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

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2006 (71 FR 34808). The error resulted in a reference only to the left main fuel tank in paragraph (f)(2) of that AD rather than to both the left and right main fuel tanks. This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the first bonding jumper aft of the bulkhead fitting to detect damage or failure and to determine the mechanical integrity of its electrical bonding path, and repair if necessary; measurement of the bonding resistance between the fitting for the fuel feed tube and the front spar in the left and right main fuel tanks, and repairing the bonding if necessary; and application of additional sealant to completely cover the bulkhead fittings inside the fuel tanks.

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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving notice that a portion of the airport property containing 2.3 acres located at the southeast corner of Air Park Drive and Airport Rd. is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the airport Layout Plan. This parcel was originally acquired through Grant No. AIP-01 in 1989. The parcel was an uneconomic remnant left from reconfiguration of a roadway intersection alongside the edge of the airport. The parcel is segregated from the airport and is not accessible from the air operations area. The land comprising this parcel is, therefore, no longer needed for aeronautical purposes. Income from the sale will be used to improve the airport. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 15, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 50, page 13446-13447. Information is collected to provide services to aircraft in-flight and protection of persons/property on the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) from aeronautical use to non-aeuronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property .The proposal consists of a land exchange between the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) and the City of Romulus (City) for the Romulus Department of Public Works (DPW) property. The Runway 4L/22R construction project at DTW necessitated the WCAA acquire the City DPW site on Goddard Road (Parcel 65). A Memorandum of Understanding between the WCAA and the City provided that the WCAA construct a replacement DPW facility on surplus airport property West of relocated Wayne Road and then exchange this property (portions of seven parcels) for the former City DPW site. The new DPW facility has been constructed and the WCAA/City desire to complete the property exchange. The WCAA has requested from FAA a ``Release from Federal agreement obligated land covenants'' to complete the land exchange. The property proposed for release was acquired by the WCAA under FAA Project Numbers: 3-26-0026-1991, 3-26-0026-2292, 3-26-0026-3695, 3-26-0026- 4197, and 3-26-0026-4398. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the WCAA to exchange property with the City. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the 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. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

Under the provisions of Title 49 U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Gadsden Airport Authority to waive the requirement that a .98-acre parcel of surplus property, located at the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Gadsden Airport Authority to waive the requirement that a 26.69-acre parcel of surplus property, located at the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for missing fire blocking material on the left- and right-hand partitions of the forward baggage compartment door; replacing the seal on both partitions; and performing corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that certain airplanes were delivered with the fire blocking material missing and the seal improperly installed on the partitions of the forward baggage compartment door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such discrepancies on the forward baggage compartment partition, which, in the event of a fire in the baggage compartment, could result in smoke propagating into the main cabin.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of a low pressure valve of the twin motor actuator found partially open, although the valve detection system indicated that the valve was closed. Investigation revealed that the locating pin in the actuator was too short to engage with the valve slot, resulting in incorrect alignment of the actuator and the drive assembly, causing the valve to remain partially open. We are issuing this AD to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the valve actuator functions properly to block the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to incorporate power assurance charts into the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), inspect the engine torque indication system, and recalibrate the torque pressure transducers as required. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to analyze 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 for 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 AD to detect and correct torque transducers that are out of calibration. The above issue, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane in certain situations.

The FAA supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 84-09-05, which applies to certain GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG (previously identified as BURKHART-GROB FLUGZEUGBAU INDUSTRIESTRABE) Model G102 ASTIR CS sailplanes. AD 84-09-05 requires you to install a modified spherical locking bolt and nut in the forward horizontal stabilizer connection to the vertical stabilizer and install new locking pins in the aft connecting plate for the horizontal stabilizer. Since we issued AD 84- 09-05, fatigue cracks were found in the modified spherical locking bolt. Consequently, this AD requires you to replace the modified spherical locking bolt, the retaining pins (collar bolts), and associated hardware; add a life limit on the spherical locking bolt and the retaining pins; and repetitively inspect the front and rear horizontal stabilizer attachment. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the spherical locking bolt, which could result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer connection. This failure could lead to loss of control.

This action modifies the Class D and the Class E airspace areas at Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, to provide controlled airspace for Category (CAT) E aircraft performing a circling approach within Class D and Class E Airspace.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 55, 55B, and 55C airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the left- and right-hand standby fuel pump switches. This proposed AD would also require revising the Emergency and Abnormal Procedures sections of the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew of the proper procedures to follow in the event of failure of the standby fuel pump to shut off. This proposed AD results from a report of inadvertent operation of a standby fuel pump due to an electrical system malfunction. We are proposing this AD to prevent this inadvertent operation, which could result in inadvertent fuel transfer by the left or right wing fuel system and subsequent over-limit fuel imbalance between the left and right wing fuel loads. This imbalance could affect lateral control of the airplane which could result in reduced controllability.

This rule establishes a Class E surface area airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Higginsville, MO. The effect of this rule is to provide appropriate controlled Class E airspace for aircraft departing from and executing instrument approach procedures to Higginsville Industrial Municipal Airport, MO and to segregate aircraft using instrument approach procedures in instrument conditions from aircraft operating in visual conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the release of land at the Franklin-Wilkins Airport in the City of Lexington, Tennessee. This property, approximately 200.3 acres, will change to a non-aeronautical use. This action is taken under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

This action amends commercial space transportation regulations by adding procedures for obtaining a safety approval for a safety element. Also, this action adds procedures for including a safety approval in a license application. Once the FAA issues a safety approval, the holder could offer the approved safety element to prospective launch and reentry operators for use within a defined and proven envelope. Those operators would not need added FAA approval of that portion of their license application. The decision to apply for a safety approval is voluntary. The intent of this action is to facilitate the launch and reentry license application and approval processes.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive position checks of the gas generator 2nd stage turbine blades on all Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD also currently requires initial and repetitive replacements of 2nd stage turbines on 1B, 1D, and 1D1 engines only. This AD revision requires the same actions, but would relax the compliance times for initially replacing 2nd stage turbines in Arriel 1B, 1D, and 1D1 turboshaft engines. We are issuing this AD revision to clarify and relax the AD compliance times for 2nd stage turbine initial replacement on Arriel 1B, 1D, and 1D1 turboshaft engines. We are also issuing this AD revision to prevent in-flight engine shutdown and subsequent forced autorotation landing or accident.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S sailplanes. This AD requires you to modify the elevator control at the stabilizer assembly, replace a placard on the fin, and incorporate changes in the FAA-approved sailplane flight manual (SFM). This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent the rigging of the horizontal stabilizer without properly connecting the elevator, which, if not prevented, could lead to an inoperative elevator. An inoperative elevator could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This proposal would revise Class E airspace at Gillette, WY. Additional Class E airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Gillette-Campbell County Airport. This change is proposed to improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new RNAV GPS SIAP at Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Gillette, WY.

This proposal would revise Class E airspace at Saratoga, WY. Additional controlled airspace is necessary for the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new Area Navigation (RNAV), Global Positioning System (GPS) approach procedure at Saratoga/Shively Field, Saratoga, WY.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,'' Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to replace the rudder actuator arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-10) with an improved design rudder actuator arm (manufactured following drawing No. 301-45-13). This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to the rudder actuator arm, which could result in failure of the rudder actuator arm. This failure could result in reduced or loss of rudder control.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals 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 notice is published pursuant to paragraph (d) of Sec. 158.29.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. This action responds to the Wendell H. Ford Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century by requiring that all persons who remove any life-limited aircraft part have a method to prevent the installation of that part after it has reached its life limit.