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

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 and 767 airplanes. The original NPRM would have required reworking the electrical bonding between the airplane structure and the pump housing of the outboard boost pumps in the main fuel tank of certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes, and between the airplane structure and the pump housing of the override/jettison pumps in the left and right wing center auxiliary fuel tanks of certain Boeing Model 767 airplanes. The original NPRM would also have required related investigative actions and corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM resulted from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This action revises the original NPRM by adding an inspection requirement for certain Model 747 airplanes, and by specifying cold-working the fastener holes for certain other Model 747 airplanes. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent insufficient electrical bonding, which could result in a potential of ignition sources inside the fuel tanks, and which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

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 keel beam rupture, which affects the structural integrity of the area. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the fillet sealant at the inboard and outboard sides of the receptacles in the wheel wells of the main landing gear, and related investigative/ corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of in-production airplanes with missing or insufficient fillet sealant around the receptacles at the disconnect bracket. We are proposing this AD to prevent corrosion damage due to missing or insufficient fillet sealant. Such corrosion could result in insufficient electrical bonding between the connectors and the disconnect bracket, and consequent loss of the shielding that protects the wire bundles from lightning, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and high intensity radiated field (HIRF). Loss of lightning, EMI, and HIRF protection at those receptacles could cause failure of multiple electrical systems and subsequent loss of several critical control systems that are necessary for safe flight. In addition, a lightning strike could cause arcing in the fuel tank; this potential ignition source, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this Notice of Availability to advise the public that a Draft EIS will be available for public review beginning March 30, 2007. The document was prepared pursuant to a proposal presented to the FAA by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the owner and operator of FLL and identified in the Draft EIS as the Airport Sponsor, for environmental review. The FAA prepared this Draft EIS to analyze and disclose potential environmental impacts related to possible Federal actions at FLL. Numerous Federal actions would be necessary if airfield development were to be implemented. Proposed improvements include Runway 9R/27L development and extension and other airfield projects (see below). The Draft EIS presents the purpose and need for the proposed Federal action, analysis of reasonable alternatives, including the No Action alternative, discussion of impacts for each reasonable alternative, and supporting appendices. The FAA will consider all information contained in this Draft EIS and additional information that may be provided during the public comment period before issuing a Final EIS and Agency decision regarding the possible alternatives and Federal actions. The Airport Sponsor proposes to develop and extend Runway 9R/27L to an overall length of 8,000 feet and width of 150 feet (the reconstructed runway would be equipped with an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at both runway ends); elevate Runway 9R end and Runway 27L end to provide 34.74 feet of vertical clearance over the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway; construct a new full-length parallel taxiway 75 feet wide on the north side of Runway 9R/27L with separation of 400 feet from 9R/27L; construct an outer dual parallel taxiway to be used as a temporary runway during the construction of permanent Runway 9R/27L; construct a connecting taxiway from the proposed full-length parallel taxiway to existing Taxiway E; construct a Category I Instrument Landing System (ILS) for landings on Runways 9R and 27L that includes a Medium Intensity Approach Light System with runway alignment indicator lights (MALSR), localizer, and glideslope. The Airport Sponsor also proposes to decommission Runway 13/31 and redevelop terminal gate facilities. Connected actions associated with the Airport Sponsor's proposal include closure of Airport Perimeter Road located within the approach to Runway 9R; relocation of ASR-9; acquisition of all, or a portion, of the Wyndham Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel to the extent the existing structure was within the Proposed Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) for extended Runway 9R/27L; partial displacement of the Jet Center facilities; and full displacement of the Gulfstream Airways aircraft maintenance facilities for potential use of a taxiway as a temporary runway during construction. Public Comment and Information Workshop/Public Hearing: The public comment period on the Draft EIS will start March 30, 2007 and will end on May 14, 2007. A Public Information Workshop and Public Hearing will be held on May 1, 2007 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; Telephone: (954) 765-5900. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to afford the public and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the economic, social, and environmental effects of the location and location's consistency with the objectives of any planning that the community has carried out. The Public Information Workshop will be held in Ballroom D from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Public Hearing will be held in Ballroom A beginning at 6 p.m. and conclude when the last registered speaker submits comments for the record. For those unable to attend the Public Hearing, the public will be able to submit written comments or register to give oral comments to a court reporter between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Public Information Workshop. Oral Comments will be limited to 3 minutes. Comments can only be accepted with the full name and address of the individual commenting. Mail and fax comments are to be submitted to Ms. Virginia Lane of the FAA, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. E-mail comments should be sent to FLL- EIScomments@landrum-brown.com). All comments must be postmarked, faxed or e-mailed by no later than midnight, Monday, May 14, 2007. The Draft EIS may be reviewed for comment during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (Telephone: 954-357-7000). 2. Broward County LibraryMain Branch, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (Telephone: 954-354-7444). 3. Broward County LibraryFort Lauderdale Branch, 1300 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (Telephone: 954-765-4263). 4. Broward County LibraryHollywood Branch, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33304 (Telephone: 954-926-2430). 5. Broward County LibraryDania Beach DeMaio Branch, 255 E. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL 33004 (Telephone: 954-926-2420). 6. Broward County LibraryDavie/Cooper City Branch, 4600 SW 82nd Avenue, Davie, FL 33328 (Telephone: 954-680-0050). 7. Broward County LibraryLauderhill Town Centre, 6399 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderhill, FL 33313 (Telephone: 954-497-1630). 8. Broward County LibraryStirling Road Branch, 3151 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33021 (Telephone: 954-985-2689). 9. Broward County LibraryPembroke Pines/Walter C. Young Branch, 955 NW 129th Avenue, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 (Telephone: 954-437- 2635). 10. Broward County LibraryWest Regional Branch, 8601 W. Boulevard, Plantation, FL 33324 (Telephone: 954-831-3300). 11. Broward County LibrarySunrise Dan Pearl Branch, 10500 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33351 (Telephone: 954-749-2521). 12. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Public Outreach Trailer, Broward County Aviation Department, 550 Northwest 10th Street, Dania Beach, FL 33315 (Telephone: 954-359-6977). 13. Broward County Administration Office, Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 409, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (Telephone: 954-357-7000). 14. Broward County Aviation Department, 320 Terminal Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 (Telephone: 954-359-6118). A CD version of the Draft EIS document will also be available at the following public locations. Broward County will be providing an electronic copy of the Draft EIS on the Broward County Web site at https://www.broward.org/airport/. 15. City of Lauderhill, Lauderhill City Hall, 2000 City Hall Drive, Lauderhill, FL 33313 (Telephone: 954-739-0100). 16. City of Pembroke Pines, Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 (Telephone: 954-431-4500). 17. City of Cooper City, Cooper City Hall, 9090 S.W. 50th Place, Cooper City, FL 33328 (Telephone: 954-434-4300). 18. City of Sunrise, 10770 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise FL 33351 (Telephone: 954-741-2580). 19. City of Fort Lauderdale, 100 N. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (Telephone: 954-761-5000). 20. City of Plantation, Plantation City Hall, 400 N.W. 73rd Avenue, Plantation, FL 33317 (Telephone: 954-797-2221). 21. City of Hollywood, Hollywood City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33020 (Telephone: 954-921-3473). 22. City of Dania Beach, Dania Beach City Hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL 33004 (Telephone: 954-924-3600). 23. Town of Davie, Davie Town Hall, 6591 SW., 45th Street, Davie, FL 33314 (Telephone: 954-797-1000).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, modification of the upper bearing of the main landing gear (MLG) shock strut. This proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, revising the DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual to include the MLG shock strut servicing task. This proposed AD results from reports of over-extension of the MLG shock strut piston, which allows the torque links to go over-center and rest on the piston. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss in shock absorption during touchdown and failure of the shock strut housing, which could result in a subsequent loss of directional control.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A319-100 and A320- 200 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required repetitive inspections of the wing-tank fuel pumps, canisters, and wing fuel tanks for detached identification labels, and corrective action if necessary. The original NPRM resulted from several incidents of detached plastic identification labels found floating in the wing fuel tanks. This action revises the original NPRM by expanding the applicability and mandating modification of the fuel strainers at the fuel pump and suction bypass intakes. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent plastic identification labels being ingested into the fuel pumps and consequently entering the engine fuel feed system, which could result in an engine shutdown.

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.

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:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -800 and -900 series airplanes; and Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires modifying the activation mechanism in the chemical oxygen generator of each passenger service unit (PSU). This AD results from several reports indicating that some chemical oxygen generators failed to activate during in-flight decompression events. These failures were due to fracture of components between the passenger oxygen mask and the release pin in the oxygen generator. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the activation mechanism in the chemical oxygen generator, which could result in the unavailability of supplemental oxygen and possible incapacitation of passengers and cabin crew during an in- flight decompression.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes. This AD requires revising the maintenance inspection program that provides for inspection of principal structural elements (PSEs) and replacement of safe-life parts, to incorporate a new revision to the MD-11 Airworthiness Limitations Instructions. The revision reduces inspection intervals for fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, and expands the inspection area for a certain other PSE. This AD results from a revised damage tolerance analysis. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

This special condition is issued for the Boeing Model 737- 900ER airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the interaction of systems and structures. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. This special condition contains 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 notice contains a summary of petitions seeking relief from specific requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the 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 the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA is making available the EA and FONSI/ROD for the evaluation of environmental impacts associated with proposed rehabilitation of Runway 3R-21L at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Orders 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures'' and FAA Order 5050.4B, ``NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions''.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The information collected is used to determine compliance with applicant eligibility.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Enplanement data collected from air taxi and commercial operators are required for the calculation of air carrier airport sponsor apportionments as specified by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and 49 U.S.C. Part A, Air Commerce Safety, and Part B, Airport Development and Noise.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. At the request of the FAA, the Flight Standards office (AFS) is planning to conduct a targeted survey of general aviation pilots to measure the change in their use of and satisfaction with the FAA-sponsored Safety Seminar Program.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD requires modifying the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) handle assemblies for alternate release and the MLG retaining plate. This AD also requires doing a related investigative action and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from reports of broken or damaged MLG and NLG alternate release cables caused by rubbing and fraying at the cable-to-handle interface. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage of the MLG and NLG alternate release cables, which, if the normal gear extension fails, could result in the inability to extend the MLG or NLG and consequent collapse of the landing gear during ground maneuvers or upon landing.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-26-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, marking the position of the tail rotor control lever dynamic weights (weights), removing the split pins and the weights, and visually inspecting and replacing, if necessary, the tail rotor control lever before further flight. This AD also requires, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, repeating the visual inspection of the tail rotor control lever and replacing any unairworthy tail rotor control lever with an airworthy tail rotor control lever before further flight. Also required is reassembling the tail rotor control lever by following the appropriate maintenance instruction. This amendment is prompted by an in-flight incident in which the threaded portion of the tail rotor control lever containing a dynamic weight broke off leading to severe vibrations. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent separation of the weights in flight, severe vibration, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Title 49 U.S.C. Section 44936(f) mandates that airlines must obtain safety records of prospective employees from the FAA and from previous air carrier employers, and the National Driver Register, before an offer of employment is made.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2006 (71 FR 44885), Docket No. FAA- 2006-25008, Airspace Docket No. 06-ACE-6. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9N. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding dates that refer to the Order should state ``* * * September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006 * * *'' instead of ``* * * September 1, 2005, and effective September 16, 2005''. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The meeting will take place on Friday, May 18, 2007, starting at 8 a.m. at the Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters Building, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, in the Bessie Coleman Conference Center, located on the 2nd Floor. This will be the forty-fifth meeting of the COMSTAC. The proposed agenda for the meeting will feature the release of and briefings on the 2007 Commercial Space Transportation Forecasts, a special presentation, a report on activities in FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST), and COMSTAC Working Group reports. An agenda will be posted on the FAA Web site at https:// ast.faa.gov. Meetings of the COMSTAC Working Groups (Technology and Innovation, Reusable Launch Vehicle, Risk Management, and Launch Operations and Support) will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2007. For specific information concerning the times and locations of the working group meetings, contact the Contact Person listed below. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on July 18, 2006 (71 FR 40652), Docket No. FAA- 2006-23902, Airspace Docket No. 06-AGL-01. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9N. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding dates that refer to the Order should state ``* * * September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006 * * *'', instead of ``* * * September 1, 2005, and effective September 16, 2005''. This technical amendment corrects those errors.