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

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is amending the Order Limiting Scheduled Operation at New York LaGuardia Airport that published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2006. This amendment reduces the number of reservations available for unscheduled operations from six per hour to three per hour.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) 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 May 14, 2008, Vol. 73, No. 94, page 27886. The information to be collected includes data required for performing launch site location analysis.

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 May 14, 2008, vol. 73, no. 94, pages 27886-27887. The information is used to determine if applicants satisfy requirements for obtaining a launch license to protect the public from risks associated with reentry operations from a site not operated by or situated on a Federal launch range.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the body station 303.9 frame, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from reports of cracks found at the cutout in the web of body station frame 303.9 inboard of stringer 16L. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could prevent the left forward entry door from sealing correctly, and could cause in-flight decompression of the airplane.

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 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is amending the One- Engine-Inoperative (OEI) rating definitions and type certification standards for 30-second OEI, 2-minute OEI, and 30-minute OEI ratings for rotorcraft turbine engines. This action revises the ratings' standards to reflect recent analyses of the ratings' use and lessons learned from completed engine certifications and service experience. This rule harmonizes FAA type certification standards for these ratings with the requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency in the Certification Specifications for Engines and with proposed requirements for Transport Canada Civil Aviation, thus simplifying airworthiness approvals for import and export.

This final rule corrects a subpart heading in the Code of Federal Regulations. The heading was inadvertently misstated when the FAA published the rule in November 2007.

Two rulemakings finalized several years ago removed regulatory language regarding the statutory authority of Aviation Safety Inspectors to access airport operations areas (AOAs), security identification display areas (SIDAs), and other secured and restricted airport areas. This final rule clarifies the authority of a properly credentialed Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) to access AOAs, SIDAs, and other secured areas of a public-use airport allowing performance of their official duties supporting the FAA's safety mission.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for P&W PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require a onetime visual inspection of all EEC-131 model electronic engine controls (EECs). This proposed AD would require the EECs to be identified, categorized by group number, marked, and replaced using a fleet management plan. This proposed AD results from a report of an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown due to defective EEC pulse width modulator (PWM) microcircuits. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdowns which could result in loss of thrust and prevent continued safe flight or landing.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a second meeting of RTCA Special Committee 215, Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services, Next Generation Satellite Services and Equipment.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 209, ATCRBS/Mode S Transponder MOPS Maintenance.

We are superseding an existing 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all AvCraft Dornier Model 328-100 airplanes. That AD currently requires modifying the electrical wiring of the fuel pumps; installing insulation at the hand flow control and shut-off valves, and other components of the environmental control system; and installing markings at fuel wiring harnesses. The existing AD also requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new inspections of the fuel tank system. This new AD replaces the flight-hour-based threshold for conducting certain initial inspections, with an 8-year threshold. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires non- destructive testing (NDT) to detect cracks of the door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, and doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires inspecting and repairing if necessary or replacing previously repaired door jamb corners with an applicable repair. This AD results from reports of numerous cases of cracks in the skin at the door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified above. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the lower skin and stringers at stations Xw = 408 and Xw = -408 and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks in the skins and stringers at the end fasteners common to the stringer end fittings at station Xw = 408 and Xw = -408 wing splice joints. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the skins and stringers at the end fasteners common to the stringer end fittings at a certain station and wing splice joints, which could result in wing structure that might not sustain limit load, and consequent loss of structural integrity of the wing.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all AvCraft Dornier Model 328-300 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires modifying the electrical wiring of the fuel pumps; installing insulation at the flow control and shut-off valves, and other components of the environmental control system; installing markings at fuel wiring harnesses; replacing the wiring harness of the auxiliary fuel system with a new wiring harness; and installing insulated couplings in the fuel system; as applicable. The existing AD also requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new inspections of the fuel tank system. This proposed AD would replace the flight-hour-based threshold for conducting certain initial inspections, with a calendar-based threshold. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action modifies Class E Airspace at Rome, New York to support the amendment of the current Terminal Visual Flight Rule (VFR) Radar Service Area (TRSA) and to allow for a lower vectoring altitude known as the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) for vectoring of both VFR and Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) aircraft around the Rome, NY area. This action will enhance the safety and airspace management around the Griffiss Airport area.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BHTC Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters. 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 aviation authority of Canada, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI: ``It has been determined that the existing rigging procedures for the tail rotor pitch change mechanism have to be changed due to possibility of parts interference.'' The cumulative effect of individual part tolerances resulting in the total assemblage of those parts being out of tolerance could result in the tail rotor yoke striking another part other than the flapping stop (parts interference) cited in the MCAI. Also, the misalignment of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank may result in higher tail rotor pedal forces and a higher pilot workload after failure of the No. 1 hydraulic system. Both parts interference and the misaligned counterweight bellcrank create an unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to require actions that are intended to address these unsafe conditions.

The FAA is superseding two existing airworthiness directives (ADs), which apply to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 airplanes. One of the ADs currently requires inspection of the welded joints of the balance weight brackets for the elevator trim tabs for cracking; repetitive inspections, as applicable; and corrective actions including the eventual replacement of all brackets. The other AD currently requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the balance weight brackets and replacement of any cracked bracket, and provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires an additional inspection to detect cracks of the balance weight brackets, applicable related investigative and corrective actions, and replacement of a certain balance weight bracket when it has reached its maximum life limit. This AD results from a report indicating that several reworked balance weight brackets have exhibited signs of premature failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the balance weight brackets of the elevator trim tabs, which could cause loss of the balance weight. This could result in incorrect trim during takeoff and landing, and reduced controllability of the airplane.

This notice announces the cancellation of Technical Standard Orders (TSO) C-94, Airborne Omega Receiving Equipment; TSO-C94a, Omega Receiving Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of 10.2 to 13.6 Kilohertz; and TSO-C120, Airborne Area Navigation Equipment Using Omega/VLF Inputs. The effect of the cancelled TSOs will result in the revocation of all Technical Standard Order Authorizations issued for the production of those navigational systems. These actions are necessary because the Omega Navigation System ceased operation on September 30, 1997.

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 May 15, 2008, vol. 73, no. 95, page 28182. Aircraft operators seeking operational approval to conduct RVSM operations within the 48 contiguous United States (U.S.), Alaska and a portion of the Gulf of Mexico must submit an application to the Certificate Holding District Office.

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 May 14, 2008, vol. 73, no. 94, pages 27885-27886. This collection covers the reporting of unauthorized illumination of aircraft by lasers.