Federal Aviation Administration November 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems (formerly Sundstrand Power Systems) auxiliary power units (APUs) models T-62T-46C2, T-62T-46C2A, T-62T- 46C3, T-62T-46C7, and T-62T-46C7A, with compressor impeller assembly, part number (P/N) 4502020 or 4502020A, installed. This AD requires removal from service of those compressor impeller assemblies at reduced service life limits. This AD results from two reports of uncontained failures of compressor impeller assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained APU failure and damage to the airplane.

This action extends the comment period for the 12 draft advisory circulars (ACs) related to the Enhanced Airworthiness Program for Airplane Systems proposed rule, which was published on October 6, 2005. The 12 Notices of availability for the draft ACs include an earlier close of comment period date than the proposed rule. The purpose of this action is to make the close of comment period date for the 12 draft ACs and the proposed rule the same.

In this action, the FAA reopens the comment period and announces its intention to hold a public meeting concerning the ``Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area'' NPRM that was published August 4, 2005. In that document, the FAA proposed to codify current flight restrictions for certain aircraft operations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. This reopening is in response to requests from Members of Congress and industry associations.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption, part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of a certain petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

14 CFR part 298 requires air carrier operators to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the DOT, with the exception of air taxi and commuter air operators. In order to be exempted from this requirement, such operators must apply for exemption with the DOT. This collection is used to ensure that affected companies comply with the requirements under this regulation.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D and 1D1 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 2nd stage nozzle guide vanes (NGV2) for wall thickness. This proposed AD results from one instance of a fractured 2nd stage turbine blade followed by an uncommanded engine shutdown. We are proposing this AD to detect and prevent perforation of the NGV2 that could cause fracture of a turbine blade that could result in an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that provides methods acceptable to the Administrator related to the proposed certification requirements for performance and handling characteristics of transport category airplanes affected by flight in the icing conditions defined in appendix C of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 25. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GROB-WERKE Model G120A airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect for signs of any chafing damage to the attachment cables of the switch panels below the left-hand instrument panel, any damaged switch below the switch panels of the left-hand instrument panel, any damaged (that is, sharp) edge of the support tray for the attachment cables of the switch panels below the left-hand instrument panel; correct any damage found during the inspection; and apply a layer of anti-rub (protective padding) strips to the edge of the support tray. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent chafing of the cables against the rear lip of the tray that holds the switch panels. Chafing of the electrical cables could result in smoke or fire in the cockpit.

This action proposes to establish Restricted Area 5601F (R- 5601F) at Fort Sill, OK. The United States (U.S.) Army requests that the FAA take action to establish R-5601F to provide additional airspace needed to support new high angle air-to-ground training requirements for Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircraft operating over the Falcon Bombing Range. This action would also enhance Fort Sill's ability to host joint training.

The rule allows some experienced pilots who would otherwise qualify as flight instructors or check airmen, but who are not medically eligible to hold the requisite medical certificate, to perform flight instructor or check airmen functions in a simulator.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. This proposed AD would modify the JT9D series engines ALS sections of the manufacturer's manuals and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate additional inspection requirements. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures. We are proposing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

The FAA will hold an informal public meeting to seek aviation weather user input on convective weather products. Details: November 10, 2005; Orlando Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Room N210A, Orlando, Florida 32819, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The objective of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for interested Government and commercial sector representatives who use Government- provided aviation weather information in operational decision-making to provide input on FAA's plans for implementing new convective weather products.

This amendment amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, addition of new obstacles, or changes in 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.

On May 23, 2005, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) received an application for a launch license from Space Exploration Technologies, Inc. (SpaceX) to conduct launches of its Falcon 1 launch vehicle from Omelek Island, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site (USAKA/RTS). The FAA participated as a cooperating agency with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) in preparation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proof-of-Principle Space Launches from Omelek Island (February 2005). The EA analyzed the environmental consequences of conducting two proof-of-principle launches of the Falcon 1 Launch Vehicle from Omelek Island, USAKA/RTS. From its independent review and consideration, the FAA has determined that the FAA's proposed action is substantially the same as the actions already analyzed in the USASMDC EA and that FAA's comments and suggestions have been satisfied (see 1506.3(c) and FAA Order 1050.1E, 518h). The FAA formally adopts the EA and hereby incorporates the analysis to support its decision on this license application. After reviewing and analyzing currently available data and information on existing conditions, project impacts, and measures to mitigate those impacts, the FAA has determined that licensing the proposed launch activities is not a Federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Therefore, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required and the FAA is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FAA made this determination in accordance with all applicable environmental laws.

This notice announces the criteria, application procedures, and schedule to be applied by the Secretary of Transportation in designating or redesignating, and funding capital development annually for up to 15 current (joint-use) or former military airports seeking designation or redesignation to participate in the Military Airport Program (MAP). The MAP allows the Secretary to designate current (joint-use) or former military airports to receive grants from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The Secretary is authorized to designate an airport (other than an airport designated before August 24, 1994) only if: (1) The airport is a former military installation closed or realigned under the Title 10 U.S.C. 2687 (announcement of closures of large Department of Defense installations after September 30, 1977), or under section 201 or 2905 of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Acts; or (2) the airport is a military installation with both military and civil aircraft operations. The Secretary shall consider for designation only those current or former military airports, at least partly converted to civilian airports as part of the national air transportation system, that will reduce delays at airports with more than 20,000 hours of annual delays in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings, or will enhance airport and air traffic control system capacity in metropolitan areas or reduce current and projected flight delays (49 U.S.C. 47118(c)).

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums 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, addition of new obstacles, or changes in 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.