Federal Aviation Administration 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule will prohibit flightcrew members in operations under part 121 from using a personal wireless communications device or laptop computer for personal use while at their duty station on the flight deck while the aircraft is being operated. This rule, which conforms FAA regulations with legislation, is intended to ensure that certain non-essential activities do not contribute to the challenge of task management on the flight deck or a loss of situational awareness due to attention to non-essential tasks.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the first meeting of the 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) Joint with EUROCAE WG-98 Committee.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The FAA requires that certain performance information be provided in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual in order to show compliance to the regulatory requirements. The flight manual, by regulation, must be furnished with each aircraft.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the first meeting of the Airborne Weather Detection Systems Committee.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Sixty-Third meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 135, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG (RRD) Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 651- 54 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement of low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades. This AD was prompted by the discovery that the LPC fan blades leading edges erode in service and create an unacceptable blade flutter margin. We are issuing this AD to prevent LPC fan blade failure, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of broken struts of the center wing box (CWB). This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the CWB struts for cracking, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked or broken struts, which could result in strut failure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of two cases of premature corrosion found on the structural support flange for the engine thrust reverser. This proposed AD would require doing a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the metallic components of the thrust reverser's attach flange for any corrosion; inspecting the thrust reverser flange for damage to the sealant, as applicable; installing sealants and gaskets, as applicable, to the thrust reverser flanges and service island flanges; and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the thrust reverser structural support, which could result in departure of the thrust reverser from the engine that could subsequently result in damage to the adjacent support structure and engine controls, airframe structure, and control surfaces. Departing thrust reversers could also result in injury to persons on the ground.

This action proposes special conditions for the Learjet Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The fuselage of the LJ-200-1A10 will be made of composite materials rather than conventional aluminum, which may affect fire propagation during an in- flight fire. 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Learjet Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This feature is a hybrid construction that uses both composite and metallic materials in the structure for which the crashworthiness responses for occupant safety may not be equivalent to current all-metallic airplanes. 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.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-19-11 for certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. AD 2003-19-11 required determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed; and follow- on/corrective actions, as applicable. This new AD requires retaining all actions in AD 2003-19-11, and it also requires determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed, performing repetitive measurements of the fuel crossflow tube and surrounding valves and cables, and doing corrective actions if necessary. In addition, this new AD expands the applicability of AD 2003-19-11. This AD was prompted by a report that airplanes produced since 2003 might also be subject to the unsafe condition; and that the minimum allowable clearance is not established in the airplane maintenance information. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing and consequent failure of the fuel crossflow tube due to inadequate clearance between the tube and the flight control cables, which could result in loss of fuel from one fuel tank during normal operating conditions or loss of fuel from both main fuel tanks during fuel cross-feeding operations.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain the Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks in stringer splices at body station STA 360 and STA 908, between stringer (S) S-10L and S-10R; cracks in butt straps between S-5L and S-3L, and S-3R and S-5R; vertical chem-mill fuselage skin cracks at certain butt joints; and an instance of cracking that occurred in all those three structural elements on one airplane. This AD requires repetitive inspections for any cracking of stringer splices and butt straps, and related corrective and investigative actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the three structural elements, which could result in the airplane not being able to sustain limit load requirements and possibly result in uncontrolled decompression.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model EC225LP and AS332L1 helicopters with emergency floatation gear. The AD requires, before the next overwater flight, inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear on both rear cradles for correct installation. If a strap is installed under the hinged rod median plate rather than over it, reinstalling the strap is required. The AD is prompted by incorrect routing of the straps on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear rear cradles. The actions are intended to detect incorrect strap installation and prevent failure of the rods or straps upon deployment of the emergency flotation gear, incorrect float position, and subsequent capsizing of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-16- 01, that applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300, and Model A340-200 and -300, series airplanes. AD 2004-16-01 currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the chromed area of the left and right piston rods for the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2004-16-01, we have determined that the presence of water in the internal volume of the piston rod can consequently lead to propagation of longitudinal cracking in the body of the piston rod. We have also determined through sampling that certain retraction actuator piston rods of the MLG need to be replaced. This proposed AD would require repetitive draining of any fluid from the retraction actuator piston rod internal volume and sealing of the vent hole; repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the upper end of the piston rods, and corrective actions if necessary; a one-time ultrasonic inspection (longitudinal and circumferential) of the full-length of the piston rod, and corrective actions if necessary; and a terminating modification of the left-hand and right-hand MLG retraction actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the piston rods for the MLG retraction actuators, which could result in rupture of a piston rod, non-damped extension of the MLG, high loads on the fully extended MLG, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the MLG.

These special conditions are issued for the Learjet Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with advanced composite materials in the construction of its fuselage and wings. 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 action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Kuparuk, AK, to accommodate aircraft departing and arriving under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Ugnu-Kuparuk Airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport. This action would also make an adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

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 action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register January 21, 2014. In that rule, two geographic coordinate references, one in Area J and one in Area M, were incorrectly published in the Dallas/Fort Worth Class B airspace area regulatory text descriptions.

This rule 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 amend the time of designation for restricted areas R-3008A, B, C, and D, Grand Bay Weapons Range, GA, by expanding the timeframe during which the areas may be activated without prior issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). This change would better inform the flying public of routine use periods for the airspace as well as reduce the need to issue NOTAMs when necessary to activate the restricted areas outside the published ``core hours.''

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 November 27, 2013, vol. 78, no. 229, page 71024. Enplanement data collected from air taxi and commercial operators are required for the calculation of air carrier airport sponsor apportionments as specified by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and 49 U.S.C. part A, Air Commerce Safety, and part B, Airport Development and Noise.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Secretary of the Interior to provide incentives for commercial air tour operators in Grand Canyon National Park that convert to quiet aircraft technology. The FAA holds a limited number of flight allocations that are authorized under 14 CFR part 93, Subpart U, ``Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park.'' The FAA, in consultation with the National Park Service (NPS), intends to provide these allocations to commercial air tour operators that currently hold allocations in proportion to the number of quiet aircraft technology operations that are flown by respective operators in the first six months of calendar year 2014. This is a one-time release of FAA-held allocations that will be available to operators for quiet aircraft technology flights during the 2014 air tour season and beyond. The FAA and NPS are continuing to make progress on additional quiet aircraft technology incentives for commercial air tour operators in Grand Canyon National Park.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-23- 09, for all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, and -100 IGW airplanes; and Model ERJ 190-200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. AD 2012-23-09 currently requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate modifications in airworthiness limitations specified in Embraer S.A. ERJ 190 195 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR). Since we issued AD 2012-23-09, we have determined that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate modifications in the airworthiness limitations specified in Embraer S.A. ERJ 190 195 MRBR to include new inspection tasks and their respective thresholds and intervals. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of structural components, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of endurance qualification tests on the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), which revealed a partial loss of the no-back brake (NBB) efficiency in specific load conditions. This proposed AD would require inspecting certain THSAs to determine the number of total flight cycles the THSA has accumulated, and replacing the THSA if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct premature wear of the carbon friction disks on the NBB of the THSA, which could lead to reduced braking efficiency in certain load conditions and, in conjunction with the inability of the power gear train to keep the ball screw in its last commanded position, could result in uncommanded movements of the THS and loss of control of the airplane.