Federal Aviation Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92- 07-05, which applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 65, 90, 99, and 100 series airplanes. AD 92-07-05 currently requires you to inspect the rudder trim tab for proper moisture drainage provisions, and if the correct drainage provisions do not exist, prior to further flight, modify the rudder trim tab. Since we issued AD 92- 07-05, FAA has received and evaluated new service information that requires the actions of AD 92-07-05 for the added serial numbers LJ-1281 through LJ- 1732 for the Model C90A airplanes. Consequently, this proposed AD retains all the actions of AD 92-07-05 and adds serial numbers LJ-1281 through LJ-1732 for the Model C90A airplanes in the applicability section. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent water accumulation in the rudder trim tab, which could result in a change in the mass properties and thus result in the lower flutter speed of the airplane. Airplane flutter could result in failure and loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, A340-200 and - 300 series airplanes, and A340-541 and -642 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive borescope inspections of the left and right fuel tanks of the trimmable horizontal stabilizers (trim tanks) for detached or damaged float valves; related investigative/corrective actions if necessary; and the eventual replacement of all float valves in the left and right trim tanks with new, improved float valves, which terminates the need for the repetitive inspections. This AD also requires repetitive replacement of certain new, improved float valves. This AD results from reports of detached and damaged float valves in the trim tanks. We are issuing this AD to prevent, in the event of a lightning strike to the horizontal stabilizer, sparking of metal parts and debris from detached and damaged float valves, or a buildup of static electricity, which could result in ignition of fuel vapors and consequent fire or explosion.

In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on the Draft EA for the Oklahoma Spaceport. On October 23, 2002, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority's (OSIDA) proposal to operate a commercial launch facility at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) located in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. After substantial changes to the proposed action, the FAA reconsidered the scope of the analysis required to support the proposed action and alternatives and determined that an EA would more appropriately address the environmental consequences of the proposed action and alternatives. On October 7, 2005, the FAA issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the proposed action would be addressed in an EA. Under the proposed action, the FAA would issue a launch site operator license to OSIDA to operate a launch facility at the CSIA and approve the land transfer of the CSIA from the city of Clinton to OSIDA. The EA evaluates potential impacts to the environment from launches and landings of three types of suborbital horizontally launched reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) \1\ from the CSIA. The FAA may use the analysis in the EA as the basis for making a determination to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or a Finding of No Significant Impact regarding the issuance of a launch site operator license as well as the licensing or permitting of the launch of certain types of launch vehicles, and the transfer of ownership of the CSIA from the City of Clinton to OSIDA.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2006, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA that it will use its fiscal year 2006 entitlement funds to accomplish projects identified in the Airports Capital Improvement Plan that was formulated in the spring of 2005.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 204: 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking in the skin, the bulkhead outer chord, and the strap of the bulkhead outer chord at station (STA) 1725.5; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD also provides for repairs, which are optional for airplanes on which no cracking is found, that terminate certain inspections. This proposed AD results from reports of cracking in the skin panel common to stringer 7R and aft of the STA 1725.5 butt splice, and in the strap of the bulkhead outer chord at STA 1725.5. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the skin, the bulkhead outer chord, or the strap of the bulkhead outer chord in this area, which could progress into surrounding areas and result in reduced structural integrity of the support structure for the vertical or horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. The proposed AD would have required inspecting for the part number, the serial number, and the mark ``RETESTED'' on the reaction link of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacing the reaction link of the MLG with a retested reaction link if necessary. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have received new data that all suspect reaction links of the MLG have been replaced with acceptable reaction links, and the suspect reaction links have been sent back to the reaction link manufacturer. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 390 airplanes. This AD contains the same information as emergency AD 2006-02-51 and publishes the action in the Federal Register. This AD requires you to visually inspect the hydraulic tube assembly (P/N 390-580035-0001 or P/N 390- 580035-0005) and the clamp (P/N MS21919WCJ6 or P/N MS21919WCJ7) (or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers), as specified in the service information; replace the clamp at each inspection; replace the hydraulic tube assembly immediately if any of the problems identified in the service bulletin are found; and report the results of each inspection or replacement to the FAA. This AD results from failure of the hydraulic tube assembly, which caused in-flight loss of hydraulic fluid. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the hydraulic tube assembly and consequent leaking of hydraulic fluid. This failure could result in loss of hydraulic system functions and risk of fire because of flammable fluid leakage in the engine nacelle and lead to loss of control of the airplane.

This notice announces the availability of, and requests comments on proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-HIRF, The Certification of Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems for Operation in the High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) Environment. This proposed AC provides information and guidance concerning an acceptable means, but not the only means, of showing compliance with the High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2006, regarding the operation of electrical and electronic systems on an aircraft when the aircraft is exposed to an external HIRF environment.

The FAA proposes to add certification standards to protect aircraft electrical and electronic systems from high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). This action is necessary due to the vulnerability of aircraft electrical and electronic systems and the increasing use of high-power radio frequency transmitters. The intended effect of this action is to create a safer operating environment for civil aviation by protecting aircraft and their systems from the adverse effects of HIRF.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX airplanes. For all airplanes, this AD requires, among other actions, doing an inspection for damage of the feeder cables, and corrective actions if necessary; and installing a protective plate on the feeder cables. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires re-routing the wiring on the cockpit protector; drilling holes in the cockpit protector; and clamping the feeder cables; as applicable. This AD results from a drawing review and further associated inspections that highlighted a potential chafing risk between the third crew member's oxygen mask box and feeder cables routed in the area. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing between the subject oxygen mask box and the adjacent feeder cables, which could generate smoke or fire in the cockpit that could be fanned by oxygen leakage from the oxygen mask box.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace at Valdez, AK. Two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and one revised SIAP are being published for the Valdez Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in modification of Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface at Valdez, AK.

This notice announces three fact-finding informal airspace meetings to solicit information from airspace users and others, concerning a proposal to revise the Class B airspace at Phoenix, AZ. The purpose of these meetings is to provide interested parties an opportunity to present views, recommendations, and comments on the proposal. All comments received during these meetings will be considered prior to any revision or issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the Bradford Regional Airport Authority's request to change a portion (23.48 Acres) of airport property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use. The parcel is located between the airfield and the existing airport Access Road approximately 1150 feet north of the intersection with PA Route 59. The property is currently aeronautical use used to protect the FAR Part 77 Transition Surface airspace. The tract currently consists of vacant and semi-forested land located roughly abeam and southeast of the Runway 05 threshold, and southwest of the existing terminal complex. The requested release is for the purpose of permitting the Airport Owner to sell and convey title of 23.48 Acres for use as a Pennsylvania National Guard Stryker Brigade Combat Readiness Center. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Airport Managers office and the FAA Harrisburg Airport District Office.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a first meeting of RTCA Special Committee 209, ATCRBS/Mode S Transponder.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211-535E4-37, RB211- 535E4-B-37, RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-B-75, RB211-535E4-C, and RB211- 22B-02 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspecting certain high pressure (HP) turbine discs, manufactured between 1989 and 1999, for cracks in the rim cooling air holes, and, if necessary, replacing the discs with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would require the same inspections, and would reduce the compliance times for eddy current inspection (ECI) for the RR RB211-22B-02 engines. This proposed AD results from the manufacturer reducing their recommended compliance times for inspections on RB211-22B-02 engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent possible disc failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular 25.856-2, ``Installation of Thermal/Acoustic Insulation for Burnthrough Protection.'' The advisory circular provides information and guidance regarding an acceptable means, but not the only means, of compliance with the portions of the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes that deal with the installation of thermal/acoustic insulation.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This AD requires, when certain SmartProbes are installed, revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual to limit the maximum take-off weight of the airplane and increase the reference speed during certain landing conditions. This AD results from reports of variable calibration values of certain sensors of the SmartProbes, which could result in the transmission of erroneous information to the air data system. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive detailed inspections for accumulation of debris (blockage) in the drain holes of the pitot tubes, and cleaning the hole if any evidence of debris is found. This AD results from reports of blocked drain holes of the pitot tubes. We are issuing this AD to prevent blocked drain holes of the pitot tubes, which could result in the accumulation of water in the pitot-static system and consequent failure of that system. Failure of the pitot-static system could result in erroneous airspeed indications in the cockpit and consequent loss of airspeed control.

This notice announces a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed policy. This memorandum sets up Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification policy on applying Advisory Circular (AC) 20-152 to complex airborne electronic hardware (CEH) installed in part 23 aircraft or in airships. The specific issues addressed concern selecting and applying hardware design assurance levels (HDAL) to CEH. This notice advises the public, especially manufacturers of normal, utility, and acrobatic category airplanes, and commuter category airplanes and their suppliers, that the FAA intends to adopt this policy. This notice is necessary to advise the public of this FAA policy and give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on it.

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.

This action corrects an error in the airspace description contained in a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, September 22, 2005 (70 FR 55531). Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL- 13.

The FAA is requesting public comment on the City of Manchester, New Hampshire's request to change a portion (1 acre) of Airport property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use. The property is located off Harvey Road and Planeview Drive, Londonderry, New Hampshire, Identified as Tax Map 14/Lot17-2 and is currently vacant. Upon disposition is the property will be used for industrial development. The property was acquired under FAAP Project No. 9-27-018- C605. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to do the following: Remove and visually inspect the wing attach barrel nuts, bolts, and retainers for cracks, corrosion, and fractures; replace any cracked, corroded, or fractured parts; inspect reusable barrel nuts and bolts for deformation and irregularities in the threads; replace any deformed or irregular parts; and install new or reusable parts and torque to the correct value. This proposed AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data- driven approach to evaluate 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 to ensure 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 proposed AD to detect and correct cracks, corrosion, fractures, and incorrect torque values in the wing attach barrel nuts, which could result in failure of the wing barrel nuts and/or associated wing attachment hardware. This failure could lead to in-flight separation of the outer wing from the center wing section and result in loss of controlled flight.