Federal Aviation Administration January 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120 series airplanes. That action would have required repetitive calibration testing of potentiometers to detect noisy signals, replacement of only those with noisy signals, and reporting results of the calibration tests of the potentiometers and the readouts of the flight data recorder (FDR) to the airplane manufacturer. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that while a noisy or defective potentiometer may hamper the ability to access certain aircraft data in support of either an accident or incident investigation or just general maintenance activities, there is no direct effect on the aircraft's ability to be operated safely. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modification of the refuel valve control unit for the reserve fuel tanks. This proposed AD would also require a revision to the FAA- approved maintenance program to incorporate airworthiness limitation (AWL) No. 28-AWL-20 or AWL No. 28-AWL-25, as applicable. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent lightning-induced electrical energy from entering a reserve fuel tank through the refuel valve, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is correcting typographical errors in two NPRMs that were published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2008 (73 FR 833, and 73 FR 830). The errors resulted in incorrect docket numbers. One NPRM applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The other NPRM applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. Both actions proposed to require revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.

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 certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R and 172S airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the fuel return line assembly for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found; and inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure, adjusting as necessary. This AD results from reports of chafed fuel return line assemblies, which were caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel return line assembly, which could result in fuel leaking under the floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This condition could lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.

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 October 29, 2007, vol. 72, no. 208, page 61199-61200. 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'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 October 29, 2007, vol. 72, no. 208, pages 61198-61199. The DOT/FAA certification program is implemented by Title 14 CFR parts 61 and 67. The parts prescribe minimum airman medical standards, and duration of a medical certificate.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace area at Factoryville, PA, to accommodate a new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) that has been developed for Seamans Field. This proposal would enhance the safety and management of IFR operations at Seamans Field, Factoryville, PA.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, - 145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This AD requires inspections to detect discrepancies of the components of the elevator control system, repetitive movements of the control column to observe the normal response of the elevators, repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the skin of the elevators, and applicable related investigative actions and corrective actions. This AD also provides for optional terminating actions for the inspections and measurements. This AD results from a report indicating that a Model EMB-145 airplane did not rotate in response to the command from the yoke during take-off, which resulted in a rejected take-off. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the elevator control system, which could result in reduced control of the elevators and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Marienville, PA to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the East Marien High School Heliport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations by providing that required controlled airspace to protect for this approach near the high school in Marienville, PA.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at new Albany, MS. Airspace is needed to support new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) that have been developed for New Albany-Union County Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in the area by providing the required controlled airspace to protect for these approaches around new Albany, MS.

This action proposes special conditions for the Embraer Model EMB-500 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with airspeed system. 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model AS 355 F2 and AS 355 N helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The European Aviation Safety Agency, the Technical Agent for France, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 210, Cabin Management.

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss rotorcraft issues.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Draft Purpose and Need Working Paper for the Draft EIS will be made available for public comment pursuant to section 304 of the Vision 100 Century of Aviation Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-176) [49 U.S.C. 47171(l)]. The Draft Purpose and Need Working Paper has been prepared for the construction and operation of the proposed Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport, located along Interstate Highway 15 about 30 miles south of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. FAA is seeking comments on the Draft Purpose and Need Working Paper.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule that amends a Class E airspace area to support Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) that serve the Philipsburg Area Hospital, Philipsburg, PA.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule that amends a Class E airspace area to support Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) that serve the Du Bois Regional Medical Center, Du Bois, PA.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This AD requires reworking certain duct assemblies in the environmental control system (ECS). This AD results from reports of duct assemblies in the ECS with burned Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 polyurethane foam insulation. This AD also results from a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with duct assemblies in the ECS wrapped with BMS 8-39 polyurethane foam insulation, a material of which the fire retardant properties deteriorate with age. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential electrical arc from igniting the BMS 8-39 polyurethane foam insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS, which could propagate a small fire and lead to a larger fire that might spread throughout the airplane through the ECS.

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:

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.

This document makes a correction to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-26-15, which was published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2008 (73 FR 400), and applies to all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG- 500MB gliders. AD 2007-26-15 requires that you modify the affected parts and exchange pages in the flight, maintenance, and repair manuals. The FAA incorrectly referenced the AD number as ``2007-26-25'' instead of ``2007-26-15.'' Current language in Sec. 39.13 [Amended] of AD 2007-26-15 references ``AD 2007-26-25'' instead of ``2007-26-15.'' This document corrects that paragraph by replacing the reference of ``2007-26-25'' with ``2007-26-15.''

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 400) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the maintenance requirements manual (MRM) by incorporating procedures for repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the pitch feel simulator (PFS) units. That AD also requires new repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the PFS unit, and corrective actions if necessary; and after initiating the new tests, requires removal of the existing procedures for the repetitive functional tests from the MRM. This new action would require revised procedures for the functional tests. This proposed AD results from a report that the shear pin located in the input lever of two PFS units failed due to fatigue. We are proposing this AD to prevent undetected failure of the shear pins of both PFS units simultaneously, which could result in loss of pitch feel forces and consequent reduced control 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 proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes equipped with certain Litton air data inertial reference units (ADIRUs). The existing AD currently requires modifying the shelf (floor panel) above ADIRU 3, modifying the polycarbonate guard that covers the ADIRUs for certain airplanes, and modifying the ladder located in the avionics compartment for certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require those modifications on additional airplanes. This proposed AD would also require replacing all three ADIRUs with improved ADIRUs. This proposed AD also adds Model A318 series airplanes to the applicability. This proposed AD results from reports that ``NAV IR FAULT'' messages have occurred during takeoff due to failure of an ADIRU and subsequent analysis showing that the shelf modification has not sufficiently addressed failure of an ADIRU. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of an ADIRU during flight, which could result in loss of one source of critical attitude and airspeed data and reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane.