Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the air driven generator (ADG) failing to power essential buses during functional tests, due to the low threshold setting of the circuit protection on the ADG's generator control unit (GCU) preventing the ADG from supplying power to the essential buses. This AD requires installing a new or serviceable ADG GCU. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of power from the ADG to the essential buses which, in the event of an emergency, could prevent continued safe flight.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; Model A300 B4- 600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward lug wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the main landing gear (MLG). This AD requires installing new bushes with increased interference fit in the forward lug wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the MLG on the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) wing. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the forward lug wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the MLG, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the MLG attachment, and could result in the collapse of the MLG.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a release of two parcels of land comprising approximately 6.50 acres of airport property at the Sacramento International Airport, California. The County of Sacramento proposes to release the 6.50 acres for sale to the California's Reclamation District 1000 at fair market value. The two parcels of land are occupied in their entirety by a storm water drainage canal and pumping plant owned and operated by Reclamation District 1000 and do not serve any aviation purposes. The property serves as a regional drainage canal and pumping plant to support facilities for transporting storm water away from developed and undeveloped property, including part of the Sacramento International Airport in the southwest section of the Natomas Basin.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to authorize the release of 24.89 acres of the airport property at the Marshfield Municipal Airport, Marshfield WI. The WisDOT issued a Categorical Exclusion for the release on March 25, 2011. The acreage being released is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. The acreage comprising of parcels 38 and 39 were originally acquired under Grant Nos. ADAP 7-55-0039-01. 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 $68,000 for the land in addition to Parcels 40 and 41 as identified on the Exhibit A Property Map. 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 modify Jet Route J-2, and VOR Federal airways V-16, V-66, and V-202 in southern Arizona and New Mexico. The FAA is proposing this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Cochise, AZ, VHF omnirange tactical air navigation aid (VORTAC) which currently forms segments of the routes. This would enhance enroute navigation within the National Airspace System.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Plentywood Sher-Wood Airport, Plentywood, MT. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Plentywood Sher-Wood Airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters. The existing AD currently requires conducting various inspections associated with the main rotor grip (grip). If a crack is found, that AD requires replacing the grip before further flight. If delamination of the buffer pad on the grip tang inner surface is found, that AD requires inspecting the grip surface for corrosion or other damage and repairing or replacing the grip if corrosion or other damage is found. That AD also requires determining and recording the hours time-in-service (TIS) and the engine start/stop cycles for each grip on a component history card or equivalent record. Additionally, that AD requires you to report certain inspection results to the FAA. Since we issued that AD, additional cracks in grips have been found. Analysis of these events has shown that a retirement life is needed for certain grips, and the AD applicability needs to be expanded to include additional grips similar in design, as well as to include the Model 210 helicopter, which was issued an FAA type certificate after the existing AD was issued. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of a grip, separation of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action removes Class E Airspace at Southport, NC, and establishes Class E Airspace at Oak Island, NC, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Cape Fear Regional Jetport/Howie Franklin Field. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System. This action also recognizes the airport name change to Cape Fear Regional Jetport/Howie Franklin Field and updates the geographic coordinates of the airport.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with certain main rotor blades installed to reduce the life limit of those blades. This AD is prompted by two accidents and the subsequent investigations that revealed that, in each accident, a main rotor blade failed because of fatigue cracking. These actions are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the fuel crossfeed valves cannot be controlled when only emergency electrical power is available, that an unwanted configuration of the indication logic for the fuel fire shutoff valve was introduced during production, and that current fuel crossfeed indications are based on selection by the flightcrew instead of actual position of the crossfeed valve actuators. This AD requires modifying the crossfeed valve control and power supply, the crossfeed indication logic and power supply, and the indication logic for the fuel fire shutoff valve; modifying the overhead panel; and for certain airplanes, modifying the transfer logic of the center wing fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an in-flight engine re- light following a double engine flame-out event, which could result in loss of the airplane.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Watts- Woodland Airport, Woodland, CA. The proposed decommissioning of the Travis VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range (VOR) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters that requires establishing a revised life limit for each tail rotor (T/R) blade and updating the helicopter's historical records, repetitively inspecting T/R blades for a crack, and replacing certain T/R blades. This AD is prompted by a fatal accident involving an Agusta Model AW139 helicopter, which may have been caused by cracks in a T/R blade. These actions are intended to detect and prevent a crack in a T/R blade, which could lead to failure of a T/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes; all Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes; all Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; and all Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires replacing certain water accumulator assemblies having a certain part installed on the pitot and static lines of the air data computer (ADC). Since we issued that AD, an error was discovered in one service document number, and we have determined that credit for accomplishing actions in another erroneously cited service document should be removed from that AD. This proposed AD would correct the erroneous service document number and remove the other erroneously cited service document from that AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent pitot-static tubing from becoming partially or completely blocked by water, which could result in erroneous airspeed and altitude indications and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2012, that amends the airway structure in the vicinity of Windsor Locks, CT, due to the planned decommissioning of the Bradley VHF omnirange/tactical air navigation aid. This action corrects the longitude coordinate for one point in the description of area navigation (RNAV) route T-300.

This action modifies restricted area R-2917 by reducing the lateral and vertical dimensions of the area. The U.S. Air Force has determined that a smaller restricted area is needed to ensure that aircraft carrying certain electro-explosive devices remain a safe distance from an FPS-85 radar site.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.

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.

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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Lafayette Airport Commission for Lafayette Regional Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR Part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

This action delays the effective date and reopens the comment period for a Direct Final Rule that was published on February 16, 2012 (77 FR 9163). In that document, the FAA published amendments to remove the definitions of Category IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc operations because the definitions are outdated and no longer used for aircraft certification or operational authorization. The International Aviation Civil Organization (ICAO) has requested additional time to adequately analyze the Direct Final Rule and prepare comments.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the main fitting and sliding tube of the nose landing gear (NLG) for defects, damage, and cracks, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of a cracked main fitting and sliding tube during overhaul of NLGs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks, defects, or damage of the main fitting and sliding tube of the NLG, which could result in failure of the main fitting or sliding tube, and consequent NLG collapse.

This is a confirmation notice of the cancellation of TSO-C67, Airborne Radar Altimeter Equipment (For Air Carrier Aircraft). The effect of the cancelled TSO will result in no new TSO-C67 design or production approvals. However, cancellation will not affect any current production of an existing TSO authorization (TSOA). Articles produced under an existing TSOA can still be installed per the existing airworthiness approvals, and all applications for new airworthiness approvals will still be processed.

This action proposes to remove Class D Airspace at Andalusia, AL, as the Air Traffic Control Tower at South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field has closed, and amend Class E Airspace at Fort Rucker, AL, by recognizing the airport's name change to South Alabama Regional Airport at Bill Benton Field. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the two listed Class E airports.

This Notice provides information to Federal, State, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested persons regarding the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS for Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX's) proposal to launch the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles from a private site located in Cameron County, Texas. Under the Proposed Action, SpaceX proposes to construct a vertical launch area and a control center area to support up to 12 commercial launches per year. The vehicles to be launched include the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy (up to two per year), and a variety of smaller reusable suborbital launch vehicles. SpaceX would be required to apply for the appropriate launch licenses and/or experimental permits to be issued by the FAA. The FAA will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500- 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, as part of its licensing and permitting process.