutive hours and be allowed to return to work with less than the mandatory 10 consecutive hours off duty. The Agency previously determined that the CMV operations of WestRock's drivers under this exemption would likely maintain a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be achieved in the absence of the exemption. The exemption renewal is for 5 years.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVIII-G700 and GVIII-G800 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is an envelope protection function to protect the airplane from over- and rapid-rotation on takeoff. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVIII-G700 and GVIII-G800 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is associated with the installation of a digital systems architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources, (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on three Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers pertaining to hazardous materials transportation. PHMSA intends to request renewal and extension for these three control numbers from OMB.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that some airplanes were delivered without a portable protective breathing equipment (PBE) device located in the left-side forward wardrobe, flight deck, or passenger cabin area of the airplane. This AD requires visually inspecting the forward left side cabin area of the airplane to determine if the portable PBE device is installed and, if not installed, requires installing the portable PBE device along with the associated placard. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action updates the controlling agency of restricted areas R-3801A, R-3801B, and R-3801C, and updates the location name and the using agency of restricted areas R-3803A, R-3803B, R-3803C, R-3803D, R- 3803E, R-3803F, R-3804A, R-3804B, and R-3804C. Additionally, this action makes minor editorial corrections to the designated altitudes information in the restricted area R-3801A, R-3801B, and R-3801C descriptions. This action partially implements recommendations of the Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These amendments do not affect the overall restricted area complexes boundaries, operational altitudes, times of designation, or activities conducted within the airspace.

This action renames restricted areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R- 6601C, Fort AP Hill, VA, and updates the using agency description. Additionally, this action amends the geographic coordinates for multiple boundary points listed in the restricted areas to accurately align the existing boundary with United States (U.S.) Route 301 and U.S. Highway 17 referenced in the descriptions and adjacent Special Use Airspace (SUA). This action partially implements recommendations of the Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

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 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.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On November 2, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments related to the proposed collection of information.

This action makes the editorial changes, updating the geographic coordinates of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport and replacing the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions and Airport/Facility Directory with Chart Supplement in Class D description. This action also corrects the airspace header for the San Juan Class D airspace. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

This action proposes to amend three Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways and two United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes; and to revoke two VOR Federal airways and three jet routes in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Elmira, NY (ULW), VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). This action is in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-09-06, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, - 700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. AD 2021-09-06 requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the left- and right- hand side outboard chords of certain frame fittings and failsafe straps at a certain station around eight fasteners, and repair if any cracking is found. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-09-06, additional reports of cracking in the area were received and it was determined that additional inspections are needed to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed and ultrasonic inspections for cracking of the left-and right-hand sides of certain frame fittings and failsafe straps, and repair if any cracking is found. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA announces the special class airworthiness criteria for the Wing Aviation LLC (Wing) Hummingbird unmanned aircraft (UA). This document sets forth the airworthiness criteria that the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UA design.

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.