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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 and -535 series turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) and borescope inspections of the high pressure (HP) compressor stage 1 and 2 rotor discs for cracks. This proposed AD results from reports of low-cycle-fatigue cracks found at overhaul in the interface weld between the HP compressor stage 1 and 2 rotor disc. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes. These airplanes, modified by TIMCO Aviation Services, Inc. (TIMCO), will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a forward lower lobe crew rest module (CRM). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Lake Ozark, MO.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Chamberlain, SD. Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed for Chamberlain Municipal Airport, Chamberlain, SD. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing these approaches. This action increases the area of the existing controlled airspace for Chamberlain, SD.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10E series turbofan engines. This AD requires removing the main fuel pump (MFP) inlet strainer from certain MFPs, installing a certain replacement flange as an interim repair, and performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the main fuel filter. This AD results from three reports of release of the tripod support legs on the MFP inlet strainer, leading to engine in-flight shutdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown due to MFP malfunctions.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The existing AD requires repetitive inspections of the pitot static heating relay K0057 and corrective actions if necessary. The existing AD also requires doing a terminating modification, which ends the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would remove the existing repetitive inspections and instead would require a one-time detailed inspection for damage of the relay, relay socket, and silicone gasket; applicable corrective actions; and a new action to modify and re- identify the relay socket. This proposed AD would also revise the existing terminating modificationreplacing/rerouting the windowsill drain hosesinto two parts, each with a different, reduced compliance time. This proposed AD results from a report of smoke in the cockpit. We are proposing this AD to prevent ignition of a windowsill drain hose by an overheated relay, which could cause fire and smoke in the cockpit.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections to measure the depth of chafing or scoring in the skin along the full length of the wing-to-fuselage fairing from forward to aft ends at the contact between the seal and fuselage, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of chafing in this area. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such chafing or scoring, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand passenger doors is incorrect, and repair if necessary. This AD results from cases of girt bar disengagement from the floor fitting during deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when the door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/raft at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. That 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 new AD adds airplanes to the applicability, and requires new inspections of airplanes that may have Alodine-coated rivets installed. This AD results from a report of cracking discovered in a skin lap joint that was previously inspected using the eddy current method. We are issuing this AD to prevent rapid decompression of the airplane due to disbonding and subsequent cracking of the skin panels.

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 aviation 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.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular (AC) 33-7, Certification of 30-Second and 2-Minute One-Engine-Inoperative (OEI) Ratings for Rotorcraft Turbine Engines. This AC sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with the requirements for 30-second OEI and 2-minute OEI rotorcraft turbine engine ratings in part 33 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 189/EUROCAE Working Group 53: Air Traffic Services (ATS) Safety and Interoperability Requirements.

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.

The FAA has issued an order to show cause, which solicits the views of interested persons on the FAA's tentative determination to modify the August 2004 order temporarily limiting scheduled operations at O'Hare International Airport (O'Hare). The text of the order to show cause is set forth in this notice.

This document makes a correction to the final rule published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2006 (71 FR 52250), which amends regulations for issuing airworthiness certificates to certain new aircraft manufactured in the United States. This action is necessary to add an amendment number to the headings section at the beginning of the final rule. This correction does not make substantive changes to the final rule.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The original NPRM would have required repetitive tests to detect hot air leaking from the trim air diffuser ducts or sidewall riser duct assemblies (collectively referred to in this proposed AD as ``TADDs''), related investigative actions, and corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM also would have provided an optional terminating action for the repetitive tests. The original NPRM resulted from reports of sealant deteriorating on the outside of the center wing fuel tank and analysis that sealant may deteriorate inside the tank due to excess heat from leaking TADDs. This action revises the original NPRM by referring to improved inspection procedures and extending the repetitive interval for certain related investigative actions. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent leakage of fuel or fuel vapors into areas where ignition sources may be present, which could result in a fire or explosion.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2, B4-100, and B4-200 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires supplemental structural inspections to detect fatigue cracking, and repair of cracked structure. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program by incorporating new and revised supplemental structural inspections, inspection intervals, and repairs; and repair of any damaged, cracked, or corroded structure; which would end the existing supplement structural inspections. This proposed AD results from a review of service history and reports received from the current supplemental structural inspection document program. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of these airplanes due to fatigue cracking.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 and A310 airplanes; and Model A300 B4- 600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). This proposed AD would require replacing the pressure limiter of the parking brake system with a new or modified pressure limiter. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that failure of the parking brake system occurred on a Model A300-600 airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the parking braking system and interference with emergency use of the brake pedals, which could lead to airplane collision with surrounding objects or departure from the runway.

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, pages 13444-13445. Fractional Ownership is a program that offers increased flexibility in aircraft ownership.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the lower web of the aft fairing of engine struts for any discoloration and doing any related investigative and corrective action if necessary; inspecting the heat shield castings for any damage and doing any corrective action if necessary; installing gap cover strips; and replacing insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. This AD results from a report that several discolored fairing lower webs and some damaged/deteriorated insulation blankets were found in the aft fairings of engine struts. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of lower webs of the aft fairings, which could result in flammable hydraulic fluid leaking onto or near an ignition source, and possibly result in an uncontrollable fire in the engine strut area.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 202: Portable Electronic Devices.

The FAA announces in this notice that the deadline for submitting requests for international Arrival Authorizations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) for allocation under 14 CFR 93.29 is October 12, 2006. This date coincides with the deadline established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the Schedule Coordination Conference for the Summer 2007 season. The FAA will allocate ORD international Arrival Authorizations for the period covering the U.S. Summer Scheduling Season in accordance with recent changes to the start and end dates of daylight saving time in the United States. The applicable period is March 11 through November 3, 2007. The FAA recognizes that these dates differ from the March 25 through October 27, 2007 period used by IATA for the Summer 2007 schedule. Therefore, for those carriers who previously submitted schedules to the FAA through March 24, 2007, as part of the Winter 2006 submission, resubmission is not necessary unless schedule information has changed because the FAA has acted on those submissions. Carriers also may choose to file initial summer schedules through October 27, 2007, the end of the IATA Northern Summer Scheduling Season, and submit the period October 28 through November 3, 2007, as part of winter schedules. Previously, the FAA designated Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (O'Hare) as a Level 2, Schedules Facilitated Airport under the IATA Guidelines. The FAA has changed the designation for O'Hare to Level 3 based on runway movement parameters under an August 29, 2006, final rule (71 FR 51382). Carriers are advised that this notice does not alter or change any coordination procedures conducted separately for O'Hare's Terminal 5 facilities. The IATA designation for those flights remains Level 2 and information on those submission requirements is available from IATA. Finally, the FAA notes that the High Density Rule slot limitations for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will not apply after January 1, 2007, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. Sec. 41715(a)(2). Consequently, the FAA determination for JFK under IATA guidelines has changed to Level 1. Carriers do not need to submit JFK schedules for slot approval.

On March 27, 2006, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare a PEIS for Experimental Permits in the Federal Register (71 FR 15251). On May 9, 2006, the FAA published a Notice of Extension of scoping for the PEIS. The FAA has decided to extend the scoping period for the preparation of the PEIS to October 31, 2006. All comments received by October 31, 2006 will be considered in the preparation of the Draft PEIS.

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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Model B300 airplanes. This AD requires you to modify the cabin passenger seats by installing a modification kit on each passenger seat, removing the existing technical standard order (TSO) label, and re-identifying each modified passenger seat assembly with a new part number. This AD results from the seats not meeting the ultimate load requirements of 14 CFR part 23 during structural testing of the seat with design changes. We are issuing this AD to prevent the passenger seats from failing during emergency landing conditions when high inertial loadings occur. Passenger seat failure may result in occupant injury.