Federal Aviation Administration June 12, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The ``FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012,'' enacted on February 14, 2012, in Section 305 of the Act, removed the line check performance evaluation requirements for pilots over 60 years of age that applied to air carriers engaged in part 121 operations. This technical amendment conforms to the FAA's regulations as a result of the Act.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failure of wire support clamps in the forward section of the aft pressure bulkhead. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the clamps on the power feeder cable auxiliary power unit (APU) to determine if certain clamps are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the clamp, which could result in wire chafing and potential arcing and consequent fire in section 48 (a flammable fluid leakage zone) or heat damage to the APU power feeder cable, insulation blankets, or pressure bulkhead.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of movement of the rudder pedals being impeded due to corrosion of the trunnion shaft of the rudder feel trim unit (RFTU). This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine if certain RFTUs are installed, an operational check for signs of seizure of affected parts, repetitive lubrication for certain RFTUs, and replacing the RFTU with a new RFTU if necessary. Installation of replaced RFTUs with conformal bushings terminates the repetitive lubrication requirements. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct any sign of seizure of the trunnion shaft and its bushing, which could cause a rudder control jam or a large and rapid alternating rudder input leading to a structural failure of the vertical fin.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection of the shafts of the main landing gear (MLG) side-brace fittings to detect corrosion, and the forward and aft bushings in the left-hand and right-hand MLG side-brace fittings to detect discrepancies. The existing AD also requires corrective and related actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports that the side brace fitting shafts of the MLG continue to fail. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for corrosion and damage of the MLG side-brace fitting and replacing the side-brace fitting shaft with the re-designed side-brace fitting shaft of the MLG if necessary. This AD would also require eventual replacement of certain side-brace fitting shafts with the re-designed part. Replacement with a re-designed side-brace fitting shaft of the MLG is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to prevent fractures of the side-brace fitting shafts of the MLG, and possible collapse of the MLG.

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 Operations Working Group (OWG) of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The teleconference will take place on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, starting at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight 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 proposed agenda for this teleconference is to follow up on issues raised during the May 10, 2012, OWG meeting. These issues include: Discussing the question of on-orbit authority for the FAA and the jurisdiction and regulation aspects of this question; and Examining possible next steps for the white paper that discussed possible revisions to the requirements for launch site licensing. Interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements for the COMSTAC working group members to consider under the advisory process. Statements may concern the issues and agenda items 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 July 10, 2012, so that the information can be made available to COMSTAC members for their review and consideration before the July 17, 2012, teleconference. Written statements should be supplied in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature or one electronic copy via email. An agenda 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.