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

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:

This Rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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, adding new obstacles, or changing 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to detect discrepancies of the main landing gear (MLG) system, an inspection of the jam nut of the retract actuator of the MLGs to ensure the wire lock is in place and the nut is secured, an inspection of the retract actuator for any signs of corrosion or wear, and applicable related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires submitting an inspection report to Bombardier. This AD results from two reports of collapse of MLGs within a few days of each other. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct potential failure of major components of the MLG assembly and attachments, which could result in the possible collapse of a MLG and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people or damage to property on the ground.

This action amends Class E airspace at Du Bois, PA to provide adequate airspace for a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed to serve the Du Bois Regional Medical Center, Du Bois, PA.

This action amends Class E Airspace at St. Marys, PA to provide adequate airspace for a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed to serve the Elk Regional Medical Center (7PS9), St. Marys, PA.

This action amends Class E Airspace at State College, PA to provide adequate airspace for a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed to serve the Centre Community Hospital (PS57), State College, PA.

This action proposes special conditions for Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain 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 action proposes special conditions for Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 9, 2007, vol. 72, no. 130, page 37305. This project involves collecting data from individual applicants who have recently taken, for the first time, and passed an oral and/or practical Airframe and/or Powerplant (A and/or P) Mechanic Certification test.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. This information enables the FAA to evaluate the validity of the user's request for National Airspace Data (NAS) data from FAA systems and equipment.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. SFAR 71 requires that part 121 and 135 air tour operators verbally brief passengers on safety, particularly related to overwater operations before each air tour flight.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Information collected is used to determine certification eligibility of Flight Engineers and Flight Navigators.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The DOT/FAA certification program is implemented by Title 14 CFR parts 61 and 67. The Parts prescribes minimum airman medical standards, and duration of a medical certificate.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at Seattle Tacoma International Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at Klamath Falls Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), now 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 15, 2007, vol. 72, no. 157, page 45864. 49 U.S.C. Sections 44702 and 44703 authorizes the issuances of airman certificates. FAR Part 65 prescribes requirements for mechanics, repairman, parachute riggers, and inspection authorizations.

This document amends the Class E2 and E5 airspace at Aguadilla, PR. This action corrects the geographical position coordinates for the Rafael Hernandez Airport.

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 the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) provided by the aviation authority for the United Kingdom to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI states the following:

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting each affected tail rotor blade (blade) forward tip weight retention block (tip block) and the aft tip closure (tip closure) for adhesive bond voids, and removing any blade with an excessive void from service. That AD also requires modifying certain blades by installing shear pins and tip closure rivets. This amendment contains the same requirements but expands the applicability to include other part and serial-numbered blades. This AD also clarifies the requirement to re-identify the modified blade by adding ``FM'' after the part number and also requires dynamically balancing the tail rotor. The existing AD was prompted by five occurrences of missing tip blocks or tip closures resulting in minor to substantial damage. This amendment was prompted by the determination that the AD should apply to other affected part and serial-numbered blades. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of a tip block or tip closure, loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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:

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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-50, -80A1/A3, and -80C2A series turbofan engines, installed on Airbus A300 and A310 series airplanes. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections and checks of the thrust reverser actuation systems. This proposed AD would require revised inspection thresholds and intervals, and would require the same actions and additional inspections of the thrust reverser actuation system locking features. This proposed AD results from refined safety analyses performed on the thrust reverser systems by GE and Airbus. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent in-flight thrust reverser deployment, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.

Under this notice, the FAA announces that New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has been designated a Level 3 Coordinated Airport for the summer 2008 scheduling season in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines. This notice supercedes the September 24, 2007, notice that designated JFK a Level 2 Schedules Facilitated Airport. 72 FR 54317. Based on a recently completed capacity analysis, a review of last summer's demand, the projections for summer 2008, and the agency's decision to seek voluntary schedule reductions from domestic air carriers, the FAA has determined that a Level 3 airport declaration is warranted. The primary coordination constraint is runway/air traffic control capacity. JFK is experiencing increased congestion and delay. Comparing the period of October 2006 through July 2007 to the same period in the previous year, the average daily operations at JFK increased 23 percent; the average daily arrivals with delays greater than one hour increased 114 percent; and on-time gate arrivals within 15 minutes of scheduled time decreased from 69.7 percent to 61.2 percent. The average taxi-out delay increased 19 percent from 30 to almost 36 minutes. On- time departures within 15 minutes of scheduled time declined from 74.7 percent to 65.2 percent. Much of this delay is attributed to volume and is not likely to be entirely mitigated by short-term air traffic control procedural enhancements, airport or airspace efficiency gains, or airport infrastructure changes. For example, from February 2007 through July 2007, JFK's average airport capacity was 81 operations per hour while demand during the busiest hour, 4 p.m., was over 110 scheduled arrivals and departures during summer 2007. Adjacent hours had fewer scheduled flights but still above the average hourly capacity rate. Under a preliminary review of the schedule submissions for summer 2008, the FAA notes that there are proposed schedule increases by domestic carriers and foreign flag carriers. These proposed schedules will result in a significant increase of operations at JFK. While JFK has available capacity for additional flights during some periods of the day, certain hours are currently beyond capacity and would get only worse if the schedules were implemented as proposed. Thus, based on the level of congestion experienced this past summer season, the planned increases for next summer, and the decision to seek voluntary reductions of existing schedules from domestic operators through a scheduling reduction meeting,\1\ an immediate Level 3 designation is warranted.