Federal Aviation Administration March 5, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is conducting a public meeting to seek technical input on proposed operational incentive scenarios for possible implementation in the 2012-2014 timeframe. The discussion will be limited to technical and operational implications of these selected scenarios. The candidate proposals for discussion have been designed to deliver on the best equipped, best performing, best served concept for implementation in the 2012-2014 timeframe. The proposed scenarios target use of the following NextGen technologies: ADS-B Out and In and RNAV/RNP 0.3 with and without RF Legs. This meeting is focused on technical considerations; before implementation of any potential scenario the FAA would conduct the necessary reviews and opportunities for public notice and comment as appropriate.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Models 95-C55, D55, E55, 58, and 58A airplanes equipped with a certain STC. The description of the affected STCs in the first sentence of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Discussion section, is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. That NPRM proposed installing aluminum gutter reinforcing brackets to the forward and aft drip shield gutters of the main equipment center (MEC); and adding a reinforcing fiberglass overcoat to the top surface of the MEC drip shield, including an inspection for cracking and holes in the MEC drip shield, and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also provided for an option to install an MEC drip shield drain system, which, if accomplished, would extend the compliance time for adding the reinforcing fiberglass overcoat to the top surface of the MEC drip shield. That NPRM was prompted by a report of a multi-power system loss in flight of 1, 2, and 3 alternating current electrical power systems located in the MEC. This action revises that NPRM by revising the locating dimensions of the brackets and changing the routing of the forward drain tubes. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent water penetration into the MEC, which could result in the loss of flight critical systems. 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.

This action would update, simplify, and streamline rules of practice and procedure for filing and adjudicating complaints against federally-assisted airports. It would improve efficiency by enabling parties to file submissions with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) electronically, and by incorporating modern business practices into how the FAA handles complaints. This amendment is necessary to reflect changes in applicable laws and regulations, and to apply lessons learned since the existing rules were implemented in 1996.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; Model A340-200 series airplanes; and Model A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that three failures of the retraction bracket occurred during fatigue testing before the calculated life limit of the main landing gear (MLG). This AD requires repetitive replacement of the affected retraction bracket of the MLG. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the retraction bracket, which could result in a MLG extension with no damping, and consequent structural damage of the MLG.