Federal Aviation Administration March 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 16, 2013, for Winter 2013-2014 flight schedules at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Slot Guidelines. The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Slot Conference for the Winter 2013-2014 scheduling season.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the charter renewal of RTCA, 1110.77U, a Federal Advisory Committee that seeks resolution of issues and challenges involving air transportation concepts, requirements, operational capabilities, and the associated use of technology and related considerations to aeronautical operations that impact the future Air Traffic Management System. This charter renewal will take effect on April 1, 2013, and will expire after 2 years.

This action amends Class E airspace at Middletown, OH. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Middletown Regional/Hook Field Airport. The airport's non-directional beacon's (NDB) geographic coordinates are also updated, as well as the airport name. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of oil residue between the stator and the rotor parts of the position resolvers of the angle of attack (AOA) vane, which was a result of incorrect removal of the machining oil during the manufacturing process of the AOA resolvers. This AD requires an inspection to determine if certain AOA probes are installed, and replacement of any affected AOA probe. We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous AOA information and consequent delayed or non- activation of the AOA protection systems, which during flight at a high AOA, could result in reduced control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that high rate discharge (HRD) bottle explosive cartridges of a cargo compartment fire extinguisher system were swapped between the forward and aft cargo compartments. Additional investigation also revealed the possibility of swapping between the electrical connectors of the HRD and low rate discharge (LRD) bottles, and a rotated installation of the HRD bottle. Improper assembly of the fire extinguishing bottle might cause the extinguishing agent to be discharged toward the unselected cargo compartment rather than toward the cargo compartment with fire. This AD requires an inspection of the HRD bottle for correct installation and to determine if the pressure switch is in the correct position, and re-installation if necessary; an inspection of the HRD and LRD bottle discharge heads to determine the part number, and replacement if necessary; and, for certain airplanes, an inspection to identify the HRD and LRD bottle electrical connectors, and relocation if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent the inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress fire.

This notice announces the proposed development of an advisory circular addressing airworthiness approval for aircraft forward-looking windshear and turbulence radar systems. The planned advisory circular would address installation guidance for these functionalities in Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C63d, Airborne Weather Radar Equipment. The objective is to leverage the installation specific guidance from the System Level Requirements (SLR) 10.2 recommended by the Forward- Looking Windshear Detection System Working Group and the generic issue papers on turbulence detection to publish an advisory circular. (In order for the public to comment on our proposal, they will need to have access to SLR 10.2 and the issue papers.)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of several power loss events due to fracture of the waste gate controller lever. This proposed AD would require removing from service certain part number (P/N) waste gate controllers. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, which could result in loss of control and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-223F, -223, -321, -322, and -323 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by fatigue load analysis that determined that the inspection interval for certain pylon bolts must be reduced. This proposed AD would require a torque check of forward engine mount bolts, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct loose or broken bolts, which could lead to engine detachment in-flight, and damage to the airplane.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Bass Harbor, ME, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) special Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Bass Harbor Heliport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action amends Class E airspace at Decorah, IA. Decommissioning of the Decorah non-directional beacon (NDB) at Decorah Municipal Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Beeville, TX. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Chase Field Industrial Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace at West Union, IA. Decommissioning of the West Union non-directional beacon (NDB) at George L. Scott Municipal Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a high-speed rejected takeoff caused by all four main landing gear (MLG) tires blowing out during the takeoff roll. This proposed AD would require installing new rigid hydraulic tube assemblies to the MLG struts, installing a new MLG squat switch bracket, modifying the MLG squat switch wire harness, modifying the MLG anti-skid wheel transducer electrical wire harnesses, routing and securing the anti-skid wheel and squat switch electrical wire harnesses to the MLG strut assembly; installing outboard bracket assemblies, anti-skid shield, forward electrical cover on the forward stiffener, upper and lower inboard bracket assemblies, and clamps that support the electrical wire harness; modifying the aft stiffener for the new electrical wire harness support; installing the aft electrical cover and strap on the aft stiffener; installing a new flat landing light lamp if necessary; and, for certain airplanes; installing a new wheel speed detect box assembly, nutplates, and brackets and a new thrust reverser interface box, and modifying the wiring for the new thrust reverser interface box. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the braking system or adverse operation of the spoiler and thrust reverser system due to external damage, particularly from tire failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Worthington, MN. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Worthington Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport. Geographical coordinates would also be updated.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the Tobe VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ DME), Tobe, CO to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Denver and Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations within the National Airspace System.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the Gillette VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME), Gillette, WY to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Denver, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations within the National Airspace System.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Elbow Lake, MN. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Elbow Lake Municipal-Pride of the Prairie Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

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 meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, May 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the National Housing Center, 1201 15th Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. This will be the 57th meeting of the COMSTAC. The proposed schedule for the COMSTAC working group meetings on May 14 is below:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hartzell Propeller, Inc. propeller models HC-(1, D)2(X, V, MV)20-7, HC- (1, D)2(X, V, MV)20-8 and HC-(1, D)3(X, V, MV)20-8. This proposed AD was prompted by failures of the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm and resulting engine oil leak. This proposed AD would require replacement of the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm. We are proposing this AD to prevent propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm rupture, loss of engine oil, damage to the engine, and loss of the airplane.

This action proposes to modify the legal description of VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-345 in the vicinity of Ashland, WI. The Ashland (ASX) VOR Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ DME) navigation aid, which forms the northern most point of the airway, has been out of service for over ten months, with a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) published, and is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2013. The FAA is proposing this action to remove that portion of V-345 affected by the loss of service by the Ashland, WI, VOR/DME.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-233 in the vicinity of Springfield, IL. The FAA is taking this action to correct the V-233 description contained in Part 71 to ensure it matches the information contained in the FAA's aeronautical database, matches the depiction on the associated charts, and ensures the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130 B4 helicopters with a cabin vibration damper installed. This AD requires installing a vibration damper casing assembly on both sides of the helicopter. This AD was prompted by a crack and failure of a cabin vibration damper blade. The actions of this AD are intended to modify the cabin vibration damper assembly to prevent contact with the flight controls in the event of a cabin vibration blade failure, jamming of a flight control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires replacing certain parking brake accumulators. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that it is necessary to protect the hydraulic system and airplane structure from possible damage by any faulty screw cap or end cap of any accumulator. This proposed AD would require installing restraint devices around the parking brake accumulator end caps. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the parking brake accumulator screw cap or end cap resulting in loss of the number 2 hydraulic system and damage to airplane structures, which could adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the 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.