Federal Aviation Administration April 5, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive measurements of the freeplay of the left and right outboard aileron balance tabs and of the upper and lower rudder tabs, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require repetitive lubrication of the hinge bearings and rod end bearings of the aileron balance tabs. This proposed AD results from reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the outboard aileron balance tab and rudder tab. We are proposing this AD to prevent excessive vibration of the airframe during flight, which could result in divergent flutter and loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Model RB211 Trent 892, 884, 877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspecting and replacing certain angle gearbox and intermediate gearbox hardware, and on-going repetitive inspections of the magnetic chip detectors. This action would rescind all the requirements of AD 97-06- 13, Amendment 39-9970, Docket No. 97-ANE-09. This proposed rescission results from the FAA determining that the inspections and replacements required by that AD are no longer required to correct an unsafe condition. Operators should, however, incorporate those inspections and replacements into their normal maintenance practices.

The FAA is delaying the compliance date for the final rule clarifying that contractors, including subcontractors at any tier, must be subject to drug and alcohol testing. This action is necessary because it has come to our attention that some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other entities may be confused regarding whether they are performing maintenance or preventive maintenance duties subject to drug and alcohol testing, or manufacturing duties not subject to testing. The effective date of April 10, 2006, will remain the same, but this action extends the compliance date until October 10, 2006, which gives OEMs and others sufficient time to determine what work is subject to drug and alcohol testing.

This document makes a correction to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-06-06, which published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2006 (71 FR 13533), and applies to all The Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 208 and 208B airplanes. AD 2006-06-06 requires you to incorporate information into the applicable section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and Pilots Operating Handbook (POH) and requires installation of placards. Current language in paragraph (f)(3) of AD 2006-06-06 regarding the placard requirement inadvertently states: ``You may insert a copy of this AD into the appropriate sections of the POH to comply with this action.'' This does not meet the intent of the AD. This document corrects that paragraph by removing the language referenced above.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Minchumina, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), and one revised SIAP. This rule results in new Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at Minchumina, AK.

The FAA is publishing notice of the proposed release of approximately 3.0 acres of land located at Hamilton Municipal Airport, to allow its sale for non-aviation development. The parcel was part of the airport property acquired with federal funding support under the Airport Improvement Program. The Village of Hamilton proposes to sell the land to a developer who will develop it as a Medical office Building. FAA's action is to release the land from a deem provision requiring aeronautical use of the property. The Village of Hamilton has stated that it has no aeronautical use for the parcel now or in the near future according to the Hamilton Municipal Airport Layout Plan. The Fair Market Value of the land will be paid to the Village of Hamilton to be used for the capital development of Hamilton Municipal Airport. Any comments the agency receives will be considered as a part of the decision.

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.