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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating revised takeoff performance tables. This AD results from a correction of the power setting logic and table limits in the performance model by the engine manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is provided with correct information to ensure a safe takeoff at certain altitudes; inadequate takeoff performance tables used in such conditions could result in reduced control of the airplane during takeoff.

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.

This document announces a public meeting in which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and members of the Performance-Based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PARC) will discuss implementing the performance-based National Airspace System. The first day of the meeting will focus on performance-based operations. The second day of the meeting will focus on navigation infrastructure capabilities.

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 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.

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

This action establishes VOR Federal Airway V-623 between the Sparta, NJ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Carmel, NY, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The FAA is taking this action to enhance the management of aircraft transiting from the New England area to airports in the Newark, NJ, area.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from Glynn County to waive the requirement that approximately 18.50 acres of surplus property, located at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 and Model ERJ 190 airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual to prohibit the flightcrew from moving the throttle into the forward thrust range immediately after applying the thrust reverser. This AD results from a report that, during landing, the thrust reverser may not re-stow completely if the throttle lever is moved into the forward thrust range immediately after the thrust reverser is applied. We are issuing this AD to prevent the flightcrew from performing a takeoff with a partially deployed thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A330 airplanes and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required repetitive detailed inspections for cracking in the aft web of support rib 6 between certain bottom skin stringers on both wings; high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the attachment holes of the fuel pipes, and repair if necessary. The original NPRM also would have provided for an optional modification, which would extend a certain inspection threshold. The original NPRM resulted from a report of significant cracking found in the aft web of support rib 6 on both wings. This action revises the original NPRM by mandating, for certain airplanes, a new modification of support rib 6 on both wings, which would end the repetitive inspection requirement. This action also reduces the applicability in the original NPRM. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent cracking in the aft web of support rib 6, which could result in overloading of adjacent ribs and the surrounding wing structure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wing.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, - 700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required modifying the wiring for the master dim and test system. For certain airplanes, the original NPRM also proposed to require related concurrent actions as necessary. The original NPRM resulted from a report that the master dim and test system circuit does not have wiring separation of the test ground signal for redundant equipment in the flight compartment. This action revises the original NPRM by adding a new concurrent action for certain airplanes, extending the compliance time, and removing certain airplanes from concurrent requirements. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent a single fault failure in flight from simulating a test condition and showing test patterns instead of the selected radio frequencies on the communications panels, which could inhibit communication between the flightcrew and the control tower, affecting the continued safe flight of the airplane.

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900, and 747-400 series airplanes; and Model 757, 767, and 777 airplanes. The original NPRM would have required modifying the static inverter by relocating resistor R170 of the static inverter bridge assembly. This new action revises the original NPRM by adding a new requirement for modifying the static inverter by replacing resistor R170 with a new resistor and relocating the new resistor. The actions proposed by this supplemental NPRM are intended to prevent a standby static inverter from overheating, which could result in smoke in the flight deck and cabin and loss of the electrical standby power system. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive measurements of the rudder and elevator freeplay, repetitive lubrication of rudder and elevator components, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the rudder and the elevator. The potential for vibration of the control surface should be avoided because the point of transition from vibration to divergent flutter is unknown. We are issuing this AD to prevent excessive vibration of the airframe during flight, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 757 series airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual (757 Airworthiness Limitations Instructions (ALI)) to incorporate certain inspections and compliance times to detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). This new AD requires incorporating a new revision to the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions of Continued Airworthiness to mandate certain repetitive inspections for fatigue cracking of PSEs, and adds airplanes to the applicability in the existing AD. This AD results from a new revision to the ALI. We are issuing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes.

The FAA is proposing that information provided to the agency from a Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program (VDRP) be designated by an FAA order as protected from public disclosure in accordance with the provisions of 14 CFR part 193. Under 49 U.S.C. 40123, the FAA is required to protect the information from disclosure to the public, including disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or other laws, following issuance of such order. The designation is intended to encourage participation in the VDRP.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes, identified above. This proposed AD would require reducing the length of the sump drain collar and replacing the fuel tank sump drain lockring for fuel tanks 1, 2, and 3; and reducing the length of the drain outlet barrel for the auxiliary fuel tank, if applicable. For airplanes with an auxiliary fuel tank, this proposed AD also would require relocating the sump drain outlet to allow draining the sumps without opening the doors of the main landing gear wheel well. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks in the event of a lightning strike, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in arcing in the fuel tank, fuel tank explosions, and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, and DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require performing a one-time inspection for non-conforming chain links of chain assemblies of the elevator trim system and gust lock system, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require temporary revisions to the airplane flight manuals of the affected airplanes, which describe procedures for elevator trim checks. This proposed AD results from several reports of failure of the elevator trim chain, due to hydrogen embrittlement. We are proposing this AD to prevent breakage of the elevator trim chain, which would prevent the actual position of the elevator trim tab from being annunciated to the flightcrew. Attempting to adjust the trim tab to the full nose up or full nose down position with a broken trim chain could cause reduced control during airplane rotation on the ground or a stall during flight.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspections to detect disbonding, corrosion, and cracking at the longitudinal rows of fasteners in the bonded skin panels in section 41 of the fuselage, and repair, if necessary. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability, and require new inspections of airplanes that may have Alodine-coated rivets installed. This proposed AD results from a report of cracking discovered in a skin lap joint that was previously inspected using the eddy current method. We are proposing this AD to prevent rapid decompression of the airplane due to disbonding and subsequent cracking of the skin panels.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 186: Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the placards on certain stowage bins with new placards, installing partial dividers in certain other stowage bins, and installing straps on stowage bins containing life rafts. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires related concurrent actions. This AD results from test data indicating that outboard overhead stowage bins are unable to withstand the 4.5g down-load standard intended to protect passengers during flight turbulence or a hard landing. We are issuing this AD to prevent the stowage bins from opening during flight turbulence or a hard landing, which could result in the contents of the stowage bins falling onto the passenger seats below and injuring passengers, or blocking the aisles, impeding the evacuation of passengers in an emergency.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting certain bus bars in the DA-A panel to ensure that the bus bars match the panel configuration and clearance is adequate between the bus bars and adjacent components, and performing corrective action if necessary. This AD results from two reports of inadequate clearance between the bus bars in the DA-A panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent insufficient electrical isolation for the electrical bus configuration and inability of the flightcrew to isolate the bus bars in an emergency situation involving a dual generator failure, which could result in extra loads on the main ship batteries and consequent loss of power to the main essential bus.

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.

These special conditions are issued to Avidyne Corporation, 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA 01773, for a Supplemental Type Certificate for the models listed under the heading ``Type Certification Basis.'' This special condition includes various airplane models to streamline the certification process needed to improve the safety of the airplane fleet by fostering the incorporation of new technologies that can be certificated affordably under 14 CFR part 23. The airplanes listed under this multi-model approval will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisaged in the applicable airworthiness standards. These novel and unusual design features include the installation of the Entegra II Avionics System, consisting of: (2) Model 700-0003-( ) Integrated Flight Displays (IFD), (2) Model 700-00011-( ) Magnetometer/ OAT sensors, and (1) Model 700-00085-000 Keyboard/Controller. These components are all manufactured by Avidyne Corporation, Inc. The applicable regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the airworthiness standards applicable to these airplanes.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B series, RB211-524B, -524C2, - 524D4, -524G2, -524G3, and -524H series, and RB211-535C and -535E series turbofan engines with high pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3 disc assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) LK46210, LK58278, LK67634, LK76036, UL11706, UL15358, UL22577, UL22578, and UL24738 installed. This AD requires removing from service certain disc assemblies before they reach their full published life if not modified with anticorrosion protection. This AD results from the manufacturer's reassessment of the corrosion risk on HPC stage 3 disc assemblies that have not yet been modified with sufficient application of anticorrosion protection. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion-induced uncontained disc failure, resulting in damage to the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited Model DHC-7 airplanes. This AD requires implementing a corrosion prevention and control program (CPCP) either by accomplishing specific tasks or by revising the maintenance inspection program to include a CPCP. This AD results from a determination that, as airplanes age, they are more likely to exhibit indications of corrosion. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the airplane due to corrosion.