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

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Cut Bank Municipal Airport, Cut Bank, MT. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport would be adjusted in the respective Class E airspace areas. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. These airplanes as modified by the ARINC Aerospace Company will have a novel or unusual design feature, specifically the rechargeable lithium ion batteries and battery system that will be used on an International Communications Group (ICG) ePhone cordless cabin handset. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action amends Class E airspace at Harlingen, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures due to the decommissioning of the Sebas locator outer marker/nondirectional radio beacon (LOM/NDB) at Valley International Airport. The airport's name and geographic coordinates are also updated. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the thirty-fourth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 206, Aeronautical Information and Meteorological Data Link Services.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 217Aeronautical Databases being held jointly with EUROCAE WG-44Aeronautical Databases.

In a proposal published on May 9, 2012, the FAA tentatively identified a process through which aircraft owners and operators could ask the FAA to limit the agency's dissemination of their aircraft data via the FAA's ASDI program.\1\ The FAA noted that its final decision on the policy will replace the interim policy to which the FAA has adhered since publishing it on December 16, 2011.\2\ After considering each of the comments submitted to the public docket in response to the proposal, the FAA is issuing this final policy with respect to the dissemination of aircraft data via ASDI.

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 collects information from applicants for experimental permits in order to determine whether they satisfy the requirements for obtaining an experimental permit under 14 CFR part 437.

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 collects information from airport sponsors and planning agencies in order to administer the Airports Grants Program. Data is used to determine eligibility, ensure proper use of Federal Funds, and ensure project accomplishment.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-28-140, PA- 28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, and PA-28R-200 airplanes. AD 71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, October 8, 1971) currently requires replacement of the fuel selector valve cover. Since we issued AD 71-21-08, it has been found that a similar fuel selector valve issue exists in additional serial numbered airplanes not identified in the existing AD. This proposed AD would add additional airplanes to the AD's applicability section and changes the compliance time of the required actions. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters. The existing AD currently requires inspecting parts of the main rotor hydraulic servo actuator (servo actuator) for certain conditions and replacing any unairworthy parts before further flight. Since we issued the AD, a new stainless steel piston rod has been manufactured. We propose requiring the installation of a servo actuator assembly with this piston rod and setting an interval for the next overhaul at 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 10 years, whichever comes first. The proposed actions are intended to detect pitting or penetration of the base metal of the piston rod that could lead to the piston rod's failure, the servo actuator's failure, and the loss of helicopter control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various restricted category helicopters, originally manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), model numbers HH-1K, TH-1F, TH- 1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P. The current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Arrow Falcon Exporters Inc.; AST, Inc.; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC; International Helicopters, Inc.; JJASPP Engineering Services, LLC; Northwest Rotorcraft, LLC; OAS Parts LLC; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; San Joaquin Helicopters; Smith Helicopters; Southern Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc.; Tamarack Helicopters, Inc; and Southwest Florida Aviation, Inc. This proposed AD would require inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) cable assembly for an incorrectly machined body. This proposed AD is prompted by a report from Bell that a defective body on the cable prevents the barrel assembly from fully engaging in the body cavity. The proposed actions are intended to prevent disengagement of the cable from the barrel, failure of the T/R pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion of the components of the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator found in service; the corrosion was found at the interface of the rod end and the piston, and at the bracket and related pins. This AD requires inspection of the MLG retraction actuator components; corrective actions if necessary; and, for certain retraction actuators, installation of a new jam nut. We are issuing this AD to prevent disconnection of the MLG retraction actuator, which could result in extension of the MLG without damping, and consequent structural damage and collapse of the MLG during landing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Beechcraft Corporation (type certificate previously held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation) Models 58, 95-C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes; and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Models 58P and 58TC airplanes (both type certificates previously held by Raytheon Aircraft Company). This AD was prompted by reports of elevator balance weights becoming loose or failing because the balance weight material was under strength and did not meet material specifications. This AD requires inspections of elevator balance weights and replacement of defective elevator balance weights. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in a lower longeron in a nacelle. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the lower longerons in the nacelles, and replacement with new longerons or repair if necessary. Additionally, this AD specifies an optional terminating action. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in degradation of the structural integrity of the nacelle and possible collapse of the main landing gear (MLG).

This document is an issuance of Final Airworthiness design criteria for night visual flight rules (VFR) expansion and substantiation for the Aquila GmbH AT01. These additional provisions are expansions of the existing JAR-VLA (Joint Aviation RequirementsVery Light Aircraft) and CS-VLA regulations to include Night-VFR. The current regulations only allow Day-VFR, but the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expanding the VLA regulations for this type of airplane through EASA special conditions. These FAA design criteria are being proposed to be the same as the EASA Special Conditions. The original certification of the aircraft was done under the provisions of 14 CFR part 21, Sec. 21.29, as a 14 CFR part 21, Sec. 21.17(b), special class aircraft, JAR-VLA, using the requirements of JAR-VLA Amendment VLA/92/01 as developed by the Joint Aviation Authority, and under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations and two additional design criteria issued on September 2, 2003 (68 FR 56809).

This action modifies the airspace at Point Thomson, AK, by establishing Class E Airspace at Point Thomson Airstrip Airport, Point Thomson, AK. New Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures have been established at the airport. This action enhances the safety and management of aircraft 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.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Loup City, NE. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Loup City 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.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the ARAC.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-10- 11, which applies to certain the Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, - 200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2002-10-11 currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking and corrosion of the aft pressure bulkhead, and corrective actions if necessary; and, for certain airplanes, enlargement of frame chord drain holes, and repetitive inspections of the frame chord drain path for debris, and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2002-10-11, we have received three reports of severe corrosion in the area affected by that AD. This proposed AD would, for certain airplanes, reduce the repetitive inspection interval, and add repetitive inspections of the frame chord drain path for obstructions and debris, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also limit corrosion and cracking repairs of the aft pressure bulkhead accomplished after the effective date of this AD to those approved by the FAA in a manner described therein. In reviewing AD 2002-10-11, we noted that the drain path inspection was not required for certain airplanes, and could be eliminated for all airplanes if operators accomplished certain actions required by AD 2002-10-11. This proposed AD would add a drain path inspection for all airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion or cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in loss of the aft pressure bulkhead web and stiffeners, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-06-29, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2008-06-29 required repetitive inspections of the downstop assemblies on the main tracks of the No. 2, 3, 4, and No. 5 slats and the inboard track of the No. 1 and 6 slats to verify if any parts are missing, damaged, or in the wrong order; other specified actions; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD retains these requirements and adds an inspection of the slat can interior for foreign object debris (FOD), and removal of any FOD found; modification of the slat track hardware; an inspection for FOD and for damage to the interior surface of the slat cans; and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD was prompted by development of a modification by the manufacturer, which, when installed, would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose or missing parts in the main slat track downstop assemblies, which could puncture the slat track housing and result in a fuel leak and consequent fire.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder indicating that the frame-to- floor beam attachment is subject to widespread fatigue damage. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections for any crack of the frames at body station (STA) 188 through STA 344, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking at the frame-to-floor beam attachment, on both the left- and right-sides, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and decompression of the cabin.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an inboard main landing gear (MLG) door assembly departure due to premature fatigue cracking in the inboard MLG door hinge fittings. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the inboard MLG door hinge fittings; and replacement or modification of cracked fittings. This AD also provides an option to remove the affected MLG door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the inboard MLG door hinge fittings, which could result in loss of the MLG door assembly from the airplane, and the MLG door assembly could impact the flight control surfaces and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

We are rescinding an airworthiness directive (AD) for PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. The rescinded AD resulted from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as partial detachment of the inner protective film of the composite nacelles. Since issuance of the rescinded AD, we have determined that the unsafe condition does not exist or is not likely to develop on affected type design airplanes.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Standard Division model 6/5500/F and 24PF and Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation model 14RF, 14SF, 247F, and 568F series propellers. This AD was prompted by the amount of corrosion detected during major inspections (MI). This AD requires incorporating inspections, based on a calendar time, into the propeller maintenance schedule. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion that could result in propeller failure and loss of airplane control.