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

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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.

This notice announces the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirement in the final rule published April 6, 2007 (72 FR 17001). The sections of the final rule pending approval of this information collection request are effective on publication of this notice.

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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require replacing the outboard stabilizing fitting and certain adjacent components of the main landing gear (MLG) support beam. This proposed AD would also require repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the outboard stabilizing fitting, walking beam hanger, and rear spar attachment, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would provide an alternative one-time inspection of the outboard stabilizing fitting for discrepancies and corrective actions if necessary, which would extend the compliance time for the replacement of the outboard stabilizing fitting. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would also require performing a torque check of the aft pin of the outboard stabilizing fitting, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of findings of fatigue cracking of the outboard stabilizing fitting and stress corrosion cracking of the bolts attaching the fitting to the wing rear spar. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct that cracking, which could result in disconnection of the MLG actuator from the rear spar and support beam, and consequent damage to the hydraulic system causing hydraulic fluid leakage and loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an initial general visual or dye penetrant inspection, repetitive dye penetrant inspections, and replacement, as necessary, of the rudder pedal bracket. The existing AD also requires, for certain airplanes, replacing the rudder pedal bracket assemblies with new, improved parts, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would, for certain airplanes, reduce initial inspection thresholds, remove an inspection option, and lengthen the repetitive inspection intervals. This proposed AD results from reports of failures of the captain's rudder pedal brackets before reaching the initial inspection threshold identified in the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the rudder pedal bracket assembly, which could result in the loss of rudder and braking control at either the captain's or first officer's position.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the trunnion fork assembly of the wing landing gears to determine the part number and serial number and to determine the category of the trunnion fork assemblies. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD also would require, if necessary, various inspections to detect discrepancies of the trunnion fork assemblies, related investigative/corrective actions, and a terminating action. This proposed AD results from a report of a fractured trunnion fork assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent a fractured trunnion fork assembly, which could result in the collapse of a wing landing gear on the ground and possible damage to hydraulic equipment and the aileron and spoiler cables. Such damage could result in reduced controllability 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) 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspection of the blade root thickness of 1st stage fan blades identified by part number (P/N) and serial number (SN) in the AD. This AD requires the same actions but corrects 12 P/Ns, adds 10 part SNs, and adds the definition of next fan blade exposure to the compliance section. This AD results from the discovery of inaccurate part quantity, part numbers, and serial numbers used in AD 2005-26-09. We are issuing this AD to prevent 1st stage fan blade fracture and uncontained engine failure, resulting in possible damage to the airplane.

This action will establish Class E surface airspace at Hailey, ID. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Required Navigational Performance (RNP) Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) at Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, ID.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216: Aeronautical Systems Security.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 135: Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by England Economic and Industrial Developmental District under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On January 26, 2006, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by England Economic and Industrial Development District under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On August 14, 2007, the FAA approved the Alexandria International Airport noise compatibility program. All eight of the recommendations of the program were approved in full. The England Economic and Industrial Development District has also requested under FAR Part 150, section 150.35(f), that FAA determine that the revised noise exposure map for the year 2010 submitted with the noise compatibility program and showing future noise contours as a result of the implementation of the noise compatibility program is in compliance with applicable requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150. The FAA announces its determination that the revised future noise exposure map for Alexandria International Airport, submitted with the noise compatibility program, is in compliance with applicable requirements of FAR Part 150 effective August 22, 2007. The documentation that constitutes the ``noise exposure map'' as defined in section 150.7 of Part 150 includes: Figure 2.1, Existing Land Use Map; Figure 3.2, Existing Airport Layout; Figure 4.1, Aviation Activity Forecast; Figure 4.2, Future Airport Layout; Figure 4.3, 2010 Future Condition North Flow Flight Tracks; Figure 4.4, 2010 Future Condition South Flow Flight Tacks; Table 3.2, Flight Track Utilization Rates; Table 4.1, 2010 Runway and Helipad Utilization Rates; Table 4.2, 2010 Flight Track Utilization Rates; Appendix A, Aviation Activity Forecast; Appendix B, Integrated Noise Model Inputs; Table 7.1, Alternative 1 Noise Exposure Estimates; Figure 7.1, RAD14 and RAD14X Departure Tracks; Figure 7.2, Alternative 1 Noise Contours; Table 7.2, Alternative 2 Noise Exposure Estimates; Figure 7.5, Runway 32 Arrival Tracks; Figure 7.6, Alternative 2 Noise Contours; Table 7.4, Summary of Noise Exposure Estimates; and Figure 7.9, 2010 Future Condition Noise Exposure Map with Program Implementation. The FAA has determined that this noise exposure map and accompanying documentation are in compliance with applicable requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). This notification provides the dates, location, and agenda for the meetings.

This notice announces the bi-annual meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Charting Forum (ACF) to discuss informational content and design of aeronautical charts and related products, as well as instrument flight procedures development policy and design criteria.

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:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the seat locks and seat tracks of the flightcrew seats to ensure that the seats lock in position and to verify that lock nuts and bolts of adequate length are installed on the rear tracklock bracket, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that the captain's seat slid aft and jammed during taxi. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded movement of the flightcrew seats during acceleration and take-off of the airplane, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Model 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 55, 55B, and 55C airplanes, and Model 45 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for unsealed gaps on the pylon side of the engine firewall and cleaning/ sealing any unsealed gap; and, for certain airplanes, inspecting for unsealed gaps of the pylon trailing edge and cleaning/sealing any gap. This AD results from a report that unsealed gaps (penetration points) of the engine firewall were discovered during production. We are issuing this AD to prevent penetration of flammable liquids or fire through the engine firewall into the engine pylon, which could lead to fire inside the airplane.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), -82 (MD-82), -83 (MD- 83), and -87 (MD-87) airplanes; and Model MD-88 airplanes; that requires repetitive inspections and functional tests of the static port heater assemblies, and corrective actions if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an electrical short of the static port heater from sparking and igniting the insulation blanket adjacent to the static port heater, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the cabin area. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

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:

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:

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and - 3B1 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection of certain fan disks for electrical arc-out indications, replacing fan disks with electrical arc-out indications, and reducing the life limit of certain fan disks. This AD results from a comment received on AD 2007-07-07, and from recently issued revisions to the applicable GE Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs). We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained fan disk failure and airplane damage.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD requires installing in-line fuel float switch fuses and wire protection at the left, right, and center forward spars. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. This AD requires, for the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer, repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies; repetitive lubrication of the ballnut and ballscrew; repetitive measurements of the freeplay between the ballnut and the ballscrew; and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report of extensive corrosion of a ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer on a Boeing Model 757 airplane, which is similar in design to the ballscrew on Model 777 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected failure of the primary load path for the ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent wear and failure of the secondary load path, which could lead to loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed revision to Advisory Circular (AC) No. 120-53, Crew Qualification and Pilot Type Rating Requirements for Transport Category Aircraft Operated under 14 CFR part 121. That AC provides the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance for the evaluation and approval of flight crew qualification programs and the issuance of pilot type ratings for flight crews operating under 14 CFR part 121. The proposed AC streamlines the process described in AC 120-53 for determining the level of differences between aircraft and the credits the FAA assigns between those aircraft for the purposes of training, checking, and recency of experience requirements. The applicability of the proposed AC would be limited to operations conducted under 14 CFR part 121.

The FAA is withdrawing the NPRM published on January 14, 2003, that proposed to require airplanes operated in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations to ensure immediate activation and continuous transmission of the designated hijack alert code to air traffic control (ATC) during a hijack situation. After September 11, 2001, the increased threat of hijacking and realization that a plane could be used as a weapon became the basis for the proposed rule. The intent was to provide the flight crew of commercial airplanes with the ability to initiate an immediate national security response in the event of a hijacking. The overwhelming majority of comments opposed the proposal for several reasons. Because of the reasons given, including completed security enhancements to strengthen flightdeck doors, we are withdrawing the proposal. Current regulations ensure an adequate level of aviation security.