Federal Aviation Administration May 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends Class E airspace for Duluth, MN, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Duluth International Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

These special conditions amend Special Conditions No. 25-388- SC for the Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplanes. These special conditions were previously issued July 29, 2009, and became effective September 10, 2009. These special conditions are being amended to include additional criteria addressing the Outboard Aileron Modal Suppression System. The 747-8/-8F will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features include their effects on the structural performance. These 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the 747-8/-8F airplanes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above, with certain part number (P/N) high-pressure compressor (HPC) stages 2-5 spools installed. This proposed AD would require eddy current inspection (ECI) or spot fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the stages 1-2 rotating seal teeth of the HPC stages 2-5 spool for cracks and would prohibit installation of HPC stator stage 1 interstage seals that are not pregrooved to prevent heavy rubs. This proposed AD was prompted by an aborted takeoff and two shop findings of cracks in the stages 1-2 rotating seal teeth. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in the HPC stages 1-2 rotating seal teeth due to heavy rubs, which could result in failure of the stages 1- 2 rotating seal of the HPC stages 2-5 spool, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. This collection of information is required of persons who must receive training and testing under 14 CFR 91.161 in order to fly within 50 nautical miles (NM) of the Washington, DC omni-directional range/distance measuring equipment (DCA VOR/DME). For a person to enroll in the FAA's ``Washington, DC Area Training Program,'' the rule requires persons to electronically furnish their names, residence addresses, and pilot certificate numbers.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Kenbridge, VA, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures that have been developed for Lunenburg County Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the Airport.

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 proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at Helena Regional Airport (HLN) 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).

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Kayenta Airport, Kayenta, AZ. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Kayenta Airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

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:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for [a new or to renew an] information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 10, 2011, vol. 76, no. 47, page 13266. The respondents are those airport operators voluntarily submitting noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs to the FAA for review and approval.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to the products listed above. The reference to a ``sub-section number'' in paragraph (g) of the regulatory section is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

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

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Lakeland, FL. The Plant City Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed for Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA issued Zero Gravity a safety approval, subject to the provisions of Title 51 U.S.C Subtitle V, ch. 509, and the orders, rules and regulations issued under it. Pursuant to 14 CFR 414.35, this Notice publishes the criteria that were used to evaluate the safety approval application. Background: Zero Gravity applied for, and received, a safety approval for its capability to provide a reduced gravity environment using a Boeing 727 aircraft. The performance criteria for this safety approval are applicant developed per 14 CFR 414.19 (a)(4). Zero Gravity is capable of replicating three reduced gravity levels associated with suborbital space flight. The reduced gravity levels are:

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to the products listed above. The service information reference in paragraph (g)(7) in the Actions section of the AD is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 10, 2011, vol. 76, no. 47, page 13266-13267. The requested information is needed to mitigate potential hazards presented by airmen using alcohol or drugs in flight, to identify persons possibly unsuitable for pilot certification.

We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-23, PA-31, and PA-42 airplanes. The existing AD currently establishes life limits for safety-critical nose baggage door components. That AD also requires you to replace those safety-critical nose baggage door components and repetitively inspect and lubricate the nose baggage door latching mechanism and lock assembly. Since we issued that AD, through further investigation and a request for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC), we determined the nose baggage door compartment light does not impact the unsafe condition addressed by the AD. This proposed AD would remove the requirement for the nose baggage door compartment interior light inspection and retain the other requirements from AD 2009-13-06, Amendment 39-15944 (74 FR 29118). The door opening in flight could significantly affect the handling and performance of the aircraft. It could also allow baggage to be ejected from the nose baggage compartment and strike the propeller. This failure could lead to loss of control.

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.

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.

On January 12, 2009, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking on qualification, service, and use of crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers. Because of the complexity of the issues and the concerns raised by commenters, the FAA is issuing this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking. The FAA proposes to amend the regulations for crewmember and aircraft dispatcher training programs in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. The proposed regulations enhance traditional training programs by requiring the use of flight simulation training devices for flightcrew members and including additional training and evaluation requirements for all crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers in areas that are critical to safety. The proposal also reorganizes and revises the qualification, training, and evaluation requirements. The proposed changes are intended to contribute significantly to reducing aviation accidents.

In September 2006, the FAA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for actions associated with the proposed relocation of the Panama City- Bay County International Airport (PFN) in Bay County, Florida. The FAA's ROD was based on information and analysis contained in the FAA's 2006 FEIS for the project. The new airport approved in the 2006 ROD was named the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), and began operations at the new site in May 2010. The FAA noted in the 2006 FEIS that further federal action would be necessary to decommission and dispose of the existing airport property from aeronautical use, and that additional environmental review would be necessary due to the preliminary nature of the redevelopment information. In April 2010, the Airport Sponsor requested full release of the old airport property from federal grant obligations. Subsequent to this request, the FAA published a notice in the Federal Register (FR) in August 2010, regarding the intent to rule on the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Sponsor) request to release airport property at PFN. The Federal Action addressed in the written reevaluation is FAA approval of the disposal (closure) of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN) property and release of PFN's grant obligations. Based on the best information currently available regarding reuse of the PFN site, the written reevaluation assessed the continuing validity of the environmental analysis contained in the 2006 FEIS with regard to the disposal and release actions requested by the Airport Sponsor. After the written reevaluation was completed and based on information contained therein, the FAA signed a ROD environmentally approving disposal of the property and release of grant obligations on May 5, 2011. This is not, however, the final step in the disposal and release process. Upon FAA's final approval of the disposal of the property, the Airport Sponsor will be released from their grant obligations over the property known as PFN.

This action removes Class E airspace at Gruver, Cluck Ranch Airport, TX. The airport has been abandoned, thereby eliminating the need for controlled airspace in the Gruver, Cluck Ranch Airport, TX, area. The FAA is taking this action to ensure the efficient use of airspace within the National Airspace System.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to authorize the release of 2.04 acres of the airport property at the Marshfield Municipal Airport, Marshfield, WI. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking airport property to improve the intersection of U.S. Highway 10 and County Trunck Highway BB. The WisDOT issued an environmental Finding of No Significant Impact on January 30, 2007. The acreage being released is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. The acreage comprising this parcels 20 and 32 were originally acquired under Grant Nos. ADAP 6-55-0039-03. The City of Marshfield (Wisconsin), as airport owner, has concluded that the subject airport land is not needed for expansion of airport facilities. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The airport will receive the appraised fair market value of $18,500 for the land. 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 with 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.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Gary, IN, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Gary/ Chicago International Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport. This action also would update the airport name.