Federal Aviation Administration November 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule updates existing overflight fee rates using Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 FAA cost accounting and air traffic activity data. Overflight fees are charges for aircraft flights that transit U.S.-controlled airspace, but neither land in nor depart from the United States. Overflight fee rates were last updated in 2011. As a result, the FAA is not recovering the full cost of the services it provides. The FAA is increasing the rates for enroute and oceanic overflights based on Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 cost and air traffic activity data. The FAA is phasing in this rate increase over 3 years in equal percentage terms. This is a less burdensome approach than the alternative of phasing in the new rates in equal absolute terms, and is the same methodology used in the previous rulemaking. Finally, the FAA is making several organizational and clarifying revisions to the overflight fee requirements.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that the main landing gear (MLG) could not be extended and locked down during approach. This AD requires inspection of the restrictor check valve filter screens to detect any degraded or failed filter screens, and installation of serviceable parts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a certain bolt used on the outboard clevis of the ram air turbine (RAT) forward support fitting might not be long enough to allow for proper installation of the RAT. This proposed AD would require inspection of the forward support fitting of the RAT and replacement if cracking is found, and installation of a longer shoulder bolt. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Willows-Glenn County Airport, Willows, CA. Decommissioning of the Maxwell VHF Omni-directional Range/ Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid and cancellation of associated approaches has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. The airport's geographic coordinates also would be adjusted to match the current FAA aeronautical database.

This action modifies Class D airspace at Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, TX, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Rockport Aransas County Airport, Corpus Christi, TX; Lancaster Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Gainesville Municipal Airport, Gainesville, TX; Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, TX; (Hebbronville, TX) O.S. Wyatt Airport, Realitos, TX; and Jasper County-Bell Field, Jasper, TX. Decommissioning of non- directional radio beacons (NDB), cancellation of NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports. This action also updates the geographic coordinates for Corpus Christi International Airport; the Corpus Christi VORTAC; Aransas County Airport, Rockport, TX; Nueces County Airport, Robstown, TX; Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; McKinney National Airport, McKinney, TX; Lancaster Airport; Bourland Field Airport, Fort Worth, TX; Jasper County-Bell Field; and Alfred C. `Bubba' Thomas (formerly San Patricio County Airport), Sinton, TX, to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Also, the names of McCampbell-Porter Airport (formerly T.P. McCampbell Airport); McKinney National Airport (formerly Collin County Regional Airport); Ralph M. Hall/Rockwall Municipal Airport (formerly Rockwall Municipal Airport); and Alfred C. `Bubba' Thomas (formerly San Patricio County Airport) are being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that static strength analysis has shown that the aluminum transmission aft bearing plate assemblies have inadequate structural strength for one or more of the required load cases. This AD requires removing aluminum transmission aft bearing plate assemblies from the flap track and installing titanium transmission aft bearing plate assemblies to the flap track. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76D helicopters. This AD requires revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to prohibit Barometric Altitude Hold (ALT) mode beyond a certain rate of climb or descent. This AD is prompted by a report of the autopilot being unable to maintain level flight during certain flight conditions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a significant pilot workload increase, pilot disorientation, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the upper chord of the overwing stub beams at body station (STA) 578 emanating from the rivet location common to the crease beam inner chord and the overwing stub beam upper chord. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-25-08 for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. AD 2007-25-08 required checking the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) oil, inspecting the magnetic plug, and either replacing the TGB or performing additional inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of new occurrences of loss of yaw control due to failure of the control rod bearing. This AD requires checking the TGB oil level and replacing the bearing with a new part-numbered bearing. These actions are intended to detect and prevent damage to the bearing resulting in end play, loss of tail rotor pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-19-12 for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2006-19-12 required inspecting the lower web of the aft fairing of the engine struts for any discoloration, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; inspecting the heat shield castings for any damage and doing corrective action if necessary; installing gap cover strips; and replacing insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. This new AD retains those requirements and also requires, depending on airplane configuration, one-time or repetitive detailed inspections for cracking and deformation, as applicable, of the aft fairing lower structure, and one-time or repetitive conductivity inspections of the aft fairing lower structure, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report that an aft fairing lower spar web exceeded the allowable conductivity limits. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes special conditions for the Cessna Aircraft Company model 525 airplane. This airplane as modified by Cranfield Aerospace Limited will have a novel or unusual design features associated with the installation of a Tamarack Active Technology Load Alleviation System and Cranfield Winglets. These design features will include winglets and an Active Technology Load Alleviation System. 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 the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912 S2, 912 S3, 912 S4, 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating engines. This AD requires replacement of any affected carburetor float with a float that is eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the manufacturing of the affected floats. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the carburetor float, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Manti-Ephraim Airport, Manti, UT, to accommodate new Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for standard instrument approach and departure procedures. The establishment of Class E airspace is necessary to support the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various restricted category helicopters. This AD requires cleaning and visually inspecting certain main rotor (M/R) blades and, depending on the outcome of the inspections, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This AD was prompted by a report of an M/R blade with multiple fatigue cracks around the blade retention bolt hole. The actions are intended to detect a crack in the M/R blade, and prevent failure of the M/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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 certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, and 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that wear and possible leakage of the high-pressure seal in the cylinder of the No. 3 hydraulic system reservoir could occur and cause high hydraulic fluid temperature and/or prevent the system from reaching normal operating pressure. This AD requires repetitive operational checks for wear and leakage of the high-pressure seal in the cylinder of the reservoir of the No. 3 hydraulic system, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-12- 04, which applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. AD 2008-12-04 currently requires various repetitive inspections to detect cracks along the chem-milled steps of the fuselage skin, and to detect missing or loose fasteners in the area of the preventive modification or repairs, replacement of the time- limited repair with the permanent repair if applicable, and applicable corrective actions, if necessary, which would end certain repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 2008-12-04, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) has indicated that the upper skin panel at the chem-milled step above the lap joint is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD) if the modification was installed after 30,000 total flight cycles. This proposed AD would reduce the post-modification inspection compliance times, limit installation of the preventive modification to airplanes with fewer than 30,000 total flight cycles, and add repetitive inspections for modified airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper skin panel at the chem-milled step above the lap joint, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV and GV-SP airplanes. This AD was prompted by a new revision to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) based on fatigue and damage tolerance testing, and updated analysis. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate updated inspection requirements and life limits that address fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). We are issuing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the PSEs and critical components.

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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the bushings of the inner and outer forward trusses of both engines. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of delaminated and worn engine mount bushings. The proposed actions are intended to detect delaminated engine mount bushings, which can lead to excessive vibration, cracking, failure of the engine mount front support pins, and loss of helicopter control.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Ninety Seventh Plenary for RTCA SC-159 Navigation Equipment Using the Global Positioning System.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Thirteenth RTCA SC-231 TAWS Plenary.