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

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737 airplanes. This proposed AD would incorporate design changes to improve the reliability of the cabin altitude warning system by requiring installation of a redundant switch of the cabin altitude pressure, replacing the aural warning module (AWM) with a new or reworked AWM, changing certain wire bundles, and connecting certain previously capped and stowed wires, as necessary. This proposed AD, for certain airplanes, would also require modifying the instrument panels, installing light assemblies, modifying the wire bundles, and installing a new circuit breaker, as necessary. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a lack of cabin pressurization event caused by the flightcrew not receiving an aural warning because of the failure of the cabin altitude pressure switch. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the flightcrew to recognize and react to a lack of cabin pressurization, which could result in incapacitation of the flightcrew due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the body), and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 560XL airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of jammed or stiff rudder control due to water freezing on the rudder bias cables and pulleys of the stinger. This proposed AD would require modification of the drain installation of the tailcone stinger on the aft canted bulkhead, inspections for drain holes in the forward and aft frames, and modification of the drain holes. We are proposing this AD to prevent ice accumulation on the cables and pulleys of the stinger, which could result in jamming of the rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked retract actuator fuse pins that can fail earlier than the previously determined safe life limit of the pins. A fractured retract actuator fuse pin can cause the main landing gear (MLG) to extend without restriction and attempt to lock into position under high dynamic loads. This proposed AD would require an inspection for the part number of the fuse pin, and replacement of the pin if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent structural damage to the side and drag brace lock assemblies, which could result in landing gear collapse during touchdown, rollout, or taxi.

We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH models TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires replacing the existing rail pressure control valve with an improved rail pressure control valve. This new AD requires the same actions but relaxes the initial compliance time from within 100 flight hours to within 600 flight hours for TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by the determination that our AD was inadvertently more restrictive than European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2008-0128. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1-14, L-1011-385-1-15, and L-1011-385-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by results from a damage tolerance analysis conducted by the manufacturer indicating that fatigue cracking could occur in wing rear spar and upper surface zones. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the wing rear spar and upper surface zones, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in cracking that grows large enough to reduce the wing strength below certificated requirements and possibly cause fracture of the rear spar, resulting in extensive damage to the wing and possible fuel leaks.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of excessive in- service wear damage of the thumbnail fairing edge seal, and of the panel rub strip and skin assembly of the fan cowl. This AD requires replacement of the thumbnail fairing edge seals on both sides of the engines with Nitronic 60 stainless steel alloy seals. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fire seal, which could allow a fire in the fan compartment to spread beyond the firewall and reach the flammable fluid leakage zones, resulting in an uncontrolled fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property. The proposal consists of all or portions of Parcels 209A, 213, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 314, 315, 401, 402, 404, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, and 416, totaling 605.3 acres. Presently the land is vacant and used as open land for control of FAR Part 77 surfaces and compatible land use and is not needed for aeronautical use, as shown on the Airport Layout Plan. The Parcels were acquired without Federal participation. It is the intent of the DuPage Airport Authority, as owner and operator of the DuPage Airport (DPA) to sell the aforementioned Parcels (605.3 Acres) in fee to the DuPage County (22.7 acres for Kress Creek floodplain control), the City of West Chicago (37.7 acres for the ownership and maintenance of existing roadways), the Illinois Department of Transportation (11.3 acres for the improvement of State Route 38), and to private entities (533.6 acres for corporate/industrial development). This notice announces that the FAA is considering the proposal to authorize the disposal of the subject airport property at the DuPage Airport, West Chicago, IL. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination that all measures covered by the program are eligible 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.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for Goodrich Evacuation Systems approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b and installed on Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to supersede an existing AD. That NPRM proposed inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, replacing certain pressure relief valves, and adding airplanes to the applicability. That NPRM was prompted by reports that during workshop testing, certain pressure relief valves, which were required by the existing AD, did not seal and allowed the pressure in certain slides/rafts to fall below the minimum raft mode pressure for the unit. This action revises that NPRM by adding certain airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to correct the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a teleconference of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) Risk Management Working Group. The teleconference will take place on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Individuals who plan to participate should contact Susan Lender, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), (the Contact Person listed below) by phone or email for the teleconference call in number. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) have agreed to prepare a study on the availability of commercial insurance sufficient to meet the needs of NASA's Commercial Crew Program commercial providers for missions transporting NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station. NASA's Commercial Crew Program requested this study (via a signed memorandum of understanding with the FAA AST) be conducted by AST because of its knowledge and resources in the commercial space industry. The purpose of the teleconference is to: 1. Brief the COMSTAC Risk Management Working Group on the study, 2. Request assistance from the working group in preparing a response to NASA, and 3. Respond to any questions from the working group on the nature of this task. Interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements for the COMSTAC members to consider under the advisory process. Statements may concern the issues mentioned above or additional issues that may be relevant for the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Interested parties wishing to submit written statements should contact Susan Lender, DFO, (the Contact Person listed below) in writing (mail or email) by January 17, 2012, so that the information can be made available to COMSTAC members for their review and consideration before the January 24, 2012, teleconference. Written statements should be supplied in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature or one electronic copy via email. This notice will be posted on the FAA Web site at https:// www.faa.gov/go/ast. Individuals who plan to participate and need special assistance should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes; Model A330- 200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found on the main fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG) leg in the vicinity of the dowel pin bushes retaining the lower steering flange. This proposed AD would require modifying the NLG main fitting by adding primer paint to the cadmium around the dowel bush holes. We are proposing this AD to prevent NLG main fitting rupture, which could result in an NLG collapse.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of hydraulic accumulator failure. This proposed AD would require replacing certain hydraulic accumulators with stainless steel hydraulic accumulators, and structural modifications in the nose landing gear bay. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of hydraulic accumulators, which may result in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter Model SA330F, G, J and AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by two reports of jamming of one of the fuel shut-off control levers, which originated from solidified grease in the tangential gearbox (gearbox). Corrosion was also found in a gearbox. The proposed actions are intended to prevent jamming of a fuel shut-off control lever preventing the shut off of engine fuel and preventing the parallel-mounted electrical micro switches, normally activated by shutting off both of the fuel shut-off control levers, from switching off the electrical power system during an emergency shut down.

The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to develop a comprehensive program of voluntary accreditation for commercial air tour operators that are not required under parts 91 and 135 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to maintain their aircraft under a continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP). This task addresses, in part, the ARAC recommendation developed by the Commercial Air Tours Maintenance (CATM) Working Group, which the FAA accepted on February 1, 2011. This notice informs the public of a new ARAC activity and solicits membership for the new Commercial Air Tour Voluntary Accreditation Program Working Group.

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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on October 26, 2011, vol. 76, no. 207, page 66349. The rule allows some experienced pilots who would otherwise qualify as flight instructors or check airmen, but who are not medically eligible to hold the requisite medical certificate, to perform flight instructor or check airmen functions in a simulator.

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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on October 26, 2011, vol. 76, no. 207, page 66346-66347. Respondents to this survey are owners of general aviation aircraft. This information is used by FAA, NTSB, and other government agencies, the aviation industry, and others for safety assessment, planning, forecasting, cost/benefit analysis, and to target areas for research.

This action modifies a low altitude and a high altitude Alaskan compulsory reporting point in the vicinity of Kodiak, Alaska. The FAA is removing the MARLO compulsory reporting point and establishing CJAYY in the same location, to avoid confusion with a reporting fix of the same name. The boundaries, altitudes, and operating requirements remain the same.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 226, Audio Systems and Equipment, for the first meeting.

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. Approval is needed for security reasons such as mortgages submitted by the public for recording against aircraft, engines, propellers, and spare parts locations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during the evaluation of specific engine failure cases at take-off on Airbus flight simulators. It has been shown that with flight control primary computer (FCPC)1 inoperative, in worst case scenario, when FCPC2 and FCPC3 resets occur during rotation at take off, a transient loss of elevator control associated with a temporary incorrect flight control law reconfiguration could occur. This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations section of the applicable airplane flight manual. We are proposing this AD to prevent movement of the elevators to zero position, which could result in inducing a pitch down movement instead of a pitch up movement needed for lift off, resulting in loss of controllability of 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. The FAA uses the information collected on form 7460-1 to determine the effect a proposed construction or alteration would have on air navigation and the National Airspace System (NAS), and the information collected on form 7460-2 to measure the progress of actual construction.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Sheridan County Airport, Sheridan, WY. Decommissioning of the Sheridan Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Lamar Municipal Airport, Lamar, CO. Decommissioning of the Lamar Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would adjust the geographic coordinates of 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) 250-C20, -C20B, and -C20R/2 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by seven cases reported of released turbine blades and shrouds, which led to loss of power and engine in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). This proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection and fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) on certain 3rd and 4th stage turbine wheels for cracks in the turbine blades. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of 3rd or 4th stage turbine wheel blades which could cause engine failure and damage to the airplane.