Federal Aviation Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the issuance of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policy. The policy standardizes and clarifies the FAA application of 14 CFR part 23, sections 23.1301 and 23.1309, Amendment 23-41 or later for environmental qualification. This notice is necessary to advise the public, especially manufacturers of normal, utility, and acrobatic category airplanes, and commuter category airplanes and their suppliers, that the FAA has adopted the policy.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Wayne County Airport Authority under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act (Act), 49 U.S.C. 47501, et seq. and the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), 14 CFR part 150 (part 150) are in compliance with applicable requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by Santa Barbara Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On June 28, 2004, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by Santa Barbara Airport under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On January 27, 2006, the FAA approved the Santa Barbara Airport noise compatibility program. Some of the recommendations of the program were approved.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80C2D1F turbofan engines. This AD requires modifying the latching system of the fan reverser. This AD results from 13 reports of released thrust reverser hardware. We are issuing this AD to prevent release of the thrust reverser cascade on landing, which could result in runway debris and a possible hazard to other aircraft.

This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). That NPRM proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 800 series turbofan engines. That proposed action would have required initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the high pressure-and-intermediate pressure (HP-IP) turbine internal and external oil vent tubes for coking and carbon buildup, and cleaning or replacing the vent tubes if necessary. Since we issued that NPRM, RR notified us that the RB211 Trent 800 series turbofan engines are significantly less susceptible to vent tube carbon build-up than the RB211 Trent 700 series turbofan engines. Repeat on- wing inspections therefore, are not required to maintain fleet safety. Accordingly, we withdraw the proposed rule.

This action proposes to modify Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-56 and V-290, NC; and Colored Federal Airway G-13, NC; to remove unusable airway segments. The affected airway segments are unusable because they are based on nondirectional beacon (NDB) navigation aids that have been permanently decommissioned. In addition, the FAA proposes to establish a new low altitude area navigation (RNAV) route, designated T-243, to enhance instrument flight rules (IFR) access to the Outer Banks area of North Carolina.

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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for any crack, corrosion, or sign of damage (e.g., finish scratches, blistering, or signs of fuel leaking) of the front spar upper chords under the fairing web, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a report that inspections required by a previous AD action are inadequate for Boeing Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any crack, corrosion, or sign of damage of the front spar upper chords under the fairing web, which could result in structural failure of the wing.

This document clarifies the intent of AD 2006-01-11, which was published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2006 (71 FR 1941). AD 2006-01-11 applies to Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes and requires the installation of a pilot assist handle and deicing boots on the cargo pod and landing gear fairings; and the incorporation of changes to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and FAA-Approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The compliance time for the AFM/POH change currently reads ``prior to further flight'' after the installation of the pilot assist handle, which is required within 125 days after the effective date. The AFM/POH change is related to operation in ground icing conditions and should not be attributed to the pilot assist handle installation. Therefore, the compliance time should also be within 125 days after the effective date. Additionally, the requirement of installing the accessory kit or installing a placard should only apply to those airplanes equipped with a cargo pod and pneumatic deicing boots. The way it currently is written makes it apply to all airplanes equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. This AD action rewords the compliance time and the wording for the installation or placard requirement to reflect the above concerns.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from civilian aeronautical use to military aeronautical use and to authorize the lease of the airport property. The area is a twenty-five acre parcel located in the southwest quadrant of the airport south of Runway 12/30 and west of Runway 2/20. The land is vacant and is used as a stockpile area for various construction materials and was the former site of a Nike missile silo battery. The land had been transferred to the City of Gary in 1947 by Quitclaim Deed from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation as non-surplus property as defined by section 16 of the Federal Airport Act of 1946. Public Law 102-148, dated October 10, 1991 released the land from the section 16 restriction requiring Congressional action for land releases and authorized the FAA to administer land releases. There are no adverse impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to lease the property. The land is not needed for civilian aeronautical use and a Limited Army Aviation Support Facility helicopter base, which will be operated by the Indiana National Guard, will be constructed on the property. A Joint-Use Agreement will be negotiated between the Indiana National Guard and the airport that will address all fees, charges, and assessments for services such as snow removal, fire fighting and fueling. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the lease 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Model 500, 501, 550, S550, 551, and 560 airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit use of the wing fuel boost pumps for defueling under certain conditions; installing a placard; doing other specified investigative and corrective actions as necessary; and modifying the boost pumps. This AD also requires the subsequent removal of the AFM revision and placard. This AD results from a report of a chafed electrical wiring harness, which was arcing inside the fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent potential fuel vapor ignition in a fuel tank, which could result in explosion and loss 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.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. 49 U.S.C. 40117 authorizes airports to impose passenger facility charges (PFC). This program requires public agencies and certain members of the aviation industry to prepare and submit applications and reports to the FAA. This program provides additional funding for airport development, which is needed now and in the future. This collection is covered by Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 158, including subsections 158.25, 158.35, 158.37, 158.43, 158.63, 158.65, 158.67, and 158.69.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Wildlife strike data are collected to develop standards and monitor hazards to aviation. Data identify wildlife strike control requirements and provide in service data on aircraft component failure. The FAA form 5200-7, Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report, is most often completed by the pilot in charge of an aircraft involved in wildlife collision or by Air Traffic Control Tower personnel, or other airline or airport personnel who have knowledge of the incident.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. This rule request that certain airplanes be equipped to accommodate additional digital flight data recorder parameters. The revisions require additional information to be collected to enable more thorough accident or incident investigation and to enable industry to predict certain trends and make necessary modifications before an accident or incident happens.

These special conditions are issued to Heritage Aviation LTD, 2617 Aviation Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, for a supplemental type certificate for the Cessna 208B. These airplanes 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 a Honeywell EFIS 40, for which 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). This system will interface to other airplane systems also covered by these special conditions. 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection for signs of arcing or heat damage of the electrical connections of the terminal blocks, ground studs, and the end of the wires and surrounding insulation for the windshield and side window anti-ice systems; and repairing any arced or damaged electrical connection. This proposed AD also would require re-torquing electrical connections of the terminal blocks and ground studs for the windshield and side window anti-ice systems. This proposed AD results from an in- service incident involving smoke and odor in the cockpit. We are proposing this AD to prevent loose electrical connections that could arc and overheat, and cause wiring damage of the windshield and side window anti-ice systems. Such wiring damage could result in smoke and/ or fire in the flight compartment.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) EMB-120() airplane models in operation. This proposed AD would require replacing the protective tubes and conduits of the wiring harnesses of the refueling vent and pilot valves with non-conductive hoses; modifying the harness wiring and supports; and rerouting the harnesses to prevent interference with adjacent strobe light connectors; as applicable. This proposed AD results from a fuel system review conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent a potential source of ignition near a fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive mid- and low-frequency eddy current inspections for cracks in the overlapped skin panels in the fuselage skin lap joints in sections 41, 42, 44, and 46, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a report indicating that an operator found multiple small cracks in the overlapped skin panels in the fuselage skin lap joints. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the overlapped skin panels, which could join together and result in reduced structural capability in the skin and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Atqasuk Edward Burnell Sr. Memorial Airport, AK., referred to as Atqasuk Airport. Four Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being revised for the Atqasuk Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in establishment of Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface at Atqasuk, AK.

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that currently applies to Eurocopter France (ECF) Model SA 365N, N1, and AS 365N2 helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) suspension diagonal cross-member (diagonal cross-member) for cracks and replacing it with an airworthy part if any crack is found. This amendment requires more frequent inspections of the diagonal cross-member and adding the Model SA-366G1 helicopters to the applicability. This amendment is prompted by several reports of cracks in the diagonal cross-member. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the diagonal cross-member, pivoting of the MGB, severe vibrations, and a subsequent forced landing.

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

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the South Jersey Transportation Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C., (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On July 15, 2005 the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the South Jersey Transportation Authority under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On January 11, 2006, the FAA approved the Atlantic City International Airport's noise compatibility program. FAA approved in whole or in part all three proposed measures.