Federal Aviation Administration January 12, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends the time of designation for Restricted Area 6320 (R-6320), Matagorda, TX. Specifically, this action amends the time of designation from ``Continuous'' to ``Intermittent by [Notice to Airmen] NOTAM.'' This rule makes no other changes to R-6320. The FAA is issuing this amendment because R-6320 is no longer continuously needed for the aerostat balloon, used in support of U.S. National Security interests.

The FAA extends, by 24 months, the date for operators to comply with the fire penetration resistance requirements of thermal/ acoustic insulation used in transport category airplanes manufactured after September 2, 2007. This extension is from September 2, 2007, to September 2, 2009. This action is necessary to allow airframe manufacturers enough time, after getting an acceptable certification test facility, to select and certificate appropriate installations.

This action modifies VOR Federal Airway V-2 over the East Central United States to support modified arrival and departure procedures to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Detroit, Michigan. These procedures were modified in conjunction with the Midwest AirSpace Enhancement (MASE) project. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace assigned to the Chicago and Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).

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 MCAI describes the unsafe condition as an incomplete discharge of the extinguishing agent in the fire zone, which could lead, in the worst case, in combination with an engine fire, to a temporary uncontrolled engine fire. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks and fractures of the strut front spar chord assembly at each strut location, and repair if necessary. This new AD expands the inspection area by requiring repetitive inspections for any cracks or fracture of the strut front spar chord assembly in an area forward of the existing inspection area at each strut location, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a strut front spar chord assembly that was found fractured, forward of the inspection area required by the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and fracture of the nacelle strut front spar chord assembly. Fracture of the front spar chord assembly could lead to loss of the strut upper link load path and consequent fracture of the diagonal brace, which could result in in-flight separation of the strut and engine from the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale and/or conversion of the airport property. The proposal consists of two parcels of land containing a total of 4.18 acres located on the north side of the airport along County Road 13. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. These parcels were originally acquired under Grant No. FAAP-01 in 1964. The parcels were acquired for a runway that has since been abandoned and replaced by a new primary runway in a different location. The land comprising these parcels is, therefore, no longer needed for aeronautical purposes and the airport owner wishes to sell at 4.0 acre parcel for an agricultural implement dealership and convert 0.18 acres of another parcel for use as a city wastewater lift station site. The income from the sale/conversion of these parcels will be reinvested in the airport for extending the useful life of the runway pavement. Approval does not consistute 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 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.