Federal Aviation Administration May 22, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is considering rulemaking to change the packing interval for certain types of parachutes. Currently, the FAA requires that most parachutes may not be used or carried aboard an aircraft and available for emergency use unless they have been packed within the previous 120 days. New reliability data from the parachute industry and other sources indicate it is time to review the packing interval, and the FAA is asking for public comment on a proposal to lengthen the interval from 120 to 180 days. The effect of the proposal is to ensure the rules reflect the safest parachute packing interval. In this rulemaking, we are also proposing several correcting amendments to the rules related to parachute operations.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. The existing AD requires a boost pump dry bay inspection to detect leakage of fuel through an arced-through conduit, and corrective action as necessary. The existing AD also requires repetitive inspections of the in-tank fuel boost pump wiring to detect chafing of the wire insulation, evidence of electrical arcing, or arc-through of the conduit wall, and applicable corrective action; and installation of sleeving over the in- tank fuel boost pump wires as a method to protect the wiring from chafing. This new AD removes certain inspection requirements from the existing AD. This new AD adds new repetitive inspections for damage of the electrical wire and sleeve that run to the fuel boost pump through a conduit in the fuel tank, and arcing damage of the conduit and signs of fuel leakage into the conduit; applicable investigative and corrective actions; and a new repetitive engine fuel suction feed operational test. Initiation of the new inspections terminates the requirements of the existing AD. This AD results from reports of a fuel tank explosion on a Model 727-200F airplane on the ground; and of chafed wires and a damaged power cable sleeve of a fuel boost pump that were discovered during an inspection required by an existing AD on a Model 737-300 airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel boost pump electrical wiring and leakage of fuel into the conduit, and to prevent electrical arcing between the wiring and the surrounding conduit, which could result in arc-through of the conduit, and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank.

This action proposes to establish a low altitude Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation (RNAV) route, designatedT-209, in the vicinity of Augusta, GA. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace. The proposed route would reduce air traffic controller workload and provide a nonradar route that ensures clearance from the Bulldog A Military Operations Area (MOA).

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Fort Yukon, AK. One Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) is being amended and three new SIAPs are being developed for the Fort Yukon Airport. A Departure Procedure (DP) and a Direction Finding (DF) procedure (used by Flight Service Station personnel) is also being amended. Adoption of this proposal would result in revision of existing Class E airspace upward from the surface, from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface, at Fort Yukon Airport, Fort Yukon, AK.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires removing from service certain serial number (SN) fuel control units (FCUs) or replacing the constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm in those FCUs. This AD requires replacing all FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with FCUs that incorporate modification Tf 55. This AD results from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Turbomeca expanding the applicability to the full population of FCUs installed on Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 are susceptible to having an improperly assembled constant delta P diaphragm. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced autorotation landing or an accident.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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:

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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 proposed to establish Class E airspace at Centreville, AL. An Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) Runway (RWY) 10 has been developed for Bibb County Airport. As a result, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAP and for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Bibb County Airport. The operating status of the airport will change from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to include IFR operations concurrent with the publication of the SIAP.

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 release of 188.653 acres of vacant airport property previously used for agricultural purposes for the proposed development of bulk warehouse/distribution facilities as a component of the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. The land was acquired by the Rickenbacker Port Authority through three Quitclaim Deeds from the United States of American dated March 30, 1984, September 22, 2004 (amended and restated August 26, 2005) and May 16, 2005. 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 $4,245,000 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.