Federal Aviation Administration October 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain splice plate locations of the aft pressure bulkhead web are hidden and cannot be inspected using existing manufacturer service information. This proposed AD would require repetitive open-hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead web. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the aft pressure bulkhead web, which could result in rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for B-N Group Ltd. Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN- 2A-9, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN- 2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-03-18. 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 damage of the cable sliding end assembly and installation of the incorrect end fitting on engine control cable assemblies. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes. This AD revises AD 2015-06- 02 R1, which required inspection to detect and correct the omission of steel washers at each isolator mount location. This AD retains the actions of AD 2014-06-02 R1 but corrects the AD number in the parenthetical of the compliance time in paragraph (f)(1) of the AD. This AD was prompted by reports of missing required engine mount fire seal washers, which could reduce the engine retention capability in the event of a fire. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-16-01 for certain The Boeing Company Model airplanes. AD 2015-16-01 required incorporating design changes to improve the reliability of the cabin altitude warning system by installing a redundant cabin altitude pressure switch, replacing the aural warning module (AWM) with a new or reworked AWM, and changing certain wire bundles or connecting certain previously capped and stowed wires as necessary. For certain airplanes, AD 2015-16-01 also required prior or concurrent incorporation of related design changes by modifying the instrument panels, installing light assemblies, modifying the wire bundles, and installing a new circuit breaker, as necessary. This AD retains all actions required by AD 2015-16-01. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a typographical error in AD 2015-16-01 that referred to a nonexistent paragraph. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of cabin altitude warning, which could delay flightcrew recognition of a lack of cabin pressurization, and could result in incapacitation of the flightcrew due to hypoxia (a lack of oxygen in the body), and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4- C-37 turbofan engines. This AD requires reducing the cyclic life limits for certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) disks, removing those disks that have exceeded the new life limit, and replacing them with serviceable parts. This AD was prompted by RR updating the life limits for certain HPT disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT disk, which could result in uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate revised tasks specified in certain temporary revisions (TRs) to the airplane airworthiness limitations (AWLs). The NPRM was prompted by the need for more stringent inspection requirements for certain affected components. This action revises the NPRM by proposing to require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate certain revised AWL tasks instead of TRs, and by proposing to require repairs of affected components. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the affected components, which could result in loss of structural integrity. Since these actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We are superseding emergency airworthiness directive (AD) No. 2015-16-51 (Emergency AD 2015-16-51) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. Emergency AD 2015-16-51 required inspections of each inboard and outboard tail rotor pitch link assembly for axial or radial bearing play, and if there was axial or radial bearing play, removing the tail rotor pitch link and inspecting for wear. Emergency AD 2015-16-51 was prompted by several reports of worn tail rotor pitch link spherical bearings. We are issuing this supersedure to retain the inspection requirements in Emergency AD 2015- 16-51 while revising the applicability and compliance time to clarify that all Bell Model 429 helicopters require recurring inspections regardless of hours time-in-service (TIS) accumulated on the helicopter. These actions are intended to prevent pitch link failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Notice is hereby given per 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(1)(A) that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change approximately 9.1 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of this airport property. As described in the 2011 approved Airport Layout Plan, the 9.1 acres of airport land are composed of Tract C Lots LL 2 and LL 3, and Tract D Lot LL 1C. Precently these properties are occupied as follows: LL 2 Mat-Su Borough Nutrition Center, LL 3 Baseball Fields, and LL 1C City Water Well.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-19-03 for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and - 900ER series airplanes. AD 2015-19-03 required revising the maintenance or inspection program to include new airworthiness limitations. This AD continues to require a maintenance or inspection program revision, but with revised language. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain language in the airworthiness limitation was not accurate in AD 2015-19-03. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine, which could result in the inability to shut off fuel to the engine and, in case of certain engine fires, an uncontrollable fire that could lead to wing failure.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, and S-76D helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor (M/R) and tail rotor (T/R) pushrod assemblies and the jamnuts, and applying slippage marks across the pushrod tubes and jamnuts. This AD is prompted by an accident of a Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76C helicopter. During preliminary investigation, a failed pushrod assembly was identified. These actions are intended to prevent loss of M/R or T/R flight control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Vidalia, LA. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Concordia Parish Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the installation of non-conforming honeycomb seals in the high-pressure compressor (HPC) adjacent to the HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 spool and stage 7 to 9 spool. This proposed AD would require removal and replacement of the affected HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 and stage 7 to 9 spools. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 and stage 7 to 9 spools, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-18- 12, for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. AD 2012-18-12 currently requires modifying the off-wing escape slide (OWS) enclosures on the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side of the fuselage. Since we issued AD 2012-18-12, we have received reports that additional OWS part numbers have been affected. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2012-18-12 and expand the applicability to all Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent off-wing exits on the LH and RH sides of the fuselage from becoming inoperative, which, during an emergency, could impair the safe evacuation of occupants, possibly resulting in personal injuries.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by crack finds in the 6th stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) disk. This AD requires removal of the affected 6th stage LPT disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 6th stage LPT disk, which could lead to an uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

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 12, 2015. This collection involves requirements for certain repair stations to provide documentation showing that persons handling hazmat for transportation have been trained following DOT guidelines.

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 12, 2015. The rule allows some experienced pilots who would otherwise qualify as flight instructors or check airmen, but who are not medically eligible to hold the requisite medical certificate, to perform flight instructor or check airmen functions in a simulator.

This document clarifies the applicability of the statutory requirements regarding aircraft registration to UAS, including those operating as model aircraft. In addition, the DOT announces the formation of a UAS registration task force to explore and develop recommendations to streamline the registration process for UAS to ease the burden associated with the existing aircraft registration process. This document requests information and recommendations regarding what information and registration platform would be appropriate for UAS registration and ways to minimize the burden to the regulated community. In addition, we request comment on which UAS, based on their weight or performance capabilities, warrant a continued exercise of discretion with respect to requiring registration because of the negligible risk they pose to the national airspace system (NAS).

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Twenty-Fifth RTCA Special Committee 217 meeting.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the seventh RTCA Special Committee 231 meeting.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Twenty-First RTCA Special Committee 222 meeting.

This action proposes to modify 3 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways (V-140, V-272, and V-440) in the vicinity of Sayre, OK. The FAA is proposing this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Sayre, OK (SYO), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) facility that provides navigation guidance for a portion of the airways listed. This action would enhance the route structure within the National Airspace System.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Wakeeney, KS. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Trego Wakeeney Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. The airport name also is correctly noted in the airspace description.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-26-02 for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters. AD 98-26-02 required determining whether the main rotor shaft (MRS) was used in repetitive external lift (REL) operations, performing a nondestructive inspection (NDI) for cracks, replacing any unairworthy MRS, and establishing retirement lives for each REL MRS. This new AD retains some of the requirements of AD 98-26- 02 but determines a new retirement life for each MRS, expands the applicability to include additional helicopters, and requires removing from service any MRS with oversized dowel pin bores. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's reevaluation of the retirement life for the MRS based on torque, ground-air-ground (GAG) cycle, and fatigue testing. We are issuing this AD to prevent MRS structural failure, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action proposes to establish 2 new restricted areas (R- 5601G and R-5601H) to expand the special use airspace (SUA) complex located at Fort Sill, OK, to provide additional maneuvering airspace for current and planned training activities determined to be hazardous to non-participating aircraft. Specifically, the proposed restricted areas would provide participating fighter or bomber aircraft with laser-firing and maneuvering airspace when training at the Falcon Bombing Range contained in R-5601C, at the West Range Target Area contained in R-5601B, or at the East Range Target Area contained in R- 5601A. In addition, the using agency for all Fort Sill restricted areas would be updated to reflect the current organization tasked with that responsibility. The U.S. Army requested that the FAA take this action to allow realistic training on current tactics developed and refined during recent combat operations for employing hazardous targeting laser systems and weapons capabilities at longer ranges from the target area.