Federal Aviation Administration January 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace at Valdez, AK. Two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and one revised SIAP are being published for the Valdez Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in modification of Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface at Valdez, AK.

This notice announces three fact-finding informal airspace meetings to solicit information from airspace users and others, concerning a proposal to revise the Class B airspace at Phoenix, AZ. The purpose of these meetings is to provide interested parties an opportunity to present views, recommendations, and comments on the proposal. All comments received during these meetings will be considered prior to any revision or issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the Bradford Regional Airport Authority's request to change a portion (23.48 Acres) of airport property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use. The parcel is located between the airfield and the existing airport Access Road approximately 1150 feet north of the intersection with PA Route 59. The property is currently aeronautical use used to protect the FAR Part 77 Transition Surface airspace. The tract currently consists of vacant and semi-forested land located roughly abeam and southeast of the Runway 05 threshold, and southwest of the existing terminal complex. The requested release is for the purpose of permitting the Airport Owner to sell and convey title of 23.48 Acres for use as a Pennsylvania National Guard Stryker Brigade Combat Readiness Center. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Airport Managers office and the FAA Harrisburg Airport District Office.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a first meeting of RTCA Special Committee 209, ATCRBS/Mode S Transponder.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211-535E4-37, RB211- 535E4-B-37, RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-B-75, RB211-535E4-C, and RB211- 22B-02 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspecting certain high pressure (HP) turbine discs, manufactured between 1989 and 1999, for cracks in the rim cooling air holes, and, if necessary, replacing the discs with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would require the same inspections, and would reduce the compliance times for eddy current inspection (ECI) for the RR RB211-22B-02 engines. This proposed AD results from the manufacturer reducing their recommended compliance times for inspections on RB211-22B-02 engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent possible disc failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular 25.856-2, ``Installation of Thermal/Acoustic Insulation for Burnthrough Protection.'' The advisory circular provides information and guidance regarding an acceptable means, but not the only means, of compliance with the portions of the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes that deal with the installation of thermal/acoustic insulation.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This AD requires, when certain SmartProbes are installed, revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual to limit the maximum take-off weight of the airplane and increase the reference speed during certain landing conditions. This AD results from reports of variable calibration values of certain sensors of the SmartProbes, which could result in the transmission of erroneous information to the air data system. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive detailed inspections for accumulation of debris (blockage) in the drain holes of the pitot tubes, and cleaning the hole if any evidence of debris is found. This AD results from reports of blocked drain holes of the pitot tubes. We are issuing this AD to prevent blocked drain holes of the pitot tubes, which could result in the accumulation of water in the pitot-static system and consequent failure of that system. Failure of the pitot-static system could result in erroneous airspeed indications in the cockpit and consequent loss of airspeed control.

This notice announces a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed policy. This memorandum sets up Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification policy on applying Advisory Circular (AC) 20-152 to complex airborne electronic hardware (CEH) installed in part 23 aircraft or in airships. The specific issues addressed concern selecting and applying hardware design assurance levels (HDAL) to CEH. This notice advises the public, especially manufacturers of normal, utility, and acrobatic category airplanes, and commuter category airplanes and their suppliers, that the FAA intends to adopt this policy. This notice is necessary to advise the public of this FAA policy and give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on it.

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.

This action corrects an error in the airspace description contained in a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, September 22, 2005 (70 FR 55531). Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL- 13.

The FAA is requesting public comment on the City of Manchester, New Hampshire's request to change a portion (1 acre) of Airport property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use. The property is located off Harvey Road and Planeview Drive, Londonderry, New Hampshire, Identified as Tax Map 14/Lot17-2 and is currently vacant. Upon disposition is the property will be used for industrial development. The property was acquired under FAAP Project No. 9-27-018- C605. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to do the following: Remove and visually inspect the wing attach barrel nuts, bolts, and retainers for cracks, corrosion, and fractures; replace any cracked, corroded, or fractured parts; inspect reusable barrel nuts and bolts for deformation and irregularities in the threads; replace any deformed or irregular parts; and install new or reusable parts and torque to the correct value. This proposed AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data- driven approach to evaluate the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary to ensure their safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct cracks, corrosion, fractures, and incorrect torque values in the wing attach barrel nuts, which could result in failure of the wing barrel nuts and/or associated wing attachment hardware. This failure could lead to in-flight separation of the outer wing from the center wing section and result in loss of controlled flight.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB- 120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the interior of the internal elevator torque tube of each elevator control surface for oxidation and corrosion, and corrective actions. This proposed AD results from corrosion in torque tubes of the elevators found during scheduled maintenance. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion in the torque tubes of the elevators, which could lead to an unbalanced elevator and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison) (RRC) models 250-C30, 250-40, and 250-C47 series turboshaft engines. This proposed AD would add an additional life limit for third- and fourth-stage turbine wheels. This proposed AD results from analysis by RRC of failures of third- and fourth-stage turbine wheels. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of power, possible engine shutdown, or uncontained failure.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), as co-leads in the environmental process, intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The EIS will address environmental and related impacts that may result from actions to be proposed and alternatives to be developed to achieve the statutory mandate of Public Law 100-91 (``commonly know as the Overflights Act''); to provide for the substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). The Presidential Memorandum dated April 22, 1996, Earth Day Initiative, Parks for Tomorrow calls for substantial restoration of natural quiet in the GCNP to be achieved by 2008. ``Substantial restoration of natural quiet'' has been defined by the NPS to mean that 50 percent or more of the park will achieve natural quiet (i.e., no aircraft audible) for 75 to 100 percent of the day. This undertaking is a follow-on to previous actions taken by the FAA, in cooperation with the NPS, since December 1996. The FAA and NPS are inviting the public, agencies, and other interested parties to provide comments, suggestions, and input regarding: (1) The scope, issues, and concerns related to the development of proposed and alternative actions at Grand Canyon National Park that provide for the substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of the park and protection of public health and safety from significant adverse effects associated with all aircraft overflights; (2) past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions which, when considered with any alternatives, may result in significant cumulative impacts; and, (3) potential alternatives. The scoping process for this EIS will include three public meetings and a ninety-day comment period for interested agencies and parties to submit oral and/or written comments representing the concerns and issues they believe should be addressed. Please submit any written comments within ninety-days from the date of this Notice, or no later than April 27, 2006. Address your comments to: Docket Management System, Doc No. FAA-2005-23402, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. The purpose of this Notice is to inform Federal, State, local government agencies, and the public of the intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and to conduct a public and agency scoping process. Information, data, opinions, and comments obtained throughout the scoping process will be considered in preparing the Draft EIS. To maximize the opportunities for public participation in this environmental process, the FAA and NPS will also publish notices in the major local newspapers in the vicinity of the study area.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual regarding the use of continuous ignition, fuel filter heating, and resetting circuit breakers during flight in certain conditions such as icing. This proposed AD results from reports of power loss on one or both engines in icing conditions. We are proposing this AD to advise the flightcrew that continuous ignition will not reduce the probability of power loss, and what action they must take to avoid this hazard. Loss of power in one or more engines during flight, if not prevented, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

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 certain petitions 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.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Koyuk, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing one new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and two new SIAPs. This rule results in revised Class E airspace upward from 1,200 ft. above the surface at the Koyuk Alfred Adams Airport, Koyuk, AK.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A380-800 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. Many of these novel or unusual design features are associated with the complex systems and the configuration of the airplane, including its full-length double deck. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards regarding discrete gust requirements. 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Airbus Model A380-800 airplane.

Organizations that are approved to conduct aircraft maintenance are certified and regulated under CFR 14, Title 49, FAR part 145, or international equivalent (Henceforth referred to as part 145). The information collected will be used to assess what companies have done, are doing or are planning to do regarding the human factors elements of part 145. A partial list of subjects includes training, error management, fatigue management, and additional human factors metrics. Additionally, respondents will be asked to describe their organization's support of their human factors program. This will involve collecting data from companies world-wide. The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of this new information collection. A notice for public comment was published in the Federal Register on 7/6/ 2005, vol. 70, 128, page 39000.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 206: Aeronautical Information Services Data Link.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for damage to certain actuators of the low-pressure shut-off valve (LPSOV), and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of damage to the LPSOV pedestal. We are issuing this AD to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the LPSOV actuator functions properly to delay or block the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

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 certain petitions 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.