Federal Aviation Administration 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E helicopters. This proposal would require visually inspecting each main transmission support fitting (fitting) attachment bolt (bolt) for a fracture, a crack, or looseness, and verifying the torque on each fitting bolt. This proposal is prompted by two incidents of fatigue failure of the bolts that secure the transmission rear support fittings to the helicopter. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect a fracture, a crack, or looseness of a fitting bolt, and prevent fatigue failure of a fitting bolt and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 407 helicopters that requires creating a component history card or equivalent record for each crosstube assembly, converting accumulated run-on landings to an accumulated Retirement Index Number (RIN) count, and establishing a maximum accumulated RIN for certain crosstube assemblies. This amendment is prompted by fatigue testing, analysis, and evaluation by the manufacturer that determined that run-on landings impose a high stress on landing gear or crosstubes and may cause cracking in the area above the skid tube saddle. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure in a crosstube assembly due to excessive stress during run-on landings and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC120 helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting the tail rotor drive shaft (drive shaft) damper half-clamps (half-clamps) to determine if they are centered on the friction ring, and if not correctly positioned, centering the half-clamps on the friction ring. This proposal is prompted by the discovery of half-clamps that were incorrectly positioned. This condition, if not detected, could result in interference of the two half-clamps with the drive shaft, which could result in scoring on the drive shaft, failure of the drive shaft, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to, impose and use the revenue from a PFC at Mid Delta Regional Airport under the provisions of the 49 U.S.C. 40117 and part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 158).

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by revising Class E airspace at Ozark, MO. A review of the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above ground level (AGL) at Ozark, MO revealed it is not in compliance with established airspace criteria. This airspace area is enlarged and modified to conform to FAA Orders. The intended effect of this rule is to provide controlled airspace of appropriate dimensions to protect aircraft departing from and executing Standard Instrumental Approach Procedures (SIAPs) to Air Park South Airport. This rule also amends the Air Park South Airport airport reference point (ARP) in the legal description to reflect current data. The area is modified and enlarged to conform to the criteria in FAA Orders.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) (formerly Rolls- Royce plc) Model Tay 611-8, 620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 turbofan engines, with low pressure (LP) fuel tube, part number (P/N) JR33021A, installed. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the LP fuel tubes. This AD requires the same inspections and adds a requirement to replace the fuel tube with a new design tube, as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections. This AD results from the manufacturer introducing a new design fuel tube, which eliminates the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual-engine flameout due to fuel exhaustion, which could lead to forced landing and possible damage to the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-26-05, which applies to certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes. AD 2002-26-05 lowers the safe life for the wing lower spar cap for Models AT-502, AT- 502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes and those that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger Enterprises, Inc. winglets. AD 2002-26-05 also requires you to eddy-current inspect the wing lower spar cap immediately prior to the replacement/modification to detect and correct any crack in a bolthole before it extends to the modified center section of the wing and report the results of this inspection to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Since we issued AD 2002-26-05, we have determined that additional airplanes should be added to the applicability section. We also developed an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to the requirements of AD 2002-26-05. This proposed AD retains the action required in AD 2002-26-05, adds additional airplanes to the applicability, and includes an AMOC. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent fatigue cracks from occurring in the wing lower spar cap before the established safe life is reached. Fatigue cracks in the wing lower spar cap could result in the wing separating from the airplane during flight.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 747SP airplane. This airplane, as modified by L-3 Communications/ Integrated Systems of Waco, Texas, will have novel and unusual design features associated with cryogenic systems using liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites pubilc comment on the application to impose and use the revenue from a PFC at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport under the provisions of the 49 U.S.C. 40117 and part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 158).

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR 71) by revising Class E airspace at Rolla, MO. A review of controlled airspace for Rolla Downtown Airport revealed it does not comply with the criteria for 700 feet above ground level (AGL) airspace required for diverse departures. The area is modified and enlarged to conform to the criteria in FAA Orders.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

This action revises Colored Federal Airway Green 16 (G-16), in Alaska. This action adds to the instrument flight rules (IFR) airway and route structure in Alaska by extending G-16 from Put River, AK, to Barter Island, AK. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations in Alaska.

This action proposes to establish new Class E airspace at Perryville, AK. A new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and Departure Procedure are being published for the Perryville Airport. There is no existing Class E airspace to contain aircraft executing the new instrument approach at Perryville, AK. Adoption of this proposal would result in the establishment of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Perryville, AK.

This action proposes to revise the Class E airspace at St. Michael, AK. Two new Standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) and a new Textual Departure Procedure are being published for St. Michael, AK. Additional Class E airspace is needed to contain aircraft executing instrument approaches at St. Michael Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in additional Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at St. Michael, AK.

This action proposes to establish eight area navigation (RNAV) routes in Florida in support of the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) project. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time general visual inspection to detect wire chafing damage and to determine adequate clearance between the disconnect panel structure and the wires above the aft left lavatory; and corrective actions, if necessary. This new AD revises the applicability of the existing AD. This AD is prompted by the determination that certain airplanes unaffected by the existing AD are subject to the unsafe condition, and certain other airplanes should be removed from the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to certain wires due to contact between the wires and the adjacent structure, which could result in electrical arcing and consequent smoke and fire in the cabin.

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.

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.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to impose and use the revenue from a PFC at Key West International Airport under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158).

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR 71) by revising Class E airspace areas at Rolla/Vichy, MO. A review of the Class E airspace surface area and the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above ground level (AGL) at Rolla/ Vichy, MO reveals neither area complies with criteria for extensions nor reflects the current Rolla National Airport airport reference point (APR). Also, the legal descriptions of both area are not in proper format. These airspace areas and their legal descriptions are modified to conform to the criteria in FAA Orders.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2005, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA that it will use its fiscal year 2005 entitlement funds to accomplish projects identified in the Airports Capital Improvement Plan that was formulated in the spring of 2004.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular (AC) 23.1523. This Advisory Circular (AC) sets forth one method that may be used to show compliance to the requirements contained within 14 CFR, part 23, 23.1523, which prescribes the certification requirements for minimum flight crew on part 23 airplanes. This AC is one method that can be used to determine workload factors and issues for normal, utility, acrobatic and commuter category airplanes. Material in this AC is neither mandatory nor regulatory in nature and does not constitute a regulation. This material is a reference for part 23 airplane manufacturers, modifiers, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design evaluation engineers, flight test engineers, engineering flight test pilots [Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), and Flight Standards, and Manufacturers] as well as human factors engineering evaluators. This material may be used by FAA authorized designees to perform workload evaluations. This AC encourages participation and coordination from all the test community participants described above. This AC is consistent with the flight test guidance and workload factors described in the minimum flight crew evaluation sections and workload factors described in AC 23-8B. This AC is an acceptable means of showing compliance for part 23 on flight tests and pilot judgments. The draft advisory circular was issued for Public Comment on July 2, 2004 (69 FR 40451). When possible, comments received were used to modify the draft advisory circular.

This notice revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Rolls Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) intermediate pressure (IP) compressor stage 5 disks installed. That proposal required new reduced IP compressor stage 5 disk cyclic limits. That proposal also required removing from service affected disks that already exceed the new reduced cyclic limit, and removing other affected disks before exceeding their cyclic limits, using a drawdown schedule. That proposal resulted from the discovery of cracks in the cooling air hole areas of the disk front spacer arm. This Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) revises the proposed rule by correcting certain cycle life limits specified in Table 3 of that AD and by clarifying certain inspections. We are proposing this AD to prevent IP compressor stage 5 disk failure, which could result in uncontained engine failure and possible damage to the airplane.