Federal Aviation Administration February 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss transport airplane and engine (TAE) issues.

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:

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) which provides guidance to type certificate holders and supplemental type certificate holders for developing damage tolerance data that will support operator compliance with certain airworthiness standards. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 follows:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD requires a one- time inspection of the fuel lines located in the left and right main landing gear (MLG) bays to determine the clearance between the fuel and hydraulic lines. If necessary, this AD also requires an inspection of fuel lines for chafing, the replacement of a chafed fuel line with a new fuel line, and the repositioning of existing clamps and installation of additional clamps between the fuel and hydraulic lines. This AD results from a fuel leak found in the left MLG bay. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct inadequate clearance between fuel and hydraulic lines in the MLG bay, which could lead to chafing of a fuel line and fuel leakage. A fuel leak near hot brakes could result in a fire in the MLG bay.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection of the sliding members in the main landing gear (MLG) for cracking and replacement of the sliding members with serviceable parts if necessary. This new AD adds repetitive magnetic particle inspections of the sliding members of the MLG for cracking and corrective actions as necessary. This AD results from inspection findings that have shown repetitive inspections are needed to establish fleet safety. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the sliding member, which could result in possible separation of the MLG from the airplane and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane upon landing and possible injury to passengers.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-100 (as described above), DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD requires doing a one-time inspection for damage of the electrical cable harness assembly located on the left and right wing root-to-fuselage aft seal, and repair if necessary; and reworking the fuselage aft seal assembly (left and right) to create a clearance between the electrical cable assemblies and the edge of the fairing panel. This AD results from a report that an airplane encountered an uncommanded propeller feathering during climb, which resulted in an emergency landing. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing or grounding of the wiring against the aft seal assemblies, which, if not corrected, could interrupt the operation of various systems, including the propeller feather control, alternating current (AC) electrical power, and standby hydraulic power, and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines that were reassembled with previously used high pressure compressor (HPC) exit brush seal packs and new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal lands. That AD currently requires replacing the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with new brush seal packs, or replacing the HPC exit brush seal assembly with a new HPC exit brush seal assembly. This AD requires replacing the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with new brush seal packs, using either original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts, or FAA-approved part manufacturer approval (PMA) parts. This proposed AD also applies to engines reassembled with a PMA HPC exit inner and or outer brush seal packs. This AD results from a request to include PMA HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs and to include the engines with PMA parts already installed, in the AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure, damage to the airplane, and injury to passengers.

This notice proposes to amend Class E5 airspace at Middlesboro, KY. An Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) A has been developed for Middlesboro-Bell County Airport. As a result, additional controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAP.

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

These special conditions are issued for Raytheon Aircraft Company Model BAe.125 Series 800A airplanes modified by Duncan Aviation Inc. These modified airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of electronic flight and engine instrument systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for protecting these systems from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) airplanes, Model DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes, and Model MD-10-30F airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing bracket assemblies and jumper wires in the center main wheel well to improve the bonding path between the structure (wall) of the lower auxiliary fuel tank and its internal fuel pumps; measuring the electrical resistance between the fuel pump housings and the fuel tank structure; and doing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct an inadequate bond between the internal fuel pump housings and the structure of the lower auxiliary fuel tank. This condition, if not corrected, could fail to meet fault current requirements and result in a potential ignition source that, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing bracket assemblies and jumper wires in the center main wheel well to improve the bonding path between the structure (wall) of the lower auxiliary fuel tank and its internal fuel pumps; measuring the electrical resistance between the fuel pump housings and the fuel tank structure; and doing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct an inadequate bond between the internal fuel pump housings and the structure of the lower auxiliary fuel tank. This condition, if not corrected, could fail to meet fault current requirements and result in a potential ignition source that, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes described previously. This proposed AD would require installing bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure from the fuel system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left and right wing front spar. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent point-of-contact arcing or filament heating damage in the fuel lines that could create a potential ignition source, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Redmond, OR. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at City-County Airport, Madras, OR. This change is necessary for the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new SIAP at City-County Airport.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

This action will revise the 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 will improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new RNAV GPS SIAP at Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Gillette, WY.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Douglas to waive the requirement that approximately .76 acres of surplus property, located at the Douglas Municipal Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a potion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the release of 68.277 acres of vacant airport property for the proposed development bulk warehouse/ distribution facilities as a component of the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. The land was acquired by the Rickenbacker Port authority through two Quitclaim Deeds dated March 30, 1984 from the Administrator of General Services for the United States of America and May 11, 1999 from the United States of America, acting by and through the Secretary of the Air Force. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. 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 CRAA will receive $1,468,000 for the parcel. 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing updated software revisions and, as applicable, doing concurrent actions. This proposed AD results from a report of an error in the implementation procedure of the Primus Epic digital software platform, which could result in improper functioning of certain flight systems. Further, current revisions of the Primus Epic software may cause blinking of all cockpit flight displays. We are proposing this AD to prevent improper functioning of certain flight systems and blinking of cockpit flight displays, which could lead to increased pilot workload during critical phases of flight.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC- 10) airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing Teflon sleeving around the fuel pump wire harness inside the conduit in the aft supplemental fuel tank. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This notice announces the issuance of PS-ACE100-2005-50001. This Final Policy Statement 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. This was issued for Public Comment on January 26, 2006. When possible, comments received were used to modify the draft policy.

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.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the General Aviation Commission and AugustaDaniel Field to waive the requirement that 97,217 square feet of surplus property, located at AugustaDaniel Field, be used for aeronautical purposes.

This action makes minor corrections to two final rules. The rules were published in the Federal Register on August 9, 1979 and August 18, 1989, respectively. This action corrects the paragraph reference which describes the requisite qualifications to obtain a repairman certificate. This action also corrects the appendix references which describe requirements for altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment tests and inspections. The intent of this action is to ensure that the regulations are clear and accurate.