Federal Aviation Administration September 2008 – 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:

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the release of land at the Warren County Memorial Airport in the City of McMinnville, Tennessee. This property, approximately 13.3 acres, will change to a non-aeronautical use. This action is taken under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

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:

This action modifies Class D and E Airspace at Brunswick, ME. The Brunswick NAS Air Traffic Control Tower operates on an other than a full time basis; therefore, the Class D Airspace and its extensions associated with the tower operations must be modified to reflect the times when the controlled airspace is effective. This action enhances the National Airspace System by relaxing the restrictions to the controlled airspace areas in the vicinity of Brunswick, ME.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Big Spring McMahon Wrinkle Airport, Big Spring, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate changes to the VOR/DME RWY 17 Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport, Big Spring, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Butler, PA to merge the existing Class E Airspace listed under East Butler, PA, which will be removed. The protected airspace that was developed for an Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (lAP) for medical flight operations into Butler Memorial Hospital Heliport, PA was erroneously listed under East Butler, PA. This action corrects that mistake by listing all applicable airspace under the correct location of Butler, PA. Additionally, this action imparts a technical amendment by correctly listing the Butler County Airport as Butler Co./K W Scholter Field Airport.

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) 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 action changes the effective date and makes a correction to the direct final rule that amends Class D and Class E airspace at Altus AFB, OK, published in the Federal Register August 6, 2008 (73 FR 45605) Docket No. FAA-2008-0339. The effective date is changed to November 20, 2008, to allow additional time for charting. This action also makes a correction to the geographic coordinates of Altus AFB.

This action confirms the effective date and makes a correction to the direct final rule that establishes Class E airspace at Pampa, Mesa Vista Ranch Airport, TX, published in the Federal Register July 7, 2008 (73 FR 38314) Docket No. FAA-2008-0610. This action corrects the final rule by adding ``Mesa Vista Ranch Airport'' to more clearly define the airport name in the airport description.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes and Model A300-600 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required superseding two existing ADs. One existing AD applies to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes and currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the flap transmission shafts, and replacement of the transmission shafts if necessary. That existing AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The other existing AD applies to all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes and currently requires a one-time inspection of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator, corrective actions if necessary, and follow-on repetitive tasks. The original NPRM would have added revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations and maintenance tasks for aging systems maintenance. The original NPRM resulted from the manufacturer's determination that life limitations and maintenance tasks are necessary in order to ensure continued operational safety of the affected airplanes. This new action revises the original NPRM by reducing the initial compliance times. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent reduced structural integrity of these airplanes due to the failure of system components.

This notice announces the issuance and availability of Advisory Circular (AC) 120-16E, ``Air Carrier Maintenance Programs''. This advisory circular (AC) is an update of AC 120-16D that was issued in 2003. It describes the scope, content, and functions of air carrier aircraft maintenance programs. It explains the background of these programs as well as the Federal Aviation Administration's regulatory requirements. Each of the 10 elements of air carrier maintenance programs is also described and explained. The material in this AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. However, when ``must'' or ``will'' are used in this AC, such use reflects actual regulatory requirements.

This rule would establish a Special Air Traffic Rule (SATR) in the vicinity of Luke Air Force Base (Luke) which would require general aviation (GA) traffic operating under visual flight rules (VFR) to establish communication with the Luke Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) while operating in the area around Luke. This action is necessary to address reported near midair collisions in the area around Luke and would help reduce the potential for midair collisions in the vicinity of Luke.

The FAA is amending the aircraft engine type certification standards by adding standards for pressurized engine static parts that are equivalent to those already adopted by the European Aviation Safety Agency. This rule establishes uniform standards for the certification of these parts in the United States and in Europe. U.S. manufacturers already meet the European requirements.

The FAA's Federal Register Notice entitled ``Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Centennial Airport, Englewood, CO;'' published August 21, 2008, published with several inaccuracies. Because of those inaccuracies we withdraw the August 21, 2008 notice (73 FR 49635) and are issuing this notice to replace the August 21, 2008 notice. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority for the Centennial Airport under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) and 14 CFR Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning. These findings are made in recognition of the description of federal and non-federal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On August 12, 2008, FAA Airports Division Manager approved the Centennial Airport noise compatibility program. Of the twelve proposed program elements, FAA approved eight and reserved approval of another two measures pending further study. The remaining two measures were disapproved.

This rule establishes Class D airspace at San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino, CA. The FAA is taking this action to provide controlled airspace for the safety of aircraft executing Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and other Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at San Bernardino International Airport. The configuration of this airspace has been modified to accommodate airspace design changes that would enhance the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations at San Bernardino International Airport and continue general aviation access to Redlands Municipal Airport 4.5 nautical miles to the east.

The FAA announces that they will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider alternatives to and disclose the potential impacts of constructing a new land-based commercial airport near the City of Angoon. The FAA will hold public and agency scoping meetings to help identify substantive project concerns to be addressed in the EIS process. Cooperating agencies in this process include the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have superseded an existing AD that currently requires a one-time inspection for missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed parts in the separation link assembly on the deployment bar of the emergency escape system on the entry or service door, and installation of new parts if necessary. The original NPRM proposed to require replacing the separation link assembly on the applicable entry and service doors with an improved separation link assembly, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM also removed certain airplanes from the applicability. The original NPRM resulted from reports that entry and service doors did not open fully during deployment of emergency escape slides, and additional reports of missing snap rings. This action revises the original NPRM by adding a new inspection for discrepancies of the unloaded spring dimensions in the separation link assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent failure of an entry or service door to open fully in the event of an emergency evacuation, which could impede exit from the airplane. This condition could result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the body station (BS) 2598 bulkhead, and corrective actions if necessary. The existing AD also currently requires a terminating modification for the repetitive inspections and a post-modification inspection of the modified area. This proposed AD would continue requiring those actions with revised service information. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require new repetitive inspections, an interim modification, and post-interim modification inspections. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD also would require replacing any previously repaired aft inner chord and reinstalling the terminating modification. This proposed AD results from reports of cracked aft inner chords on airplanes after certain requirements of the existing AD were done. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the BS 2598 bulkhead structure, which could result in inability of the structure to carry horizontal stabilizer flight loads, and loss of controllability of the airplane.

In accordance with 14 CFR 11.47(c), the FAA has received petitions from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA- CWA) and the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). Those petitions requested an extension of the comment period for a petition from The Boeing Company. That exemption, if granted, would provide Boeing relief from certain pressurized cabin requirements in regard to uncontained engine failure for Boeing Model 747-8/8F series airplanes. The FAA finds that AFA-CWA and ALPA have substantive interest in the exemption request and show that good cause exists to extend the comment period because it is in the public's interest.

This notice issues special conditions for the Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 HondaJet Airplane. This new airplane will have novel and unusual design features not typically associated with normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes. These design features include turbofan engines and engine location, for which the applicable regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards. These special conditions contain the additional airworthiness standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

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 sale of the airport property. The 21.508 acres of land, known as Parcel A on the airports Exhibit A Property Map, is situated southeast of the airport. The land was obligated under FAA Project No(s). 3-18-0103-06. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The land was previously acquired for approach protection under a larger parcel of land purchased from Ms. Lela Covert (listed as Parcel 3 in the current Exhibit A Property Map and Parcel 7 under previous Exhibit A Property Maps). These 21.508 acres of the larger parcel are not needed for approach protection or future airport development. 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 disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the airport property will be in accordance FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. 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.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Greenwood-Leflore Airport to change the use of an area on the airport to non-aeronautical use.

Under this notice, the FAA announces that Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has been designated a Level 2 Schedules Facilitated Airport for the Summer 2009 scheduling season in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines. Accordingly, the FAA announces October 9, 2008, as the deadline for submitting schedule information for all planned flights at ORD between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Central time, or 1200 and 0200 UTC. The FAA also announces October 9, 2008, as the deadline for submitting schedule information for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) for the Summer 2009 scheduling season. The FAA previously designated these airports as Level 3 Coordinated Airports under the IATA Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines. The FAA requests schedule information for all planned flights at JFK and EWR between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern time, or 1000 UTC and 0300 UTC. The FAA deadline coincides with the submission deadline established by IATA for the Summer 2009 Schedules Conference. The U.S. summer scheduling season is from March 29, 2009, through October 24, 2009, in recognition of the IATA scheduling dates. The FAA understands there may be differences in schedule times due to the U.S. daylight savings time dates, and these will be accommodated to the extent possible.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the United States Air Force (USAF), prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate Space Florida's proposal to operate a commercial launch site at Launch Complex 46 (LC-46) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida. The EA evaluated the potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action and alternatives regarding the issuance of a Launch Site Operator License to Space Florida for LC-46 at CCAFS. After reviewing and analyzing currently available data and information on existing conditions and project impacts, the FAA has determined that issuing a Launch Site Operator License to Space Florida for the operation of a commercial launch site at LC-46 would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required, and the FAA is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact. The FAA made this determination in accordance with all applicable environmental laws. For a Copy of the Environmental Assessment: Visit the following Internet address: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_ offices/ast/licenses_permits/launch_site/environmental/ or contact Ms. Stacey M. Zee, FAA Environmental Specialist, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 331, Washington, DC 20591. You may also send e-mail requests to Stacey.Zee@faa.gov or via telephone to (202) 267-9305. Purpose and Need: The purpose of the FAA's action in issuing the Launch Site Operator License is to ensure compliance with international obligations of the United States and to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interest of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities; to encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space launches and re-entries by the private sector; and to facilitate the strengthening and expansion of the United States space transportation infrastructure, in accordance with the requirements of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Commercial Space Transportation Act of 2000, Executive Order (EO) 12465, 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 400-450, the National Space Transportation Policy, and the National Space Policy. The Proposed Action is needed to meet the demand for lower cost access to space. Less expensive space launch capability is necessary to support rising industries, such as more cost-effective commercial, governmental, and scientific satellite launches. Given the infrastructure and development costs associated with constructing launch facilities, the Federal government has been the owner/operator or has leased/sold unused or excess infrastructure and provided expertise to commercial launch operators for the majority of commercial launches. The Secretary of Transportation has assigned the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation responsibility, under the Commercial Space Launch Amendment Acts and EO 12465, for oversight of commercial space launch activities, including licensing of launch and reentry sites. Proposed Action: Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a Launch Site Operator License for LC-46 to Space Florida. LC-46 is owned by the USAF's 45th Space Wing. Space Florida and the 45th Space Wing have a Memorandum of Agreement and Joint Operating Procedures, which allow Space Florida to conduct launch activities at the site. A Launch Site Operator License, which is valid for five years, would allow Space Florida to offer the site for launches of solid- and liquid-propellant launch vehicles. Potential commercial launch vehicle operators would be required to obtain a Launch License from the FAA to conduct launch operations at LC-46 on CCAFS. Under the Proposed Action, Space Florida would offer the launch site to launch operators for several types of vertical launch vehicles, including Athena-1 and Athena-2, Minotaur, Taurus, Falcon 1, Alliant Techsystems small launch vehicles and launches of other Castor[supreg] 120-based or Minuteman-derivative booster vehicles. Space Florida proposes to support a maximum of 24 annual launches, including 12 solid propellant launches and 12 liquid propellant launches. The proposed launch vehicles and their payloads would be launched into low earth orbit or geostationary orbit. All vehicles are expected to carry payloads, including satellites. The Proposed Action does not include any construction or modification to the site. Launches would be conducted using existing infrastructure. Periodic maintenance, such as mowing or repairs, would occur on the site to ensure launch safety. To ensure the safety of all launch activities, the site would require minor repairs. Alternatives Considered: Alternatives analyzed in the EA include (1) the Proposed Action and (2) the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue the Launch Site Operator License to Space Florida. Launch operators may be able to conduct launch activities at LC-46; however, operations would be controlled by the 45th Space Wing of the USAF. Other activities, such as military exercises at CCAFS would not be impacted.