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

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-03- 02 for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. AD 2007-03-02 requires an ultrasonic inspection (UI) of low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blades for cracks on certain serial number (S/N) Tay 650-15 engines. AD 2007-03-02 also requires, for all Tay 611-8, 620-15, Tay 650-15, and Tay 651-54 engines, initial and repetitive UIs of LP compressor fan blades. AD 2007-03-02 also requires, for Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engines, UIs of LP compressor fan blades whenever the blade set is removed from one engine and installed on a different engine. Since we issued AD 2007-03- 02, we received a report of an additional engine failure due to multiple fan blade separation. This proposed AD would require additional inspections for the affected engines and removal of the Tay 611-8 engine from the applicability of this AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor fan blade, engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

This action proposes to modify RNAV route Q-20 in support of the Houston Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex (OAPM) project. This proposed action re-aligns Q-20 to incorporate the FUSCO waypoint (WP) being relocated .48 nautical miles southwest to match the intersection of Jet routes J-15 and J-183.

This action proposes to establish 14 RNAV Q-routes and modify 4 Q-routes in support of the Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex (OAPM) project. This proposed action is intended to enhance air traffic flow in the vicinity of the Atlanta, GA (ATL) and Charlotte, NC (CLT) Metroplex areas.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777- 200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by ARINC Aerospace Company, will have novel or unusual design features associated with Class 3 Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) and wireless local area data networks (LAN) associated with the EFB architecture and existing airplane network systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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 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.

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. FAA regulations prescribe certification standards for pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. The information collected is used to determine compliance with applicant eligibility.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement or repair of the low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blade set before reaching a specified number of flight cycles since new (FCSN) or flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair (FCSLR). This AD was prompted by reports of erosion of the leading edge profile of the LP compressor blade set contributing to fan blade flutter. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor blades, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines. This AD requires applying sealant to close the engine clutch housing (crankcase assembly) opening. This AD was prompted by a report of engine power loss due to engine coolant contaminating the engine clutch. The design of the engine allows the crankcase assembly opening to be susceptible to contamination from external sources. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight engine power loss, which could result in loss of control of, and damage to, the airplane.

This notice concerns a petition for waiver submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital) to waive, in part, the requirement that a launch operator enter into a reciprocal waiver of claims with each customer. The FAA grants the petition on the condition that no employees of NASA- sponsored CubeSat operators will be inside a hazard area associated with the Minotaur I launch.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) AQUILA Aviation by Excellence AG Model AT01 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a defective sealing of a tapped through bore hole at the inside of the fuel tank openings in combination with prolonged periods at maximum fuel level. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a broken forward support fitting at the inboard track of the inboard flap. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the forward support fitting assemblies of the inboard track of the left and right inboard flaps for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the forward support fitting assembly, which could result in loss of inboard flap control and subsequent loss of airplane control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the torque value of the bolts that secure the front and rear main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar attaching fittings, and re-torqueing the bolts to the proper value if the torque value is out of tolerance. This AD also requires, if the torque value is out of tolerance by more than 20 percent, inspecting the bolts, frames, and related equipment for a crack and repairing or replacing them if cracked. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on Frame 5295 of Model AS332L2 helicopters. The actions of this AD are intended to detect the torque loss of the bolts that secure the MGB bar attaching fittings and to prevent cracks that could lead to failure of the MGB supporting structure, detachment of the MGB, and loss of helicopter control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) model Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 turbofan engines. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the high-pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism and, depending on findings, corrective action. This AD was prompted by excessive deterioration of the HP air bleed valve operating mechanism, which is influencing the aerodynamic fan flutter margin. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to multiple fan blade failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent multiple fan blade failure, which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c), notice is hereby given of a special closed session of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The special closed session will be an administrative session for the Committee members to review the provisions of the COMSTAC Charter; the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA); 41 CFR, Parts 101-6 and 102-3; and the Department of Transportation and FAA Orders concerning advisory committee management. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at the National Housing Center, 1201 15th Street NW., Washington, DC 20005, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with sliding doors, except those with modification AL.4262. This AD requires removing from service certain part-numbered nuts and washers from the lower ball-joint bolt. This AD was prompted by a report of a sliding door detaching from the helicopter in flight. These actions are intended to prevent loss of the lower ball-joint nut, which could lead to loss of the sliding door and damage to the helicopter.

Projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) must meet the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 50101, Buy American Preferences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering issuing waivers to foreign manufacturers of Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment (CFME) that meet the requirements of FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5320-12C, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance of Skid-Resistant Airport Pavement Surfaces. This notice requests information from manufacturers of CFME meeting the technical requirements to determine whether a waiver to the Buy American Preferences should be issued.

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 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.

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

This action proposes to amend the Federal Aviation Administration (``FAA'') Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999 (``Revenue Use Policy'') to clarify FAA's policy on Federal requirements for the use of proceeds from taxes on aviation fuel. Under Federal law, airport operators that have accepted Federal assistance generally may use airport revenues only for airport-related purposes. The revenue use requirements apply to certain state and local government taxes on aviation fuel as well as to revenues received directly by an airport operator. This notice publishes a proposed clarification of FAA's understanding of the Federal requirements for use of revenues derived from taxes on aviation fuel. Briefly, an airport operator or state government submitting an application under the Airport Improvement Program must provide assurance that revenues from state and local government taxes on aviation fuel are used for certain aviation-related purposes. These purposes include airport capital and operating costs, and state aviation programs. In view of the interests of sellers and consumers of aviation fuel, and of state and local government taxing authorities in limits on use of proceeds from taxes touching aviation fuel, this notice solicits public comment on the proposed policy clarification. This notice also solicits comments about whether there are other reasonable interpretations regarding local taxes that are not enumerated here and should be considered by the FAA. Finally, this proposed policy clarification, if finalized, would apply prospectively to use of proceeds from both new taxes and to existing taxes that do not qualify for grandfathering from revenue use requirements.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 228Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-180 airplanes that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results 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 cases of un-commanded operation of switched off nose-wheel steering system caused by internal leakage of a steering select/bypass valve, which could lead to loss of directional control on ground during take-off or landing, possibly resulting in a runway excursion. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 21, 2013, vol. 78, no. 162, pages 51807-51808. The FAA collects data 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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 21, 2013, vol. 78, no. 162, pages 51806-51807. 14 CFR Part 125 prescribes requirements for issuing operating certificates and for appropriate operating rules. In addition to the statutory basis, the collection of this information is necessary to issue, reissue, or amend applicant's operating certificates and operations specifications.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. This proposed AD results 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 insufficient clearance between one of the horizontal stabilizer end ribs and the corresponding elevator horn. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.