Federal Aviation Administration February 2009 – 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 action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Red Reflet Ranch Airport, Ten Sleep, WY. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Red Reflet Ranch Airport, Ten Sleep, WY. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Red Reflet Ranch Airport, Ten Sleep, WY.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision to 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 31, 2008, vol. 73, no. 212, pages 65002-65003. Information is collected from applicants who wish to obtain repair station certification.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce (RR) RB211-535E4 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the outer combustion case for cracks and possible removal. This proposed AD would require the same inspections, but would require using RR Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999. This proposed AD results from RR issuing a revision to the MSB. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained outer combustion case burst, which could result in damage to the airplane.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-12- 16, which applies to certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. AD 2008-12-16 currently requires you to inspect wires and tube assemblies for chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between components. If chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between components is found, AD 2008-12-16 requires you to clear, repair, and/ or replace all chafed wires, components, and tube assemblies. AD 2008- 12-16 also requires you to cover the four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and secure them with a clamp. Since we issued AD 2008-12-16, M7 Aerospace LP has notified us that Model SA227- BC (C-26A) was inadvertently left out of the Applicability section of the AD and they updated some of the service information due to parts availability. Operators have also identified issues with model applicability that needed clarification. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2008-12-16, add Model SA227-BC (C-26A) to the Applicability section, and regroup the models for clarification. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires, components, and tube assemblies. This condition could result in arcing of exposed wires with consequent burning of a hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line. This failure could lead to a hydraulic fluid leak and a possible fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

This notice advises interested persons that the FAA is participating in a panel session on civil supersonic aircraft research. The session will include presentations on current research programs and a question and answer session for attendees. The FAA is seeking to raise public awareness of the continuing technological advances in supersonic aircraft technology aimed at reducing the intensity of sonic boom.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147: Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment.

This action proposes to establish twenty three Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, and revise fourteen RNAV routes, in the State of Alaska. Additionally, this action proposes to remove four existing routes that are no longer required. Q & T-routes are Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Alaska.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Aviation (WisDOT BOA), have prepared a joint Federal and State Draft Final Environmental Assessment (DFEA) for the Proposed Airport Development at the Sawyer County Airport in Hayward, Wisconsin. The FAA and WisDOT BOA are making available the DFEA for the following proposed airport improvement projects: installation of an instrument landing system (ILS) for Runway 20 with medium approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights; construction of a parallel taxiway/ramp expansion for Runway 2/ 20; land acquisition; removal of airspace obstructions, including removal/relocation of a town road; and relocation of precision approach path indicator, localizer, and distance measuring equipment at Runway 20. The proposed airport improvement projects include both state block program actions and FAA actions. Actions for the proposed airport improvement project would be divided between FAA and WisDOT BOA. Agency approvals are required to proceed. Proposed FAA actions include: provide Federal environmental approval to establish eligibility to participate in Federal funding for eligible projects not included in the state block grant program which are assessed in the EA; issue an environmental finding for FAA actions; provide ILS equipment, assist in the design of the proposed ILS; perform the flight check, certification, and operation of the proposed ILS; and provide long-term maintenance of the proposed ILS. Proposed WisDOT BOA actions for the airport improvement projects include: issue an environmental finding for WisDOT BOA's actions; determine eligibility of Airport Improvement Program funds for the proposed ILS project; approve the necessary funding for the proposed ILS project; assist in design of the proposed ILS; purchase land for the proposed ILS; install the proposed ILS; construct necessary airport facilities to support proposed ILS and airport operations; develop, implement, and monitor required mitigation for unavoidable impacts due to the proposed ILS project. The DFEA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts,'' and FAA Order 5050.4B, ``NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions.'' The proposed action is consistent with the National Airspace System Plan prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA. The DFEA will be available for public review for 30 days at the following locations:

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S- 76A, B, and C helicopters. That AD proposed to require inspecting each installed HR Textron main rotor servo actuator (servo actuator) for a high rate of leakage and for contaminated hydraulic fluid and reducing the time-in-service (TIS) interval for overhauling each servo actuator. That proposal was prompted by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Recommendation issued in response to an accident involving a Model S-76 helicopter. In the NTSB Recommendation, the performance of an HR Textron servo actuator was questioned as a result of piston head seal leakage and piston head plasma spray flaking. Since the issuance of the initial proposal, and based on further information obtained from the accident investigation, the comments to the proposal, and other test and service history data since we issued the initial proposal, we continue to believe that servo actuator pistons may experience piston head seal leakage and plasma spray flaking, but have determined that the full scope of the initial proposal is unnecessary. We believe that the piston head seal leakage and plasma spray flaking can be addressed by leakage rate inspections and replacement of the current servo actuator pistons with an improved design not as susceptible to plasma spray flaking. Therefore, we are revising the proposed rule by removing the requirement to inspect the hydraulic fluid for contamination; removing the requirement to reduce the interval for overhauling an affected servo actuator from 3,000 to 2,000 hours TIS; revising the initial inspection time; and removing the 600 hours TIS repetitive hydraulic fluid leak inspection. We are proposing to add a 2,250 hours TIS hydraulic fluid leakage inspection and to add a requirement to either install a new design servo actuator or replace the servo actuator pistons when there is excessive leakage or upon reaching a certain time interval. These actions are intended to prevent degraded servo actuator performance as a result of piston head seal leaking and plasma spray flaking, which could result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 186 Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B).

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The FAA collects information from airport sponsors and planning agencies in order to administer the Airports Grants Program.

The information determines if applicant proposals for conducting commercial space launches can be accomplished according to regulations issued by the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.

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 31, 2008, vol. 73, no. 212, page 65004. The information collected is used to determine air operators' compliance with the minimum safety standards set out in the regulation and the applicant's eligibility for air operations certification.